Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-07-21
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE FLIGHT AT MIDNIGHT.

The IA hADNA8AAs
W WORRY'S cell was as comfortable
as cell could be made through
n the efforts Of kindly jailer
and sympathetic chief Of po-
lice. 1t was not located in the dun
geon. but high in the tower, a little
rock bound room, with single barred
window far above the floor. There
was bed of iron. upon which had been
placed clean mattress. and there was
a little chair. The next day after his
arrest comfortable armchair replaced
the latter. A table. lamp. some
books, flowers. a bottle of wine and
some fruit found their way to his lone
ly apartment. whoever may have sent
them. Harry Anguish was admitted
to the cell during the afternoon.
He reported that most Of the Ak
phain contingent was still in town. A
portion had hurried home. carrying the
news to the old prince. instructed by
the aggressive Mizrox to fetch him
forthwith to Edelweiss, where his au-
gust presence was necessary before the
26th. The princess. so Harry informed
the prisoner. sent sincere expressions
Of sympathy and the hope that all
would end well with him.
Late in the evening. as Lorry was
lying on his bed. staring at the shad-
owy ceiling and puzzling his brain with
most oppressive uncertainties. the rat
tie of keys in the lock announced the
approach of visitors. The door swung
open, and through the crate he saw
Dangloss and Quinnox. The latter
wore a long military rain coat aud had
just come in from a drenching down.
pour. Lorry's reverie had been so
deep that he had not heard the thun-
der nor the bowling Of the winds.
Springing to his feet. he advanced
quickly to the grated door.
Captain Quinnox brings private
message from the princess" said the
chief. the words scarcely more than
whispered. 1t was plain that the mes
sage was important and Of secret ma
ture. Quinnox looked up and down
the corridor and stairway before
thrusting the tiny note through tht
bars. 1t was grasped eagerly. and
trembling fingers broke the seal. Bend
ing near the light, he read the lines, bis
vision blurred, his heart throbbing 80
fiercely that the blood seemed to be
drowning out other sounds for oil time
to come. In the dim corridor stood the
two men, watching him with bated
breath and guilty, quaking nerves.
"Ohr gasped Lorry, kissing the mis-
sive insanely as his Src, =! c!es '"reen-
ed through the last line. There was no
signature, but in every word he saw
her face, felt the touch OF her dear
hand. heard her timid heart beating for
him-for him alone. Rapture thrilled
him from head to foot. the delirious
rapture Of love. He could not speak,
so overpowering was the joy, the sur
prise, the awakening.
"Obeyw whispered Quinnox, his face
aglow with pleasure, his finger CULVER
ing as he pointed commandingly to-
ward the letter.
"Obey whatw asked Lorry DULY.
"The last line"
He hastily reread the last line and
then deliberately held the precious mis-
sive over the lamp until it ignited. He
would have given all he possessed to
have preserved it. But the last line
commanded, Burn this at once and In
the presence Of the bearer"
"Therew he said regretfully as he
crumpled the charred remnants be-
tween his fingers and turned to the 81
lent watchers.
Her crime goes up in smoke" NUT
tered Dangloss sententiously.
"The princess commits no crime," re-
torted Quinnox angrily, when she
trusts four honest men,"
"Where Is she?" whispered the pris-
oner, with drumming ears.
Where all good women should be ut
8 o'clock-in bed" replied Dangloss
shortly. But will you obey her COM
mand"
$50 she commands me to escape"
said Lorry, smiling. 81 dare not dis
obey my sovereign, l suppose"
1--WE obey her because we love her."
said the captain Of the guard.
"And for that reason l also obey.
But can this thing be accomplished
without necessitatfng explanations and
possible complications? will not obey
if it is likely to place her In an embar-
RAISING position"
"She understands perfectly what she
is doing, sir. In the first place. she has
hadOy advice" said Dangloss. the
good old betrayer Of an official trust
"You advised her to command you
to allow me to escapes"
"She commanded first. and then ad-
yised her how to command you. Ak
plfain may declare war thousand
times over. but you will be safe. That's
all vel mean. all she wants"
But cannot desert my friend. How
Is he to know where I've gone? VIII
not vengeance fall on him insteadT
"He shall know everything when the
proper time comes. And now will you
be ready at the hour mentioned? You
have but to follow the Instructions
should say. the commands-of the writ
err"
"And be free! Tell her that wor-
ship her for this. Tell her that every
drop Of blood In my body belongs to
her. She offers me freedom. but makes
me her slave for life. Yes. l shall be
ready. II do not see you again. good
friends, remember that love you be-
cause you love her and because she
loves you enough to intrust a most
dangerous secret to your keeping. the
commission of an act that may mean
the downfall of your nation" he
shook hands with them fervently.
1T cannot be that. SIR 1t may cost