The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-05-12
IL was the countess Ingomeue.

d IllOuuCnI SuC w Glo LII llC SChlCl VI al
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 a 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 l might enjoy the
slender comforts l 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.
Il knew you were here, John. | am
not going back to Count Marlanx. 1t
is ended
Il knew it would come, Ingomede.
You will let me tell you how glad
am some day"
"Some day. when | am truly, wholly
free from him. John. | know what
you will say. and l think you know
what l shall say in reply" Both IN
derstood and were exalted. No other
word passed between them touching
upon the thing that was uppermost in
their minds.
Food was provided for the wayfar-
ers, and Tullis' 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 its 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
Marlanx's plans might provide.
One bit of information she gave
created no end of CONSERVATION among
the would be deliverers of the city. Ii
had the effect of making them all the
more rcsOlute; the absolute necessity
for Immediately regainins 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 he would have to forestau
the willy grand duke. If he were in
absolute control of the Graustark GOV
eminent when the Russian appeared
he, and he alone would he in u posi-
ton to deal with the situation
The grand duke may send large
force of men across the border ut 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.
"I'l 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
affliction.
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
ulSlItSS 10 Captain llddS. IL iue de-
tenders could be informed as TO the
exact hour of the assault from the out
side they could do much toward its
speedy success by making a fierce sor-
tie from behind their own walls. A
quick dash from the castle grounds
would serve to draw MarlanX's atten-
ton in that direction, diminishing the
force that he would send to check the
onslaught at the gates.
TruXton King had all this in mind
as he swung off down the mountain
road, having stolen past the sentries
with comparative ease. The danger
from MarlanX's scouts outside the city
was not great: they had been scattered
and beaten by Haas recruiting par
ties. He stood in more danger from
the men he would help. they who We're
the watchful defenders of the castle.
1t must have been o'clock when he
crossed the kings highway, mile or
more above the northern gates, and
struck down into the same thick I'M
dergrowth that had protected him and
Hobbs on a memorable night not. long
before
At 3 O'clock a dripping figure threw
up his hands obligingly and laughed
with eXultation when confronted by q