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THE KIND OF FrAm Es To be used is very much a matter C of taste. It is imuortant. though, that the frames set properly on the nose and at the right distance t from the eves: that the lenses be perfectly centered. and how are You to know when one is guess C: Ing? 'WE. [ NEVER GUESS. "Glasses Right, Good Sight." E. A. Bultman, JEWELER AND OPTICIAN. 17 S. Main St., - Sumter, S. C. t__ iniic'x 1114. TO CONSUMERS OF Lager Beer. We are now in position to ship our Beer all over the State at the following prices: EXPORT. Imperial Brew-Pints. at $1. i per doz. Kutheiser-Pints. at . 90c per doz. Germania P. .-Piats. at 90c per doz. GERMAN MALT EX TRACT. A liquid Tonic and Food for Nursing Mothers and Invalids. Brewed from the highest grade of Barley Malt and Imported Hops, at........1.10 per doz. For sale by all Dispensaries, or send in your orders direct. All orders shall have our prompt and careful attention. Cash must accompany all orders. THE GERMANIA BREWING 00., Charleston, S. C. Buggies, Wagons, road Carts and Cariages RE-PAIRED With Neatness and Despatch -AT R. A. W HITE'S WHEELWRIGHT and BLACKS31ITH SHOP. I renair Stores, Pumps and run water pipes, or I will put down a new Pump cheap. If you need any soldering done, give me a call. L AME. Mv horse is lame. Why? Because I did ~not have it shod by R. A. White, the man that puts on such neat shoes and makes horses travel with so much ease. We M~ake Them Look New. We are making a specialty of re painting old Buggies, Carriages, Road Carts and Wagons cheap. Come and see me. My prices will please you, and I guarantee all of my work. Shop on corner below R. M. Dean's. R. A. WHITE, MANNING. S. Q. Bank ot Manning, MANNING, S. 0. Tranisacts a general banking busi ness. Prompt and special attention given to depositors residing out of town. Deposits solicited. All collections have prompt atten tion. Business hours from 9 a. mn. to 2 p. m. JOSEPH SPROTT, A. LEV1, Cashier. President. BiOARD OF DIRECToBS. . ..McLEoD, W. E. BttowN, S. M. NEXSEN~, JOSEPH SPRon A. LEVI. Indigestion Causes Catarrh of the Stomach. For many years it has been supposed that Catarrh of the Stomach caused indigestion and dyspepsia, but the truth is exactly the opposite. Indigestion causes catarrh. Re peated attacks of indigestion inflames the mucous membranes lining the stomach and exposes the nerves of the stomach, thus caus ing the glands to secrete mucin instead of the juices of natural digestion. This is called Catarrh of the Stomach. Kodol Dyspepsia Cure relieves all inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the stomach, protects the ..rves. and cures bad breath, sour risings, a sense of fullness after eating. indigestion, dyspepsia and all stomach troubles. Kodol Digests What You Eat Make the Stomach Sweet. Battles only. Regular sizeS 1.00, holding 2% t!:nes the trial size, which sells for 50 cents. Prepared by E. C. DeWiTT & CO., Chicago, Ill. The R. B. Loryea Drug Store. RIIAME & LESESNE, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, MANNING. S. C. hI~AIR BALSAMI EI ' Paae A RKbE RL ' 5. GEORGE BAR Copyrigilt. 115, by It x? S. St CIIAPTER VII. TLE LADY IN TuE CARnIACE. P lIIEY slept rather late in the Morning. first because they were very much fatigued after their long journey, and second for the reason that they had been una ble to woo slumber until long past mid nighr. Anguish stretched himself ]a g ily in bed when he heard Lorry's voice from the adjoining room. "I suppose we are to consult the po lice in order to get a clew to your chrmer," he yawned. "Nice friends you pick up on ralway journeys! I'd be ashamed. "Well, Harry, 11l confess I'm dis gdsted. This has been the most idiotic thing I've ever done. and if you say the word we'll get out of here on the first train-freight or passenger. The Guggenslockers - pigs-- Mr. Lorry was savage. "Not a bit of it, my boy: not a bit of it. We'll make a house to house can vass if the police fail us. Cheer up, cheer up:'" You go to thunderl'' "Hold on: Don't talk like that or I'll -" back on you in a minute. I'm here because I choose..,to be, and I've more heart in the chase at this minute than you have. I've not lost hope. We'll find the Guggenslockers If we have to hire detectives to trace 'em from the United States to their very doorstep. We're going to see the police after breakfast." After breakfast they (lid go to see the Baron Dangloss. After some in quiry they found the gloomy, forebod ing prison. and "Mr. Anguish boldly pounded on the huge gates. A little shutter flew open, and a man's face appeared. Evidently he asked what was wanted. but he might as well have demanded their lives. so far were they from understanding his query. "Baron Dangloss?" asked Anguish promptly. The man asked something else, but.as the Americans shook their heads deprecatingly he withdrew his face and presently swung open the gates. They entered and he closed the doors behind them, locking them in. Then he directed them across the court to an open door in the aged mass of gray stone. As they strode away from the guard Lorry created consternation by demanding: "H1ow are we to talk to the chief if he doesn't understand us or we him? We should have brought an interpre ter." 