Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-07-07


side him on the couch or bed, and big
hand grasped his own. Still he could
not answer.
Doctor" cried the voice near his
head. you really think 1t is not seri-
ous.a
Il am quite sure" answered mans
voice from somewhere out in the light.
ut Is a bad cut, and he is Just recover
ing from the effect Of the ether. Had
the blow not been q glancing one his
skull would have been crushed. He
will be perfectly conscious in short
time. There is no conclusion, your
highness..
Il nm SO happy to hear you say that
said the soft voice. Lorry's eyes sought
hers and thanked her. A lump came
Into his throat as he looked up into the
tender, anxious blue eyes, A thrill
came over him. Princess or not, he
loved her-he loved her! "You were
very brave-oil, SO bravem she whis-
bered IN his ear, her hand touching his
hair caressingly. "My Americana
He tried to reach the hand before it
faded, but he was too weak. She Gid
ed away, and he closed his eyes again
as II in pain.
Look up, old man. You're oil right"
said Anguish. Smell this handker-
chief. 1t will make you feel better"
A moist cloth was held beneath his
nose. and strong, pungent odor darted
through lis nostrils. In moment he
tried to raise himself to his elbow. The
world was clearing up.
Lie still bit, Lorry. Don't be toe
hasty. The doctor says you must not. !"
Where am I, HarryT asked the
wounded man weakly.
I'm the castle. I'll tell you all about
1t presently"
Am ! in her roomy'
NO, but she is in yours. You are
across the hall in"-here he whispered
"I;ncle Caspars room. Caspar is a
"And she Is the princess truly?"
what luck!''
What misery-what miseryp half
moaned the other.
"Bosh! Be man! Don't talk SO
loud eitherl There are half dozen in
the ROOM"
Lorry remained perfectly quiet for
ten minutes. his staring eyes fixed on
the ceiling. He was thinking of the
abyss he had reached and could moi
cross.
What time ID it9'' he asked at last,
turning his eyes toward his friend,
'It's just I o'clock. You have been
unconscious or under the influence OF
ether for over four hours. That guard
hit you q fearful crack
u heard shot-a lot Of them. Was
any one killed? Did those fellows es.
capeT'
"Killed! There have been eight exc
cutions besides the one attended to.
Lord, they don't wait long here before
handing out Justice"
Tel! me all that happened. Was she
hurt?"
Il should say mott Say, Gren, have
killed man. Dannox got my bullet
right in the head, and he peyer knew
what hit him. Ghastly, isn't it !? feel
beastly qneef. It vas he who turned
On the lights and went at you with q
club. I heard YOU call and was in the
door Just as he hit you, His finish
came inside of a second. You and ht
spoiled the handsomest rug eve,
saw"
Ruined it7''
Not In her estimation. III wager
she has 1t framed, blood and all. The
stains will always be there us a re-
mfnder of your bravery, and that's
what she says she's bound to keen.
She was very much excited and alarnl-
ca about you until tia room allied Will,
she shgss W&a,se attifed. H' never saw any
thilng SO pretty as her embarrassment
when the countess and her aunt led
her into the next room. These people
are going out, SO I'll tell you what han
pened after you left me with the cook.
He was long time falling under the
influence. and had barely reached the
tap Of the stairs when l saw Dannox
rush down the hall. Then you called.
and knew the jig was on in full blast.
The door was open. and I saw him
strike you. shot him, but she was at
yoNr eide before could get to you.
The other fellows who were In the
room succeeded IN eseaping while
was bending over you, but neither Of
them shot at me. They were too badly
frightened. had sense enough left to
follow and shoot couple Of times as
they tore down the staira. One Of them
stumbled and rolled all the way to the
bottom. He was unconscious and
bleeding when reached his side. Tho
other fellow few toward the dining
hal, where be was Immediately nabbed
By TIVE white uniformed men and
throttled.
Other men In white-they were reg.
ular police otticers-pounced upon me-,
and was prisoner. BY George, |
was Knocked OF my feet the next min
ute to see old Dangloss himself come
putting and blowing into the hall, red
der aud fiercer than ever. Now |
know what you want in Edelweiss!'
he shrieked, and 1t took me three min
utes to convince him of his error.
Then he and some OF the men went up
to the princess room. while / quickly
led the way to the big gate aud ak
rected half dozen officers toward the
rayine. They came up finally with the
two fellows who had been stationed
beneath the Window and who We're UNI
able To- And the gate. When got back
to where you were. the room was full
of terrified men and women half Dress
ed. was still dazed over the sudden