Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-27

to the old wooden bridge, where the road leaves
the course of the krath is carried the river,
and strikes northeast toward the hills. At this
point he received the first intimation that his
Journey was not to be so solitary as he had sup
posed.
When he was halfway across the bridge, he heard
what sounded like echo of the beat of his horses
hoofs on the tinbers behind him The thing
seemed odd. He halted moment to listen. The
sound of his horses hoofs stopped, but the echo
went on 1t echo then; he was not the only
traveller that way He Preked his horse h with the
the bridge still sounding He touched his horse
again and went forward briskly. He had no reason
to associate his fellow-travelers errand with his
own, but he was sure that when General StenoWcs
ordered despatch he would not be pleased to learn
that his messenger had been passed by another
wayfarer the road.
But the stranger too was in hurry it seemed;
Markart could not shake him off On the contrary,
he drew nearer. The road still broad and good,
Markart tried canter. The stranger broke into
a canter. At any rate it makes for good time,
thought Markart, smiling uneaS1ly. In tact, the
two found themselves drawn into a sort OF race.
On they went, covering the miles at quick, sus
tanned trot, exharating to the men, but rather
strain their horses. Both were well mounted
Markart wondered who the stranger with such
good horse was He turned his head, but could
see only the same sort of blur as he himself made
part of the blur, however seemed OF lighter color
than his dark overcoat and bay horse pro-
duced.
Markart's horse pecked; its rider awoke to the
fact that he was pounding his mount without doing
much good to himself He would see whether the
unknown meant to pass nm or was content TO keep
on equal terms. His pace fell to gentle trot; so
did the strangers. Markart walked his horse for
half a mile; did the stranger Thenceforward they
went easily, each keeping his position till Markart
came to where the road forked-on the right to
Dobrava, on the left to Praslok and Voseni. Mark
art drew rein and waited he might just well see
where the stranger going
The stranger up, and Markart started
violently The lighter tinge of the blur
planned. The stranger rode white horse. 1t
flashed on Markart that the Prince rode white
oh ar6th hat he had in
the day before-he had seen it being exercised. He
peered into the darkness, trying to see the mans
face the effort was OF no avail. The stranger came
to stand beside him, and for a few moments
neither moved Then the stranger turned his
horses head to the left he for Praslok
Volseni then! Markart followed his example
He knew why he did not speak to the stranger
but he wondering why earth the stranger
did not speak to him. He went on wondering till
it occurred to him that perhaps the stranger was in
exactly the same state of mind.
There question of cantering, even of
trotting The road rose steeply; it was loose
and founderous from heavy rain; great stones lay
about, dangerous traps for careless rider The
horses 1abored. At the moment, with the
sanesinstinct Markart and the stranger dismounted
The next three miles done foot, and there
before them in deeper black, the gate tower of
the Castle of Praslok The stranger had fallen
little behind again; now he drew level. They
almost opposite the castle
A dog barked from the stables Another
swered from the castle. Two took up the
from the stables; the castle guardian redoubed
his responsive efforts. A man came running out
from the stables with a lantern; light flashed in
the doorway of the castle. Both Markart and the
stranger came to a standstl The man with the
light raised it high in the air the faces of the
travellers.
They saw another's faces, too. The first
result to send them into fit of laughter
relief from tension, recognition of the absurdity
into which their diplomatic caution had led them.
By the powers, Captain Markarti"
NJ Zerkovitch, by Heaveni"
They laughed again.
"Ah, and might have had pleasant ride
together'