'I forgot about the confounded lan guage. But if he's real he can tall; Irish." Lorry told him he wasn't fun ny. "Is this his excellency Baron Dan gloss?'' asked Anguish. stepping into a small room and stopping suddenly in the presence of the short, fierce man they had seen the day before. The American spoke in French. "It is. gentlemen. Of what service can I be to M1M. Lorry and Anguish?" responded the grim little chief, polite ly rising from beside his desk. The visitors looked at one another in sur prise. "If he knows our names on such short notice, he'll certainly know the Gug genslockers," said Anguish to his friend in English. "Ah, you are looking for some one named Guggenslocker?" asked the chief, smiling broadly and speaking excellent English. '"You must not be surprised. gentlemen. I speak many languages. I heard last night that you .were in quiring about one Caspar Guggenslock er, and I have racked my brain, search ed my books, questioned my officers, and I am sorry to inform you that there is no such person in Edelweiss." "I was so well assured of it, Baron Dangloss," Lorry said. "The name is totally unknown to me. sir. May I ask why you are searching for him?" "Certainly. I met Mr. Guggenslock er, his wife and his niece last spring in the United States. They invited me to come and see them if I ever happened to be in this part of the world. As my friend and I were near here, I under took to avail myself of their invita tion." "And they said they lived in Edel weiss, Graustark?" '"They did, and ll humbly confess I did not know much of the principality of Graustark." "That Is certainly complimentary. but, then, we are a little out of the beaten path; so it is pardonable. I was at first under the impression that you were American detectives with es tradition papers for criminals bearing the name you mention." "Oh:', gasped Anguish. "We couldn't: find ourselves If we should be separat ed. captain." The grizzly bearded captain laughed lightly with them and then asked Lor ry If he would object to giving him the full story of his acquaintanceship with the alleged Graustarkians. The bewil dered and disheartened Americanm promptly told all he knew about them, omitting certain tender details, of course. As he proceeded the chief grew more and more interested, and when at last Lorry came to the de scription of the strange trio he gave a sudden start, exposed a queer little smile for a second or two and then wa as sphinxlike as before. The ever vi:g lant Anguish observed the involuntary start and smile, quick as the chief had' been to recover himself, and felt a thr ill of triumph. Tco his anger and impa tience, however, the old officer calmly Ishook his head at the end of the narra tive and announced that he was a much in the dark as ever. "Well, we'll search awhile for our selves," declared Anguish stubbornly, not at all satisfied. "You will be wasting your time." said! the chief meaningly. "We've plenty to waste," retorted the: other. After a fewv moments they departed. Baron Dangloss accompanying them to the gate and assuring themi that he and! his men always would be at their com mand. Ilis nation admired the Amer1 can people, he warmxly declared. "That old codger knaows our people. and TIl bet a thoiusand on it." said Harry angrily whe(n tfley had gone some little distance down'i the street. Then he told of the 'ueer exposure Dangloss had unwvittin.:ly made. Lor ry.' more e'xelted tha:n he cared to show, agred that there was somiethinag very, supicious~ about this newv dis'overy. Th'iey walked aboutt the qualut town for an hour or two, examining the bldnnmn e )O oni nnd the soldiery .4 R McCUTCHEON witftji'-interest.- Viirm thzi 'liin of the main street, Castle aventue, they could plainly see the royal palace, near ly a mile away. Its towers and tur rets. gray and gaunt, ran up among the green treetops and were outlined plain ly against the yellow hills. Countless houses studdedd the steep mountain slope,. and many people were discerned walking and riding along the narrow, ledgelike streets which wound toward the summit, far up in the clouds. Clear ly and distinctly could be seen the grim monastery, perched at the very pinna cle of the mountain, several miles away. Up there it looked bleak and cold and uninviting, in great contrast to the loveliness and warmth of the valley. Down below the grass was moist and soft. trees were approaching the stage where yellow and red tints ingle with the rich green, flowers were bloonin;;, the land was redolent of the sweet fragrance of autumn, the atmosphere warm, clear and invigorat ing. It was paradise surmounted by lesolation, drear and deadening. Wherever the tall, distinguished Americans wolked they formed the center of observation and were the cause of comment that bore unmistaka ble signs of admiration. They bowed pleasantly to many of those who passed them and received in return gracious and profound re.cognition. Military men saluted courteously, the women stared modestly and prettily, perhaps covet ously; the merchants and citIzens in general bowed and smiled a welcome that could not have been heartier. The strangers remarked the absence of ye hicles on the main streets. There were pack mules and horses, human carriers, both male and female, but during the antire morning they saw not more than six or eight carriages. Vehicles were used solely by the quality and as a means of transportation for their per sons only. Everyblody, with the few exceptioiis mentioned, walked or rode borseback. The two friends were de 1igted with the place, and Anguish ad vocated a sojourn of several weeks, ven though they did not find the Gug genslockers, his object being to secure photographs and sketches of the pie turesque people and the strange seen ry and to idle away some hours upon the glittering boulevards. Grenfall, ince he was in the p-oject so deeply, -as so nearly reconciled as to be exhil 'ted by the plan. They decided to visit the royal grounds in the after eon, provided there was no prohibi ion, reserving a ride up the hill for the aext day. A gendarme who spoke Ger man fairly well told them that they yould enter