Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-05-10

with VOs Engo! was tue count sui
progressing favorably under the hre
OF the enemy? Was his undoubted
bravery having its effect upon the
wavering susceptibilities Of the dis
tressed Lorraine?
The sound of voice in sharp COM
mand attracted his attention. There
was q bright moon, and Truxton
could see other pickets hurrying to
Join the first. A few moments later
several trespassers were escorted
through the lines and taken directly
to headquarters-a man and two wo-
men, King observed.
John Tullis was staring hard at the
group approaching from the roadway.
One woman walked ahead OF her COM
panions. Suddenly he sprang forward
with a cry Of amazement
It was the Countess Ingomede.
Her arrival created sensation. In
moment she was In the center of an
amazed circle Of men. Tullis, after
his first low, eager greeting at the
edge Of the fire circle, drew her near
to the warmth giving flames. Prince
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 to-
John Tullis. who stood beside her.
1--WE have come from Balak. They
suffered much that 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.
II knew you were here, John. am
not going back to Count Marlanx. 1t
is ended"
81 knew it would come, lngomede.
You will let me tell you how glad I
am some day"
"some day, when am truly. wholly
free from him. John. ] know what
you will say. and think you know
what shall say in reply" Both un-
derstood and were exalted. No other
word passed between them touching
upon the thing that was uppermost II
their minds.
Food was provided for the wayfar
ers, and Tullfs' tent was made ready
for the countess and her maid.
The 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 it's 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
NIarlanx's plans might provide.
One bit of information she gave
created no end Of CONSERVATION among
the would be deliverers Of the city. 1t
had the effect Of making them all the
more resolute; 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 Graustark to
grant the railway privileges so much
desired by his country. Marlanx re-
allied that lie would have to forestall
the willy grand duke. If he were in
absolute control Of the Graustark gov
eminent when the Russian appeared
he, and he alone, would be in q posi-
ton to deal with the situation.
1.-THE 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 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 destruction, 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 a word to any
one, stalked off in the darkness. Tul-
lis looked after him and shook his head
sadly.
"1'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
affection.
But Truxton King was not there at
daybreak. 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
l. III n