Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-08-07

color than his
The man ,cith the Ian dark overcoat
tern raised 1t In the and bay horse
air. ,ro,,oo.,
Markart's horse pecked. His rider
awoke to tile fact that he was pound
ing his mount without doing much good
to himself. He would see whether the
unknown. meant to pass him or was
content to keep on equal terms. His
pace fell to gentle trot-so did the
strangers Markart walked his horse
for half mile-so did the stranger.
Thenceforwprd 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
Volseni. Markart drew rein and wait.
ed. He might just as well see where
the stranger was going.
The stranger came up. and Markart
started violently. The lighter tinge OF
the blur was explained The stranger
rode white horse. 1t flashed on
Markart that the prince rode white
charger and that the animal had been
In Slavna the day before He had seen
1t being exercised. He peered into the
darkness. trying to see the mans face.
The effort was of no avail. The stran-
ger came to stand beside him, and
for few moments neither moved.
Then the stranger turned his horses
head to the left. He was for Praslok
or Volseni. then! Markart followed his
example. He knew why he did not
speak to the stranger. but he was won
| dering why on earth the stranger did
not speak to him. He went on wonder.
ing till it occurred to him that perhaps
the stranger was in exactly the same
state of mind.
There was no question of cantering or
even of trotting now. The road rose
steeply. 1t was loose and founderous
from heavy rain. Great stones lay
about. dangerous traps for careless
rider. The horses labored At the
| same moment. with the same instinct,
| Markart and the stranger dismounted
| The next three miles were done ON foot
and there before them in deeper black
rose the gate tower of the castle of
Praslok. The stranger had fallen a
little behind again. Now he drew level
They were almost opposite the castle.
! A dog parked from the stables An
| other answered from the castle. Two
more took up the tune from the sta
bles. The castle guardian redoubled
his responsive efforts. A man came
running out from the stables with a
/ lantern. A light flashed In the door
way of the castle Both Markart and
| the stranger came to standstill The
man with the lantern raised 1t in the
i air to see the faces of the travellers.
1 They saw each others faces too. The
| first result was to send them into fit
| of laughter-a relief from tension. n
recognition of the absurdity into which
| their diplomatic canton had led them.
"By the powers. Captain Markart!'
IN. Zerkovitch. by heaven!''
They laughed again.
"Ah, and we might have had q pleas
/ ant ride togetherr'
81 should have rejoiced In the solace
! of your conversational
] But neither asked the other why he
| had behaved in such ridiculous man
ner.
"And our destination is the same?''
asked Zerkovitch. "You stop here at
| the castle?"
Eyes. yes. NJ. Zerkovitch! And your
| Eyes. captain. yes. My journey ends
| at the castle"
The men led away their horses,
which sorely needed tending. and they
mounted the wooden causeway side by
side. both feeling foolish. yet sure they
had done right. In the doorway stood
Peter Vassip with his lantern
1 Your business, gentlemen" he said.
| It was between and in the morn
ing.
They looked at each other. Zerko.
| witch was quicker, and, with a courte-
GUS gesture, invited his companion to
take precedence.
Private and urgent, with his royal
highness."
$50 is mine. Peter" said Zerkovitch.
Markart's humor was touched again.
He began to laugh. Zerkovitch laugh
ed. too. but there was touch of ex-
citement and nervousness in his mirth."
A1lo IOyol ulSuueSS went 10 DeU MI
hour ago" said Peter Vassip.
'.I'm afraid you must rouse him.
My business is Immediate" said Mark
art. And | suppose yours is. too. NJ.
Zerkovitch?" he added jokingly.
/ 'That it Is" said Zerkovitch.
"I'll rouse the prince. VIII you fol-
low me-. gentlemen"
| Peter closed and barred the gate. and
they followed him through the court
yard. A couple of sen
!: ! ! !: !; !: : !:
/ MS tries We're pacing it.
NIX n For the rest all was still.
4 MN Peter led them into a
small room where fire
i EJM IN was burning and left
4 AEa them together. Side by
--a side they stood close to
/ the fire. Each flung
me p'S'.ce away his coat and tried
,ettas to dry his boots and
breeches at the com
forting blaze.
I'VE must keep this story secret or