Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-08-25

dangerous neighborhood of the palace.
He came to the surface fifty feet down
stream and made for the other side
He nude land quarter Of mile be-
low the palace. All, 1t was colder on
the road there than struggling with the
cold water! But his spirit was not
Quenched. He laughed again. trife
Historically perhaps. In spite of ster-
kof he was spending the evening out!
He set his feet for Slavna-briskly. too!
Nay. he ran. for warmth's sake and be-
cause of what the sentry might even
now be reporting to Sterkoff and,
through him. to General Stenovics.
The thought brought him to stand
still again. There might be Gordon
Of sentries across the road! After a
moments hesitation he broke away
from the main road. struck due south
and so ran when he could, walked
when he must. two miles.
He was getting terribly tired now.
but not cold-rather he was feverishly
hot inside his clammy garments. He
turned along country cross road
which ran west and passed through a
village. leaving the Hotel de Paris on
the main road far to his right. At last
he reached the main road south and
turned up it. heading again for Slavna
and for the bridge which crossed the
South river. He passed the bridge
without being challenged as the cathe.
dral clock struck midnight from St.
Michael's square. The worst Of his
task was accomplished. II now he
could find Zerkovftch!
But he was sore spent. Running was
out of the question now. He skunk
slowly and painfully along the south
boulevard. clinging close to the fences
of the gardens. seeking the shelter of
the trees which overhung them.
Dragged. hatless. dirty. Infinitely
weary. at last he reached Zerkoyitch's
house at the corner where the boule-
ward and the Street of the Fountain
meet. He opened the garden gate and
walked in. Spent as he was, he breathed
Bravo" when he saw light burn
Ing in the hail. He staggered on. rang
the bell and fairly fell In lump out
side the door.
He had done well. He. a man Of
pence, busy with clothes-he had done
well that night! But he was finished.
When Zerkoyitch opened the door he
found little more than a heap of dank
and dirty raiment. He hauled 1t in
and shut the door. He supported Le-
page into the study, sat him by the fire
, and got brandy for him to drink pour
ing out full half a tumbler Lepage
took It and drank the better part of 1t
ut gulp.
"The king died at O'Clock, NJ. Zerko.
, Witch" he said. He drank the rest, let
the tumbler fall! with a crash. In the
fender. buried his head on his breast
and fell int blank Inconsistencies.
He was out of the battle as much as
Markart. who slept the clock around In
spite of Stenovics' shakings and DIR.
Natcheff's rubbings aud stimulants.
But he had done his part. 1t was for
Zerkovitch to do his now.
The king had died at s O'Clock? 1t
was certainly odd. that story. because
Zerkoyitch had just returned from the
Offices of the Patriot. and Immediately
before he left he had sent down to the
foreman printer an official communique
to be inserted in his paper. 1t was to
the effect that Captain Mistitch and a
guard of honor of fifty men would
leave Slavna next morning at Z O'Clock
for Dobrava to be In readiness to re-
ceiye the king. who had made magnif-
cent progress and was about to proceed
to his country seat to complete his con.
valescence.
Captain Mistitch and guard of hon
or for Dobrava. Zerkovitch decided
that he would II possible ride ahead OF
them to Dobraya-t that Is. part of the
way. But first he called his old house
keeper and told her to put I.epage to
bed.
Don't worry about anything he says
He's raving." he added thoughtfnlly.
But poor Lepage raved no more that
night. He did not speak again till all
was over. He had done his part
At o'clock In the morning Zerko.
Witch left Sluvna hidden under a sack
In carriers cart. He obtained q