Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-02
ing as he poln.eu comnandinsly to
ward the letter
.obcv what-' asked Lorry DULY.

ing as he pou!.eu com1naidiiiSiS W
ward the letter.
"Obey what" asked Lorry duly
"rhe last line.
He hastily rercad the last line and
then deliberately held the precious ms
sive over the lamp until it ignited. He
would have given all he possessed 10
hive preserved it, But the last line
commanded. Burn this at once ana III
the presence of the bearer
"There.' he said rcgrctfully as he
crumpled the charred remnants pe-
tween his fingers and turned to the ST.
lent watchers.
Her crime goes up in smoke nut
tered Dangloss scntenuously
..The princess commits no crime, re-
torted Quinnox angrily, when she
trusts four honest men"
..Whcrc Is she?' whispered the pris-
oner. with drumming ears.
"Mhere all good women should be at
O o.clock-in bed replied Dangloss
shortly. But will you obey her COM
mand?'
$50 she commands me to escape.'
said Lorry. smiling. II dare not DIS
obey my sovereign. suppose
I'VE 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 necessitating explanations ana
possible complications? will not obey
ii II is likely to place her In an embar-
RAISING 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 IN official trust
"You advised her to command you
TO allow me to escape!'
"She commanded first. and then adj
vised her how to command you. Az
phain may declare war thousand
times over. but you will be safe. That's
all wei mean, ali she wants"
"But cannot desert my friend. How
Is lie to know where I've gone! VIII
not vengeance fall on him instead!
HE shall know everything when the
proper time comes. And now will you
be ready mt the hour mentioned? You
have but to follow the Instructions
should saw. the comnands-of the writ
err"
"And be free! Tell her that wor-
shin 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. shall he
ready. II do not see you again. goed
friends, remember that love you be-
cause you love her and because she
loves you enough to intrust most
dangerous secret to your keeping. the
commission of an act that may mean
the downfall OF your nation lie
shook hands with them fervently.
at cannot be that. sir. 1t may cost
the lives of three of her subjects. but
no man save yourself can involve the
princess or the crown. They may kill
| us, but they cannot force us to betray
her. trust you will be as loyal to
the good girl who wears crown not
upon her heart" said Dangloss ear
nestly.
~ have said my life is hers. gentle
men," said Lorry simply. "Oh. II
could but throw myself ut her feet! l
must see her before go. will not go
without telling her what is In my
hearth he added passionately.
you must obey the commands I'M
, plicitly on your word Of honor or the
transaction ends now" said Quinnox
firmly.
.This escape means, then. that am
not to see her again" he said, his voice
choking with emotion.
"Her instructions are that you are to
70 tonight, at once" said Dangloss, and
| the black eyed soldier nodded contir-
nation.
The prisoner paced the floor of his
cell, his mind tumble OF conflicting
emotions. His clinched hands. twitch-
/ ing lips and half closed eyes betrayed
the battle that was inflicting him with
its carnage. Suddenly lie darted to the
door, crying:
"Then refuse to obey! Tell her that
If she permits me to leave this hole
shall be Mt her feet before another
night has passed Say to her that re-
fuse to go from Graustnrk until have
seen her and talked with her You,
! Quinnox, go to her now and tell her
this. and say to her also that there is
| something she must hear from my own
lips. Then will leave Graustark, and
not till then, even though death be the
alternative" The two men stared ut
him in amazement and CONSERVATION.
You will not escape?" gasped Quin-
nox.
II will not be dragged away without
seeing her." he answered resolutely.
throwing himself on the bed.
COMPOUNDED young ASST growled
Dangloss. The soldiers teeth grated. A
moment later the slab door closed soft
~, a key ratified and his visitors were
gone messengers bearing to him the
most positive proof Of devotion that
man could exact.
He looked ut his hands and saw the
black stains from the charred letter,
last evidence of the crime against the
state. A tender light came to his eyes.
great lump struggled to his throat,
and he kissed the sooty spots, murmur-
Ing her name again and again. How
lonely he was! How cold and cheer
less Ills cage! For the first time he
began to appreciate the real serious
ness of his position. Up to this time
he had regarded 1t enthusiastically con
fident of vindication and acqutttal.