Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-10-08


tack and tho retrcat--arma, equip
mont Tho keen eye OF Frederick
noted them all. II noted also tho
glitter OF a bit OF metal which seemed
not portion Of discarded accouter.
menta. lie stopped and picked u up,
II was a silver cigarette case, evil
IDENTIFY OF value and evidently nban.
doned by some OF the Grahoffcn forces
who so recently had left the place.
Count Frederick examined II curteas.
ly. opened Il.
Within the lid there was written
little inscription which gave him
start. ITO Count sachio. our we'll
beloved. for deeds OF vaIor From his
king"
so" exclaimed Frederick, $50 then
so them lie was here but now. And
look" Not far away he saw the
prints OF sharp-heeled boots in the
broken soil. lie caught up a little
bit OF filmy laco-a kerchief whose
perfume was familiar 20 him. He saw
against tho bark OF nearby trco q
fragment OF like lace. torn perhaps
In some struggle.
Yes, she was here"
Agitated. he hastened once more
row TO tho palace door. Ho demand
ed OF all whom he met where last they
had seen the young American, but
they could givo no intelligent replies.
Let me tell you. then" said Count
Frederick in a fash OF anger. "slnce
you cannot learn for me. She has
gone TO Grahoffen--as prisoner. Go
there then. fcvc- Sachio. as I have
already orde.eS. Tho young Ameri-
can without question has been taken
prisoner. We must rescue her. We
must do that for every reason I'm the
world-for her own safety and our
own
And for my own peace OF mind"
he added soto voce, as, haggard, he
turned away to find such relief as he
could In the countless duties which
now were to dovolve upon him amid
the wreck OF government and the
ruin OF city.
Although the forces Of the king OF
Grahoffen had been worsted In STRAIT
egy and had given their parole In or
der to save their lives In the flooded
! chambers OF the dungeon levels, the
Kingdom itself. its ruler and its lead
ing men seemed 10 feel little OF tho
terror common with those actually de-
feated. Upon the contrary, old Cor
tislaw and HIS mobiles wero victims not
so much Of terror as chagrIn. Neither
we're they disposed too scrupulously
TO observe their own plighted word
which had purchased life and liberty.
Passing from the limits OF the be.
leaguered capitol, they did not scorn
TO take such loot as lay at hand, or
to carry with them such prisoners as
pleased thom Among those lattor II
chanced that they had one more pris.
oner whose freedom might much have
altered the course Of events In this
complex little drama.
Had Rolcau the doughty servant OF
Kitty Gray. been on hand at the time
OF the capitulation OF the Grahoffen
forces, no doubt he would have kept
30 close to his mistress as TO guard
against any such sudden surprise as
had now left her ut the mercy Of her
enemies. But Roleau. prisoner TO
/ Grahoffen, had no knowledge OF any
OF the lato stirring events. nor any
knowledge OF the whereabouts OF his
mistress.
The windows of the cell in which
Roleau had been confined faced. upon
the corridor sometimes used by the
retainers OF tho palace, less frequent
! ly by those persons OF greater impor-
tance. Roleau heard footsteps now,
voices. the confusion of a large party
arriving. He stepped close to tho
bars OF his cell. pressed his face out,
so that he might see. Upon his fea-
lures any who had observed must
have seen Joy, exultation. For. though
himself prisoner. Roleau had seen
now, down below there. thr form OF
that mistress whom he served!
But Roleau was wise. He did not
cry out. He did not shout I'm sudden
greeting. as she passed among his cap
tors. Only he stood close and hoped
that she would look up.
She did look up, and saw him stand
ing there, and guessed his reason for
silence-saw his sudden finger on lip
demanding silence from herself as
we'll A flash Of intelligence passed
once more between the two.
We'll. well. my pretty one" taunted
sachio Welcome once more to our
portals; and may you bide with US
longer this time than last"
We shall aee." was her retort-,
Sachio did not answer. but grimIy
led her on into the presence OF King
Cortislaw himself Cortislaw was still
furious in his chagrin at the defeat of
his plans.
$50, again, madcmoisellel" said he,
and his gray beard curled in his evil
smile. "We have you once more. Be-
lieve us, II Is the last. time. You shall
not escape again. Why is she here,
sachioT he emahded--'How did you
take herr"