Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-01-08

same prince who is Il friend and pro.
tector to all that is good in Deneslia"
No." said Volner. with tremor;
mo, we cannot do less than the stran-
ger. But dread. oh. how dread, to
have you make this attempt"
She did not wait to listen further.
Buckford, exhausted by the effort of
making SO long a speech, had sunk into
a deep slumber.
Adria spoke to her mother, gave d.
rections concerning the care of the
American and quietly slipped away.
In short time she reappeared clad
In neat fitting riding habit.
Saddle my black mare" she said to
one of the stablemen.
But, Miss Adria, you cannot leave
the place." was the reply.
Saddle the mare, and we will see,"
said Adria.
So the mare was saddled, and pref.
tyspicture made Adria as she cantered
/ along the smooth road to the principal
gate of the farm.
Why does she choose the sate?"
queried Nolner. watching from Win
dow. Il would have tried a weaker
force. There are four men there"
But Adria rode on till the bride of
her mare was taken in hand by one Of
the guards at the gate.
Sorry, Miss Adria." he said. ut is
against our orders. His highness Prince
Casparin has instructed us to allow no
one to leave the farm"
Not even to ride to see Casparip
himself?' asked Adria.
"oh-ah-that is something different!
suppose that could be done. But an
escort must go with YOU"
Il agree to that, certainly" said AID.
ria. 1.-TWO or three of you should be
able to protect the country from re-
ceiving harm at my hands,"
He laughed an abashed, shamed
sort of laugh-and said:
Il trust YOU will pardon us. We are
out obeying orders. | will accompany
you to the castle. You will not be an
noyed."
Il thank you," said Adria.
The man mounted his own horse,
which was tethered near and the two
set off,
In few hours we should meet the
prince on the road to Ontro," said the
laxative bailiff. HE rides with full
company to meet his brother, our gen
erous Prince of Deneslia, who comes
by way Of Ontro from Berlin. Word
has been received that the train in
which our prince and his family ride
will reach Ontro late today
Late today" answered Adria, as
though it was a small matter. "It is
late already
Yes. In few hours perhaps two
or three-the prince will be at Ontro."
They rode on for about half mile
to spot where the road ran through a
bit of woods and where none of Cas-
parin's men We're stationed.
No one was to be seen. The roads
were deserted, all of the tenantry be-
Ing engaged in getting ready to ride
with Casparin to meet the prince.
Suddenly Adrias mare came to n
standstill, while the accompanying
bailiff was looking another way.
Adria slid to the ground.
my mare limped,' she said. az
think she has picked up stone. This
is bad road for horses
The man, to be chivalrous, dismount-
ed and stepped to her side.
Let me see,' he said, STOPPING to
lift the mares hoof.
In an instant his own horse received
cut with whip that sent 1t off at a
racing pace. He roared out an oath,
forgetting the young lady's presence,
and ran short distance after his fly
ing steed.
The sound of hoofs brought him to
halt, and he saw with dismay the
daughter of the farmer, on her black
mare, flying in the other direction-to-
ward Ontro.
well, I'm done" he growled, half
inclined to curse and yet feeling anus.
ed at the manner in which the clever
girl had outwitted him. We'll, the
girl is out for lark. Who will be the
worse for it? Not Casparin, for she
owes him nothing. 1 will keep my
own counsel on this matter and not be
laughing stock to my companions.
But l must get my horse"
His horse had slackened pace, and in
10 minutes he had recovered the ami
NAL.
But in that 10 minutes where was
Adria? The black mare had Numbered
down the road to bridge over the
nvine. This she crossed, struck into
the road to Ontro and went like the
wind to meet and save her prince and
one who was more than her prince
her lover.
No one staid her. but still the mare
sped on. 1t was, SO Adria thought,
race against time. At any moment
the train bearing the prince and his
family might enter Ontro, and who
knew what miscreants We're lying in
wait for them there?
She reached Ontro without mishap.
The ruins of Robard's inn caused her
but moments thought, but she smil-
ed once as she thought Of how that
brave American made his escape from
the murderous precincts.
AT the railroad station she learned
that the train was even then due.
In the now deserted stable of Ro-
bard's inn she hid her horse and wait
ed.
The train came laundering into the
station. Even as it came the trumpets
of Casparin's cavalcade could be heard
in the distance.
The first person to step from the
train was Bosso Duvally. The first
person Duvally saw was Adria volner
"Adriaw he cried. fare you the
first to greet the prince?"
listen! We have no time for com
pliments. The life of the prince is in
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