The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-04-21

SAa>> 1890 49, 80 a. pun WI
you as a duchess or a princess and
without hope. Now, I-I-well, I'm
going to hope. Perhaps Vos Engo
has the better Of me just now, bat I'm
In the lists with him-with all of
them. If l get you out Of this place
and myself as WE'LL want you to UNI
derstand that from this very minute |
am trying 10 win you If it lies in the
power Of any American TO win a girl
who has suitors among the nobility"
"Are-are you really in ~earnest?" she
murmured.
II mean every word of 1t. l do love
you
IL cannot talk about II now, Mr..
King" she tluttered, moving away
from him in a sudden panic. Pres
emily he went over to her. She was
standing near the candle. staring down
at the flame, with a strangely preoc-
cupied expression In her eyes.
Forgive me-" he said. 81 was
hasty, incoGsiderate. r.
"You quite took my breath away"
she painted. looking up ut him, with n
queer little smile.
II know he murmured.
Her troubled gaze resumed its sober
contemplation Of the fame.
"You won't leave me to my fate be
cause you think I'm going to marry
some one else?"
He grew very sober. Miss Fullis,
you and I have one chance In . thou
sand. You may as well know the
truth"
"Oh, can't bear the thought Of that
dreadful old man." she cried, abject
distress in her eyes.
He gritted his teeth and turned
away.
Late in the afternoon Anna Cromer
appeared before them, accompanied
by two of the men. Crisply she COM
manded the girl to come forth.
She was In the outer room for the
better part OF an hour listening to
Anna Cromer and Nine. Drovnask,
who dinned the praises of the great
Count Marlanx into her ears. They
bathed the girls face and freshened
her garments. 1t occurred to her that
she was being prepared for a visit Of
the redoubtable Marlanx himself and
put the question plainly.
NO. said Anna Cromer. Hes not
coming here. You are going to him.
He will not be Count Marlanx after
tomorrow, but Citizen Marlanx, one
OF the people, II OF u.s."
80
Little did they know Marlanx.
Julius and Peter will come for you
tonight" said Nine. Drovnask, with
an evil, suggestive smile.
Truxton was beginning to tremble
with the fear that she would not be
returned to their room when the door
was opened and she came in.
Some time in the tense, suffocating
hours Of the night they heard the
sounds Of many footsteps shutting
about the outer room. There were
hoarse, cultural, subdued goodbys and
well wishes, the creaking of heavy
doors and the dropping Of bolts.
Eventually King, who had been lis
tening alertly, realized that but two of
h men remained I'm the room, Peter
Brutus and julius Spantz.
An hour crept by and another. King
was %groaning under the suspense. The
time was too slowly approaching
when he was to attempt the most des-
perate act in all this sa%nguinary trag-
edy.
He had told her Of his plan. She
knew the part she was to play. And
IL all went well-ah. them
Suddenly he started to his feet, his
jaws set, his eyes cleaning. The tele-
graph instrument was clicking In the
outer room.
Iaking his position near the girl.
who was crouching in real dismay, he
leaned against the wall, his hands be-
hind him, every muscle strained and
taut.
The door opened, and julius Spantz,
b~cwhiskered and awkward, entered.
He wore a raincoat and storm hat and
carried q rope in n Of his hands.
Time you were asleep" he said
stupidity, addressing King. He turned
to the girl. Come, madam, / must
He did not complete the sentence.
The whole weight OF Truxton Kings
body was behind the terrific blow thai
landed on the mans jaw. julius
Spantz's knees crumpled. He lunged
against the wall. The man was stun
ned beyond all power Of immediate
action. 1t was the work OF an instant
to snatch the revolver from his coat
pocket.
Guard the door, whispered King
to the girl, pressing the revolver into
her hand, land shoot il you have tor
A handkerchief was stuffed into the
unconscious maD's mouth. The long
coat and boots were jerked from his
limp body before his hands and feet
were bound with the rope he carried.
The bushy whiskers and wig were re-
moved from his head and transferred
In a fash to that Of the American.
Then the boots, coat and hat found a
new wearer.
Peter Brutus was standing in the
stairway leading to the sewer