The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-16

such luck--no. no, / don't mean 1t just
that way. Let ue think 1t out. Let
me get 1t through my head.
Miss Tuiiis. he ST. Id. Il thrift In his
voice, you are n princess just the
same never was so happy in my
life as | am this minute. 1t isn't so
black as 1t was. | thought l couldn't
win you because YOU
win me:" she gasped.
Precisely. Now I'm looking at 1t
differently don't mind tettiug you
that I'm in love with you-desperately
In love It's been SO with ule ever
since that day in the park. | loved
you as duchess or q princess and
without hope. Now. l-i-well, I'm
going TO nope Perhaps Sos EnEn
has the better OF me just now. but I'm
In the lists with him-with all Of
them If get you out Of this place
and myself as WE'LL want you TO I'M
derstand that from this very minute
am trying to win you IL ii lies In the
power Of any American TO win girl
who has suiters among the nobility
"Are-arc you really in earnesti" she
murmured.
II mean every word of 1t. i do love
YOU
IL cannot talk about it now. Mr.,
King" she futtered, moving away
from him in sudden panie. Pres
entity he went over to her. She was
standing near the candle. staring down
at the fame. with a strangely preoc
cupied expression in her eyes.
Forgive me-" be said. was
hasty. inconsiderate r.
You quite took my breath away
she painted. looking up Mt him. with
queer little smile.
II know" he murmured.
Tier troubled gaze resumed Its sober
contemplation Of the flame.
"You won't leave me TO my fate be
cause you think T'm going to marry
come one eisef''
He grew very sober. Miss Tuliis
you and ! have one chance In thou
sand. You may as we'll know the
truth
"Oh. can't bear the thought of tina,
dreadful old man. she cried. abjeci
| distress III her eyes.
He gritted his teeth and turned
away,
Late In the afternoon Anna Cromer
appeared before them. accompanied
by two of the men. Crispiy Sc com
manded the girl to come fo.ta.
She was In the outer room for the
better part Of an hour listening ID
Anna Cromer and Nine. Drovnask.
who dinned the praises of the great
| Count Marlary into her ears. They
bathed the g,rl's face and freshened
her garments. 1t occurred to her that
she was being prepared for a visit OF
the redoubtable Aiarianx himself and
put the question plainly.
NO" said Anna cromer lies not
coming here. You are going to him.
He will not be Count Marlanx after
tomorrow. but Citizen Marlan1, one
Of the people. one Of u.s.
Little did they know Marlanx.
Julius and Peter will come for you
sVhA6hts lSiON Will
an evil, suggestive smile.
Truxton was beginning to tremble
with the fear that she would not be
returned to their room when the door
was opened and she came In.
Seine time in the tense. sufocntfng
hours OF the night they heard the
sounds of many footsteps shutting
about the outer room. There were
hoarse. cultural. subdued goodbys and
well wishes. the creaking Of heavy
doors and the dropping of bolts.
Eventually King. WHO had been lis
tening alertly. realized that but two Of
the men remained In the room. Peter
Brutus and Julius Spantz.
An hour crept by and another King
was grooming under tbs suspense. The
time Mas too SLOWLY apfrunehins
when he was to attempt thesinost des.
perate act in all this sanguinnry trag-
edy.
| He had told her OF his nlcn. Sa~