Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-22
PRINCESS MARTHA
BY PERCY BREBNER.
Copyright. 1908. T. J. Mcbride & SOM

You lose kingdom, Martha"
1T Is well lost for love, Desmond. I have
found my king"
She was kneeling beside the couch wher
Lord ClovertOn entered.
Well, Captain Ellery, are you ready te
How can I thank you, my lord?"
BY going the ambassador answered
with smile. Sight of the princess is evil
IDENTIFY good medicine for you. You have
both given me many anxious hours"
You must forgive u.s." said Martha.
Princess l am an old man: 1 envy my
countryman his youth. But for all that,
shall find my work in Sturatzburg easier
when 1 know you two rebels are safely
over the frontier
Or. Goldberg came in, and with him Cap
tain Ward.
the , aNs you ham. m9eh s said Eery sraspns
1T is but repaying the debt 1 incurred or
the night of the duel. Captain Ellerey.'
The carriage is waiting" said Lord Clo-
verton. 1T is in the inner courtyard. We
must be silent. for the escort. which waits
without, has no knowledge that 1 am &C
companied. Now, doctor, wrap up your pa.
tent and help him out. Here is cloak
TOT you, princess. You travel with light
luggage. but that. 1 am afraid. cannot be
helped
And Stefan?" asked Ellerey.
Goes with us. He is waiting. Come
The travelling carriage was large and
roomy, and they entered it in silence in the
inner courtyard Stefan was waiting and
saluted Ellerey. but neither of them SPOKE
then. The windows were drawn up, the
blinds closed. and then they moved out
There was a sharp word of command as
they passed into the street. and so, escorted
by the kings troops, the man and woman
who We're being searched for in every cor
ner of the city passed out by the Northern
Gate and through the Bots, and were pres
emily driving along the Breslen road
Lord Clovefton's arrangements had been
very carefully and completely made In
"a Jr,<0 i,,,,
yard, the escort remaining without and in
the yard another carriage was waiting. The
driver was In possession of the papers nee
essary for the journey and, unless some
thing unforeseen should happen nothing
could prevent the fUgitives reaching the
frontier in safety.
Wait until l have gone" said Lord Clo-
verton, land then start Bon VOYAGE he
whispered. he raised Maritzas hand to
MS lips. In hope we shall meet again I'M
der happier circumstances-in England it
may be- Your marriage will render very
charming princess powerless to disturb the
peace of Euroae.''
THANK you thousand times said Ell
lerey. You have given me more than life
happiness.
When the ambassador had gone Ellery
turned to Stefan:
What can l say to you. old comrade?'
Better say nothing. captain. I'm nearer
to tears just now than ] ever was in my
life
Il had forgotten, said Ellerey; you are
leaving Sturatzberg'
'Oh. they're not tears of that kind said
Stefan; Il think they're happy ones. but
having shed SO few I'm poor Judge
only know, captain, it's good to be beside
you again. l know its good to have served
you. and-and Grigose. the name will slip
out-and If you want to say anything, just
promise that you won't send me packing as
soon as we get free: I can turn my hand
to other things beside soldering"
You shall stay with us, Stefan said
Martha.
Il don't think I could have known any
real woman before the soldier muttered.
Ten minutes later they had passed out Of
the inn yard, and were gallopng toward
the frontier.
And in the midst Of his escort, Lord Clo-
verton was riding back to Sturatzberg So
far he succeeded, but he knew how often
some little thing destroyed the best-laid
was admitted to the king. Queen Elena
was with him.
DO you bring us news of this country
man of yours, my lord?" said the king and
he spoke somewhat CURLY.
"Or of Princess Maritza?" said the queen
1T is very strange that neither of them
can be found
so they have not been found yet?" said
the ambassador.
mo. my lord: but they will be. I have it
on good authority. only moment ago, that
they are even now between Bresen and the
frontier. 1t was ceverly conceived Lord
them" and the kings hand was raised to
strike gong to summon a messenger.
"One moment, your majesty
why delay?" exclaimed the queen, i'm
patiently. Every moment Is of value. Five
minutes have slipped away already since
this news was brought to you. Telegraph
to the frontier at once. l shall not rest
until Martha is TAKEN
And De Froiette, your majesty?' said
the ambassador, quietly.
He is dead"
II know" was the answer. Had he been
alive he too would have been hurrying to-
ward the frontier. Your majesty should re-
joice in his death. He was not man to be
trusted
My lord. you tell US. only what we
know said the queen.
"A little more, 1 think, your majesty."
was the quiet answer. "A servant of mine
saw Monsieur de Froilette struck down by
searched him. He carried much that was
discriminating upon him. And then, turn
ing to the king. he added: Would it not
be well to let Captain Ellerey and the prn-
cess go?"
What do you mean?' asked the king
angriy.
Lord Cloverton only seeks to delay that
said the queen Send it. Some
of your enemies are dead, but these two
escape"
"And must be allowed to escape" said
the ambassador.
DO you threaten. my lord" said the
II ask the queen to support me with re-
gard to these fugftves."
and 1 refuse" she answered. "Send the
"Will your majesty show the king the
bracelet of medallions?' said Lord Clover
ton.
The king rose angrhy.
"Once before, my lord and then he
stopped.
send the message" cried the queen.
"And then look to your own safety" said
Lord Cloverton, turning sharply to the
king Russia has plotted against you;
her troops lie still on the frontier. and
treachery has been beside you. By
strange chance the plot miscarried, but 1t
was near to success. This was found in
Jules de Froilette's possession" and he held
up the bracelet
The king looked at 1t. The queen drew in
her breath sharply, and bit her lip until the
blood came.
What is the meaning of this?' said the
king, turning to her after a pause.
AT a fitting time / will answer" she said
The king sat down heavily in his chair
II will send no message" he said.
Lord ~Cloverton bowed. and placing the
bracelet carefully on che table, silently lef,
the apartment.
CHAPTER xxx.