the palace park if they ob tained a signed order from the chief stewrd, who might be found at any time in his home near the gates. They were strolling leisurely toward the hotel, for the moment forgetting heir quest in this strange, sunny land, then they espied a carriage, the most zonspiuous of any they had seen. Th white horses were gayly capari soned, the driver and the footman be side him wore rich uniforms, the ye dele itself gleamed and glistened* with ;old and silver trimmings. A short istance behind rode two young sol lers, swords to their shoulders, scab ards clanking against their stirrups. Each was attired in the tight red trou ers, shiny boots, close fitting black oat with gilt trimmings and the red zap which the Americans had noted before because of its brilliancy. Pee le along the street were bowing deep ly to the occupants, two ladies. "Harry! Look:" exclaimed Lorry, lutching his friend's arm like a vise. "I~arry! Look!" cxclatrmed Lorry. "There in the carriage--on this side:" His voice was hoarse and trembling. "Ms Gug -Guggenslocker?' cried Anguih1. "Yes, yes:" They had stopped, and Lorry was grasping a garden wall with one hand. "Then it's funny nobody knows the name here. She seems to be some one of consequence. Good heaven! I don't blame you: She's the most beau tiful" lUy this titue the carriage was al most opposite and within forty feet of where they stood. The ladies-Miss Guggenslocker's companion was young and alnost as beautiful as herself-had not observed the agitated two, but Lorr's face w.as beaming, his hat was off, and he was ready to spring to the carriage sIde at a moment's warnin;. Then the young girl at the side of the woman whose beauty had drawn a man half around the world saw the tall stranigers and called her compan ion's attention to themi. Once more Grefall Lorry' and Miss Guggenslock er were looking into each other's eyes. The lady' started vlenh'tly. Iher eyes grew wide. her lips parted, and her body was hent forward e:agerly. a lit tle gloved hand grasping the side of the open carr'iiage. I ier -ldeal Ameri can" wrs bowving low, as was the tall fellow at his sid'. When he looked up again his eye s wir' glowving, his hand some face was lushed, and he saw her smile, blush furiously and inc'line her head gravely. The c'arriage liad swept past, ut she turne'd h~er head, and he detected an appeailing elance in her eye.~, a perpilexed wrinkle across her bro;, 1both of which wvere swept away an instant later by the most bewitch in: of smiles. Again her hea'i was in l'nd, tis time a trifle jntre ('nerget ically, and then the maddening face was turned from him. The equipage <-nl'r part to eICCK its prolgress. ile ime'n were left standing alone and dis appointed on the streets of Edeliweiss, the object of their search slipping away as soon as she had been found. Her companion was amazed by the lit ile scene, it was evident, judging by the eager look on her face as she turned with a question in her eyes. "Turned down!" exclaimed the irre pressible Anguish dolefully. "That's pretty shabby treatment, old man. But she's quite worth the journey." "I'll not go back to America without her. Io you hear that, Harry An guish" Ie was excited and trembling. "'Put why didn't she stop'" he went on dismally. "Oh. you dear old fool:" said An guish. The two stood looking after the car ringe until it turned into a side street half way down the shady stretch to ward the castle. They saw her com panion glance back, but could not tell whether she did or not. Lorry looked uneasily at Anguish, and the latter read his thought. "You are wondering about the Gug genslocker name, eh? I'll tell you what I've worked out duriQg the past two minutes. Her name is no more Guggen slocker than mine is. She and the un cle used that name as a blind. Mark my words, she's quality over here; that's all there is about it. Now, we must find out just who she really is. Here comes a smart looking soldier chap. Let's ask him, provided we can make him understand." A young soldier approached. leisurely twirling a cane, for he was without his side arms. Anguish accosted him in French and then in German. He un derstood the latter and was very polite. "Who was the young lady in the car riage that just passed?" asked Lorry eagerly. The face of the soldier flushed and then grew pale with anger. "IIold on! I beg pardon, but we are strangers and don't quite understand your ways. I can't see anything Im proper in asking such a question," said Anguish. attempting to detain him. The young man struck his hand from his arm, and his eyes fairly blazed. "You must learn our ways. We neve:r pass comment on a lady. If you do so in your land, I am sorry for your la dies. I refuse to be questioned by you. Stand aside, fellow!" Anguish stood aside In astonishment, and they watched the wrathful gallant strut down the street, his back as stiff as a board. "Blamed touchy!" growled Anguish. "You remember what Sitzky said about their respect for the weaker sex. I guess we'd better keep off that tack or we'll hatch up a duel or two. They seem to be fire eaters. We must con tent ourselves with searc'hing out her i home, and without assistance too. I've cooled off a bit. Harry, and, now that I've seen her, I'm willing to go slowly and deliberately. Let's take our time and be perfectly cool. I am beginning to agree with your incog. proposition. It's all clearing up in my mind now. We'll go back to the hotel and get ready for the visit to the palace grounds." "Don't you intend to, hunt her up? Gad, I wouldn't miss a minute if I had a chance to be with a girl like that! And the other was no scarecrow. She is rather a beauty too. Greatest town for pretty women I ever