The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-02-17

between uS-he deSpiSeS GrauStark
while l love her in every drop of my
blood. / know that in his heart he has
never ceased to brew evil for the
throne that diSgraced him. He openly
expresses his hatred for the present
dynasty and has more than once said in
public gatherings that he could cheer
fully assist in its utter destruction.
That. of course, is commonly known in
Graustark, where he is scorned and
derided. But he is not man to serve
his hatred with mere idle words and
inaction.
Il am seeing you here in this big
room openly" she went on. for the
simple reason that if l am being
watched this manner Of meeting may
be above suspicion. We may speak
freely here for we cannot be heard
unless we raise our voices. Don't be-
tray surprise or CONSERVATION. The
eyes Of the wall may be better than its
ears"
you don't mean to say you are be-
ing watched here in your fathers
house?" he demanded.
81 don't know. This / do know-the
count has many spies in Edelweiss.
He is Systematically apprised Of every
thing that occurs at court, in the city
or in the council chamber. Day before
Yesterday l saw his secretary in the
streets, man who has been in his en-
ploy for five years or more and who
now pretends to be a lawyer here. His
name is BrutuS. | spoke with him.
He said that he had left the count six
weeks ago in Vienna, determined to
set out for himself in his chosen pro-
fession. He knows. Of course, that |
am not and never have been in the
condolences of my husband. l asked
him If it was known in EdelWeiSs that
he had served the count as secretary.
He promptly handed me one of his
| business cards on which he refers to
| himself as the former trusted and con-
| fidential secretary Of Count Marlanx.
| Now, I happen to know that he is still
| in my husbands service, or was no long
| er ago than last week. He is here for
a purpose, as my husbands represent
| alive l have not been asleep all these
months at Schloss Marlanx. | have
| seen and heard enough TO convince me
|
| My intelligence tells me that it has to
do with Graustark. AS he wishes the
| prince no good. it must be for evil"
"But there is nothing he can do. He
has no following here The prince is
aiored by the people. Count Marlanx
would not be such q fool rs to-
He is no fool" she Interrupted
quickly That's why | am afraid. If
he is plotting against the crown. yOn
| may depend upon it he is laying his
plans we'll. John Tullis, that man is
a devil-a devil incarnate"' She turned
| her face away. A spasm of utter re-
pugnance crossed her face
Il am afraid of Peter Brutus. He is
here to watch-everybody.
She leaned against the great carved
mantel post, tall. slender. lissom
creature, eXQuisitely gowned in rarest
Irish lace, her bare neck and shoulders
cleaning white against the dull tim
bers beyond. the faint glow from the
| emberS creeping up to her face with
| the insistence Of q maidens flush. He
| gaZed in rapt admiration, his heart
humping like fury in his great breast.
She was little more than a girl, this
wife Of old Marlanx, and yet how
| wise, how clever, how brilliant she
was!
She was we'll named Ingomede the
Beautiful.
Does Baron Dangloss know this
man Brutus:' asked TuIlis, arising to
| stand beside her.
Il don't know" she said thought
fully. Il have not spoken to him con-
corning Brutus. Perhaps he knows.
The baron is very wise. Let me tell
you how l happen to know that Peter
Brutus IS still serving Count Marlanx
and why I think bis presence signifies
a crisis Of some sort
Her voice, always low aud even.
seemed lower still. In the first place,
l have a faithful friend in one Of the
oldest retainers at Schloss Marlanx.
His daughter is my maid. She is here
with me now. The old man came TO
see Josepha one day last week. He
had accompanied Count Marlanx to
the town Of Balak, which is in AK
phain, a mile beyond the Graustark
line. Peter Brutus was with my hus-
band in Balak for two days. They
were closeted together from morning
till night in the house where MarlanS
| was stopping. At the end OF two days
BrutuS went away. but he carried
with him 4 vast sum Of money pro
vided by my husband It was given
out that be was on his way TO SerrOs
in Dawsbergen. where he expected Il
purchase a business block for his mas
ter. Marlanx waited another day il
Balak. permitting Josepha's father tc
come on to EdelweiSS with q MESA &c
for me and to see his daughter. He
And Josepha's father saw Brutus il
Edelweiss:"
NO. But he did see him going int
Baak as he left for EdelweiSs tina
morning. He wore a disguise. hu
Jacob says he could not be mistaken
Moreover. he was accompanied by sev
eral men whom he recognized as Grau
stark mouutaineers and hunters O
rather unsavory reputation. They lief
Brutus at the gates of Balak and wen
! of into the hills. AL this happened