Enterprise news-record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1910-1911, 1911-05-13

edge of the fire circle. drew her near |
to the warmth giving flames. Prince
Dantan and Captain Haas threw rugs !
and blankets in a great heap for her
to sit upon. Every one was talking
at once. The countess was smiling
through her tears. Make room fol
my maid and her father. They al
colder and more fatigued than l." sh
said. lifting her tired, glorious eyes to
John Tullis. who stood beside her.
1--WE have come from Balak. They
suffered much that might enjoy the
slender comforts was so ready to
share with them"
"Thank God. you are here" he said
in low intense tones. She could not
mistake the fervor in his voice nor
the glow In his eyes.
81 knew you were here, John. ! am
not going back to Count Marlanx. 1t
is ended"
81 knew it would come, Ingomede.
You will let me tell you how glad
am some day."
"Some day, when am truly, wholly
free from him, John. / know what
you will say. and think you know
what shall say In reply" Both un-
derstood and were exalted. No othei
word passed between them touching
upon the thing that was uppermost in
| their minds.
Food was provided for the wayfar-
| rs, and Tullis' tent was made ready
| ar the countess and her maid.
The countess story was soon told.
Sitting before the great fire, surround
ed by eager listeners, she related her
experiences.
She had been seized on the night
of the ball as she started across hel
fathers garden, and escape had be
come possible only through the aid Of
Josepha and the girls father. Farm
ers' wives told them of the newly
formed army and of its leaders. Sh'
determined to make her way to tn,
camp of those who would destroy he
, husband, eager to give them any as
sistance that her own knowledge o
Marlanx's plans might provide.
One bit of information she gav'
, created no end of CONSERVATION anon,
the would be deliverers of the city. |
, had the effect of making them all tn
q more resolute; the absolute necessit.
for Immediately regalning control Il
! the city was forced upon them. Sh
told them that Count Marlanx ha
q lately received word that the Gram
Duke Paulus was likely to interven
g before many days, acting on his ow
o initiative, in the belief that he coul
G force the government of Graustark
v grant the railway privileges so muc
V desired by his country. Marlanx r.
ii ,lized that he would have to foresta
q the willy grand duke. If he were
D. absolute control of the Graustark go'
n ernment when the Russian appeare
W he, and he alone, would be in a pos
r. ton to deal with the situation.
"The grand duke may send lare
10 force of men across the border at an
le time" said the countess In conclusion
is "Count Marlanx is sure to make d
" cisive assault as soon as he hears th'
" the movement has begun. He ha
is hopes of starving them out, thus sa
ty ing the castle from destruction, but
that seems unlikely his shells W
rd soon begin to rain In earnest upon Il
lie dear old pile"
lie. Truxton King was listening wi
of wide open ears. AS she finished I'll
nd dreary prediction he silently arose
nj his feet and, without a word to al
is. one, stalked off In the darkness. L,
III lis looked after him and shook his he
a sadly.
In "Ill be happy on that fellows
in count when daybreak comes and
are really at It," he said to Prin
will Dantan, who knew something of Kin
affiiction.
ro- But Truxton King was not there
ms daybreak. When he strobe out OF
ing camp that night he left 1t behind I
ton ever.
nbt The unfortunate lack Of means
oye communicate with the occupants
iuit the castle had been the source Of gr
fire distress to Captain Haas. IL the
ted tenders could be informed as to
the exact hour of the assault from the
dis. side they could do much toward
speedy success by making fierce
ON tie from behind their own walls
ere quick dash from the castle grou
ton would serve to draw Marlanx's att
to ton in that direction. diminishing
tier force that he would send to check
tied onslaught at the gates.
city Truxton King had all this In N
wo- as he swung Off down the mount
road, having stolen past the sent
the with comparative ease. The dar
way. from Marlanx's scouts outside the
ON was not great; they had been scatt'
rard and beaten by Haas recruiting
ties He stood in more danger I
the men he would help. they who
In the watchful defenders of the cast
I an 1t must have been 2 o'clock whel
fter crossed the kings highway. q nil