The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-02-07
CHAPTER XIII.
4 DIVINITY SHAPES. .


 The sound of breathing came to
 his ears. He sat up. His hands
 were free. 1t had not been a dream. She was lying over there asleep. The candle had burnt itself out: that was all. He crept softly across the hoor In the darkness he found her and touched the garments she wore-and drew back enthralled. Afraid to move for fear of disturb ing her. he sat quietly for an hour or more. All this time his brain was working like mad in the new found de- sire to perform miracles for the sake of this lovely. unattainable creature. He was forgetting the prince. the hor- TOTS of the 26th: he was thinking only of saving this girl from the fate that Marlanx had in store for her. Vos Engo may have had the promise. but what could it profit him if Marlanx had the girl?
 Footsteps In the outer room recalled him to the bitter reality of their posi- ton. He awoke her and whispered words of encouragement into her be- wildered ears. Then he put on his coat and threw himself on the floor, first wrapping the rope about his wrists to deceive the guard.
 A key turned in the paddock. Old man Spantz stood in the doorway.
 'Tt is ncsn," said the old man iraSci- bly,. Then he came in and lighted candle.
 "Noon of the 25th." said Truxton bitterly. "ln twenty-four hours 1t 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.
 ''It is usually the duty of our friend Julius to feed me-" observed Truxton to his fellow prisoner.
 ~Jul.us?" queried the girl from the castle. peering at the man. ''Not Jull- us Spantz of the armoryT @
 "The same" said Truxton. Julius laughed awk*ardly.
 "Enough." snarled William spantz. His manner changed completely. how- ever. when he turned to address the young lady. "l beg to inform you. madam, that your stay is to be brief. Tonight you will be removed to more pleasant quarters thats a friend has prepared for you. As for you. my friend" turning to Truxton and snlil ing ironically. ''I deeply deplore the fact that you are to remain. When we next gather in the room beyond a new dispensatfon will have begun You may be interested then to hear what we have to say out there."
 With a profound bow to. the lady and ieer for King he departed, bolt ing the door behind him. Instantly King was at her side.
 "An idea has come to me-" he whis- pered eagerly. "I think I see a way.' aMr. King. what is it you intend to do? Please tell me. must know. You heard what he said about taking me to the counts. He meant Mar. lanx | will die first"
 No. I will die first. By the way, I may as well tell you that l wasn't thinking altogether of how we are tc escape. Why should l save you from Marlan1 just to have you hurry of and get married to vos Engo? It's a mean thought. l know" hastily: but just the same. hate to think of you marrying some one else" 'Some one else? she questioned. a pucker on her forehead
 "Oh. know I wouldn't have a ghost of chance even if there wasn't vos Engo. It isn't that" he explained. ''I recognize the-er-dif- ference in our stations and"-
 "What has all this got to do with your plan to escape?"
 "Nothing at all The point I'm try ing to get at is this: Don't you think it's pretty rough on hero to save the girl for some other fellow to snap up and marry?"
 -I think begin to see." she said, 8 touch of pink coming into her cheeks.
 That's encouraging" he said, star. ing gloomily at the food he had put aside. You are quite sure you prom ised vos ELgo that you'd marry him? ?
 '.No. I did not promise him that I'd marry him."
 You said you had promised"-
 You did not allow me time to fin ish. meant to say that had prom fsed to let him know ina day or two That Is all. MT. King" There was suspicious tremor in her voice.
 "Whats tnat?' he demanded. "Yor you don't mean to say that Oh /, Lord. wOnder-I wonder If l have { chance-just ghost of chance!' He leaned very close incredulous. fasci mated What is it that you are going to let him know-yes or no?"
 That was the question I was con sidering when the brigands caught me-" she answered.
 "Of course he Is in your own class, said Truxton giumlyr