Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-08-18

oI SAVING this girl from the fate that
MarianX had In store for her. Nos
Hngo may have had the promise. but
what could it profit him if Marlanx
bad the girl?
Footsteps in the outer room recalled
him 70 the bitter reality of their posi-
tion. He awokc her and whispered
words of encouragement into her be-
wi'dcrcd ears. Then lie put on his con
and threw himself on the floor first
wrapping the rope about his wrists to
deceive The guard.
4 key turned in the paddock. Old
man Fpautz stood in the doorway.
at Il noon" said the old man irasci-
bly,. Then ne came IN and lighted a
candle.
"Noon of the 18th" said Tru~:1n
bitterly. in twonty-four hours it VIII
be all ever, eli, Spantz?"
at noon tomorrow"
Julius Splnt2 brought in the food Tor
tho prisoners. setting ii on TIE floor be.
tween them.
1T is usually the duty of orr friend
Julius to feed me" obser:cd TruXton
TO bis fellow prisoner.
"Julius:" qucrcl the girl from tho
castle. pcering ut the man. mot JUL
MS SrantG &C the armory:'
"1'hc same" said TruXton. Julius
lauchcd nwk wardly.
"Enouch." snarlcd William Spantz
lis manner changed completely. how
ever. whom he turned to address the
Young lady Il beg TO inform you
madam, that your stay Is to be brief
Tonight you will he removed to more
pleasant quarters that Il friend has
prepared for you Az Cor you. my
friend" turning to Truxton and smil-
ing ironically. Il deeply deplore the
fact that you are to remain. When
we next gather in the room Geyond {.
new dispensntion will have begun.
You may be interested then to hear
what we have to say out there"
With n profound bow to the lady
and leer for King he departed. bolt
ing the door behind him. Instantly
King was Mt her side.
"An idea has Gene to me-" he whis-
pered eagerly. ~ think l see way
"Mr King. what Is 1t you intend to
do? Please tell me must know.
You heard what he said about taking
me to the counts Tie meant Mar.
lanX. will die frst'
NO. ! will die first. Hy the way
may rs we'll tell you that | wasn't
thinking altogether Of how We are to
escape. Why should save you from
Maranx just to have You hurry of
mean thought. know" hastily. but
just the same. | hate to think of you
marrying some one else"
"Some one else:" she questioned. a
( quicker on her forehead
"Oh, know wouldn't have q
4 ghost Of It chance even If there
wasn't q Nos EnGo. 1t isn't that" he
explained. II recognize thc-cr-dif-
ference in our stations and
/ 'What has all this got to do with
| your plan to escape
/ Nothing mt all. Tie point I'm try
Ing to get ut IS this: Don't you think
! it's pretty rough on II hero to save the
girl for some other fellow to snap up
aud marry?'
Il think begin to see.' she said. Il
touch of pink coming into her checks.
"That's encouraging" he said. star.
! Ing gloomily ut the food he had put
aside. you are quite sure you prom.
Used Vos Engo that you'd marry him.
mo. did not promise him thar Id
marry him."
/ You said you had promised"--
"You did not allow me time to fiji
ish. meant TO say that | had prom
ised to let him know in day or two.
That IS all. Mr.. King" There was a
suspicious trcmOr in her voice.
! whats that?" he demanded. you
/ you don't mean 10 say that Oh,
Lord, wonGer-I wonder If have a
chance-just n ghost of Il chance. lie
leaned very close, incredulous. fasci-
mated. What is it that you are going
to let him knoW-yes or no"
! THAT was the question l was con-
sldcring when the bcigands caught
me-" she answered.
"Of course he is In your own class
said IruXton glumly.
She hesitated an instant. mr. King,
has no one told you my Eane--who |
ann" she asked.
"Tou are the princes aunt. That's
all know"
"No more his aunt in reality than
Jack Tullls Is his uncle"
"Who are you, them"
II am Jack Tullis' sister, New
Yorker bred and born. ard | live not
more than two blocks from your
He stared Mt her in spccchless amaze
ment. ''Then-then you are not a
duchess or a. he began again.
"Not at ALA very plain New York
err" she said. laughing aloud. "You
are not disappointed are you? Does
1t spoil your romance to-
spoil it? Disappointed? No! BY
George. IL can't believe that any
such luck-no, no, don't mean 1t just
That way. Let me think it out Let
me get it through my head.
Miss Tullis." he said. thrill in his
voice, you are princess just the
same. never was SO happy in my
life as l am this minute. 1t isn't SO
black as it was. | thought couldn't
win you because you
win me?" she gasped.
"Precissly, Now I'm locHing ct 1t
differently. ! don't mind telling you
that I'm in love with you-desperatelv
/" love. It's been SO with me Sva
since that day In the park, loved
] you as duchess or u princess and