struck. Vien na is out of it entirely." They strolled on to the hotel, discuss ing the encounter in all its exhilarating details. Scarcely had they seated them selves on the piazza after partaking of a light luncheon when a man came gal loping up to the walk in front of the hotel. Throwing his bridle rein to a guard, he hastened to the piazza. His attire was that of a groom, and some thing about him reminded them of the footman who sat beside the drive-: of the carriage they had seen a short time before. He came straight to where the Americans sat smoking and, bowing low, held before them an envelope. The address was "Grenfall Lorry, Esq.," but the man was in doubt as to which was he. Lorry grasped the envelope, tore it open and drew forth a daintily writ ten note. It read: My Dear Mr. Lorry-I was very much surprised to see you this morning. I may add that I was delighted. If you will accompany this messenger when he calls for you at 3 o'clock tomorrow after noon, he will conduct you to my home, where I shall truly be charmed to see you again. Will you bring your friend? SOPHIA GUGGENSLOCKER. Lorry could have embraced the mnes seger. There wvas a suspicion of breathlessness in his voice when he tried to say calmly to Harry: "An invitation for tomorrow." "I knew it would come that way." "Also wants you to come." "Shan't I be in the way?" "Not at all, my boy. I'll accept for you. After this fellow goes I'll let you read the note. Wait until I write an answer." Motioning for the man to remain, he hastened to his room, pulled out some stationery and feverishlly wrote: My Dear Miss Guggenslocker-I shal be delighted to accompany your messenger tomrrow, and my friend. Mr. Harry Anguish. will be w.ith me. I have come half way across the conltinenft to see you. and I shall be repaid if I am with you but for a moment. You v.'ill pardon me If I say that your name has caused me despair. No one seems to have heard it here, and I was beginning to lose hope. iou may expect me at 3. and I thank you for the pleasure you bestow. Yours sncrly, GREvNFALL LORtRY. This note, part of which had been written with misgiving, he gave to the messenger, who rode away quickly. "She didn't wait long to. wvrite to you. I notice. Is it possible she is suf fering from the effects .of those three days On the other side of tile Atlan tie Come to think of it. she blushed when she sawv you this morning," said Anguish. Lorry handed him hler note. which he read and then solemnly shook hands with its recipient. "Con gratulations. 1 am a very far sighted young man, having lived in Pils." CH-APTER VIII. -rnE ABDtc'rloN OF A PRINCE5s. HAT afternoon they went to the palace grounds and in ,juired for the chief stewar~d. After a few maoments they were shown to his office in a small dwelling house just inside the gates. The steward was a red faced little ma, pleasant and accommodating. H~e could speak German-in fact, he was a German by birth-and they had no ddiffculty in presenting their request. Mr. Fraaseh-Jacob Fraasch-was~ at first dubious, but their frank, eager faces soon gained for them his consent to see that part of the great park ope' to the public. Beyond certaiu lines they were not to trespass. An guish asked how they could be expect' ed to distinguish these lines, being un acquainted, and the steward grimly informed them that the members of the royal guard would establish the lines so plainly that it would be quite clear. He then wrote for them a pass to the grounds of the royal palace of Grau tr, affxn hi sea In giving this pass w m OUeII. OcaCuu-1 TO wi" that the princess had instructed him to extend every courtesy possible to an AmerIcan citizen. it was then that Anguish asked if he might be permit ted to use his camera. There was an instant and emphatic refusal, and they were told that the pass would be rescinded if they dhi. not leave the camera outside the grtes. Reluctant ly Anguish deposited his luckless box in the steward's office, and they passed into the broad avenue which led to ward the palace. A guard, 'who served also as a guide. stepped to their side before they bad taken ten paces. Wheie he came from they never knew, so instantaneous was his appearance. Ie remained with them during the two hours spent in the wonderful park. The palace stood In the northwestern part of the grounds, possibly a half. mile from the base of the mountain. Its front faced the mountain side. The visitors were not permitted to go closer than a quarter of a mile from the struc ture, but attained a position from which it could be seen in all its mass ive, ancient splendor. Anguish, who had studied churches and old struc tures, painted the castles on the Rhine and was something of a connoisseur in architecture, was of the opinion that it had been standing for more than 500 years. It was a vast, medieval mass of stone, covered with moss and ivy, with towers, turrets and battlements. The park was probably a mile square and was surrounded by a high wall, on the top of which were little guard houses and several masked cannon. When they had completed their tour of inspection, their guide rapidly led the way to the wall that encircled the grounds, reaching it at a point not far from the castle Itself. Here was situat ed another large gate, through which they did not pass. Instead they ascend d some steps and came out upon the high wall. The top of this wall was several feet wide, and walking was comparatively safe. They soon under stood the guide's design. The object was to walk along this wall until they reached the main gate. Why this pe euliar course was to be taken they ould not imagine at first. Anguish's fertile brain came to the rescue. He saw a number of women in a