The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-19

VIII not marry the Princess, sh
must be a danger to him."
Safety for her is only to b
found across the frontier. Ar
you man enough to carry he
there?"
I'VE go rather fast, Fathe
Anthony"
He laid his long. thin hant
suddenly on my arm.
You have not yet asked tn,
question which I thought mus
burn to be uttered. will ash
1t for you, and answer 1t, too. Fol
the possession of what woman
does the Count scheme? just {
serving maid, Captain Heselton
for whom a door was once opened
into the Kings garden"
And what says the woman"
| asked.
Il am not in her confidence
he said slowly, but she has con
trived to hide herself from the
Count, and he is furious"
Where is she?" I asked, my
hand gripping his wrist so fierce
iy that he WINGED.
81 do not know. I ask you
Captain Heselton: Where is she?
l got up quickly.
What will you do?" he asked
Il must think" / answered. 81
cannot tell you now.
| called a servant had the Fa-
Their shown to some comfortab BILE
rooms, and gave him no further
thought. I could only think OF
my lady and plan how l might
help her. Where was she? Sure
ly somewhere in Dravstadt. |
must search for her. Why not
tonight
The thought OF the moment
was acted upon at the outset. On
the chief staircase l might meet
someone who would delay me; so
l took the narrow stair. | glanced
at the door upon the landing, and
even as I did so, it opened.
Captain Heselton!"
A woman peeped from the
opening, a serving maid by her
dress, but not the child who said
she slept there. g.
You once opened a door for
me-" she whispered, now it is |
who open one for you. Come"
In the sudden JOY of knowing
that my lady was beside me | for
got the journey upon which | was
starting a moment ago.
passed through the doorway
as my lady bid me, and followed
her.
There are stairs" she :, whis-
pered. II
She went lightly on I'M front Of
me, up a twisting stairway and
then through a narrow door onto
the roof of tower. We were In
the pale splendor of the full
moon. -esf :
My heart was full OF love and
I would have spoken then and
there, but my lady would not
listen. Neither would she tell
me how she came to be in the
castle, save that it was by sec
ret way of which no one else
knew.
Remembering Farther An
thongs words concerning Count
Christians preference, could
not help speaking of it. The
madness Of jealousy was mine.
What strength had l to match
against Christian of Varna? But
though she would not listen to
my plea of love, on this she set
my fears at rest.
1.-THE maid hates him even
more than her mistres does" she
said quietly.
/ took one step towards her.
hardly know what / meant to do.
But she went on speaking.
1.-THE hour of need comes fast.
she said. will you help the
Princess to safety, Captain Hesel-
TONI"
"And her maid?" I asked in a
whisper.
"She must 60, too"
81 will do all that a man can
to carry Her Highness across the
frontier" I answered.
1T must be done quickly
as the Princess prepared to go
at any moment"
You must persuade her."
Persuade! Good heavens, Is
she so uncertain of herself that
she knows not whether she will
go or stay? There can be no
turning back when the plan is
complete. II the Princess will
stay in Syere she must. You will
come"
No."
We stood face to face, her will
and mine in conflict.
'Mademoiselle, say you will
come. 1 would give my life for
you"
She spoke suddenly, sharply,
but in a whisper.
Look, Captain Heselton!
Look! Behind you"
My back was toward the mar
row doorway which opened. onto
the roof. Low down, against the
blackness of it, the moonlight
Just touched a pale face. Il was
the seneschal, the last man in all
Syere | would have know of my
lady's presence in the castle. For
moment | mediated whether
should fling him over the battle
ments-it is certain that | lived
to regret that I had not done so
and perhaps II was only the