Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-09-01

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 Hans threw rugs
and blankets In great heap for her
to cit upon. Every one was talking
ut 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.
I'VE 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 know you we're here, John. am
not going back to Count Marlanx. 1t
IL ended"
II knew It would come. lngomede.
You will let me tell you how glad
am some day"
Some day. when I am truly. wholly
free from him. John. I know what
you will say. and think you know
what I shall say in reply" Both I'M
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 bill 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 10 The
camp Of those who would destroy her
husband. eager to give them any as.
sistance that her own knowledge of
Marlanx'C 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 reganing 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. Murlanx re-
allied that he would have to forestall
the willy grand duke. II he were in
absolute control Of the Graustark gov
eminent when the Russian appeared
he, and he alone, would be in posi-
ton to deal with the situation.
THE grand duke may send a 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 rs lie 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
denr old pile"
Truxton King was listening with
wide open ears. AS she finished this
dreary prediction he silently arose tc
his feet and. without a word to any
one, stalked of in the darkness. Tul
lis looked after him and shook his hcat
sadly.
"I'll be happy on that fellows &C
count when daybreak comes and We
are really at it." he said to Prince
Dantan, who knew something Of King
affection.
But Truxtop King was not there n
daybreak. When he strobe out Of tn
camp that night he left 1t behind for
ever.
The unfortunate lack Of means t
communicate with the occupants O
the castle had been the source of grea
o1otiCoc W >0PLhAn ~ INC w
tenders could be informed as TO tn
exact hour Of the assault from the on;
side they could do much toward it
speedy success by making a fierce col
tie from behind their own walls.
quick dash from the castle ground
) would serve to draw Mar!nnx's after
ton in that direction. diminishing tn
o. 49, H. % >hA =
onslaught at the gates.
Truxton King had oil this in min
as be swung OF down the mountai
road. having stolen past the sentrie
with comparative ease. The DANCE
from Marlanx's scouts outside the cit
was not great; they had been scattere
and beaten by Haas recruiting pal
} ties. He stood IN more danger frol
. the men no would help. they who wer
the wntchful defenders Of the castle.
1t must hive been 2 o'clock when b
crossed the kings highway. a mile {
; more above the northern gates, an
struck down into the same thick III
dergrowth that Ind protected him IN
Hobbs on a memorable night not Ion
? before.
!. At 3 o'clock a dripping figure thre
{ up his hands obligingly and laughe
J with exultation when confronted by
| startled guardsman inside the cast
|. walls and not more than nfty YARD
: from the wntcr gate. He shouted
a friendly cry as ne advanced towar
: the man. calling out his own name
: Ten minutes later he was standir