The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-03-31

n huddled audience, cursing the
soldiers, laughing gleefully in
the faces of her stately, scorn-
full guests, greatly to the irritation of
Baron Dangloss, toward whom she
showed an especial attention.
Tullis was holding the prince in his
arms. Colonel Quinnox stood before
them keeping the babbling, leering
beldame from thrusting her face close
to that of the terrified boy The Count
esS MarlanX, pale and rigid. her Won
drous eyes glowing with excitement,
stood behind John Tullis.
With incredible swiftness the storm
passed Almost at its height there
came a cessation of the roaring tenn
pest, the dOwnpour was checked. the
thunder died away and the lightning
tricllled off into faint flashes The sky
cleared as if by magic. The exhibit
ton, if you please was over.
at IS the most amazing thing I've
ever seen" Dangloss said over and
over again.
The Countess Marlanx was trem-
bling violently. TulliS, observing this.
tried to laugh away her nervousness.
Mere coincidence; that's all" he
said. You can't believe she brought
about this Storm"
at isn't that" she said in a low
voice. 81 feel as if a grave personal
danger had just passed me by Not
danger for the rest Of you. but for me
alone. That is the sensation | have
the feeling of one who has stepped
back from the brink of an abyss Just
in time to avoid being pushed over. |
can't make you understand. See! l
am trembling"
"Nerves, my dear cOuntess-shad-
ows! You'll be over it as soon as we
are outside"
Ten minutes later the cavalcade
started down the rain swept road to-
ward the city, dry blankets having
been placed across the saddles occu-
pied by the ladies' and the prince. The
witch stood in her doorway, laughing
gleefully, inviting them to come often.
Come again, your highneSsr' she
croaked sarcastically.
THE next time come it will be with
a torch to burn you alive" shouted
back Dangloss. 70 Tulis he added
"Gad, sir, they did well to burn
cleared the country of them-the
pests
Down through the lowering shades
rode the princes party swiftly. even
gayly by virtue of relaxation from the
strain of a weird half hour. No one
revealed the slightest sign of appre-
hensiOn arising from the mysterious
demonstration in which nature had
taken a hand.
TruXton King, for reasons best
known to himself. soon relapsed into
thoughtful, contemplative silence
Between US. he was sorely veXed and
disappointed. When the gallant start
was made from the glen of dead mems
bones" he found that he was to be cast
utterly aside, quite completely ignored
by the fair Lorraine. She rode off with
young Count Nos Engo without so
much as a friendly wave of the hand
to him.
US lAll-Os DfillS I'll OLIN u III INT l'fN
al guard, rode ahead by order Of Colo
mel QuinnOX. TruXton. therefore. had
her back in view-at rather a veXing
distance, too-for mile after mile Of
the ride to the city. He galloped along
beside the baron. prey to gloomy
considerations. What was the use?
He had no chance to win her. That
ho
belonged to another world far above
his
The baron's dry, insinuating voice
broke in upon the young mass
thoughts. II think it's pretty well I'M
derstood that she's going to marry
him" The little old minister had been
reading Kings thoughts; he had the
satisfaction of seeing his Victim start
guilty.. King managed to control him
self, asking with bland interest:
Indeed. Is it good match, baron?"
The baron smiled. Il think so. He
has been a tritle wild. but | believe
he has settled down. Splendid family.
He is desperately in love"
II hadn't thought much about it. Is
she in love with him."
"She sees a great deal of him." was
the diplomatic answer
Would you mind telling me just
who she is, baronY
Dangloss was truly startled.
DO you mean, sir, that you don't
know her." he asked. almost harshly.
- Il don't know her name"
? And you had the effrontery to My
excellent friend, you amaze me!
know that Americans are bold; but, by
CAD. sir, I've always looked upon them
as gentlemen. You
Hold on, Baron DanglossH inter
rupted Truxton, very red in the face.
you'd better hear my side of the
story first She went to school with
my sister. She knows me, but refuses
to tell me who she is"
"Well, my boy. if she elects to keep
you in the dark concerning her name