The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-06-09

10 tut SIftuS
Dantan and Captain Haas threw rugs
and blankets in 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 and more fatigued than L. she
said. lifting her tired, glorious eyes 10
John Tullis. who stood beside her.
I'VE have come from Balak. They
suffered much that l might enjoy the
slender comforts 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
Il knew you We're here. John. am
not going back to Count Marlanx. Nlt
is ended
Il knew it would come. lngomede.
You will let me tell you how glad
am some day"
''Some day. when l am truly. wholly
free from him. John. know whit
you will say. and think you know
what shall say In reply" Both I'M
defstood end We're exalted. No other
word passed between them touching
upon the thing that was uppermost in
their minds.
Food was provided for the wayfar-
ers, and Tullis' tent was made ready.
for the countess and her maid.
Ihe- countess story was soon told.
Sitting before the great fire, surround
ed by eager listeners. she related her
experiences.
She had been seized on the night
Of the ball as she started across her
fathers garden, and escape had be-
come possible only through the aid of
Josepha and the girls father. Farm
erS' wives told them of the newly
formed army and of its leaders,. She
determined to make her way to the
camp of those who would destroy her
husband, eager to give them any as
sistance that her own knowledge Of
MarlanX'S plans might provide
One bit of information she gave
created no end of CONSERVATION among
the would be deliverers of the city. It,
had the effect of making them all the
more resolutc; the absolute necessity
for Immediately regaining control in
the city was forced upon them. She
told them that Count Marlanx had
lately received word that the Grand
Duke pauluS was likely to intervene
before many days, acting on his own
initiative, in the belief that he could
force the government of Graustarl1 to
grant the railway privile.. IS so much
desired by his country. Marlanx re-
allied that he would have to forestall
the willy grand duke. If he We're in
absolute control of the Graustar1 gov
crnncnt when the Russian appeared
he, and he alone would be in posi-
ton to deal with the situation
Ihe grand duke may send large
force of men'acrosS the border at any
time, said the countess in conclusion
Count MarlanX is sure to make a de.
cisive assault as soon as he hears that
the movement has begun. He had
hopes Of starving them out, thus saw
ing the castle from Instruction. but as
that seems unlikely his shells will
soon begin to rain in earnest upon the
dear old pile
TruXton King was listening with
wide open ears. AS she finished this
dreary prediction he silently arose to
his feet and, without Il word to any
one, Stalked off in the darkness Tul-
lis looked after him and shook his head
sadly.
I'll be happy on that fellows ac-
count when daybreak comes and we
are really at it, he said to Prince
Dantan, who knew something Of Kings
atlliction.
But TruXton King was not there at
daybrcak. When he strobe out of the
camp that night he left it behind for
ever.
The unfortunate lack Of means to
communicate with the occupants of,
the castle had been the source of great
distress to Captain Haas. If the de-
tenders could be informed as to the
exact hour Of the assault from the out
side they could do much toward its
speedy success by making a fierce sor-
tie from behind their own walls. A
quick dash from the castle grounds
would serve to draw Marlanx's atten-
ton in that direction. diminishing the
force that he would send to check the
onslaught at the gates.
TruHton King had all this in mind
us he swung off down the mountain
road. having stolen past the sentries
With comparative ease. The danger
from MarlanX's scouts outside the citv
was not great; they had been scattered
and beaten by Haas recruiting par
ties. He stood in more danger from
the men he would help. they who were
the watchful defenders of the castle
1t must have been o'clock when he
crossed the kings highway. a mile or
more above the northern gates. and
struck down into the same thick nm
upr2rOwth that had H..