Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-03
The miserable fellow


and then retreating, and had wondered
not a little at his peculiar manner.
And so 1t was that Lorry chafed and
writhed through long day OF suspense
and agony Quinnox had brought to
the little room some candles, food and
bedding, but he utilized only the FOR.
mer. The hours went by and no sum.
mons called him to her side. What
was to become of him? What was al
be the end of this drama? What
would the night, the morrow, BRING
about?
1t was 8 o'clock in the evening when
Quinnox returned to the little room.
The waiting one had looked at his
watch hundred times, had run in
sanely up and down the passage in
quest of the secret exit, had shouted
aloudIi in the frenzy of desperation.
Have you seen her?' he cried, grasp,
ing the newcomers hand.
Il have; but, before God, could not
tell her what / had done! Your visr
viii be surprise, fear shock"
"Then how am / to see her? Foolt
Am I to wait here forever
"Have patience! l will take you ID
her tonight-aye, within an hour. Tos
morrow morning she signs away thu
northern provinces, and her instrucs
tons are that she is not to be disturbed
tonight. Not even will she see the
Countess Dagmar after o'clock. II
breaks my heart to see the sorrow that
abounds in the castle tonight. Her
highness insists on being alone and
Bassot, the new guard, has orders I'd
admit no one to her apartments. He
Is ill, and l have promised that sub.
stitute shall relieve him Mt IL O'clock.
You are to be the substitute. Here id
part of an old uniform Of mine, and
here is a coat that belonged to Dam
nox, who was about your size. Please
exchange the clothes you now have on
for these. | apprehend no trouble in
reaching her door, for the household Isl
in gloom and the halls seem barren Of
life"
He threw the bundle on chair, and
Lorry at once proceeded to don the
contents. In very short time he wore
instead of the cellkeeper's garments al
neat fitting uniform of the royal guard
He was trembling violently, chilled To
the bone with nervousness, as they be.
gan the ascent of the stairs leading tO
felt, was near at hand. Il
Under the stealthy hand of QufnnoN
the panel opened, and they listened In.
tently for some moments. There was
no one in the dimly lighted chapel, sd
they made their way to the door at the
opposite end. Before unlocking thd
door the captain pointed to a lancd
which stood against the wall near by.
you are to carry that lance" nd
said briefly. Then he cautiously peera
ed forth A moment later they wer3
in the broad hall, boldly striding to.
ward the distant stairway. Lorry had
been instructed to proceed without tha
least sign of tinidity. They passed
several attendants in the hall and
heard Count Halfont's voice in CONVEX
satlon with some one in an anteroom.
AS they neared the broad steps Wild
should come tripping down but Harry
Anguish. He saluted Quinnex and
walked rapidly down the corridor, evil
IDENTIFY taking his departure after cali
on the countess.
"There goes your HOSTAGE said the
captain grimiy. 1t had required all Cd
Lorry's self possession to restrain the
cry of joyful recognition. Up the stafrs
case they went, meeting several ladaea
and gentlemen coming down, and wena
soon before the apartments of the prime
cess. A tall guard stood in front of
the boudoir door,
This is your relief, Bassot. You
may CO." said Quinnox, and with a
careless glance at the strange soldier
the sick man trudged off down the hall,
glad to Seek his bed.
rs she therei" whispered Lorry, dszs
" and faint with expectancy.
eyes. This may mean your death
and mine, sir, but you would do Il.
Will you explain to her how came I'd
play her false?"
"She shall know the truth. good
friend"
.'After I have gone twenty PAGES
down the hall do you rap on the door.
She may not admit you at first, but do
not give up. If she bid you enter OF
asks your mission, enter quickly and
close the door 1t is unlocked. Sh&
may swoon or scream, and you must
prevent either if possible. In an heuE
shall return and you must so back u
the passage"
Never. have come to save her and
her country and / intend to do SO bG
myself this very night"
y had hoped to dissuade you. But,
sir, you cannot do so tonight. You fen
get that this visit compromises her.
True. I had forgotten. Well, T1e
20 back with you, but tomorrow I am
your prisoner, not your friend.''
BE CAREFUL" cautioned the captain
as he moved away. Lorry feverishlH
-apped his knuckles on the panel of, the
door and waited with motionless heart
'or the response. 1t came not, and he
'apped harder q strange fear ilartinue