Evening star., 1928-05-14

! ated by the Crown The reasons are
obvious. AS for your own intentions
| Col. Starcourt--well. they rest entirely
with you. We have no advice, no sug-
gestionS, to offer. 1t is for you TO
| decide. Permit me. countess, to bid
! YOU good afternoon and to thank you
| for coming here. I speak for the min
istry as we'll as for the Crown itself"
! There was great deal Of bowling, and
presently Csavan Starcourt and his
| mother found themselves In the hall
/ leading to the private entrance to the
castle. She laid her hand upon his
| arm.
"Gavan. my son. 1t is for you to de-
| eide. Are you willing to resign your
post In the army. retire from Graustark
and take up your life elsewhere. per-
haps forever, for the sake of this gtrl2'
"Put It In a different way. mother"
said he. quietly, Am I willing 70 give
up these things In order to be happy,
perhaps forever? I can answer that
without hesitation-yes,"
she will be Lady Starcourt. Gavan,"
she murmured. wincing inwardly.
Thank Heaven for that" said he,
gently pressing the hand that rested
upon his arm.
Countess Maris-Starcourt sighed and
then smiled little sadly. They walked
out Of the castle in silence and entered
her carriage.
"To the Tower, Franz" she directed
the footman, to her sons surprise, and
leaned back In the seat
"You-you are great. mother" cried
TT is a wise mother who knows her
own son." she paraphrased, the smile
still on her lips.
Arriving at the Tower, they were in
formed by warden that the prisoner,
Gerane Davos, had been conducted to
the castle nearly an hour before by
secret service agents. GorpaZ and Braun.
"Oh. the poor child" cried the count
eSs she will be terrified out OF her
boots by that group of solemn. imposing.
unfeeling men in the cabinet chamber.
Starcourt laughed. You don't know
her, mother" His face sobered an In
slant later, however. Perhaps you are
right. It's all so new and strange to
her. She will be overwhelmed by the
grandeur and magnificence OF the royal
castle and. bless her plucky little heart.
hate to think of her facing all those
men alone One little girl against
dozen rn.faced--"
The warden hastily interrupted. She
is returning even now. Col. Starcourt.
He was looking through his little win
dow into the courtyard.
she must have faced the cabinet be-
fore we did" said Gavan uneasily.
And they called her back again. after
hearing what both OF us had TO say"
said the countess, guessing correctly.
she does not look to me as II she
had been badly frightened" said the
warden; with q chuckle Il may say
sir, with your permission. that she is
er-aheml what one might call a--er-
a very pretty girl"
"You certainly have my permission
20 say It." said Starcourt, and he and
the warden bowed very low to each
other.
1T was but a short time before an
other warden came into the visitors
chamber and announced that the pris-
oner was now in her cell and that he
was directed to conduct Col Starcourt
70 her Immediately.
Madame the countess will be so gra-
cious as TO wait here for 10 minutes.
he said, with a ceremoniouS bow.
Corpaz was waiting in the corridor.
His usually hard. inscrutable eyes were
twinkling He fell in alongside Star
court and climbed the stairway with
him.
Baron Dangioss requests me to In
form you. colonel. that he is convinced
you have made a far more important
capture than all the Kings horses and
ali the Kings men could have accom-
plished IN lifetime. / am using his
very words.
And you. Peter Corpaz7"
The baron's right-hand man snapped
his fingers rather airily. 1T Is no trick
at all, sir. TO capture robbers, you
know how to go about II" he remarked.
But to capture--Heigh-hol Baron
Dangloss Is right. as usual"
"It Is most gratifying. Corpaz. to see
that you have such implicit confidence
In him" said the other, linking arms
with the agent.
SURPRISING IL the better word.
colonel" said CorpaZ.
Gerane was standing at the little
window when the guard threw open the
door 70 admit Etarcourt. The light from
without fell upon her face. She was not
smiling. Instead. her eyes were SAD.
wistflii. even reproachful, and there
lips were tremulous-
II cannot permit you to do II. Gavan,"
she began rapidly stretching out her
hand 20 check him as he approached.
You must not think Of"
Presently he released her and
held her on at arms length. Her eyes
were blurred with tears. her cheeks wet.
and little sobg came from her parted
lips. She was q very tender, helpless,
utterly feminine little captive. after all.
His heart exulted.
"The fifteenth Of March isn't any
where near as far of as II was an hour
ago, Gerane," he said,
srtIr EEr1