The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-08-12
CHAPTER M.
crnM : WINDOW AEOT

FROM 4 WINDOW ABOVE.
wSHE longest month in Lorry's
e life was that which followed
s. his romantic flight from the
1910 tower. To his impatient mind
the days were irksome weeks. The cold
monastery was worse than a prison.
He looked from its windows as con.
vict looks through his bars, always
hoping, always disappointed. With
each Of the infreQuent visits Of Cap
tain Quinnox his heart leaped at the
prospect Of liberty, only to sink deeper
in despair upon the receipt of emphatic
though kindly assurances that the time
had not yet come for him to leave the
haven Of safety into which he had been
thrust By loving hands.
The prior was kind to him. Every
thing that could be done to PROVIDE
comfort where comfort was stranger
was employed in his behalf. He lived
well until his appetite deserted him.
He had no questions to answer, for no
one asked why he was there; he had
no danger to fear, for no foe knew
where he lived. From the city came
the promise Of ultimate escape, verbal
messages from those who loved him,
news Of the world-all at long inter-
vals, however. Quinnox's visits We're
like sunbeams to him. The dashing
captain came only at night and in dis
guise. He bore verbal messages,
wise precaution against mishap. Not
once did he bring q word of love from
the princess, an omission which caused
the fugitive deep misery until ray Of
intelligence showed him that she could
not give to Quinnox the speeches from
her heart. proud woman that she was
Anguish sent words Of cheer, with
commands to be patient. He never
failed to tell him through !Quirnox that
he was doing all in his power to ind
the real murderer and that he had the
secret cooperation Of the old police
captain. OF course the hidden man
heard of the reward and the frenzied
search prosecuted Dy both principali-
ties. he laughed hyterically over the
deception that was being practced by
the blue eyed, slender woman who held
the key to the situation in her keeping.
It was not until the night Of the 18th
Of November that Quinnox confirmed
his fears by telling him of the condi-
tons imposed by Prince Bolaroz. For
some reason the young officer had de-
ceived Lorry in regard to the all i'm
portant matter. The American repeat
edly had begged for information about
the fatal 10th, but on all previous occa-
sions his visitor doggedly maintained
a show Of ignorance, vow@ng that he
knew nothing Of the circumstances.
Finally Lorry, completely out Of pa
tience and determined to know the true
state Of affairs, soundly upbraided him
and sent word to the princess that If
she did not acquaint him with the in
side facts be would leave the monas-
terry and find them out for himself.
This authoritative message brought
Quinnox back two nights later with the
full story Of the exciting conference.
She implored him to remain where he
was and asked his forgiveness for hay
ing kept the ugly truth from him.
Quinnox added to his anguish by has
tiIy informing him that there was
possibility Of succor from another prin-
cipality. Prince Gabriel, he said, not
knowing that he was cutting his lis
tener to the heart, was daily with the
princess, and it was believed that he
was ready to loan Graustark sufficient
money to meet the demand Of Bolaroz.
The mere thought that Gabriel was
with her aroused the fercest resent
ment in Lorry's breast.
AS he paced his narrow room dis
tractedly a horrid thought struck him
so violently that he cried aloud and
staggered against the wall, his eyes
fixed on the face Of the startled soldier.
Perhaps she might submit to Gabriel,
for in submitting she could save not
only Graustark, but the man she loved.
The sacrifce-but no, be would not be-
lieve that such afaiction could come to
her! Marry Gabriel the nan who
had planned to seize her and make her
his wanton! He ground his teeth and
g!ared at Quinnox as if he We're the
object Of his hatred, his vicious jeal-
ousy. The captain stepped backward
in sudden alarm.
"Don't be afraidr' Lorry cried saw
agely ''I'm not crazy. It's your news
your news! Does she expect me to-
stay up here while that state Of affairs
exists down there? Let me see; this is
the 18th, and day after tomorrow IS
the Goth. There is no time to be lost,
Captain Quinnox. shall accompany
you when you leave st. Valentines to-
night
"Impossiblewr exclaimed Quinnox. 81
cannot allow that, sir. My instruc-
tons are to-
Hang your instructions! All the in
structicns on earth can't compel me to
sit up here and see this sacrifice made.
I am determined to see her and put a
stop to the whole affair. 1t is what /
feared would come to pass. She is will
ing to sacrifice herself or half her king
dom, one or the other, in order that l
may escape It's not right, captain;
it's not right, and I'm going to stop it.
| How soon can we leave this placer
He was pacing the floor, happy in the
! decision he had reached, notwithstand-
ing the danger it promised
You are mad. sir, to talk like this,
protested the other 6espairingly. "Edel-
weiss swarn:s with !axplain soldiers;
our own men are on the alert to win
the great reward. You cannot so to
the city. When safe time comes, you
will be taken from this place, into the
mountains instead Of through the city,
and given escort to Dassas, 100 miles