The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-02-02
| RUXTON
{ King
Copyright. 1909. by George
Barr McCutcheen
Copyright. 1909, by Dsdd.
Mead q Company

Nv uOt Spcdh dRdlus
Captain Brutus, you will send criers
abroad to notify the citizens that l,
Count Marlanx, have ordered the exc
cution of the ringleaders in the plot
to dynamite the prince, at sunset in
the square. Away with the carrionw
Then it was. and not till then. that
the committee of ten found him out!
Then it was that they came to know
Peter Brutus
The unrecOgnizable corpse of Olga
Platanova had been buried in quick
lime outside the city walls. There was
something distinctly grewsome in the
TACT that half dozen deep graves
were dug alongside hers hours before
death came to the wretches who were
to occupy them.
At 3 O'Clock the Iron Count coolly
sent messengers to the homes of the
leading merchants and bankers of the
city. They. with the priests. the doc
tors, the municipal officers and the
manufacturers. were commanded to ap-
pear before him at 5 o'clock for the
purpose of discussing the welfare of
the city and its people.
MarlanX stated his position clearly.
He left no room for doubt in their
minds. The strings were in his hands.
Without hesitation he Informed the
leading men OF the city that he was
to be the Prince Of Graustark.
II will rule Graustark or destroy her
Nhnco of 40,
desire to live under my rule. which.
promise you. shall be a wise one. may
leave the city for other lands he said
calmly. lust as soon as my deputies
have completed the formal transfer OF
all your belongings to the crown treas
ury-all, l say, even to the mnutest
trifle. Permit Inc to add in that con
nection. gentlemen. the transfer will
not be IL prolonged affair."
They glared back at him and subsid
ed into bitter silence.
II am well aware that you love little
Prince Robin. Now. respecting young
master Robin. / have no great desire
to kill him."
He waited to see the effect of thi.
brutal announcement. His hearer,
stiffened. and-yes. they held thei
breath.
HE has one alternative-he and hi
lords. | trust that you. as sensible
gentlemen. will find the means to con
vey to him your advice that he sez
the opportunity shall offer him to es
cape with his life. Let ME Interrupt
myself to call to your attention tn
fact that | am Furnishing he anarchist
at sunset. TO resume. the boy ma.
return TO America. where he belongs
l will give him free and safe escor
to the United States. II he chooses t
accept my kindly terms. all well ant
good: il nu;. gentlemen. | shall starv
him ont OF blow The castle down. |
may interest You to hear that | eXpec
to establish Il new nobility in Grau
stark | trust may now he address
ing at least few of the future nobl
lords OF Graustark Good day. gentle
men,"
At the castle the deepest gloom PR
vailed 1t was like nightmare
the becaguered household. dreaI
from which there seemed to be n
awakening. Colonel Quinnox as con
mander of the royal guard ruled 81
preme. General Braze tore off Ri
own epaulets and presented himse
to Quinnox as soldier of the file.
Prince Robin. quite recovered frol
his fright. donned the uniform of
colonel of the royal dragons. buckle
on his jeweled sword and. with boyis
zeal. demanded ut council of W;
Colonel QuinnoX's reasons for not g
ing forth TO slay the rioters.
"Your highness." said the colon
bitterly. 1.-THE real army is outside II
walls. not inside. We are a pitif
Hobbs he said, we've got to til
John Tullis; that's all there is to it. "
81 dare say, sir" said Mr.. Hobt
with sprightly decisiveness. Hes We
much needed"
"Tm going to need him before lol
as my second"
Later on much of Truxton's good b
nor was restored and his vanity pleas
by a polite request from Count Ill
font to attend an important council
the room of wrangles" that event
at 8.
Very boldly he advanced upon
castle a few minutes before the
pointed hour.
He came upon Lorraine Tullis at
edge of the terrace. She was Walk
slowly in the soft shadows beyond
row of lights on the lower gallery.
knew her ut Il glance. this slim cir!
spotlccs whit
, .,-s-s-s %. a. 81 A4zszs