Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-08-04


He threw the bundle on chair, and
Lorry at once proceeded to don the
contents. In very short time he wore
instead of tie cellkeepers garments
neat fitting uniform Of the royal guard.
He was trembling violently, chilled to
the bone with nervousness, as they be-
gan the ascent Of the stairs leading to
the chapel. The crisis in his life, he
felt, was near ut hand.
Under the stealthy hand Of Quinnox
the panel opened, and they listened In
tently for some moments. There was
no one in the dimly lighted chapel, 80
they made their way to the door Mt the
opposite end. Before unlocking the
door the captain pointed to lance
which stood against the wall near by.
"You are to carry that lance" he
said briefly. Then he cautiously peer
ed forth. A moment later they were
in the broad hall, boldly striding to-
ward the distant stairway. Lorry had
been instructed to proceed without the
least sign of timidity.a They passed
several attendants in the hall and
heard Count Halfonts voice In conver-
sation with some one in an anteroom.
AS they neared the broad steps who
should come tripping down but Harry
Anguish. He saluted Quinnox and
walked rapidly down the corridor, evil
dently taking his departure after call
on the countess.
"There goes your hostage" said the
captain grimly. 1t had required all or
Lorry's self possession to restrain the
cry of joyful recognition. Up the stair
case they went, meeting several ladies
and gentlemen coming down, and were
soon before the apartments Of the prin-
cess. A tall guard stood in front OF
the boudoir door.
"This is your relief, Bassot. You
may co." said Quinnox, and with
careless glance at the strange soldier
the sick man trudged off down the hall,
glad to seek his bed.
'Ts she there" whispered Lorry, diz-
zy and faint with expectancy.
"Yes. This may mean your death
and mine, sir, but you would do 1t.
Will you explain to her how I came to
play her false?"
"She shall know the truth, good
friend"
after I have gone twenty PAGES
down the hall do you rap on the door.
She may not admit you ut first, but do
not give up. If she bid you enter or
asks your mission, enter quickly and
close the door. 1t is unlocked. She
may swoon or scream, and you must
prevent either IL possible. In an hour
shall return and you must go back to
the passage"
Never! have come to save her and
her country, and intend to do so by
surrendering myself this very night"
81 had hoped to dissuade you. But,
sir, you cannot do 80 tonight. You for
get that this visit compromises her." -
"True. l had forgotten. Well, I'll
60 back with you, but tomorrow am
your prisoner, not your friend"
"Be careful" cautioned the captain
rs he moved away. Lorry feverishly
tapped his knuckles on the panel of the
door and waited with motionless heart
for the response. 1t came not, and he
raped harder, strange fear darting
into his mind.
"Well?" came from within, the voice
he adOred.
Impetuous haste marked his next
movement. He dashed open the door,
sprang inside and closed it quickly.
She was sitting before her escritoire,
writing, and looked up, surprised and
annoyed.
II was not to be disturbed-oh"-
She staggered to her feet and was In
his arms before the breath Of her ex-
clamation had died away. Had he not
supported her she would have dropped
to the floor. Her hands, her face, were
like ice, her breast was pulseless, and
there was the widest terror In her
eyes.
my darling-my queenw he cried
passionately. "At last l am with you!
Don't look ut me like that! 1t is really
IL could not stay away-l could not
permit this sacrifice Of yours! Speak
to me! Do not stare like that!
Her wide blue eyes slowly swept
his face, piteous wonder and doubt
struggling in their depths.
"Am l awake?" she murmured, touch
ing his face with her bewildered, ques-
tioning hands. "Is 1t truly you" A
smile illumined her face, but her JOY
was short lived. An expression Of ter
ror came to her eyes, and there was
agony in the fingers that clasped his
arm. "Why do you come here" she
cried. 1T is madness! How and why
came you to this room"
He laughed like a delighted boy and
hastily narrated the events Of the past
twenty-four hours, ending with the
trick that gave him entrance to her
room.
"And all this to see mef" she whis-
pered.
ITO see you and to save you. hear
that Gabriel has been annoying you
and that you are to give up half of the
kingdom tomorrow. Tell me every
thing. It is another reason for my
coming"
Sitting beside him on the divan, she
told of Gabriel's visit and his dismissal,
the outlook for the next day, and then
sought to convince him Of the happi-
ness it afforded her to protect him
from an undeserved death. He obtain
ed for Quinnox the royal pardon and
lauded him to the skies. So ravishing
were the moments, so ecstatic the SEN
sations that possessed them, that mel
ther thought Of the consequences II ne
were to be discovered in her room, dis
guised as one Of her guardsmen. He
forgot the real import Of his reckless
visit until she commanded him to stand
erect before her that she might see
what manner of soldier he was. With
laugh, he leaped to his feet and stood
before her-attention! She leaned back
among the cushions and surveyed him
through the glowing, impassioned eyes
which slowly closed as If to shut out
"You are a perfect soldier" she said.
her lashes parting ever so slightly.
mo more perfect than you" he cried.
She remembered, with confusion, her
own masquerading, but it was unkind
of him to remember 1t. Her allusion
TO his uniform turned his thoughts into