The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-05-05

! RUXTON
{ King
Copyright. 1909. by Geor6s
Barr McCutcheon
Copyright. 1909. by Dodd.
Mead q Company
CHAPTER XV-Continued.

Shortly after half past IL O'Clock GER
tain groups of men usurped the posi-
tons in front of certain buildings on
the south side Of the square, a score
here, a half score there, others below
them. They favored the shops OPP
Grated by the friends Of the commit
tee of ten; they were the men who
were to take possession of the rifles
that lay hidden behind counters and
walls.
From the distant castle came the
sounds of shouts, crawling up the long
line of spectators for the full length
of the avenue to the eager throng II,
RegengetZ circus, swelling and grow
ing louder as the news came that the
prince had ridden forth from the
gates. Glad voices cried out tidings
to those in the background. The prince
was coming!
Bonny, adorable Prince Robin.
On came the splendid phalanx Of
guardsmen, followed by rigid infantry
men in measured tread. The great
coach of gold, with its half score of
horses, rolled somberly beneath ma
lures canopy of green, surrounded on
all sides by proud members of the
royal guard. Two carriages from the
royal stables preceded the princes
coach. In the first We're the Duke of
Perse and three fellow members of
the cabinet. The second contained
Baron Dangloss and General Braze.
The curtains in a house at the cor
ner Of the square parted gently. A
hawk faced old man peered out upon
the joyous crowd. His black eyes
swept the Gene. A grim smile crept
into his face. He dropped the cur
talns and walked away from the win
dow, tossing a cigarette into a CRATE
on the opposite side of the room. Then
he looked at his watch.
=
The man who stood in the middle of
the freight car looking down In wonder
at the f%ugitives was a tall vagabond of
the most picturesque type. No raga-
muffin was eve SO tattered and torn
as this rakish individual. His clothes
barely hung together on his lank
frame.
Long, thin lips curled into a smile of
delicious regard. His sides shook with
the quiet chuckle of understanding.
He was thinking Of other days and
nights and Of many maids in faroff
lands and Of countless journeys in
which he. too, had had fair and gentle
company-short journeys, yes, but not
to be forgotten.
He lighted the stub of a tallow can
die. All. how envicd this great. sleep
ing wayfarer. How beautiful his mis-
tress. How fortunate the lover. They
slept. How tired they We're. Whence
had they come?
Why should he stay here to spoil
their waking hour? No. He would
surrender his apartment to them.
Softly he tiptoed to his w corner
Of the car. He gathered up his be-
l~ongings-an ancient violin case, a
stout walking stick. a goodly sized
pack done up in gaudy cloth, a well
worn pair of sandals with long. frayed
lacingS. AS gently he stole back to
the door. He tossed a kiss to the
sleeping girl, his dark gypsy face
aglow with admiration and mischief,
and was about to blow out the light
of his candle. Then he changed his
mind.
With a determined shake Of his head
and a new fash of the eye. he calmly
seated himself and began to open his
ragged pack.
At last his small store Of food lay
exposed. Without hesitation he divid-
ed the pieces Of smoked ~venison, Civ
ing one part to himself, two to the
sleepers. then the miller's bread and
the cheese and the bag Of dates he had
bought the day before.
Again he blew a kiss to the prettiest
girl he had yer seen. Shutting his
candle, he dropped to the ground aud
closed the door against all spying, un-
civil eyes.
Daybreak found him at the wharf
gates.
Coming to an empty fat car direct
from the quarries, he resolutely seated
himself upon it's edge and, with amia-
BILE resignation, set about devouring
his early meal, all the while casting
longing, almost appealing, glances to-
ward the next car but one. Busy lit
tie switch engines began chugging
about the yards. The railroad at least
was exhibiting some signs Of life.
Down through the maze Of side
tracks whisked the little train, out
upon the main line with a thin Shrek
Of greeting, past the freight houses.
1t was then that Sir Vagabond sat up
very straight, a look Of mild interest
in his eyes. Interest gave way to per,
plexity, perplexity to What's
th~is-leaving the city? He wasted nc
time. Clutching his belongings to his
side, he vaulted from one hand, nimbly
landing safely on his feet at the road
side.
He thought Of the luckless pair In
the empty ''box."
Suddenly he stopped, his chin up,
his hands to his sides. A hearty peal