Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-31
PRINCESS MARTHA
BY PERCY BREBNER.
Copyright 1sS J. Mcbride &
BY PERCY BREBNER.
Copyright. 1906. t. ]. Mcbride & SOM

the mountains. keeping to the lower track
on account of the horses Progress was
slow. for the going was rough, and the
horses often had to be led. The track lay
between the lower hills and the main noun
tain range. and they had lost sight of the
open country which lay below them. 1t
was late in the afternoon of the second day
that they crossed spur which jutted out
toward the plain and from its vantage
ground Grigosie was the first to point out
the head of the pass. a precipitous opening
in the mountains to their left At the same
time Stefan. looking across the open coun-
try. pointed out a cloud Of dust on the
horizon.
That means moving body of men," he
said.
In the pass lies our greatest security
until we are prepared to meet the enemy"
Elerey answered. IF that castle of yours
has not crumbled to dust, Grigosie, it will
make excellent quarters for u.s."
The Drekner pass had long ago ceased to
be used. Once. doubtless, It was the high
way into Wallaria from the north, but that
was long ago not within the memory of
the oldest man. Nature herself had closed
the way by casting great spur Of the
mountain into the deepest and narrowest
part of the defile. 1t was still possible to
climb this. but 1t had effectually closed the
pass for all useful purposes: and the castle
which in old times had been used to guard
the way. had fallen into decay. 1t stood
gaunt against the hillside upon natural
plateau the pathway to 1t. long and zig
gag, cut out in the hillside. Vegetation
had taken root in the crevices Of Its
broken walls, and some of the stonework
shvered by the lightning stroke perhaps
lay in the roadway at the foot of the hill
Silence reigned. and eagle lowering on
the heights above doubtless had his eyrie
there. A thin stream of water tricked
down the hillside finding its way from the
snow the mountains, which reared
white hooded heads here and there above
their humber brethren.
in Ilc'' id sr;r e;n
enthusiastically as turn of the track
brought 1t In view.
Peace, Grigosie. and take that child's
chatter of yours to the rear" said Ell
lerey. Then turning to Stefan, he directed
him and another of the men to climb up
carefully to the plateau. Some outpost
OF Vasilici's may hold it," he remarked.
Leaving their horses. Stefan and his COM
panion went up the ZigZag way and were
lost to view. 1t seemed a long time before
their figures stood on the edge of the
plateau and waved to their comrades to
ascend
My castle, Anton" whispered Grigosie
1T was 1 who told them that 1t stood
here"
They liked not your claiming it so.'
They will forgive much to my youth
even If am put to cooking and bedmak,
ing tonight punishment" laughed the
BOY. You shall be snug. Anton, and know
that the gods with u.s.
The Incline OF the Zigzag way had been
carefully graduated so that it was possible
to lead horses up, and they all dismounted
and went singly. At the top Of the path a
stone gateway, broken and of small service
now, shut in the plateau This was the
! only means of reaching the castle, and in
old times formed the first point of de-
tense.
Empty, but airy perch to spend the
night" said Stefan. meeting them at the
gateway. Here's a trysting place for
every wind that blows. and holes enough
! for them to whistle through"
This was evident The walls were
broken In every direction, and heaps of
stonework lay scattered on all sides
THE tower yonder seems to have held to-
gether.' said Ellerey.
AYE. there's fine sleeping room there
and you may see the stars through the
roof
But the tower had much to commend it.
The door that closed 1t still hung upon its
hinges, and in the lower chamber. at least,
there were rents in the wall save the
window holes, narrow Sits In the outside.
but widening inward through the thickness
OF the walls. On one side stone steps, I'M
protected In any way. led to the floor
above. which was entered through a trap
door still in place and capable of being
bottled down. Here the walls were broken
In places and part of the roof had fallen.
More steps. which mounted to the roof
ended abruptly and were open to the sky.
"A turret mad been displaced at some time