The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-20
BY Eleanor Ingraham.

brightness of color and CLEAN OF
metal. Stefan Balsic had arrived
home, Irenya had told him all,
and now he and his men were
coming. Trembling with excite
ment and Joy, Delight looked be-
low and caught the rock for sup
port in the second shock OF ex-
quisite relief. Lesendra had ap-l
peared in the doorway OF the
house.
At first glance. the young Off
Ger was not outwardly changed
except for his extreme pallor. But
he leaned heavily on the arm or
the man beside him.
Lesendra's hand gripped Ru-
pert's, then suddenly thrust 1t
aside.
Go back" he exclaimed i'm
periously. Go back to your car.
Leave me-turn them back! DO
not let them enter the pass. Co.
what do you meanY' Rupert
snapped, wheeling.
he was too late. Josef seized
his wrist; two OF the men caught
him by either arm, holding him
prisoner. Michael laughed even
while he turned on Lesendra.
Sweet cousin They are in
range. Lift your voice like that
again, and Josef will fire. BE
silent, | tell yor; they are In the
trap. DO you think | would have
let you be here, otherwise"
For the first time Rupert saw
the approaching riders, now en-
tering the straight stretch OF road
that ran between mountain ana
gorge toward the house.
"A machine gun trained down
the pass" Lesendra cried. "Stef-
an canont suspect that. Michaei
will sweep clean in one discharge.
There is no escape for any OF
them"
The riders were within few
hundred feet. Michael stepped
forward, facing the leader.
Halt" he gave warning. mo
closer, Stefan, If you would speak
with me-"
Lesendra turned to Rupert.
What fluttered white on the
slope?" he questioned, just audi
bly, to the American. Beside
that BOULDER"
THE countess is there; came
with me"
Lesendra leaned a little more
heavily on the arm of the man
who at once guarded and sup
ported him; his head dropped az
liz in faintness or exhaustion
But from beneath his lowered
lashes his eyes lost nothing oil
the tableau set like a stage scene
in the strong sunlight.
IF send Danilo and Mr., Ru-
pert out to their automobile,
Michael was calling to Stefan
will you follow them back tt
your castle and give your wore
that | shall be allowed to leave
Montenegro unmolested?"
Yes" answered the count.
"Of course the passport from
Montenegro includes my devoted
followers and good Josef?'
ct does not" was the decisive
reply. This nest of treason sinai
not be rebuilt across the border.
lis that your final word
Stefan?"
Il 1T is
| Michael turned.
"Jesef," he summoned.
| Lesendra sprang from his un
prepared guard in one supreme
effort that concentrated all hi
remaining strength. Agains
lJosef he dashed himself, forcing
the Austrian from his place b!
the shock, while pointing TOWARD
the hill.
"The Countess!" he sent hi
last call to Stefan Balsic, hi
voice ringing through the defile
she falls-go to her, Stefan
The startling unexpectednes'
and urgency of the cry succeeded
Count Balsic lifted his head, saw
Delight rise, swaying to her fee
beside the boulder, and wheeled
his horse up the slope toward her
The time gained was a mere In
slant; the abrupt leap aside thu
one move that promised life, al
Lesendra had foreseen. Rupert
struggling with his captors, saw
Josef reach the cannon, thrust
ing Lesendra aside. He saw Dan
lilo. forced to his knee by thu
blow, throw back his head, hi
blue eyes laughing challenge al
Michael swung toward him and
shot his cousin through thu
heart. With the lesser report
the Austrian fired.
In the narrow place the effec
was frightful. Halfway up thu
slope Stefan Balsic's horse fell
carrying his rider down with him
Amid the roar and scream oil
rushing iron, Delights word wen
out as she slipped to the rocks
Where Delight had fallen she
awoke. Above her the rock jut
ted out. There Stefan Balsi'
knelt on one knee, blood dripping
from his shoulder, his left arm
hanging useless at his side, ant
strove with his right hand Il
sight and steady his pistol.
| Delight was up the ascent with
out conscious effort.
"Stefan!" she painted.
why were you here?' HI
J asked, his voice harsh.
ITO help Danilo--our cousin.
i He pointed down the pass.
There goes his murderer
traitor and assissin-goes to bring
: public dishonor on our name upoI
the scaffold. My hand shakes.
J She understood. Delight War
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