The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-02-16
CHAPTER VI.

that covered the sidewalks
along Castle avenue.
Almost in the center Of the imposing
line OF palatial residences stood the
home of the Duke Of Perse. minister
of finance, danked on either side by
structures as grim and as gay as it.
self yet far less significant in their
generation. Here dwelt the most i'm
portant man in the principality. not
excepting the devoted prime minister
himself. Not that Perse was SO we'll
beloved, but that he held the destinies
of the land in Midas-like fingers. More
than that, he was the father of the far
famed Countess Marlanx. the most
glorious beauty at the Austrian and
Russian courts. She had gone forth
from Graustark as it's most notable
bride since the wedding day of the
Princess Yetive, late in the nineties.
Ingomede, the beautiful, had jOurneyed
far to the hymeneal altar. The hus
band who claimed her was a hated,
dishonOred man in his own land. There
were those who went SO far as to say
that her father had delivered her into
the hands Of latter day Bluebeard.
who whisked her off into the high
lands, many leagues from Vienna.
She was seen no more in the gay
courts for a year. Then Of sudden
she appeared before them all. as daz-
zlingly beautiful as ever. but with a
haunting. wistful look in her dark eyes
that could not be mistaken. The old
count found an uneasy delight in ex-
hibiting her to the world once more,
plainly as a bit of property that all
men were expected to look upon with
envy in their hearts.
Then the Duke Of Perse resumed his
residence in Edelweiss, opening the
old palace once more to the world. His
daughter after the death Of the prin
cess began her extended visits to the
home Of her girlhood. So long as the
princess was alive she remained away
from Edelweiss. reluctant to meet the
friend who had banished her husband
long before the wedding day In Buda-
pest Now she came frequently and
stayed for weeks at time, apparently
happy during these escapes from life
in the great capitals.
OF late she came more frequently to
Edelweiss than before. John Tullis
was always to remember the moment
when he looked upon this exquisite
creature for the first time. That was
months ago. After that he never ceased
being a secret, silent worshiper at her
transient shrine.
Ten o'clock on this rainy night a
carriage has drawn up before the low
er gates to the Perse grounds, and a
tall, shadowy figure leaves it 70 hurry
through the shrub lined walks to the
massive doors.
Tullis had long since ceased to be a
welcome visitor in the home OF the
Duke Of Perse. The men were openly
unfriendly to each other. The duke
resented the cool interference Of the
sandy haired American: Oh the other
hand. Tullis made no effort to conceal
his dislike, If not distrust, Of the older
man.
The countess was alone in the long,
warm tinted library.
ut is good Of you to come" she said
as they shook hands warmly. DO you
know it Is almost year since you last
came to this house,"
sit would be a century, countess, il
/ were not welcomed in other houses
where l am sure Of a glimpse Of you
from time to time and q word now and
them
They both seated themselves before
glowing open fire.
1.-THE duke has gone to Ganlook tc
play bridge with friends" she said a
| once. He will not return till late.
have just telephoned-to make sure.
Her smile did more than to reassure
him.
"Of course you will understand how
impossible it is for me to come here
| countess. Your father the duke, does
not mince matters. and I'm not quite
| a fool"
at is Of the prince that want tC
speak, Mr. Tullis." she said Il dc
| want to talk very seriously with you
concerning his future-I might say bis
| immediate future"
/ He looked at her narrowly.
Are you quite serious!"
| "Quite. l could not have asked you
! to come to this house for anything
/ NV < udh bSCoIllS very pOtt
| friends. you and /. Too good. per
haps. for I've no doubt there are old
| tabbies in Edelweiss who are provoke ed
| to criticism. You know what mean.
The prince is sturdy little beg
| gar" he began, but she lifted her hand
in protest.
And be has sturdy, loyal friends
| That is agreed. And yet She paus
| ed, perplexed line coming between
her expressive eyes
John Tullis opened his own eyes
very wide. You don't mean to say
that he is-he is In peril Of any sort"
| She leaned nearer to him. dropping
| the ash from her cigarette into the re
| ceiver as she spoke slowly. intensely
II think he is in peril-in deadly peril
| He stared hard. What do yor
| meant" he demanded. with an iavolun
tary glance over his shoulder. She in
| terpreted that glance correctly.
THE peril Is not here. Mr. Tulis.
know what you are thinking. My ia