The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-25
CHAPTER VIII

Colonel Won Altdorf was holding his |
head with one arm and, forcing brandy
from d little glass between his teeth. |
Young Mallory sat upon the edge of the |
dlvan holding one Of the limp hands and
chaflng 1T between his: own Mackenzie
and 1 hovered near with anxious faces.
The prince lay silent for long time
after his senses had come to him again,
eyes closed and limbs motionless Then
at last he rose, a bit unsteadily to his
feet, and went to the window that over
locked the, garden, where he stood gazing
out upon the trees, again for long time.
lie had raised protesting hand when
Won AItdorf would have spoken, so that
we all stood silent, waiting
When ne turned back into the room
there was no more passion to be seen
upon his face, no more of the furious
tempest of rage that had so lately shaken
him. His head dropped and the flush in
his cheeks seemed Of honest shame.
He went over to young Denis Mallorv
and held out his hand. =
t. Il did You a great wrong. sir'' said
the prince in a low voice. II pl1t a
shameful insult. upon you, and though
you might have killed me in the fight r
forced. you would not: You have shamed
me more than any man. ask YOUR par
don and your hand. wronged you"
why, SIR cried Denis Mallory, his
own face flushing crimson. why, sir.
you unman me! I should not have fought
at all, for no man may be held account
able for his words when anger carries
him beyond reason. You more tina n max g.
amends. SIR
The prince dropped upon a chair beside
the table and leaned his head upon one
hand. He seemed still weary and faint
with exhaustion.
4, owe you, gentlemen ALL" said he,
"a debt I can never repay for your care
on6 1,no r,f fI,> Dx;..
Eleanor. From Sir Gavin Mackenzie and
| from Won Altdorf, here, I had a right to
expect all they could perform. but as for
you two gentlemen, M. Mallory and NJ
fCreghton,, upon whom l had no least
claim, l cannot express my obligation
| Your plan was no doubt the best one that
| could be made. 1t is a pity, now that I
am so soon in Paris, that it was put into
| effect, for it was desperate makesl1ift
! that will require desperate remedies and
q terrible shock to Madame, but you could
not have known was coming"
| "Ah. why did you come, sir?'' groaned
Won Atdorf. Why. did you come? It
was madness to leave the country at such
a time! Aren't those dogs waiting with
their tongues out, to snap at your seat,
once you're out Of it? Isn't Georgias
sleeping with his clothes on up in the
hills over Novodni, waiting to gobble the
city? And hasn't he a rabble of bandit
ness to come here now!''
The prince shook his head at him with
a little whimsical smile.
You're a hard taskmaster Won Altdorf,' y
said he, "hard as Fate, and by my faith,
I'm weary of the lady. She drives, Won
Aldorf, she never beguiles. Man, man:
am to be all prince and never husband? :?
i Am I a machine, colonel? Shall love a
throne better than my wife who's in dam
Eger?" a-.T =
Won AItdorf pulled at his mustache.
II wasn't thinking of you, sir, nor Of
what you love- said he bluntly. II was
! thinking Of Noyodnia. I served your
father, sir, and served you. Tn ready
to do your will at my lifes cost, but your
Twill against your welfare and the welfare
of your house .sI'n oppose. with all my
strength No Pavelovitch no Russian
cats paw. shall sit in Novodni if I can
/ prevent it. I serve the prince. sir not
i the man. W hen the two go pseparatefways..''
IA hard taskmaster, said the prince,