The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-02-01

(Nopyr1gnt, 10Oo, by George
Barr McCutcheon.)
Copyright, 1909, by. Doud,
Mead & Company. Published
Sept, 10O0.)
Count Vos Engo went very
white. He drew his dapper fig
ure up to its full height, swelled
his Robin Redbreast coat to the
bursting point, and allowed his
right hand to fly to his sword.
Them as suddenly, he folded his
arms and glared at Truxton.
"As you say, there is another
and a better time. We need dogs
as well as men in these days"
II hope you won't forget that
l thanked you for coming back
last Saturday"
The count turned and walked
rapidly away.
Truxton leaned against the low
wall alongside the Alice. II don't
know that I've helped matters
any," he said to himself ruefully.
He'll not let me get within half
a mile of the castle after this. If
she doesn't come out for a stroll
in the park, I. fancy I'll never see
her-Heigho! l wish something
would happen! Why doesn't Mar
lanx begin bombarding? It's get
ting devilish monotonous here"
He strolled off to the stables,
picking up Mr.. Hobbs on the way
Hobbs" he said, we've got
to find John Tullis, that's all there
is to it," He was scowling fierce
ly at a most inoffensive lawn
mower in the grass at the left.
Il daresay, SIR" said Mr.. Hobbs
with sprightly decisivenes. Hes
very much needed"
"Im going to need him before
long as my second"
Your second, sir? Are you 60
ing to fight a duel?"
II suppose So" lugubriously
cts too much to expect him to
meet me with bare fists. oh,
Hobbs, l wish we could arrange
it for bare knuckles" He deliv-
cred a mighty swing at an invisi-
BILE adversary. Hobbs hat fell off
with the backward jerk of sur
prise.
ooh, my world" he exclaimed
admiringly, "wot a punch you've
got!"
Later on, much of his good hui
NOR was restored and his vanity
pleased by polite request from
Count Halfont to attend an i'm
portant council in the Room of
Wrangles" that evening at nine.
Very boldly he advanced upon
the castle a few minutes before
the appointed hour. He went
alone, that he might show a GER
tain contempt for Count Vos En-
go. Notwithstanding the fact
that he started early enough for
the chamber, he was distressingly
late for the meeting.
He came upon Lorraine Tullis
at the edge of the terrace. She
was walking slowly in the soft
shadows beyond the row of lights
on the lower gallery. King would
have passed her without recogni-
ton, so dim was the light in this
enchanted spot, had not his ear
caught the sound of whispered
exclamation. At the same time
the girl stopped abruptly in the
darkest shadow. He knew her at
glance, this slim girl in spotless
white.
"Loraine!" he whispered, reach
Ing her side in two bounds. She
put out her hands and he clasped
them. A quick, hysterical little
laugh came from her lips. Plain
ly. she was confused. "I've been
dying for glimpse of you. Do you
think you've treated me"
Don't, Truxton," she pleaded,
suddenly serious. She sent a
swift glance toward the balconies.
You must not come here. saw
well, you know. l was so
ashamed. was so sorry"
He still held her hands. His
heart was throbbing furiously.
Yes, they ordered me to move
on, as If I were a common loafer. {"
he said, with a soft chuckle. Pm
used to 1t, however. They ran
me out of Meshed for taking
snapshots; they banished me from
Damascus, and they all but kicked
me out of Jerusalem won't
say why. But where have you
kept yourself? Why have you
avoided me? After getting the
prince to parade me in front of
your windows, too. It's dirt
mean, Lorraine"
II have been i'll, Truxton-
truly. I have" she said quickly,
uneasily.
"See here, what's wrong? You
are in trouble. I can tell by
your manner. Tell me-trust
me-"
II am worried so dreadfully
about John she faltered.
That isn't ALL" he declared.
There's something else. What
promise did you make to vos En-
go last Saturday after-well, IL
you choose to recall it-after /
brought you back to him-what