Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-03-24

ROGUE
vision blurred. his heart throbbing so
fiercely that the blood seemed TO be
drowning out other sounds for all time
TO come. In the dim corridor stood the
two men, watching him with bated
breath and guilty, quaking nerves.
"Ohg' gasped Lorry, kissing the mis-
sive insanely as his greedy eyes careen
ed through the last line. There was nc
signature, but In every word he saw
her face, felt the touch Of her dear
hand, heard her tlmid heart beating fol-
him-for him alone. Rapture thrilled
him from head to foot the dellrious
rapture Of love. lie could not speak,
80 oyerpowering was the Joy, the sur
prise, the awakening.
"Obeyw whispered Qulnnox, his face
nglow with pleasure, bis finger culver
ing as he pointed commandingly to
ward the letter.
"Obey whatw asked Lorry DULY.
"The last llnew
He hastily reread the last line and
then deliberately held the precious mis-
sive over the lamp until II ignited. lie
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"
"Therep 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 sententlously.
"The princess commits no crime," re-
torted Qunnox angrily, when she
trusts four honest men"
"Where is sheY whispered the pris-
oner, with drumming ears.
"Where all good women should be at
o o'clock--ln bed" replied Dangloss
shortly. "But will you obey her com
mandY
80 she commands me to escaped!
said Lorry, smiling. 81 dare not dis
obey my sovereign, suppose"
eve obey her because we love her"
said the captain OF the guard.
"And for that reason ! also obey.
But can this thing be accomplished
without necessltatlng explanations and
possible complications? | will not obey
n 1t Is likely to place her In an embar-
rasslng position"
"She understands perfectly what she
is doing. sir In the FIRST place, she has
had my advice said Dangloss. the
good old betrayer Of an ofliclal trust.
"You advised her TO command you
TO allow me TO escaper
"She commanded first, and then ] ad-
vlsed her how TO command you. Ak
phaln may declare war a thousand
times over, but you will be safe. That's
all wei 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
"IIe shall know everything when the
proper time comes. And now will you
be ready at the hour mentionedl You
have but to follow the Instructions
should say, the commands-of the writ
er"
"And be freel Tell her that wor
ship her for this. Tell her that every
drop OF blood In my body belongs tC
her. She offers me freedom, but makes
me her slave for life Yes, | shall be
ready. II do not see you again, good
friends, remember that love you be
cause you love her aud because she
loves you enough TO lntrust mosi
dangerous secret TO your keeping tho
commission Of an act that may NEAR
the downfall Of your nation" H'
shook hands with them feryently.
! III cannot he that, sir. II may cos
the lives Of three OF her subjects, bu
no man save yourself can Involve The
princess or the crown. They may XII
us. but they cannot force us TO betray
/ her trust you will be ns loyal t.
7 the good girl who wears crown no
upon her heart said Dangloss ear
] ncstly.
"a have said my life Is hers, gentle
men" said Lorry simply. "Oh, II
could but throw myself at her feet!
must see her before go. | will not 81
without telling her what Is In m.
hearth he added passionately.
"You must obey the commands I'm
plicltly on your word Of honor or tn
transaction ends now" said Qulnno'
firmly.
"Thls escape means, then, that an
not to see her again. he said, his voic
choking with emotion.
"Hcr Instructions are that you are +
80 tonight, at once" said Dangloss am
the black eyed soldier nodded con1I
nation.
The prisoner paced the floor Of hi
cell. his mind u tumble OF conhictln
emotions. His cllnchcd hands, twitcl
Ing lips ana half closed eyes betruye
the battle that was innlctlng him Wit
Its carnage. suddenly he darted TO th
door, crying;
Then refuse TO obeyl Tell her tina
II she permits me 10 leave this hole
shall be at her feet before anothe
night has passed Say to her that ! r,
fuse TO 10 from Gruustark until hay
seen her aud talked with her. NoI
QulnnoX, 80 TO her now aud tell he
this, and say 10 her also that there
something she must hear from my ow
lips Then will leave Graustark, an
not an then, even though death be IN
alternative" The two men stared Il
him In amazcment and CONSERVATION.
"You will not escaper gosped QuiI
noN,
II will not be dragged away withor
seeing her" he answered resolutel.
throwing himself ON the bed.
"Confoundcd young asst growlC
Dangloss The soldiers teeth grated.
moment later the slab door closed sof
, I i.r d. t.,VtI.l and hts VtalNnpa K.sa1