Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-07-27
nounced to his followers that Marlanx

nounced to his followers that MarlanX
had begun to shell the castle. Big
guns in the fortress wGse hurting great
shells over the city, dropping them in
the park. On the other hand. Colonel +
| QuinnoX during the night had swung
| three Calling guns to the top of the
wall; they were stationed at intervals
along the wall. commanding every |
point from which an assault might be
expected.
That night recruits from the farms
and villages began to struggle into the |
camp. They were armed with rifles,
ordinary shotguns and unique blum
derbusses, swords, slaves and aged
lances. All were willing to die in the
service Of the little prince. By the
close of the second day nearly 5000
men were encamped above the city.
Late that night John Tullis rode into
camp at the head of a great company
from the Ganlook province. He had
retaken the town of Ganlook. seized
the fortress and recruited the entire
fighting strength of the neighborhood.
More than that. he had numbered
' and conveyed to the provisional camp
two of the big guns that stood above
: the gates at the fortress.
:. Marlanx trained two Of his big guns
= on the camp in the hills. From the
S fortress he threw many futile shells
J. toward their place of shelter. They
a did no damage; instead of death. they
brought only laughter to the scornful
s. camp. Under cover Of night the two
e Ganlook cannons were planted in po-
S sition commanding the southeastern
n city gate. 1t was the plan of the new
y besiegers to lombard this gate. tear
n ing it to pieces with shot
is The knowledge that Marlanx had nc
d big guns except those stationed in the
fortress was most consoling to Tullis
le and his friends. He could not destroy
the castle gates with shells. except by
purest chance. He could drop shells
into the castle, but to hit gate twenty
feet wide? Never!
Truxton King was growing haggart
from worry and loss Of sleep. HI
y could not understand the abominable
criminal procrastination. He was o
a race that did things with dash ant
on the spur of the moment. His sou
sickened day by day. John Tullis
equally unhappy, but more philosoph
ical, often found him seated upon
rock at the top of the ravine. an ur
lighted pipe in his fingers. his eyes IL
tent upon the haZy castle.
Cheer up, King. Our time WI
come" he was wont to say.
Then came the night before the pr
.,,,l+ r n fnC
! were in position, and the cannonad1n
was to begin at daybreak. Truxto
was full of the bitterness of doul
and misgiving. Was she in 10y
with Vos Engo? Was the counts su
progressing favorably under the ii
We of the enemy? Was his undoubtt
bravery having it's effect upon Il
bis wavering susceptibilities of the d
tressed Lorraine?
~ The sound of a voice in sharp col
mand attracted his attention. The
My was bright moon, and TruHxt
ter could see other pickets kurrying
join the first. A few moments lat
ere several trespassers were escort
you through the lines and taken direct
to headquarters-a man and two v
ted men, King observed.
get John Tullis was staring hard at
res group approaching from the roadW'
One woman walked ahead of her co
is! panions. Suddenly he sprang forWa
,e- with cry Of amazemeht.
ing It was the Countess Ingomede.
Her arrival created a sensation.
the moment she was in the center Of
ing amazed circle of men. Tullis, AT
ken his first low, eager greeting at
get edge of the fire circle, drew, her II
the to the warmth giving flames. Prll
site. Dantan and Captain Haas threw RI
me! and blankets in a great heap for
anne to sit upon. Every one was talk
had ut once. The countess was smil
say, through her tears. Make room
my maid and her father. They
colder and more fatigued than l."
nan. said. lifting her tired. glorious eyes
Oh, John Tullis. who stood beside
| in "We have come from Balak. II
suffered much that might enjoy
king slender comforts was so ready
King share with them"
to 'Thank God. you are here!' he
in low, intense tones. She could
| by mistake the fervor in his voice
de- the glow in his eyes.
iftly ST knew you were here, John.
ibot. not going back to Count Marlanx.
ther is ended
Is of 81 knew it would come, Ingome
You will let me tell you how gla
any am some day."
sked "Some day. when I am truly, VIII
her free from him, John. / know W
you will say. and l think you kr
King what / shall say in reply" Both
derstood and were exalted. No o
word passed between them toucl
upon the thing that was uppermos
the their minds.
and Food was provided for the way
the ers, and Tullis' tent was made re
fo1. tho cOuDtnSS and her maid