The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-04-14
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so timid as a note, could stop him. On
the occasion of this last visit to the
shop he did not stay long, but went
away somewhat dazed to find himself
the possessor OF a ring he did not want
and out of pocket just $50, American
Having come t. the conclusion that
knight errantry of that kind was not
only profigate, but distinctly irritating
to his sense of humor, he looked up
Mr.. Hobbs and arranged for a days
ride in the mountains.
Mr.. Hobbs led his patron into the
mountain roads early the next morn
ing, both well mounted and provided
with luncheon.
1t IS a good three hours ride to the
summit of Monastery mountain. And
after the height has been attained
one does not care to linger long among
the chilly, whistling crags, with their
| snow crevasses and bitter winds. The
| utter loneliness, the aloofness of this
frost crowned crest appaIls, disheartens
| one who loves the fair, green things
| of life.
1t was 8 o'clock when they clattered
down a stone road aid up to the for
| bidding vale in which lurked, like an
evil, guilty thing, the log built home
of the witch Of Ganlook gap, that an
Clell WHO maze no secret Oh
| her practices In witchcraft.
A low matched roof protruded from
the hill against which the hut was
| built. AS n matter of fact, q thin
chimney grew out of the earth itself,
| for all the world like q smoking tree
| stump. The single door was so low
| that one was obliged to stoop to enter
| the little room where the dame had
| been holding forth for threescore
years, twas said. This was her throne
room, her dining room, her bedcham-
Der, her oil, it would seem, unless one
had been there before and knew that
her kitchen was beyond, in the side
OF the hill. The one window, sans
| glass, looked narrowly out upon an
| odd opening in the foliage below, CIV
ing the occupant of the hut an unob-
structed view of the winding road that
led up from Edelweiss.
The two horsemen rode into the glen
and came plump upon small detach-
ment of the royal guard, mounted and
| rather resolute in their lack of ami
| ability.
Soldiers, I'd say" remarked Mr..
King. His eyes frightened and his hat
came or with u switch
| "Hello! There's the princev
Farther up the GLENN fact at the
very door of the witchs hut-were
gathered n small but rather distin-
guished portion of the royal household
1t was not difficult to recognize the
! little prince. He was standing beside
John Tullis, and 1t is not with a de-
sire to speak i'll of his valor that we
add he was clutching the slackest
part of that gentleman's riding breeks
with an earnestness that betrayed ex-
| IRENE trepidation. Facing them, on the
stone doorstep, was the witch herself
Behind Tullis and the prince were
| several ladies' and gentlemen.
Truxton Kings heart swelled sud
denly. Next to the tall figure Of Colo
mel Quinnox Of the royal guard was
the slim. enhancing lady Of his most
recent dreams. the princes aunt, the
lady Of the goldfish conspiracy!
The Countess N1arlanX, tall and ex-
quisite, was little apart from the
others, with Baron Dangloss and
young Count Vos Engo, whom Trux-
ton was ready to hate because he was
n recognized sutton for the hand Of the
slim young person in gray. he was
for riding boldly up to this little group,
but q very Objectionable lieutenant
barred the way, supported in no small
measure by the agitated detection of
| NIL LIQUIDS.
| The way was made easy by the in
tcrvention Of the alert young woman
in gray. She caught sight of the re-
| stricted adventurers-or one of them,
to be quite accurate-and, after speed
| ing swift smile of establishment,
turned quickly to Prince Bobby.
The prince broke the ice.
"Hello!" he cried shrilly.
"Hello!" responded the gentleman
readily.
John TulliS found himself being drag
| ged away from the witch's door to-
ward the newcomer at the bottom of
the glen. Mr.. Hobbs listened with
deepening awe to the friendly CONVEX
| Sation which resulted in Truxton King
going forward to join the party in
front Of the hut.
| Truxton was duly presented to the
| ladies and gentlemen of the party by
John Tullis. who gracefully announced
that he knew Kings parents in New
York. Baron Dangloss was quite an
old friend, If one We're to judge by the
manner in which he greeted the young
man. The lady in gray smiled SO
gweetly and nodded go blithely that
Tullis, instead of presenting King to
her as he had done to the Countess
Marlanx and others, merely said:
vi