The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-15
ruxton King
A Story of Grausark By George Barr McCutcheon
Copyright 1909 by George Barr McCon Copyright 1909 by Do Mead ga

man Spaiit1 STOOD III the doorway.
ut is noon." said the old man irasci-
bly,. Then he came in and lighted a
candle.
"Noon of the 25th," said Truxton
bitterly. 'In twenty-four hours it will
be all over. eh, SpantzT
AT noon tomorrow"
julius Spantz brought In the food for
the prisoners, setting 1t on the floor be-
tween them.
at is usually the duty OF our friend
Julius to feed me- observed Truxton
to his fellow prisoner.
"Julius:" queried the girl from the
castle. peering at the MAN. Not jtift-
US Spantz of the armoryT'
1.-THE same" said Truxton. Julius
laughed -aukwardlyg
Enough snarled William Spantz.
His manner changed completely. how
ever, when he turned 10 address the
young lady. Il beg TO Inform yoa,
madam, that your stay is to be brief.
Tonight you win be removed to more
pleasant quarters that a friend mas
prepared for you. AS for you, my
friend" turning to Truxton and smil-
ing ironically. II deeply depiore the
fact that you are to remain. When
we next gather in the room beyond
new dispensaticH will have begun
You may be interested thea to hear
what we have to say out there"
With profound bow TO the lady
and n ieer for King be departed. bolt
ing the door behind him. instantly
King was at her side.
Gan idea Inns come to me-" he whis-
pered eagerly Il think see way
"Air. King. what is IT you intend to
do? Please tell me. must know.
You heard what he said about taking
iaux. will die first"
No. wifi die first. Ry the way
may az well tell you that | wasn't
thinking altogether OF how we are to
escape. Why should | save you from
Narlanx just 10 have You hurry or
and get married 10 Fos Engof It's
mean thought. know" hastily; but.
just the same. hate to think OF you
marrying some one else"
Some one else?" she questioned.
pucker on her forehead.
"Oh. know | wouldn't have q
ghost of chance even If there
wasn't q Vos Engo 1t isn't that" be
explained Il recognize the-er--dif-
ference in our stations and
What his all tliis got TO do with
your plan TO escape"
Nothing Mt ell The point I'm try
ing to get at is this: Don't you think
it's pretty rough on a hero TO save the
girl for some other fellow to snap up
ard marry
81 think begin 10 see" she said,
touch OF pink coming into her cheeks.
That's encouraging" re said. star
ing gIoomIly at the food he had put
aside. "You are quite sure you prom
ised vos Engo that you'd marry him:"
No. | did not promise him that I'd
marry him"
''You said you had promised
You did not allow me time to fin
ish. | meaEt TO say that had prom
ised TO let him know In day or two.
That Is ALL Mr. King There was
suspicious tremor In her voice.
whats that:" he demanded. You
you don't mean to say that Oh.
Lcrd. wonder--I wonder II I have
chance-just ghost OF "a chancew He
leaned very close. inereduious. fasci-
mated. what is II that you are going
to let him know-yes or no ~
..That was the question WIGS con-
sidering when the brigands caught
me-" she answered.
''Of course he Is In your own Glass;"
said Truxton glumiy.
She hesitated an instant "Mr. King.
has no one told you my name-who
amp" she asked.
"you are the princes aunt. That's
all l know"
mo more his aunt in reality than
Jack TulIis is his uncle
'Who are you, theny"
II am Jack TCllis' sister. New
Yorker bred and born, and / live not
more than two blocks from your
He stared at her In speechless amaze
ment. "Then--then you are not a
duchess or a. he began again.
Not at ALA very plain New York.
err she said. laughing aloud. "You
are not disappointed. are your Does
1t spoil your romance tn"-