Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-05-27
bNC LIVE THE KING.
CONTINUED from Page sk)

code in the hands Of the author
rs, by some anonymous means. Well
hugh she knew the ohancellor's in
Ekible anger, and the Archduchess
lnunciata's cold rage. They would
|eep her away with q gesture, and
70 would die the death Of all traitors.
IA weeki Time had been when q
eek Of the dragging days at the pail
Ee had seemed eternity. Now the
burs dew. The gold clock on her.
tessing table, gift from the ARCH
Iuchess, marked them with flying
lands.
During the afternoon came i pack
&C. rather unskillfully tied with q gilt
ord. Opening ii, tho countess dis
hosed Z glove box Of wood, with de-;
Gagn Of rather shaky violets burnt into
The cover, Inside was q note:
am very sorry you are sick. This II
TO put your gloves in when you travel
EPleass excuse the work. have done it
Il FERDINAND WILLIAM OTTO.
Suddenly tho countess laughed, chok-
ling hysterical laughter that alarmed
Afinna; horrible laughter, which left
Yer paler than ever, and gasping.
W .
\, Tho old castle Of the Loscheks
BOXED grim and inhospitable when she
Reached 1t that night. Built during the
FEARS when the unbeliever overran
Iouthern Europe, 1t stood In cons
handing position over valley, and q
tteep, walled road led up to 1t.
But, its ancient glory and good re
butte departed, its garrison gone, its
Irawbridge and moat things Of the
hast, its very hangings and furnish-
ags molderins from long neglect IL
lung over the valley. past menace,
h empty threat.
10 this drsary refuge the countess
had lied. She wanted the silence Of
Its still rooms In which to think.
Wretched herself, its wretchedness
Failed her. As the carriage which had
brought her from the railway turned
Into its woods, and she breathed the
pungent odor Of pine and balsam, she
Etelaxed for the Hrst time.
A Why was she SO hopeless3 She
could escape. She knew the woods
well. None who followed her could
know them go well. She would get
away, and somewhere in a new world,
make fresh start. Surely, after all,
1beace was the greatest thing In the
0world.
The carriage drove on; Minna, on
Bthe box, crossed herself at sight ofYhe
(lchurch, and chatted with the driver,
IA great figure who crowded her to the
very edge Of the seat.
81 am glad to be here" she said. Il
Inn sick Of grandeur. Ny homo is in
,tzel." She turned and inspected he
nan beside here. .tYou are new,
pmer, think7'
e.I have but Just come to Etzsl."
'Then you cannot tell mo about my
eople." She was disappointed.
"And you," inquired the driver
lou will stay for visitT
ga week only, But'better than moth,
NJ"
s"After that, you return to the city? RI
eYes. Madame the countess-you
phld know, If you were Etzel-born-
Sdame the countess is lady In watt
z to her royal highness, tho Arch-
lchess Annunciata."
,''Sor said the driver. But he was
It curious, and the broken road de-
Anded his attention. He was but
twly come, so very newly that he did
know his way. and once made a
i-ong turning.
The countess relaxed. She slept
ht night.
when she had breakfasted and
gssed, she went out on balcony,
Ia looked down at the valley. Her
les dropped to the old wall belowj
here in the sunshine the caretaker|
hs beating rug. Close to him, in in.l
hate and cautious conversation. was
Il driver Of the night before. Glancj
K up, they saw her and at once
6arated.
Gone was peace, then. The countess
h6W-AucW 5SCA ouA Vy GO SOoj
hrywhere." Eyes, indeed eyes that
zen now the carettaakkecc raised tnr.!yeeii
from his rug.
Nevertheless, the countess was
snded to experiment, to be certainI
l.r none is SO suspicious, she knew!
one who fears suspicion. None so
Jtalty as the guilty. During the fore1
Ilon she walked through the woods,
ang briskly, with vigorous, mountain.
lea feet. No crackle Of underbrush,
bturbed her. Swift turnings revealed
lurking figures skulking behind the
links Of trees. But where an ancient
Dine bridge crossed mountain
eeam, she came on the huge driver
N the night before rehectively fish,
6s salnted her gravely, and the;
Ihntess paused and looked at him.i
lou have caught no fish, my friend II
, said.
ma madame. But one plays about,
hook. 1:
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