The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-03-21
CHAPTER XXI.

ION Mig "dS SuullOuSu 10 luc
devastated state chamber to be
made a baron, and the prince
completed the Americans reward by
presenting him with an ancient gold
seal ring, one Of the crown jewels.
Late that night 1t was reported at
the castle that a large force Of men
were encamped on the opposite side
Of the river. A hundred campfires
were cleaning against the distant up
lands
"The Grand Duke Paulusw exclaim-
ed Count Halfont. Thank God he did
not come a day earlier. We owe him
nothing today, but yesterday-ah, he
could have demanded much of u.s.
In one of the wrecked approaches to
the terrace, surrounded by fragments
Of stone and confronted by ugly de-
struction, sat young man and
slender girl. There were no lights
near them. The shadows We're black
and forbiddiug.
His arm was about her; her head
nestled securely against his shoulder,
and her slim hands were willing pris-
oners in one Of his.
She was saying: "Truxton, dear,
did not love Eric Vos Engo. 1 just
thought it was love. I never really
knew what love was until you came
into my life. That's what made 1t so
hard. 1 had let him believe that /
might care for him some day. And
did like him. So r.
You will never, never know how
happy am, Loraine!' he breatbed into
her ear.
Il hope 1 shall always bring happi-
ness to you, Truxton," she murmured,
faint with the joy Of loving.
You will make me very unhappy If
you don't marry me tomorrow"
Il will marry you. Truxton, when
we get to New York." she said, but
not very firmly. He saw his advan-
tage.
He held her close for long time,
| his face buried in her hair. Listen,
darling! Won't you say you'll be my
| wife before l leave Graustark? /
want you so much. l can't go away
| without you
She hesitated. when are you 60
ing. Truxton? You-you haven't told
me-"
1t was what he wanted. Il am 60
ing next Monday" he said promptly.
AS a matter Of fact, he had forgotten
| the day of the week they were now
living in.
| Monday? Oh, dearv'
| "Will you:"
! I-I must cable home first," she
faltered.
| That's mere detail, darling. Gable
afterward. 1t will beat US home by
three weeks. They'll know we're COM
ing"
Il must ask John, really 1 must,
Truxton," she protested family.
| "Hurrayw he shouted-in n whis-
per. He is so desperately IN love
he won't think Of refusing anything
we ask. Shall we set it for Saturday?
They set it for Saturday without
consulting John Tullis and then fell
to discussing him. He is very much
in love with her." she said wistfully.
"And she loves him, Lorraine. They
will be very happy. She's wonder
ful"'
well, so IS John. He's the most
| wonderful man in all this world"
81 am sure Of It." he agreed mag
unanimously. II saw him talking with
her and the Duke Of Perse as / came
out awhile ago. They were going tc
the dukes rooms up there. The duke
will offer no objections. He'll permit
his daughter to select his next son-in
law"
Il shall be sorry to leave Graustark,'
she said dreamily after a long period
of silent retrospection. I've had the
happiest year Of my life here"
I've had the busiest month Of my
life here III never again say that thu
world is a dull place. I shudder whe1
think Of what might have happened