The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1916-01-21

Bartel. the Gretzhoffen agent, was
in no mood to delay. He urged his
own car hard. and FASTENED toward
the station Of the little railway which.
as Kitty and Roleau both knew, led
to Grahoffen around the northern ex-
tremity OF the neutral strip, close in
under the shoulders of the little
mountains.
There stood in the station now, at
tached to the tuning engine a mixed
train, partly mode of coaches, partly
Of fats, apparently ready to depart.
Bartel approached the guard rapidly.
what he said no one heard, but an
instant later the guard had received
from Bartel telegram. had trans.
ferred 1t to the station agent, and
himself was blowing the signal for
the starting OF the train--perhap s
some minutes before the regular
schedule time. All we'll. what might
not one do for these OF the nobility!
The motor which bore Kitty and
Roleau whirled into the station an in.
slant too late. or so IT seemed. The
race seemed lost. and recovery OF II
beyond hope.
Quick. Roleau. close to the
tracks," commanded Kitty Gray
Drive. drive-they are not out OF the
switch yards yet"
With Roleau's revolver muzzle at
his back, the driver obeyed his or.
ders. Neck and neck he raced the
passing train, drew alongside just
close enough for one desperate leap
His passengers took it. An instant
later he was alone. They two were
on the train!
AS for Count Frederick. he pounded
along hopelessly distanced in this
race. He saw what had occurred. but
could do no more than accept the
facts as they WERE
But Count Frederick himself was
no irresolute SOUL and moreover he
knew his country well enough. He
did not pull up now. but rode off
through the town, across the country.
taking the arc of the great semicircle
which he knew the train must make
where theH line curved around the
northern extremity of the uncultivat-
ed plains
On the train Bartel, the kings coin
in his own possession, sat well
enough content with the turn Of his
fortunes. He knew that a few hours
now would place him in safety-and
knew that more than safety would
await his arrival in Grahoffen with
the coin. Perhaps Cortislaw would
reward him in measure even beyond
that awarded to his superior, Count
Sachio. Surely there would be pro-
motion for him. pay Of material sort
He had not seen the desperate
means employed by Kitty and RO-
leau to board the same train-did not
know that even as he sat comfortably
smoking and complacently looking
forward to the future, these two pur-
suers were but coach or so in the
rear, making plans of their own.
Remain, excellency." said Roleau
at length Let me go forward alone
he may be hard to handle, for
surely he will not give up what he
has except with stiff resistance"
81 shall go also" said Kitty stout.
ly. 81 must see how it goes on-no
one can tell what next may happen
10 the coin--I must be there to see it
al NnVnrthalaco thnnk for
your chivalry. Roleau-you bring TO
mind the men Of my own country"
A flush of pleasure came to the
face of the honest fellow at words Of
praise whose like he had never heard
in all his life.
Come. then" said he, at least
there is no chance for him to escape
from u.s."
But, excellency," he added as they
passed the window in the next car
forward, look! What is that?"
She followed his gesture, and
looked out across the rugged land
scape in which they now found them.
selves. Ahead coming at reckless
speed down the face of the steep
grade, rode a man whose going was
fast and furious. He rode horse
spent almost to his limit, but rode so
recklessly as showed disregard of his
own life and that of his mount as
we'll
HE is going to be killed." cried
Kitty. Look, it is the Count Fred
erick-how has he come here?"
Roleau suppressed an exclamation.
by the short road across the bend
how did he happen to think OF it,
But he is helpless!"
And so it seemed-the rider, who
did not draw rein, but spurred furi-
ously on down the slope-seemed rid
ing to his death.
But once more courage proved its
own best defense. The rider came
head on toward the train, paused on
the cut Just above it-spurred for.
ward recklessly, and pulling his stag
gering horse together leapsd boldly
out and forward-those who looked
through the window could not tell
with what result.
"Now." said ROleau I'VE have q