The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-28
A STORY OF GRAUSTARK
------BY
GEORGE BARR MCCUrCHEON
Copyright. 1909. by George Barr
McCutcheon.
Copyright, 19oy. by Dodd. Mead & Co.

his fingers, his eyes intent upon the
Cheer up, King. Our time will
| come, ne was wont to say.
i We Just got TO do something, Tul-
AS rms sanding around Is dlhns
ms. Again he would respond Don (
forget that love some Une down there,
Oiu man. Maybe sizes worrying about
me. as well as about YOU" Once he
gave poor Mr. Hobbs a frightful toDuIIp
flashing, and was afterWard most con-
trlle ana apoloGetic. Poor hobbs had
ache
IruNton was assigned to several
scouting expeditions, simply TO provide
MN with action and diVsrting excite
n.ent one Of these expeditions deter
1ail,eI INC lmPosslbllity Of entering the
CITY luIOuS the railroad yards because
OF the trcstle-wOrlI and the barricade
OF Irelgnt cars at the gap in the wall.
Ihey had been in camp for a week
Inc strateslStS had practically decided
mat the assault could De made within
a day or two. All was in readiness
or as near as II could be-and all was
enthusiasm and excitement.
II Haas puts IL off another dav I'm
going. TO start n round robin, whatever
mat Is, SAID TruNton. AS he said IL TO
Dawsbergen officer who could NOT
understand English. it is doubtful il
llat gentleman polite Lod OF acqules-
project.
At first they had buus no fires at
night Now the force was so .formid-
able that this precaution was unneces-
sary. The air was chill and there were
tents Tor but a few of the troopers. The
fires In the ravine always were sur
rounded by great circles of men. eagerly
discussing the coming battle. At the
upper end of the ravine were the tents
OF the OFFICERS, Prince Dantan and John
Tullis. The latter shared his with King
and Mr.. HOODS Up here, the circle
lrfnI1rr -
was small, select and less demonstra-
i've. Here they smoked in silence most
OF the time, each mans thoughts de-
lYered TO himself.
Above, on the iutting rock sat the
discOnsolate. lovesick TruXton II was
the night before the proposed assault
on the gates. The guns were in posi-
ton and the cannonading was 20 begin
at daybreak. He was full OF the bit
terness Of doubt and mrsgiving. Was
she in love with Vos Engos? Was the
counts suit progressing favorably un-
der the fire of the enemy Was his
undoubted bravery having its effect up
on the Wavering EusCepubilities of the
distressed Lorraine?
Here was he. Truxton King, idle and
useless for more than a week. beyond
range OF the guns Of the foe, while
down there was Nos Engo in the thick
Of IL, at the side Of the girl ne loved
In those long hours Of peril, able TO
comfort her, to cheer her, TO fight for
with uncertainty, consumed by jealousy
His pipe was not out now: he was
smoking furiously.
The sound Of a voice in sharp com
mand attracted his attention. one OF
the sentTies in the road below the elbow
OF the bridge had stopped some one
who was approaching the camp. There
was a bright moon, and TruxtOn could
see other pickets hurrying 10 join the
first few moments later the tres
passers were escorted through the lines
and taken directly to headquarters. 4
man and two women King observed.
Somewhat interested. he sauntered
down from his lonely boulder and join
ed the group of officers.
John Tullis was staring hard at the
group apprOa ching from the roadway.
They were still outside the circle Of
light, but II was plain 20 all that the
newcomers were peasants. The women
wore the short red skirts and the point
ed bOnnets Of the lower classes. Gaudy
shawls covered their shoulders One
was tail and slender, with a bearing
that was not peasant-like. It was she
EazS until they were well inside the
nrelight. She walked ahead OF her
companions. Suddenly he sprang for
ward with cry Of amazement
II was the Countess Ingomede.
Her arrival created a Sensation. In
a moment she was IN the center Of an
amazed circle Of men. Tullis, after his
first low, eager greeting at the edge
warmth-giving flames. Prince Dautsn
and Captain Haas threw rugs and blan-
kets in a great heap for her TO sit upon.
Every one was talking at once. The
countess was smiling through her tears.
Make room for my maid and her
father; They are colder ana more fati-
gued than l. she said. lifting her tired.
glorious eyes TO John Tullis. who stood
beside her. we have come from Halak.
they suffered much, that I might en-
joy the slender comforts I was so ready
TO share with them
Thank God you are here" he said
IN low. intense tones. She could NOT
mistake the fervOr in his voice nor the
glow in his eyes. Her wondrous. vel
lowish orbs looked steadily into his.
and he was satisfied. Trey paid tribute
70 the emotion that moved him to the
depths Of HIS being. Love leaped IN to
him from those sweet. tired ewes: leaned
with the unerriug force Of an electric
current that finds its lOdestone IN spite
Of mortal will
Il knew you were here. John. I am
not going back 10 Count MarIanx. IN
IS ended"
81 knew it would come. Ingomede.