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


In silence toward point of the fortifi-
cations which commanded what must
be the field of their endeavor If they
should make the attempt to cut the
Russian lines.
There seemed to be a considerable
movement of the Russian troops.
"They are closing in Bit" said Dur
ban after long look through his field
glasses. upon my word, they are not
all dead of feverw
General" said Darrell, ''you are an
old soldier and good one. Have we a
chancc"
None whatever." replied the gen
eral, with impressive calm. "The
formation of the country enables the
enemy to plant guns beyond our range.
yet sweeping every rooa ssy-,-LI-i. ,,,o
can move out. There is no way for
us to get our own guns into effective
action, for they would shoot us off the
face of the earth while we We're lin
bering up. Only the merest rags Of
our army would ever get through, and
they could never get together again
into an effective military body. A
picked force might surround the prln-
cess and carry her to safety, but the
chances would be against It,"
"Do you think that Is what Prince
Kilzinr means to do?"
II know not" answered Durham,
'but this know-whatever he intends,
it is not what he says."
Further than that the general de-
clined to speak, and the two men fell
to praising gorgeously beautiful sum
set which might well be the last that
they would ever see.
"By the way" said Durham us they
were about to separate, "you shall have
your chance with Getchikoff tomorrow.
What do you hope to accomplish
days delay2"
II fear can do little" answered
Darrell. 1.-THE situation essentially in
wolves defeat, whether In battle or ne
gotiation. Kilziar and his friends are
the rock on which my hopes are wreck
ed"
"There might be way to get them
out Of the camp" said Durham, staring
gloomily at the black precipices behind
the town.
ut would do no good" answered
Darrell. UNLESS they are delivered up
the Russians will take the city. Sooner
or later thsy will surely take 1t. and
that means massacre. 1t means the
death Of the princess, whom you and
would give our lives to save, for rest
assured she will not be made prisoner"
"And our sortie tomorrow" said Dur
ban, sis only the same thing under an.
other name"
1.-THE best we can hope for is mere
postponement," continued Darrell. ~
may secure delay from Getchikoff, but
no influence can force him to do the i'm
possible. He has no authority to make
any terms or even to show mercy, while
Kilzlar, whom the car holds to be a
traitor utterly beyond pardon, remains
u leader Of our forces or sheltered with
in our lines. So there's the situation.
What can we make of it?"
Tomorrow will show" answered
Durham, returning Darrell's gesture of
farewell.
Darrell spent part of the evening in
searching for Kevski and the balance
in hard smoking and harder thinking.
Somewhat after midnight he betook
himself to bed and by the exercise Of
great determination went to sleep.
He was awakened shortly after day
break by hasty summons from the
princess. She was dressed In her mill
tary uniform, even to sword and dag
ger, but when she attempted to rise
from chair upon Darrell's entrance
she fell back again, lacking the strength
to stand. Behind her stood the ANA
zon, hollow eyed, CHASTITY pale, the pic
ture Of despair that is too proud to be
afraid.
Vera looked at Darrell steadily for
some seconds and then said with dire
| brevity:
prince Kilziar has left Gredskov."
Darrell was stunned.
"1n the night?" he cried.
Eyes: In the night"
"He has deserted you" exclaimed
Darrell. ut is more than would
have accused him Of"
LET us do him justice" answered
Vera, smiling. "He expected me to
follow him. l was aroused about m
hour ago by one of his most trusted
officers, who was the bearer of this
message, which l shall read to you
The prince was too prudent to come
himself. l would have had him in the
guardhouse. where his messenger now