THE Winning of Isolde.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 150, 26 June 1902, Page 6

THE Winning of Isolde.

Br St. GEORGE RATHBORNE. Author of "Dr. Jack," "Dr. Jack's Widow," "Miss Caprice," "AWarriar Bold," " Little Miss Millions," etc

A ROMANCE OF THE RUSSIAN BORDER

CHAPTER XI. DEFYING THE WAR TIGER OF THE BALKANS. When this matter had been satisfactorily adjusted, and Vladimir became a party to the rebellion against General Gratscheff's authority in the Balkans, Owen Dugdale felt inspired with new zeal. He would have attempted the task alone and single-handed, if necessity had compelled such a thing; but the chances of success were meagre enough at any time, and almost hopeless without the aid of someone who knew the wild mountain roads, and how by a sagaoious trick those who pursued might possibly be baffled. For it was a foregone conclusion that the chase would be hot enough to please the most fastidious, once the iron general understood how he had been mocked and defied by this stranger within the gates. Accordingly Dugdale now set about forming a plan of action. The Cossack had a bright mind, and this was directly in line with what he considered his strongest pomt — action. His suggestions assisted the traveller not a little in making hisplans; that they lacked in many particulars was only to be expected, seeing how they were arranged with such haste on the spur of the moment. It was to be with the telega at first, although saddles,were to be carried, and should the necessity arise the vehicle might be abandoned for a lighter method of conveyance. Truth to tell, Owen wished to spare the lady as much as he could, and he needed not the Cossack's assurance to tell him what a strenuous gallop it must be over the leagues of mountainous country, on the roughest and wildest of roads that could be imagined, until at length the faraway border was passed. So Vladimir received many roubles to carry out his share of the plan, while Dugdale set about his own appointed task. , . -~ Never once did he allow himsell to suspect that Vladimir might deceive him.

He accepted the chances. Moreover, being a fair reader of human nature, he believed he could trust the isvosehik to the limit. Cossacks are wild enough fellows, it is true, and next to devils when it comes to warfare, but they know the value of truth, and have a peculiar regard for the sanctity of an oath. And Vladimir had solemnly sworn to be faithful to the illustrious patron and the beautiful lady who was in distresss, as well as to pay back with interest the debt he had long owed the iron commander. The time was arranged for action. "Vladimir knew nothing of hours, but pointing out a bright star that hung in the western heavens, and which might set about midnight, he said: "When that star drops behind the hills, then will I be here, and everything ready. I shall do my part, brother; see to it that you do not fail in yours. Judas! but the old wolf will howl when he finds how we have crawled out of his den! Watch that star, then, and meet me by the bridge." Dugdale stood alone. He had grown quite accustomed to the peculiar style of address on the part of the Cossack, with whom everyone was "little brother," "mother," or "sister," and who, indeed, spoke to his horses persuasively in the same manner, drawing out an endurance they would never have Shown for anyone else. After all, despite his rather uncouth dress and half-savage appearance, there was that about Vladimir to appeal to Owen's heart—perhaps it might be the recognition of his merits as a fearless man, for one brave soul instinctively pays homage to another of like ilk, wherever found. And Vladimir was worthy of this trust; he put his life into the balance and thought it nothing, to serve a friend and benefactor. Dugdale was soon a busy man. He had not forgotten a very important fact, which had a decided bearing on the case. There was one who watched, an emissary of GratschefE—the sentrynothing could be accomplished while he was there, and so Dugdale was reduced to venerable, though often effective, tactics in order to be rid of him.

In the mehana he purchased a flask of native kwass, which was of unusual strength, as suited these rugged mountaineers. This he drugged, having luckily the means of doing so in a little medicine case he carried with his outfit. It was so arranged that nearly all the contents of the flask must be taken" ere the insidious drug would get in its fine work. Now to see that it fell into the right hands. A little bit o_ diplomacy was necessary to do the thing in the right way. Dugdale sauntered out in the moonlight at just such a time as he must cross the Dath oi the advancing sentry, with whom he naively proceeded to exchange military-salutes after the manner of a man who has seen service under the flag. As he walked on he allowed the flask to slip from his pocket and fall upon the turf, knowing full well the sentry's eyes must be upon him. He