distant part of the grounds, and, remembering their guide's haste in conducting them to the wall, rightly conjectured that it was against custom for visitors to meet and gaze upon members of the royal bousehold. The men and women, none f whom could be plainly distinguished rrom the faraway wall, were undoubt dly a part of the castle's family and ere not to be subjected to the curious aze of sightseers. Perhaps her royal highness the Princess of Graustark was among them. They reached the main gate and de scended, Anguish securing his camera, after which they thanked the steward and turned to fee the guide. But he had disappeared as if the ground had swallowed him. "Well, it's a fair Versailles," ob served Anguish, as they walked down the street, glancing back at the frown ing wall. "It all goes to make me wonder why In the name of heaven we have never heard of this land of Graustark," said Lorry, still thinking of the castle's grandeur. "My boy, there are lots of things we don't know. We're too busy. Don't you remember that but one half the world knows how the other half lives? I'll wager there are not twenty-five people in the United States who know there is such a country as Graustark." "I don't believe that a single soul over there has heard of the place," vouchsafed Lorry, very truthfully. 'I'll accept the amendment," said Anguish. Then he proceeded to take a sapshot of the castle from the middle f the street. He also secured a num er of views of the mountain side, of some odd little dwelling houses and two or three Interesting exposures of L'ed robed children. Everybody, from he children up. wore loose robes, some ed, some black, some blue, but all in solid colors. Beneath these robes were >aggy trousers and blouses among the nn, short skirts among the women. All wore low boots and a sort of tur an. These costumes. of course, were :onfined to the native civilians. At the atel the garb of the aristocrats was rastly different. The women were rowned after the la'test Tiennese pat erns, and the men, except those of the rmy, wore clothes almost as smart as hose which covei'ed the Americans. iiss Guggenslocker-Or whatever her ame might be-and her carriage com anion were as exquisitely gowned as iny women to be seen on the boule ards or in Hyde park of an afternoon. It was late In the afternoon when hey returned to the hotel. After din ir, during which they were again ob ects of interest, they strolled off to vard the castle, smoking their cigars ind enjioying the glorious air. Being a tranger In a strange land, Lorry- acted )n the romantic painter's advice and iso stuck a revolver in his pocket. i~e aughed at the suggestion that there night be use for the weapon in such a iuet, model, well regulated town, but :inguish insisted: "t"ve seen a lot of these fellows tround town who look like genuine rigands and cutthroats, and I think it ust as well that we be prepared," as srtod lhe positively, and his friend ~ratified what he called a whim. At 10 o'clock the slender moon iropped behind the mountain, and the alley, which had been touched with ts tender light, gradually took on the somberness and stillness of a starlit ight. The town slumbered at 11, and here wore few lights to be seen in the streets or in the houses. Ihere and here strolled the white uniformed po ice guards, occasionally soldier's hur :id barrackward, now and then belat d citizens moved through the dense shadows on the sidewalks, but the me]ricanis saw still life in its reality. [eturning from their stroll beside the :astle walls far to the wvest of where .hy had entered the grounds that aft rnoon, they paused in the middle of astle avenue near the main gate and .ooked downi the dark, deserted street. Lar away could be seen the faint glare Erom their hotel. One or two street amps burned in the business part of he city. Aside from these evidences of! ife there was nothing but darkness,! silence, peacefulness, about them ev erywhere. "Thnk of Paris or New York at 11 'clock," said Lorry,, a trifle awed by he solitude of the sleeping city. "It's as dead as a piece of prairie and," said his friend. "Gad, it makes n sleepy to look down that street. It's i mile to the hotel, too, Lorry. We'd better move along." "Let's lie down near the hedge, smoke another cigar and wait till mid: might. It is too glorious a night to be Lost in sleep," urged Lorry, whose eart was light over the joys of the lay to come. "I can dream just as well here, looking at that dark old cas :le, 'with its one little tower light, as [could if I tried to sleep in a hard ed down at the hotel." i K u~Ns vuo-,as- more or iess or a drenier himself, consented, and after lighting fresh cigars they threw them se-lves on the soft, dry grass near the tall hedge that fenced the avenue as it neared the castle grounds. For half an hour they talked by fits and starts, one thinking of the face he had seen. the other picturing in his artist eye the painting he had vowed to create from the moonlit castle of an hour ago. "Some one coming," murmured the painter, half rising to his elbow at tentively. "Soldiers," said the other briefly. "Theyll not disturb us." "They'll not even see us, 1 should say. It's as dark as Egypt under this hedge. They'll pass if we keep quiet." The figures of two men could be seen approaching from* the city, dim and ghostly in the semiblackness of the night. Like two thieves the Ameri cans waited for them to pass. To their exceeding discomfiture, however, the pedestrians halted directly in front of their resting place and seated them selves leisurely upon a broad, fiat stone at the roadside. It was too dark to see if they were soldiers, notwith standing the fact that they were less than fifteen