The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-02-16

screamed-screamed words that would have filled Truxton King with an end less joy could he have heard them above the rattle of the rifles.
 The corner of the building had shut out the picture. It was impossible for her to know that the man and his burden had reached the balcony in safety. Even now they might be ly- ing on the terrace riddled by bullets. The old man r. lsed her from the stupor of dread. He called her name. Duly she responded. Standing bolt upright in the window, she sought out the figure of Marlanx and pointed rigidly
 "AA' groaned the old man, "they will not be driven back this time: They will not be denied. It is the last charge! God, how they come! Our men will be annihilated in Where is he? Now! An, see! Yes, that is he! He is near enough now. l cannot miss him!'
 Marlanx was leading his men up to the terrace.
 
 Count suddenly stopped. His long body stiffened and then crumpled like a reed. A score of heavy feet tram pied on the fallen leader, but he did not feel the impact.
 A bullet from the north wing had crashed into his brain.
 .At lastw shrieked the old man at the window Come, Miss Tullis; my work is done"
 "He is dead, your grace?" in low, awed tones.
 'Yes, my dear" said the Duke of Perse, smile of relief on his face. Come, let me escort you to the prince. You have been most courageous"
 A group of terrified women were huddled in the far corner of a near by room. The Duke of Perse held open the door for Lorraine Tullis, but she did not enter, When he turned to call she was halfway down the top flight of stairs, racing through the powder smoke toward the landing be- low.
 At every step she was screaming in the very agony of gladness:
 Stand firm! Hold them! Help is coming! Help is comingv'
 A last look through the window at the end of the hall had revealed to her the most glorious of visions.
 Red and green troops were pouring through the dismantled gateway, their horses surging over the ugly ground rifts and debris as if possessed of the fabled wings
 Her brother was out there, and all was well. She was crying the joyous news from the head of the grand stairway when TruXton King caught sight of her.
 He was powder stained and grimy. There was blood on his face and shirt front.
 "You are shot.' she cried, clutching the post at the bend in the stairs. ''Tru1ton! TruxtonH'
 Not even scratched!' he shouted as he reached her side. "It's not my He stopped short even as he held out his arms to clasp her to his breast. "It's some one elses blood he finished resolutely. She swayed toward him, and he caught her il
 
 his arms.
 "I love you-oh, I love you, Trux ton"' she cried over and over again He was faint with joy. His kisse spoke the adoration he would hay cried out to her if emotion had nc clogged his throat
 Erie she whispered at last, draw ing back ill his arms and looking | into his eyes with q great pity in ne own. ''Is he-is he dead, TruXton ?"
 "No,'' he said gently; "badly hurt but
 ''He will not die? Thank God Truxton He is a brave-oh, a very brave manw
 Leaderless between the deadly fires the mercenaries gave up the fight after a brief stand at the terrace.
 The prince reigned again