Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-05-21

"tead the history OF war; answered
Darrell. Have not princes and patri-
OTIS saved themselves when their lives
were essential to the cause they served?
Remember, l speak of the last emel:-
gency, when IL has become absolutely
Impossible to hold the place. AS for
the garrison the Russians will treat
your troops rs prisoners of war;"
II do not deny" she replied. that If
could put myself Mt the head of an
other army and continue to fight for
my country should consider it my
duty to escape In case Grcdskov were
taken by assault and resistance here
became useless. 1t would be equally
the duty of the humblest soldier In the
army. But we cannot lose this fight
and yet continue the struggle So L
shall remain and share the fate of the
troops"
1T is what expected you to say" he
rc1olned. IF you had spoken other
wise. you would not have been the wo-
man who danced and sang with me at
the students ball in Paris. l can only
wish that the prince were equally
steadfast'
ktlziar" Queried Vera. again you
wrong him, my friend. He may not
succeed, but he Will die fighting. OF
that am certain. He may not win
his Wa oGt of the city, but he will at
least make the trial by the main gate
and not by amy secret way. He may
be man as selfish as you think him,
but 1t is sure that his selflshness now
fights ul'Sn tie side of our cause"
For what reward?" asked Darrell,
with tremor of cold fear.
Even myself" she replied. "My
hand is promised to the prince If he
can lead our army out of this city and
cut a way through the ranks of the be-
sicgers."
$50 good n soldier should win any
battle for "a prize so exalted" answered
Darrell, his voice sounding to him as
If 1T were an echo in the corners of the
room. I'VE may then surely expect
sortie, and trust you will permit me
to wear Il sword when the day comes"
He stepped back toward the door, us
If to withdraw Vera followed him
with SO steady and searching glance
that he could scarcely endure it.
Il shall not be the first woman of
princely rank" she said, "who has
torn out her heart as Il gift to her
country"
Nor Kilziar the first scoundrel to
exact such n pledged" he cried; then,
hastily: Pardon me! am not myself.
If you have honored him even with a
promise thus qualified, my lips should
be sealed. Command me always"
Outside the rain still fell relentlessly.
At corner of the street two officers,
meeting by chance, had stepped back
to the shelter Of a projecting roof.
Darrell, passing, recognized one Of
them rs Korna.
This rain is help from heaven"
cried the colonel. "A few days more
of it, and those Russians will he in
such n condition that we can tear
through them as If they were wet pa
per-"
You have hope, then?" said Darrell
in a cheerful tone.
PLENTY of It." responded Korna.
The hills round Gredskoy have fe.s
yer of their own that the rain pour-
ishes us If 1t were grass. Half their
men will die Of 1t. and. us 1t is particu-
larly hard upon all who are past forty,
their generals will nll be fiat on their
backs, with colonies and captains by
the dozen to keep them company. We
shall carve our way out of this place."
~ begin to believe YOU" said his
companion. but what the devil we
shall do nfterward with the roads in
this condition don't know"
81 asked Prince Kilziar that" replied
Korna. with laugh. HE winked
straight up into the air, US his habit is,
and answered me that it made no diff
ference to him."
at made no difference to him." re-
peated Darrell. THAT is u hard say
ing. to interpret, yet there is meaning
in 1t. Good night, gentlemen"