feet away. "Ile should be here at 12," said one of the newcomers in a low voice nnd in fairly good English. The other merely grunted. There was a silence of some duration, broken by the first speaker. "If this job fails and you are caught, it will mean years of servitude." "But in that case we are to have 10, 000 gavros apiece for each year..we lie In prison. It's fair pay-not only for our failure, but for our silence," said the other, whose English was more difficult to understand. Anguish's fingers gripped Lorry's leg, but there was no sound from either of the thoroughly aroused dreamers. "A plot, as I live," thought each, with a thrill. "We must be careful to speak only in English. There are not twenty people in Edelweiss who understand it, but the night has ears. It Is the only safe tongue. Geddos speaks it well. He should be here." It was the first speak er who uttered these words, little know ing that he had listeners other than the man to whom he spoke. A dark figure shot across the road way, and, almost before the Americans were aware of it, the party numbered three. "Ah, Geddos, you are punctual." "I have found it ever a virtue," re sponded the newcomer. "Have you secured your men?" "I have, your" "Sh! Call me Michael, on your lifel They are ready and.wiing to under take the venture?" "Yes, but they do not understand the true conditions. I have told them that we are to rob the castle and carry the booty to Ganlook before morning." "They do not know the real object of the raid, then. That is as I desired. Are they trusty and experienced men?" "The best-or the worst--that I could find in Vienna. Not one understands our language. and they are so ignorant of our town that they are entirely de pendent on me. They know nothing whatever of the princess, Michael, and will do only as they are told. realizing that if caught they will be guillotined. I have told them it is the royal palace we are to ri''. Ostrom here and I are the only ones except yourself and the meni who will aid us inside the castle, who know the truth, sir." "It cannot fail unless those inside prove false or unworthy," said the hoarse voiced Ostrom. Anguish's fin gers were gripping Lorry's leg so fierce ly that the blood was ready to burst out, but he did not feel the pain. IHere, then, was some gigantic plot in which the person of the princess herself was to be considered. Was it an assassina tion? "You have five of these Viennese?" '"Yes; two to stand b~eneath the window to receive the booty as we lower it to the ground, one to stand "Hie should bc herc at 12." guard at the wecst gate and two to at tend the carriage and horses in the ravine beyond the castle." "When did these men arrive?" "This morning. I kept them in my sister's home until an hour ago. They are now in the ravine awaiting Os tromt and myself. Are you sure, Mi-' chael, that the guards and the cook have been made to understand every detail? The faintest slip will mean ruin" "They are to be trusted fully. Their pay is to be high enough to make it an object to be Infallible. The guard, Dushan, will leave the gate unwatch ed, and you will chloroform him, wi his consent, of cour-se. You will enter, as I have explained before, and crawl along in the dark shadow of thme wall until you reach the arbor that leads to the kitchen and seullery. Here an other guard, Raubbo, knowvn to Ostrom as a comrade in her royal highness' service not more than a year ago, will be encountered. H~e will be bound and gagged without the least noise or struggle. Just as the clock strikes 2 the cook will walk past the scullery window in the basement thrIce, carry ing a lighted candle. You will see this light through the window and will know that all is well inside the castle. Ostrom, you will then ilead the two Viennese to a place directly beneath the third window in the prin cess' sleeping apartmnent. There are several clumps of shrubbery there, and under these they will hide, protected from the gaze of any watchman who Is not with us. You and Geddos will be admitted to the sc-ullery by the cook, who will cond~uct you to the hall leading to her highness' bedroom. The man who guar-ds her door Is called Danox. IIe will not be at his post, but will accompany you when you leave the castle. You will understand how carefully you must enter her room and how deeply she must be chloro formed. In the adjoining room her lady in waiting, the Countess Dagmar, sleeps. If her door is ajar, you are to creep in and chloroform her, leaving to Lie wrapped in te clotf-you- take with you and lowered from the win dow to the men below. They are to remain in hiding .until you have left the castle and have reachled their side. It will not be difficult, if caution is ob served; for you to get outside of the < wall and to the carriage in the ravine. I have given you this plan of action c before, I know, but I desire to im- t press it firmly upon your minds. There r must not be the slightest deviation. The precision of clockwork is neces- s sary." The man named Michael hissed the a foregoing into the ears of his- compan- t' ions, the palsied Americans hearing n every word distinctly. They scarcely -P breathed, so tremendous was the re- C straint imposed upon their nerves. A crime so huge, so daring as the abduc- g tion of a princess, the actual invasion of a castle to commit the theft of a hu- n man being just as an ordinary burglar b would steal in and make way with the c contents of a silver chest, was beyond y their power of comprehension. "We understand fully how it is to be r done, and we shall get her to Ganlook on time," said Geddos confidently. "Not a hair of her head must be t harmed," cautioned the arch conspira- t tor. "In four days