The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-02-05
, ssg |TRUXTON KING" s ktss'cs ssa


did things with a dash and on the
spur of the moment. His soul
sickened day by day. John Tul-
lis. equally unhappy, but more
philosophical, often found him
seated upon a rock at the top of
the ravine, an unlighted pipe in
his fingers. his eyes intent upon
the haZy castle.
Cheer up, King. Our time
will come" he was wont to say.
I've Just got to do something,
Tullis. This standing around is
killing me- Again he would re-
spond: Don't forget that / love
someone down there, old man.
Maybe she's worrying about me,
as well as about you" Once he
gave poor Mr.. Hobbs a frightful
tongue-lashing and was afterward
most contrite and apologize. Poor
Hobbs had been guilty of asking if
he had headache.
Truxton was assigned to several
scouting expeditions, simply to
provide him with action and di-
verting excitement. One of these
expeditions determined the i'm
possibility of entering the city
through the railroad yards because
of the trestle-work and the barri-
cade of freight cars at the gap in
the wall.
They had been in camp for a
week. The stategists had prac-
tically decided that the assault
could be made within day or
two. All was in readiness-or as
near as it could be-and all was
enthusiasm and excitement.
"lf Haas puts it off another day
I'm going to start a round robin,
whatever that is,' said Truxton.
AS he said it to Dawsbergen Of
ficer who could not understand
English, it is doubtful if that gen
tleman's polite nod of acquiescence
meant unqualified approval of
the project.
At first they had built no fires
at night. Now the force was so
formidable that this precaution
was unnecessary. The air was
chill and there were tents for but
a few of the troopers. The fires
in the ravine always were sur
rounded by great circles of men,
eagerly discussing the coming bat
tie. At the upper end of the ra-
vine were the tents of the officers,
Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
The latter shared his with King
and Mr.. Hobbs. Up here, the cir
Gle about the kindly pile of burn
ing logs was small, select and less
demonStrative. Here they smoked
in silence most of the time, each
mans thoughts delivered to him
self.
= Above, on the jutting rock, sat
the disconsolate, lovesick Truxton.
1t was the night before the pro-
posed assault on the gates. The
guns were in position and the can
nonading was to begin at day
break. He was full of the bitter
ness of doubt and misgiving. Was
she in love with Vos Engo? Was
the counts suit progressing favor
ably under the fire of the enemy?
Was his undoubted bravery hav-
ing it's effect upon the wavering
susceptibilities of the distressed
Lorraine?
Here was he, Truxton King,
idle and useless for more than a
week, beyond range of the guns
of the foe, while down there was
Vos Engo in the thick of it, at the
side of the girl he loved in those
Of yNnri1 nhIo 20
fort her, to fight for her. 1t was
Imaddening. He was sick with I'M
certainty, consumed by jealousy.
His pipe was not out now: he was
smoking furiously.
The sound of a voice In sharp
command attracted his attention.
One of the sentries in the road
below the elbow of the ridge had
stopped someone who was APP
preaching the camp. There was
a bright moon, and Truxton could
see other pickets hurrying to join
the first. A few moments later
the trespassers were escorted
through the lines and taken di-
rectly to headquarters. A man
and two women, King observed.
Somewhat interested, he saunter-
ed down from his lonely boulder
and Joined the group of officers.
John Tullis was staring hard
at the group approaching from the
roadway. They were still out
side the circle of light, but it was
plain to all that the newcomers
were peasants. The women wore
the short red skirts and the point
ed bonnets Of the lower classes.
Gaudy shawls covered their Shout
ders. One was tall and slender,
with a bearing that was not
peasant-like. 1t was she who
held Tuliis' intense, unbelieving
gaze until they were we'll inside
the freight. She walked ahead
of her companions. Suddenly he
sprang forward with a cry of
1t was the Countess Ingomede.
Her arrival created sensation.