heard a little eager gurgling exclama- \ tion. but walked steadily on to the : trees. Once under their shade, he looked back, being just in time to see the soldier making for the shadow of the house with undignified haste. .The flask could not be seen. "Score one," muttered the traveller, grimly. "I hope our friend will be modest in his taste and let the bottle last for an hour or two." This was a good beginning. He sauntered toward the citadel, since it was in this quarter most of his anxiety lay. For Gratschei- was there, the man in whose care all Southern Russia slept in peace, knowing no evil could befal while this watchdog remained on guard. Oh! what would Dugdale not have given for a chance to serve the general in the same way he had treated the sentry; but no such luck was to be expected. The citadel was in reality a rude fortress, having high walls of timber capable of withstanding anything short of cannon. Twin gates opened outwardly— Owen had noticed them during his previous visit. Now they were closed, and entrance could only be obtained by a summons which would bring a guardto the spot. Grim enough looked the Rustchuk fortress as seen in the moonlight, but Dugdale was not surveying it now with either the eye of a military critic or xhe artist. Indeed, he puzzled Ms head only over the apparently forlorn hope' of finding some means of rendering the gates useless, barring all egress from the barracks within.

That were a consummation devoutly to be wished, but he feared it could not be brought about by any means in his power.

Occas7onally he discovered a moving figure on the top of the wall, the sentry pacing back and forth along his fed path, and all night long one of his kind would keep watch and ward while the camp slept.

Yes. it was a tremendous undertaking upon which Owen Dugdale had embarked; looking back in less stormy days, he might be appalled at his nerve, and wonder how he dared defy the powers that controlled this region; but while the fever was upon him all he considered was such ways and means as ingenuity might present for the accomplishment of his end. The adventure appealed to all that was gallant in his nature. Britons have not the Frenchman's taste for j affairs of this sort; but for oncevinj his life Dugdale was aroused--to do and dare much in the cause of a pair of eyes whose beseeching look haunt-1 ed him.

Presently he had an idea how something might be done to delay pursuit, and yet in his heart he knew their best hope lay in the speed they could make once Rutschuk was left behind.

As he neared the inn he glanced up at the second story, particularly the windows which Isolde had said belonged to her apartment. He was amused to discover that his heart beat with unwonted rapidity while he surveyed this region of the tavern, because, forsooth, back of that wall, possibly seated in a chair,, was a divinity in petticoats in whose service he; Owen Dugdale, bachelor, had enlisted for + he war.

The windows were on the shaded side of the house, facing the citadel, and of course Owen could not see that from one of them a pair of amused eyes watched his saunterings. ; Then the sentry appeared in view, and our traveller felt convinced that his legs were not of the steadiest. He appeared to be searching for something, but the soldier apparently had no interest in his concerns, for he passed stolidly by, making no comment, intent only on reaching the limit of his route, and returning once more to where he had secreted the flask that had to his untutored mind dropped from the clouds like manna.

Owen had discovered a ladder, stout and serviceable, near by. Why, heaven was surely favourable to his plans, since it held out such chances. The romantic side of the game certainly made a strong appeal to his heart; but there was also the ever present danger—he who trifled with a Gratsehef? balanced his life in the hollow of his hand, and a single breath might cause the whole fabric to go to ruin.

Dugdale could do little more save wait, and possess his soul in patience.

He made sure to pay his reckoning with the landlord of the inn, so that, come what might, there would be no reason to detain him on that score.

Few who skip by the light, of the moon are so conscientious, and everywhere landlords pray that their tribe may increase. Dugdale was also careful to learn how the door might be opened, and the manner in which he could leave his apartment, which, while on the ground floor, had no door of its own allowing passage to the outer air. It was 10 o'clock. Two long hours to wait. Meanwhile Vladimir was probably carrying out his part of the agreement. Dugdale sat at a window where he could see the stir which the Cossack had designated, and there he wrestled with problems such as are apt to beset a man who is ".bout to venture upon unknown seas. Never star sank so slowly as this one, and Dugdale groaned in the wearinesss of spirit at the slow passage of time. He felt as might the hounds held in leash with the scent hot upon the trail. When at length the star hovered above the hill, and promised to vanish inside of twenty minutes at the most, the man had reached the limits of his endurance, and, stretching himself, he proceeded to take the first step in the game of casting defiance into the very teeth of Gratscheff, the war tiger of the Balkans. (To be Continued,)