I shall meet you at b Ganlook. You will keep her in close confinement until you hear from me. Have you the guard's uniforms that a you are to wear tonight?" "They are with the carriage in the r. ravine. Ostrom and I will don them t before gom'g to the castle. In case we are seen they will throw.observers off the track long enough for us to secure a good start in our tight." "Remember, there is to be no failure. This may mean death to you, certainly a long prison term, if you are appre hended. I know it is a daring deed, but it is just of the kind that succeeds. Who would dream that mortal man a could find the courage to steal a prin- tl cess of the realm from her bed and it spirit her away from under the very S noses of her vaunted guardsmen? It is h the bold, the impossible plan that sl wins." a "We cannot fail if your men on the I inside do their work well," said Ged- a: dos, repeating what Ostrom had said. a "All depends on their faithfulness." P ".They will not be fouind wanting. g Your cutthroats must be sent on to i Calas with the empty carriage after t] you have reached Ganlook In safety. h You will need them no more. Ostrom h will pay them, and they are to leave b the country as quickly as possible. At t] Caias they will be able to join a pack 14 train that will carry them to the Great 'm Northern railroad. From there they d will have'no trouble in reaching Vien- u na. You will explain to them, Geddos. v All we need them for, as you know, is o: to prove by their mere presence in case e: of capture that the attempt was no e more than a case of burglary conceived ti by a band of Viennese robbers. There n will be no danger of capture if you f4 once get her outside the walls. You a can be half way to Ganlook before she n Is missed from the castle. Nor can ti she be found at Ganlook if you follow r the ins'tructions I gave last night. It s now nearly 1 o'clock, and in half an k hour the night will be as dark as o: Erebus. Go, men; you have no more s time to lose, for this must be accom- tl plished slowly, carefully, deliberately. t] There must be no haste until you are a ready for the race to Ganlook. Go, but, i for God's sake, do not harm her! And Ii o not fail!" . t "Failure means more to us than to you, Michael," half whispered the tl oarse Ostrom. d "Failure means everything to me! I cust have her!" Already the two hirelings were mnov ing off toward the road that ran west f the castle grounds. Michael watch d them for a moment and then start d swiftly in the direction of the city. The watchers had not been able to b istinguish the faces of the conspira tors, but they could never forget the calm, cold voice of Michael. with its :uaint, jerky English. "What shall we do?" whispered An uish when the men were out of hear- a ng. "God knows!" answered Lorry. "This n s the most damnable thing I ever eard of. Are we dreaming? Did we a eally see and hear those men?" He ad risen to his feet, his companion t< sitting weakly before him. ti "There's no question about it! It's a ase of abduction, and we have it int ur power to spoil the whole job. By a ad, but this is luck, Gren!" Anguish as quivering with excitement as- he ti ose to his feet. "Shall we notify oldV Dangloss or alarm the steward? There's no time to bie lost if we want to trap h hese fellows. The chief devil is bound o escape, for we can't get him and the thers too, and they won't Ipeach on im. Come, we must be lively! What re you standing there for? The trap g ust be set!" "Wait! Why not do the whole job a: urselves?" "how-what do you mean?" "Why should we alarm anybody? We know the plans as well as these scoundrels themselves. Why not fol ow them right into the castle, capture n hem red handed. and then do the alarm- h ng? I'm in for saving the Princess of ti Graustark with our own hands and e' right under the noses of her vaunted gi guardsmen, as Michael says." Lorry di was thrilled by the spirit ef adventure. el Eis hand gripped his friend's arm and di his face was close to his ear. "It is ei the grandest opportunity two human tl bings ever had to distinguish them- g selves !"h "Great heaven, man: We can't do is such a thing!" gasped Anguish. di "It's the easiest thing in the world. & Besides. if' we fall, we have nothing to d< lose. If we succeed, see what we've h: one! Don't hesitate, old man! Come hi on! Come on! We'll take 'em our- m selves, as sure as fate. Have you no erve? What kind of an American are you? This chance won't come in ten lifetimes! Are we not eqlual to those a two scoundrels?" "Two! There are at least ten of them"a "You fool: The three guards are dis posed of in advance, two of the Vien nese are left with the horses, two aret hucked off under the princess' win d.w, and one stands at the gate. W\eu can slug the man at the gate, the fel- u lows under the window are harmless, c and that l'oaves but our two friendsg and the cook. We have every advan- a tage in the world. Can't you see?" "You are right! Come on! I'll risk it with you! We will save the Princess f Graustark!" "Don't you see it will be just as easy 'or us to enter the castle as for these robbers? Tihe way will be clear and i will be kept clear. Jove, man, we need PD not be more than thirty seconds behind them. Is your pistol all right?" hi By this time the two men were speed- w ing along the grassy stretch toward the - road that ran beside the wall. They looked to their pistols and placed them carefully in outside coat pockets. "We must throw away these heavy p canes," whispered the painter to his friend, who was a pace or so ahead. h "Keep it! We'll need one of them to v 3ad, it's dark along nere. "How the devil are we to know-wbere "We'll stop when we come to the ,ate where we