Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-07-27

4
allied that he would have to forestall
the willy grand duke. If he were in s
absolute control of the Graustark gov
eminent when the Russian appeared t
he, and he alone, would be in posi-
ton to deal with the situation.
1.-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 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 word to any
one. stalked off in the darkness. Tul-
lis looked after him and shook his head
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 Kings |
affection.
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
distress to Captain Haas. If the de-
g. 1oo inf nd fn
g exact hour Of the assault from the out
S side they could do much toward its
speedy success by making a fierce sor-
Y tie from behind their own walls. A
S quick dash from the castle grounds
would serve to draw Marlanx's atten-
ton in that direction, diminishing the
q force that he would send to check the
e onslaught at the gates.
:. Truxton King had all this in mind
Il as he swung of down the mountain
d road, having stolen past the sentries
IL with comparative ease. The danger
$. from Marlanxs scouts outside the city
J. was not great; they had been scattered
and beaten by Haas recruiting par
4 ties. He stood in more danger from
D. the men be would help, they who were
the watchful defenders of the castle.
LII It must have been 2 o'clock when he
crossed the kings highway, a mile or
o. more above the northern gates, and
rs struck down into the same thick I'm,
1g dergrowth that had protected him and
Oh Hobbs on a memorable night not long
bt before. -
We At o'clock a dripping figure threw
lit UP his hands obligingly and laughed
re with exultation when confronted by {
ed startled guardsman inside the castl
he walls and not more than fifty yard
is from the water gate. He shouted {
friendly cry as he advanced towar
m the man, calling out his own name.
ere Ten minutes later he was standin
on in the presence of the haggard, nerv
to racked QuinnoX, pouring into his al
ter tonished ears the news of the comm
ted attack. The colonel lost no time
thy routing out the sleeping guardsme
vo- and reserves and in sending con
mands to those already on duty at tt
the gates.
ay When the sun peeped over the loft
M hills he saw inside the gates res
ard less, waiting company Of dragon
ready for the command to ride forth.
Meantime King had crossed Il
In grounds with Colonel Quinnox on t
an way to the castle. He was amazed, ;
ter most stupefed, by the devastation tn
the already had been wrought. A dozen
ear more balls had crashed into the facaC
nee Yawning assures, gigantic holes, mar
ugs ed the path of the ugly messenge
her from Marlanx. Nearly all of the w
ing dows had been wrecked by rlhem
ing who shot from the roofs of palaces
for and about the avenue. Two Of
are smaller minarets were in ruins.
she huge pillar in the lower balcony "
to gone The terrace had been plowed
her. by a single ricochetting shell.
hey Great Godv gasped King. ut
the frightfulv'
10 ''They began bombarding yestert
afternoon We were asked to SURF
salu der at o'clock. Our reply brou:
not the shells, Mr.. King. It was territ
hor After. the first two or three she
we found places of shelter for
am prince and his friends. They are
II the stone tower beyond the castle. ]
most glorious courage is shown. CO..
cue, Vos Engo guards the prince and
IL ladies Of the household. Alas, it '
hunger that we feared the most.
oily ao- No sho,,,d bovo resorted TO bors
that eos,, nhoro voc no other wav.
now -, 49, ro1,of would como some d
un- -. r-,11is x-os +bero And now II
'ther today! This shall be our day, tina
hing Godr'
st in Attendants sped to the tower, sho
ing the battle tidings.
war The prince came tumbling down
eady narrow iron stairs from his roc
above, shouting joyously to Truxt
told King. No man was ever so WELDON
uHd- He was besieged with questions. hal
her shakings and praises. Even the Du
of Perse, hobbling on clutches, had