Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-08-11

longer was. for his heart had felt So
phys spell.
you can have had next to no sleep
all night. monseigneur," said Sophy In
reproach, mingled with COMMUNICATION
II don't need 1t. The sight Of Jour
face refreshes me. We must talk.
Zerkoyitch brought news"
In low. grave tones he told her the
tidtngs and the steps which he and
Zerkoyitch had taken.
Il understand my fathers rsasons
for keeping me in the dark. He meant
|it well, but he was blinded BY this idea
about my marriage. But see. too.
how it fitted In with Stenovics' ideas.
l think It's war between US now. and
I'm ready"
Sophy was almost dazed. The kings
life was not to be relied on for q week
for a day-no. not for an hour! But
she listened attentively. Zerkovitch
had gone back to Slavna ON fresh
horse and at top speed He would have
more than two hours lead of Markart.
His first duty was to open communica-
lions with Lepage and arrange that the
valet should send him all the ilforma-
ton which came to his ears and any
Impressions which he was able to gath
er In the palace. Zerkovitch would for,
ward the reports to Praslok Immediate
" SO long as the prince remained at the
castle. But the prince was persuaded
that his father would not refuse to see
him now that he knew the true state
Of the case. my father Is really at
tached to me-" he said. .'and II see
him I'm confident that can persuade
him of the inexpediency Of my leaving
the Kingdom just now. A hint Of my
suspicious with regard to the countess
and Stenovics would do 1t, but I'm re-
luctant to risk giving him such q shock
! think ! can persuade him without"
but is It safe for you to trust your
self at Slayna In the palace and alonef"
II must risk the palace alone. : and
I'm not much afraid. Stenovics might
go to war with me. but l don't think
he'd favor assassination. And to slav-
ma shan't go alone. Our gunners VIII
go with us. Sophy. We have news OF
the guns being on the way. There Will
be nothing strange In my marching
the gunners down to meet them.
They're only half trained even In drill.
but they're brave fellows. Wen take
up our quarters with them In Sulei-
mans tower. don't fear,all Slayna IL
1 hold suieiman's tower with 800 Vol
senians. Stafnitz may do his worst"
Yes, / see" she answered thought
fully. Il can't come with you to Suiei-
mans tower. though"
"Only II there are signs Of danger.
Then you and Marie must come. II all
d quiet you can stay In her house. We
can meet often. as often as possible.
For the rest we must watt,
She saw that they must wait. 1t was
impossible to approach the king on the
matter Of Sophy. 1t cut dead at the
heart of his ambition. 1t would be q
shock as great as the discovery OF
Countess Ellenburg's ambitions. II
could not be risked.
"But IL under Stenovics' influence the
king does refuse to see your" she ask
cd Refuses to see you and repeats
his orders2'' IA
The princes face grew very grave
but his voice was firm.
Mot even the king even my fa'
ther. can make me throw away the In.
heritance which Is mine. The hand
would be the kings. but the voice the
voice Of Stenovics. shouldn't obey
They'd have to come to volseni and
take me-"
Sophy's eyes kindled. Yes. that's
right" she said. ..And Tor today :"
Nothing viii happen today unless
by chance the thing which we nov
know may happen any day. and Of tina
!, we shouldn't hear till evening. And
there's no drill even. sent the men Il
their homes on forty-eight hours fur
Tough yesterday morning" His fac,
relaxed In smile Il think today v,
!: can have 4 holiday. Sophy."