The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-25

camp. They were armed with rinsa,
ordinary shotgtrns and unique blun-
derbusses. swords, staves and aged
iances. All were willing to die in the
service Of the iittis prince. BY the
close Of the second day nearly 1900
men were encamped shove tho city,
Late that night John Tullis rode into
camp at the head Of great company
from the Ganlook province. He had|
retaken the town Of Ganlook. seisedI
the fortress and recruited the entire
lighting strength Of the neighborh0cd.
More than that. he had unIimbsfedI
and conveyed to the provisional camp
two OF the big guns that stood aboves
the gates at the fortress.
Marianx trained two OF his big guns
on the camp In the hills. From the
fortress he threw many futile shells
toward their place of shelter. They
did no damage; instead Of death. they
brought only laughter to the scornftilI
camp. Under cover OF night the two
Ganiook cannons were planted in . POI
sitton commanding the southeastern
city gate. 1t was the plnn OF the new
besiegers to lombard this gate. tear
lag Il to pieces with shot. =.
The knowledge that Marianx had no
big guns except those stationed IN tho
fortress was NEST consoiins TO THiliA
and his friends. He could not destroy
the castle gRtes with shells. except BY
purest chance. He could drop shells
into the castle. but to hit gate twenty
feet wide? Never.
Truxtop King was growing haggard
from worry and loss Of sleep. He
could not understand the abominabie.l
criminal procrnstination. He was Of
a race that did things with dash and
on the spur Of the moment. His sout
sickened day by day. John Tulits.y
equally unhappy, but more phiicsoph-
ical, often found him seated upon q
rock at the top Of the ravine. an un-S
lighted pipe in hts fingers. his eyes in-
tent upon the hazy castle.
-Cheer up. King. Our time VIII
come" he was wont to say.
Then came the night before the pro-
posed assault on the gates. The guus
were In position. and the eanaonadsne
was to begin nt daybreak- Truxton
was futt OF -ths bitterness of doubt
and misgiving. Was she In lows
with vos Engo? Was the counts suit
progressing favorably under the IRE
OF the enemy. Was hts undoubte0
bravery haring its effect upon tho
wavering snsceptibilities Of the dis
tressed Lorainef
The sound OF q voice In sharp COM
mand attracted his attention. Theirs
was bright moon. and Truxton
could see other pickets hurrying to
Join the first A few moments later
several trespassers were escorted
through the tines and taken directly
to headquarters-a man and two wo-
men. King observed.
John Tuliis was staring hard Mt the
group approaching from the roadway.
One woman walked ahead OF her cona-
panions. Suddenly he sprung forward
with q cry Of amusement
1t was the Countess 1ngomece-
Her arrival created a sensation In
a moment she was In the center Of an
amazed circle OF men. 1uiiis. amer
his first low. eager greeting at the
edge Of the ERE circle. drew her near
to the warmth giving flames. Prince
Dantan and Captain Haas threw rugs
and blankets 81 4 great heap for her
70 ait upon. Every one was talking
at once. The countess was smiling
through her tears. MAKE room for
my maid and her father. They are
colder ana more fatirued than l.. shs
said. lifting her tired. glorious eyes 10
John Tullis. who stood beside her.
ave have come from Baiak. TheY
suffered much that might su3ey The
slender comforts was 80 ready to
share with them.
-.rhank God, you are herer' he said
in low. intense tones. She could NOT
mistake the fervor In his voice nor
the glow In his eyes.
II knew you were here. John. am
not going back to Count Marlanx. Il
Is ended
y knew It would come. lngomedA.
you win let me tell you how glad Z
am some day"
| .Some day. when am truly, wholly
vor MI, sar and I think Won tnov
| 71ss-4 q