The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-07-20

I Then the Count spoke:
You made mistake. Captain
. Heselton. you should have hanged
the seneschsi"
lie smiled ms n, turned 60 an
officer beside him. who immediately
lief, his place and assumed con-
mand of tho Guard.
was thrust into q room not far
from the bsncueting hall, anu tho
stout door was locked upon me.
felt my way 20 \ chair and sank
into II. as near broken by despair
A. n man could be. But after only
. moment the door opened. A ser
want entared carrying candies. A.
be withdrew. tho Count and three
others came in. and IN. door was
I clos~d
lie looked At me for n moment.
and then laughed quietly rs tho
some humorous idea had fitted thru
bis brain.
4 am going TO honor you with
an explanation" he began. "Prln.
cess suzanne has q following In
( Sarc-Oldcnburg. IN numbers small.
I In influence formidable. These fol.
lowers demand that I shall marry
Her HiEhncxs.
She has no desire 10 ascend the
throne. either as my wife or alone.
/ lowing. she must always be n
danger to me except under two cor
diIons. BY marrying her I could
escape the danger. but charming a.
she Is. | have no desire 20 marry
her. That condition IL. therefore.
out OF the question. Tho other con-
dition IL that she should marry
some one whom her followers would
not countenance. even az her con
sort on the throne. n such a mar.
rage is accomplished. there is no,
man amongst them who would
| uphold her rights That n why :
have chosen you for her husband
Have YOU considered how much you
stand TO win. Hesclton,"
Il do not bargain. even With my.
self" I ansv cred.
What ! said in the HAN Just now.
will perform. You shall be n
power in tho State. n Prince OF the
realm. man shall honor as a
friend. Such chance comes 10
few. II Ia all gain surely. wealth
and power, and n wife whose beauty
no man can deny"
Il answer with your own words.
Count Charming as she is. I have
no desire TO marry her. Issue your
orders. Let death come soon. and
let II be n death that BELTS q
soldier, have acme knowledge of
the seneschRls deviltry and would
not be left TO his tenderness
n you die, YOU shall die a. a
soldier"
Il thank you"
lie rose slowly from his chair.
still no anger showing in his face.
but the smile had given place to a
grave expression.
AT least my mission ends--a fail.
ure seemingly. Father Anthony In
in Syere. know not why. unless
II be rs your accomplice, and one
Of two offices he must presently
perform. Either he shall marry you
TO the Princess, or help YOU make
your peace with Heaven. You have
until noon tomorrow 10 decide"
He made sign TO his compan.
ions and they followed him out of
the room
Then the door was shut again.
! bolts shot home and the key was
turned In the lock was alone.
should he left alone probably until
near noon tomorrow. Then Father
Anthony miaht come to help me
make my peace with Heaven.
My labors, worthy or not. were
over, finished There was no more
need to scheme and plan. could
be idle and dream. Tomorrow--to-
morrow at noon. must have
slipped low In the chair as sleep
overcame me-. for my next conscious
effort was In struggling to drag my
self out of some deep hole into
which i had fallen, while voice
was urging me 10 hurry.
Quickly QUICKLY"
staggered TO my feet. Standing
before me was the little kitchen
maid
Come, sir. come. Every moment
counts tonight"