Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-12

uous residence might
have been chosen. but the khan had
preferred this simple abode. perhaps
because OF its military associations.
Upon the way there Darrell learned
something Of the taking OF the place
through the conversation OF an officer,
a friend Of Korna's, who had got news
OF his arrival in the city and had come
to greet him. 1t appeared thTt, though
there is railroad to Vladikaukas, the
garrison had not been REINFORCED at
the outbreak OF the struggle to the ex-
tent necessary to hold it. and. even Sc,
the force within the walls had retreat
ed upon very small prOvocation, In the
officers opinion. he said natly that
the city ought to have been held with
out much difficulty and that the Rus
sian retreat from ii ought to result In
q court martial or two.
However" he added, I'VE can't hold
1t, and the sooner we make a junction
with Prince Kilziar the better"
He was surprised to hear from Oar
rell that so numerous a force lay south
OF them. According to the best OF his
information, no adequate report OF the
Outside the house OF the khan there
was evidence Of good but somewhat
spectacular military discipline. An uD-
necessary number Of sentries stood up
on guard, and they challenged all COM
ers In a manner that suggested to Oar
reli the military dramas that he had
seen In his own country. His heart
swelled with pity for the woman he
loved thus playing soldier In this pre-
posterous campaign.
Upon the veranda OF the structure he
beheld a woman with the figure and
warllke bearing OF Brunhilde, but too
old for the role, and he learned that she
was a princess who had been a sort of
military heroine in the lighting days of
the sixties. This formidable person re-
treated within the house as the party
advanced, but Darrell was glad to have
seen her.
Pauslng for moment in the hall, he
was conscious OF boyish excitement
agreeable to the heart as any touch OF
youth Is TO the man who has seen much
OF life. a door opened. He heard the
sound of Vera's voice. and the blood
rushed to his face
The princess sat by n long table upon
which were many documents and maps
BY her side stood "A gray haired man In
q generals uniform He was a typical
Circassian, slender limbed. dispropor-
tionately broad in the shoulder, his face
stamped with that sort of pride which
requires nothing but the mans exist
ence to account for It. Yet this express
sion was modified by anxiety and by a
Difference for the princess which was
not without fineness Of quality.
Darrell marked the man because the
opening door revealed him before the
princess. Then he saw nothing but
Vera. She had grown much older In
these months, and her face revealed
lines that belonged not 10 It's years.
Yet she seemed to have borne her hard
ships without loss OF health. Her color
was good and her eyes were wonderfully
bright Her shoulders were covered by
gold embroidered cape that did not
Lack feminine suggestion. But Oar
rel saw under the table two riding
boots that might have been a mans ex-
cept that they were not big enough,
and at the tops OF them baggy trousers
like Turks.
NJ. Darrell" said Vera In French
and very eoldly. as he thought, II re-
gret to hear Of your mistortunes.
though do not yet understand how
they could have happened. Be assur.
ed, however, that you are safe within
our lines and that shall soon find a
way by which you can return To
France"
with your permission, exceiiency,"
replied Darrell, that 10 the least OF
my anxieties."
Il do not comprehend" said she
Il win go where you send me-" he
answered, whether 90 France or else
where, II It be upon POUR service, but
wish you might find use for me nearsr
at hand"
1T may be so" said she, inclining
her head in such way that. in obedi-
ence to the nod, he stepped aside, per
hitting Korna TO advance.
"Exceilency," said KoTna, II have to
report that when your order regarding
ME-. Darrell was brought to Gredskov
It was delivered to me rs an officer OF
Prince Kilziar's stat. The prince was
then outside the city for the purpose
OF overtakfng. caravan which, hay
tpg eeme through the pass, was en-
deaVoring to escape without paying
ton to our Cause Believing the mat
ter urgent, / rode cot and attempted to
deliver the order. Fhe prince refused
TO receive it, and when 1 insisted he
attacked me with his sword. We were
alone toSether-er supposed ourselves
to be so-in Poon Of a farmhouse by
the highway, but through q strange
coincidence Mr. Darrell was concealed
In q room overhead. He came to my
assistance, and we both escaped, leav-
ing the order Ia the princes hands.
have come here to seek your eTeel-
leney's protection"
The situation involved moro points
OF military etiquette than Vera felt
able to decide oRhand, and she looked
out OF the corner Of her eye at the gen
eral, who stood by the end OF the table.
She felt q woman's sudden resentment