Ottumwa semi-weekly courier., 1903-08-18

tain and in the shelter of the doorpost
Lorry leaped toward the center of the
room, pistol in each hand. Before
him crouched the astonished despera.
does.
IF you move, you are dead menr'
said he in slow, decided tones. 'Here
Harry!" he shouted. "Scoundrels, YOU
are, trapped! Throw up your hands!'
Suddenly the room was a blaze of
light; flashing candles, lamps, sprung
into life from the walls, while great
chandelier above his head dazzled him
with its unexpected glare.
Thunder" he shouted, half throw.
ing his hands to his eyes.
Something rushed upon him from be.
hind: there was scream and then q
stinging blow across the head and
neck. AS he sank helplessly, angrily
to his knees he heard the princess wall
"DannoX! Do not strike again! You
have killed hinlv'
AS he rolled to the floor he saw the
two forms near the bed moving about
like shadows. Two red objects that re-
sembled dancing telegraph poles leaped
past him from he knew not where, and
then there was a shout, the report of a
pistol, horrid yell. Something heavy
crashed down beside him and writhed.
His eyes were closing; his senses We're
going; he was numb and sleepy. Away
off in the distance he heard Harry An
guish crying:
"That settles your
Some one lifted his head from the
carpet, and woman's voice was cry
ing something unintelligible. He was
conscious of an effort on his part to
prevent the blood from streaming over
her gown-a last bit of gallantry. The
sound of rushing feet, shouts, firearms
oblivion!
-
When Lorry regained consciousness,
he blinked in abject amazement There
was a dull, whirring sound in his ears.
and his eyes had a glaze over them
that was slow in wearing off. There
were persons in the room. He could
see them moving about and could hear
them talking. AS his eyes tried to take
in the strange surroundings a hand
was lifted from his forehead, and a
soft. dreamlike voice said:
HE is recovering, Mr.. Anguish. See,
his eyes are open! Do you know me,
Mr.. Lorry?'
The unsteady eyes wandered until
they fell upon the face near his pillow.
A brighter CLEAN came into them, and
there was ray Of returning intelli-
gence. He tried to speak, but could
only move his lips. AS he remembered
her she was in white, and he was puz-
zled now to see her in garment Of
some dark material suggestive of the
night or the green Of a shady hillside.
There was the odor of roses and violets
and carnations. Then he looked for
the fatal, fearful, glaring chandelier.
1t was gone. The room was becoming
lighter and lighter as his eyes grew
stronger, but it was through a window
near where he lay. So it was daylight!
Where was he?
'How do you feel, old man?" asked
a familiar voice. A man sat down be-
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 it is not seri-
ous?"
II am quite sure" answered mans
voice from somewhere out in the light.
'It is 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 concussion, your
Il am 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 braye-oh, SO brave!' she whis-
pered in his ear, her hand touching his
hair caressingly. "My American!
He tried to reach the hand before it
Ldueu, uuI Ae WAS LOU weak. Sle SllO.
ed away, and he closed his eyes again
as II in pain.
Look up, old man. You're all 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 his nostrils. In moment ne
tried to raise himself to his elbow. The
world was clearing up.
'Lie still a bit, Ilorry. Don't be too
hasty. The doctor says you must not. "
Where am I, Harry?' asked the
wounded man weakly.
In the castle. I'll tell you all about
It preseatly."
Gam I in her room2"
mo, but she is in yours. You are
across the hall in"-here he whispered
Caspar's room. Caspar is
count"
"And she is the princess-truly?"
"What luck!'
What misery-what misery!" half
the other.
"Bosh! Be man! Don't talk SO
loud either! There are half dozen in
the room"
Lorry remained perfectly quiet for
mi rk<ne, L. It., x.l IL