The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-04-07
CHAPTER XIX.

| taufant near by, and then came Dack TO
the studio and spent the long evening In
In the small hours of that night. We set
tied the slightest details Of the attack,
allowed for every possible contingency,
and held most spirited dress rehearsal
Pin which Prince Karl enacted the part of
the Princess Eleanor and that of Won
acknowledgements to the detrment
| of my breath and personal appearance.
for Denis made an uncomfortably pressing
leader of the charge. .
Then when we had done laughing over
this. Denis and Won Altdorf gave US an ex-
hibition with the foils, just to get their
hands in. as Denis put it, till Won Altdorf,
hopelessly outclassed, threw, down his
sword, declaring that Denis was the devil
and no man at all. which was more or less
true when Denis had a yard of steel in his
hand.
And Denis, intent still upon getting his
hand in" strung an apple to the overhead
lamp and cut thin slices from it with
German schlager fllched from its
shaved it with a blade 50 swift
as to seem a blade of light till
nothing but the core was left, and Won
AItdorf who rather fancied himself at the
sabres, sighed and shook his head in de-
spair. -.". ..s*
Thus we whiled away the dragging time
and strove to cover with laughter and
games the tense keenness of anxiety that
was in all our hearts, the grimness of reso-
luton and the sense Of deadly peril that
was merving us to our task.
-, Old Mackenzie clicked his watch and
gave smothered girwl of Impotence. +
"a quarter of 12'' said he. God in
heaven, must we wait forever? Who's
for a hand at piquet? We've nearly two
hours yet -.....
The Prince, Denis and sprang up read
lily enough, for idle waiting at such times
strains the nerves as nothing else, but Won
Altdorf stood in the middle Of the room
with his hands in his pockets and some
what guilty expression of countenance.
why, was thinking" said he, In a
| careless tone, ''of-of just stepping over
to the house to-er see that they're all
ready for our return. I shall be back
directly Of course
There was a subdued chuckle from Mac
Kenzie which, take shame to remember
ing, echoed. Colonel Won Altdorf went
red as fire. -v& -.-,
"Oh. thy're quite ready, man." said
Mackenzie brutally. I've seen to all
that
/ Still. you know" insisted Won Altdorf,
they may have forgotten something. It's
best to be sure. really think I'd better
CO." And Denis hacked at our shins under
the table. and said. Il wish you would go,
old chap. One of us ought to. Go by
the garden. it's shorter"
i Won AltderI maze Tor the little rear
window.
IT shan't be long" said he as he let
himself out.
He went up through the cool scented
gloom OF the garden, up under the AGA
cias and through the old refectory porch
into the house.
There was dim light in the music
room and some one was playing very soft
~. with pauses OF silence, upon the piano
Then, presently. the music ceased and
there came to his ears the sound OF Low
weeping.
"Mademoiselle," said Colonel Won Alt
T. dorf from the doorway. But the girl sit
ting before the piano did not. raise he,
head from her arms. He went diffidently
into the room with his heart playing
strange tricks. thun1 ping most curiously
Women in smiles, ready with quick speech
and feminine ways, were a sad puzzle tt
Won Altdorf. They lay beyond his world
undiscovered lands. But a woman ii
tears lay further still, beyond wider seas
filed him with an odd inarticulate. dis
tress. longing to help, and comfort t
caress and defend, new longing Aye
but filed him with a certain terror, too
He stood over the bowed figure an,
touched her shoulder awkwardly, timidly
Don't. Mademoiselle," said he. Don
IL beg: You unman me. Don
weep Mademoiselle. Well ~ brin
no fear-we'll bring her back
Il do not-weep for the princess" sal
Miss Jessica Mannering between her sob.
Why then, mademoiselle?" asked Col
=. onel Won Altdorf very low. II
. Il weep" said she between her finger,
into peril Of their lives" :
Your tears" said he unsteadily, "you
tears should nerve their hearts an
strengthen their arms. Tll-Ill tell them,
added Won Altdorf, felicitously -
The girl sprang suddenly to her Zee
and blazed at him. Her aspect was reall
quite intimidating, despite an occasion.
sniff and a furtive dab with very moi:
handkerchief. Colonel Won Altdorf shran
back a step. -r =
You tell them If you-if you dare.
she cried. I'll never speak to you AGAR
Never!' 49,
Colonel Won Altdorf sighed and shook h
head -
ALAS. mademoiseHe," said he, "I fear
know little of women. They do such SUI
prlsins things h, complained. 'They'l
so unexpected! IL thought you wou
not mind my telling the others that va
Wept for them. Your tears, ma demoisAll
are pearls that each Of us would Wet
into danger for a talisman."
The girl looked into Colonel Won Altdorf
eyes. - -
you say the truth, SIR" she cried sof
/ ly, when you tell me that YOU know lit
of women All, so very, very little! b,
would not have you know more. not nor
like your knowing little Of them, "
are more the man for It, Oh did n,
weep for the danger Of the other Eentl,
men, gallant though they be! Mono.
when he would have moved toward Fl
| with a little cry. mo we must not sfar
here talking Oft ourselves-of happine
and-and such, while the Princess Bean
l:is In: the hands OF Villains That were
be selfish and more than h4artless. =,
must. rescue her first. and then 81
caught her breath with little sob.
obi cried Miss MAnnerinx .'it Al
me with trembling colonel, nv colon,
to let you risk your life as-as you m,1
do 49, - : 3 -
She came to him and put her hands m,
his arm looking UP into his face. Ms -
you'll be careful?'' she begged "Yo,,
be no more rash than you need? Vol,
come back to me unhurt, safe: All. bui
mustn't speak to you so! II would1
make your eye falter or your arm weake
mustn't speak to you SO, my soldier q
She would have moved away from HI
but Colonel Won Altdorf took the snn
hands that had been upon his arn-1l1a
ing 1t tremble foolishly-and raised the
to his lips.
Your soldier, nademoiselle?" said
In stranga voice. your soldier? {
yes, yes I'll come back to vc
Do YOU think anything " {
harm me now? Your soldier, Mademo,