climbed up the wall to ay. That is the only entrance I saw long the west wall, and it is near. the astle. .lust as soon as the gang en rs that gate we'll crawl up and get d of the fellow who standa watch." It was so dark that they could barely e the roadway, and they found it nec ssary to cease talking as they slunk long beside the wall. Occasionally ley paused to listen. fearing that they dight draw too close upon the men -ho had gone before. At last they . ine to a big gate and halted. "Is thisWe gate?" whispered An aish. "Sh: Yes; I'm quite sure. We are doubtedly near the castle, judging F the distance we have come. Let us ,oss the road and lie directly opposite. e careful!" Like panthers they stole across the )ad and down a short grassy embank ent. At Anguish's suggestion Lorry Tapped his handkerchief tightly about le heavy end of his cane, preparing it iat way to deaden the sound of the low that was to fall upon the Vienna tan's head. Then they threw aside ,eir hats, buttoned their coats tightly nd sank down to wait, with bound ig hearts and tingling nerves, the ar val of the abductors, mutely praying lat they were at the right gate. [TO BE CONTINUED.] A SAILOR'S MASCOTS. iscellaneous Collection That He Takes From the Shore. Jack Tar is notoriously improvident, ad most of our naval seamen when Ley get ashore spend their money, be more or less, with a lavish hand. iore leave is limited to twenty-four >urs, but in that brief time the unre rainec~ sflor manages to run through )out all the c * cirries with him. .e plunges into a w ir id is oftentimes cheated or robbed o good share of his ready assets, but a rcentage of the latter is also apt to ) for anything that happens to strike s almost childish fancy. Mascots are ie seafarer's delight, and whatever a may come across which seems to ni to have a talismanic property he is und to buy it if he can; hence when le "pier jumpers," as those on shore ave are technically called, return in 'ell filled barges 'to the Qbip and under irection of the master t arms climb p to the deck they are likely to bring ith them a miscellaneous collection goats, dogs, parrots, monkeys, roost s, etc. One sailor on the Kearsarge, ther in or out of his senses at the me, went so far as to purchase as a ascot a colored baby from i4 mother >r the sum of 40 cents and came oard with it in his arms. He was yt allowed to retain it, however, and ie child was eventually restored to its pentant and hysterical parent. How many of the mascots may be ?pt on board lies within the discretion the captain. A liberal policy is pur ied in this matter. But manifestly iere is a limit to the number of those iat can be accommodated. The sur lus is sent ashore without delay. then the returned "pier jumpers" ar'e ned up while the ship's writer calls ie roll to discover the laggards, it is 2e of the most perplexing duties of ie officer of the deck to decide what amb creatures may or may not be ded to the vessel's mzenagerle. If the ssel is on her way homeward from e tropics. she usually carries a large iriety of living presents for the home 'iends of the sailors. But these are 1y temporary tenants of the hold and ould not be permitted to remain on ard long.-Leslie's Weekly. FACTS ABOUT FOLKS. In estimation of measurement men e more accurate than women. Moral action in child life is more a ' atter of imitation than intellect. Dull children are the most unruly, . :d unruly children are the dullest Sweet is tasted best on the tip of the - ague, sour on the edge and bitter at Ie base. Mental images themselves constitute I motive, the springs of action for .1 we do. Girls show less interest in material ings than 'boys and admire the ses etic more. These who have endured the most irdshp in life are usually the least ~nsitive to pain. Blushing comes from shyness and ar, is unnatural and morbid and is ~eater in women than in men. Rapid readers do their work better, well as in less time, and retain ore of the substance of what is read Ian slow readers. Wateh Your Shoulders. When standing before a looking glass, tice if your shoulders are the same lght. Generally the right is higher an the left. The reason for this un 'enness lies in the way one sits. You t into a comfortable chair at your sk, and at once you rest your right bow n the arm of your chair or your sk, thus throwing one shoulder high than the other. This is especially e case where one writes a great deal. - 'hen you notice that one shoulder is ger than the other, the thing to do to change your way of sitting at your sk. Two simple exercises will be neficial. The arm of the lower shoul r should be extended 'ipward, the Lnd grasping a dumbbell. That of the gher shoulder should be lowered and ade to support a heavy weight. English Brass. The composition of English brass is >out seventy parts of copper and thir -of zinc. 'Prince Rlupert's metal" ntails 75'to Se per cent of copper ad on account of its golden color is nployed to some extent in jewelry. The kind of brass called tombac con ins still more copper, nearly eighty re parts in a hundred. It is the alloy ed for the manufacture of what is tiled Dutch metal, an imitation of >d leaf. It can be rolled into sheets, ad the~se canl be beaten out till they 'e only fifty-three thousandths of an ch in thickness.-Chamabers' Journal. Two Sides to It. Wife-It's hateful of you not to give e the bonnet I want. Ahi, me! - If u only knew how much I have to it up ith1 usband-Hub: If you only knew w little I have to put up with, you ouldn't ask me to put up for a bonnet. Philadelphia Press. A Versifier. Scribbler-Would you call yourself a et or simply a ver'sitier? Sravler-Well, when the editor lights .s pie with my stuff it's a case of