Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-01-25
GRAUSTARK.
... By -.
GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEON

copyright, 1901, by Herbert S. Stone >
!. :. = :. !. 1. 1. +s+++
Sh. DO you want TO die?' he Kissed,
iding to the canopy bed, discernible
his eyes grew accustomed to the
rkness. Il will kill you if you utter
sound. so help me God.'
OH" she moaned.
Listen. You must aid me. Do you
arr"
ANOTHER heart breaking moan. 81
here to save the princess. There is
plot to abduct her tonight. Already
ere are men in the castle, PERHAPS in
room. You must tell me where she
Reps There is no time to be lost. /
no thief. before God. l am telling
lu the truth 10 not be alarmed,
nplore you. Trust me, madam, and
Du will not regret it. Where does the
,incess sleep?' He jerked out these
ger, pleading words quickly, breath
ssly.
How am l to trust you?' came back
whisper from the bed.
Here is a revolver Take it and
i'll me if l attempt the slightest in
lry. Where are yOu?" He felt along
he bed with his hand.
Keep away. Please! Pleasew she
obbed.
Take the pistol, Be calm, and in
heaven's name help me to save her.
those wretches may have killed her
lready"
The revolver dropped upon the
lothes. He was bending eagerly over,
holding the curtains back.
My friend is in the hall. We have
raced the men to the princess door, |
think. BE quick! DO you wish to see
Ter stolen from under your eyes?'
You are now in the princess ROOM
er and with some alacrity. lis this
true that you tell meF'
"As God is my witness. And you
you-are you the princessY' gasped the
man, drawing back.
Il am. Where is DannoX?" She was
ssitting bolt upright in the bed, the pis-
tOl in her trembling fingers.
"He is one of the cOnspiratOrs. One
of the cooks and two other guards are
in the plot. Can you trust me enough
TO leave your bed and hide in another
part of the room? The scOundrels have
mistaken the door, but they may be
here at any moment. You must be
quick! l will protect you'll swear it!
Come, your highness, Hider
Something in the fierce, anxious whis-
per gave her confidence. The miracle
IN ho1
this woman under the most trying cir
cumstances that could have been i'm
agined. She slipped from the bed and
threw a long, loose silken gown about
her.
WHO are you?" she asked, touching
his arm.
Il am a foreigner-an American
Grenfall Lorry. Hurry he implored.
She did not move for a moment, but
he distinctly heard her catch her
breath.
Am 1 dreaming?" she murmured
family. Her fingers now clutched his
arm tightly.
Il should say not! 1 don't like to
order you around. your highness, but
"COme-come to the lightr' she in
terrupted eXcitedly. over here"'
Noiselessly she drew him across the
room until the light fell across his face.
1t was not a bright light, but what she
saw satisfied her. He could not see her
face, for she stood outside the strip CT
duSky yellow.
Two men lie beneath your window,
and two are coming to this room. Where
shall l go? Come, be quick, madam,
Do you want to be carted off to Gan
look? Then don't stand there like a
like a-pardOn me, l won't say it,
Il trust you fully. Shall alarm the
guard" she whispered, recovering her
self possession.
BY no means! l want to catch those
devils myself. Afterward we can
alarm the guards"
An ideal American" she surprised
him by saying. Follow me-"
She led him to the doorway. 'Stand
here, and l will call the countess-at
this side, where it is dark"
She opened the door gently and STOOD
in the light for a second. He saw be
fore him a graceful figure in trailing
white, and then he saw her face. She
was Miss Guggenslocker!
Heavens he hoarsely gasped, stag
gering toward her. You. You! Th,
princess:"
Yes, | am Princess Yetive," sh
whispered, smiling as she glided from
his side. His eyes went round in hi
head, his legs seemed to be anywher
but beneath him, he felt as though b
were rushing toward the ceiling. Flo
the moment he was actually uncon
scious; then his senses rushed back, re
calling his mission and his danger.
she is sleeping so soundly that
fear TO awaken her." whispered a sof
voice at his back, and he turned. I'll
princess was standing in the doorway
Then pray stand back where yo
will be out of danger. They will b
here in a moment unless they hav
been frightened away"
10 x-nnrcnff y Gb