The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-02-07

Copyright, 1909, by George
Barr McCutcheon.)
Copyright, 1909, by Doui,
Mead & Company. Published
Sept, 19O9.)
She had been seized on the
night of the ball as she started
across her fathers garden. Be
fore sunrise she was well on her
way to Balak, IN charge of three
of the counts most faithful bench
men. AS for the messages that
were sent to Edelweiss, she knew
nothing of them, except the last,
which she had managed to get
through with the assistance of
Josepha's father. She was kept
a close prisoner in a house Just
outside of Balak, and came to
learn all of the infamous projects
of her husband. At the end of
ten days her maid was sent to her
from Edelweiss. She brought the
news of the calamity that had be-
fallen the city. 1t was then that
she determined to break away
from her captors and try to reach
the monastery of st. Valentine,
where protection would be af-
forded her for the time being.
After several days of ardent per-
suasion, she and Josepha prevail
ed upon the latter's father to as
sist them in their flight. Not
only was he persuaded, but In the
end he journoyed with them
through the widest country
north of Ganlook. They were four
days in covering the distance,
partly on foot, partly by horse.
Near the city they heard of the
presence of troops near the mon
astery. Farmers wives told
them of the newly formed army
and of its leaders. She deter
mined to make her way to the
camp of those who would de-
stroy her husband, eager to give
them any assistance that her own
knowledge. of Marlanx's plans
might provide.
Many details are omitted in
this brief recital of her story.
Perhaps it is we'll to leave some
thing to the imagination.
One bit of information she
gave created no end of consterna-
ton among the wouldbe deliver
ers of the city. 1t had the effect
of making them all the more reso-
lutte; the absolute necessity for
Immediately regaining control in
the city was forced upon them.
She told them that Count Marlanx
was likely to intervene before
many days, acting on his own ini-
tiative, in the belief that he could
force the government of Grau-
stark to grant the railway privi-
leges SO much desired by his coun-
try. Mar1anx realized that he
would have to forestall the willy
Grand Duke. If he were in abso-
lutte control of the Graustark gov.
eminent when the Russian appear
ed, he and he alone would be in
a position to deal with the situa.
ton. Unless the castle fell into
his hands beforehand, insurine
the fall of the royal house and
lkha -. fcfrr 3ha arond 1,,lxo,.
natural inclination would be te
first befriend the hapless, prince
and then to demand recompenst
in whatsoever form he saw fit.
1.-THE grand duke may send 4
large force of men across ths
border at any time" said tht
countess in conclusion. "Counr
Marlanx Is sure to make a deci
sive assault as soon as he hear.
that the movement has begun. HI
had hopes of starving them out
thus saving the castle from de
lstruction, but as that seems un
likely, his shells will soon begir
to rain in earnest upon the deai
old pile"
Truxton King was listening
with wide open ears. As she fin
ished this dreary prediction h,
silently arose to his feet, and
without a word to anyone. stalkes
loff In the darkness. Tuiiis look
ed after him and shook his heat