Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-08-04

shrilly asserting that she had not the
courage TO tell what might befall the
little ruler, all the while muttering
something about the two little princes
who had died In tower ages and ages
ago. Seeing that the boy was fright
ened, Tullis withdrew him to the back
ground. The Countess Marlanx came
next. She was smiling derisively.
"You have returned from some one
whom you hate" began the witch.
"IIe Is your husband You will marry
again. There IS fair haired man in
love with you You are in love with
him. I can see trouble
But the countess deliberately turned
away from the table, her cheeks fam
Ing Win the consciousness that a smile
had swept the circle behind her grace
full back.
"Ridiculousr she said and avoided
John Tullis gaze. II don't care to
hear any more. Come, baronl You are
next"
Truxton King, subdued and troubled
in his mind. found himself studying
his surroundings and the people who
went so far TO make them interesting.
His eye had fallen upon crack in the
door that led to the kitchen, although
he had no means of knowing that 1t
was kitchen To his Amusement, a
cleaning eye was looking out upon the
room from beyond this narrow crack
He looked long and found that he was
not mistaken. There was an eye glued
close to the opposite side Of the rickcty
door. and it's gaze was directed to the
Countess Marlanx.
Without pausing to consider the re-
suit Of his action he sprang across the
room. shouting as he did SO that there
was a man behind the door. Grasping
the latch, he threw the door wide open,
the others In the room looking at him
as if he were suddenly crazed.
There was instant commotion. with
cries and explanations from all. Quick
as the others were. the old woman
was at his side before them, snarling
with rage Her talonlike fingers sunk
into his arm, and her gaze went dart
ing about the room in most convinc-
ing way.
Baron Danglpss was convinced that
out conjunction he began search Of
the room, the old woman looking on
with grin Of glee.
Search. Search she croaked. ut
was the spirit eye! 1t Is looking at
you now. my fine baron! 1t finds you,
yet cannot be found. No, no! Oh, you
fools! Get out. Get out! All Of you!
Prince or no prince, | fear you not,
nor all your armies. This Is my home,
my castle! Go. Coz!
There was a man here, old woman"
said the baron coolly. Where IS the
MANI
She laughed aloud, a horrid sound.
The prince clutched Tullis by the leg
In terror.
"Ther, no window, no trapdoor.
no skylight," remarked the baron. puz-
zled. Nothing but the stovepipe. six
inches In diameter. A man couldn't
urawl out through that, I'm sure. Mr..
King, we've come upon n real mys-
tery-the eye without a visible body"
Suddenly the old woman stepped into
the middle Of the room and began to
wave her hands In mysterious man.
ner over an empty pot that stood on
the floor In front of the stove Then
; before their startled eyes thin film
Of smoke began to rise from the empty
pot 1t grew IN volume until the room
was quite dense with 1t. Even more
, quickly than 1t began 1t disappeared
drawn apparently by some supernat
ural agency into the draft Of the stove
and out through the rickety chimney
pipe.
deafening crash as OF many guns
came to their ears from the outside
. With one accord the entire party rush
ed to the outer door, q wild laugh from
the hag pursuing them.
"There." she screamed. There goe
| all there was Of him. And so shall W.
all 60 some day. Fire and smoke
Just outside the door stood Lieuten
, ant Saf'o Of the guard.
Good Lord" shouted Tullis, "Wha
Is the matter? What has happened"
"The storm, sir" said SaiYo. 1T i
, coming down the valley like the wind.
A great crash of thunder burst over
head and lightning darted through tn
7 black, swirling skies.