The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-03-17

and yet she was unwilling to believe that
Dione could mediate any such cruel plan.
True, she did believe that the woman
was witch, but still she felt some conf
dence in her personal friendship. Gonde-
bald seemed to read the girls thoughts,
and he presently interrupted them:
"But my child, | did not mean to
speak OF Dione when began; though
am glad tnat the thought occurred to
me, lor now l have given thee suffi-
Gent warning of great danger. meant
to speak to you Of this Fabian. All
you start. You are interested r
"Aye-I am interested" the maiden
replied, after a moments hesitation. 81
should be foolish were to attempt the
concealment of so palpable truth.
81 am glad that you are so frank with
me, Electra. But to the story: Fabian
is under arrest, and in close confinement
for killing Cover and attempting to take
the life of Trogus; and if he comes to tri-
al, he must surely be condemned"
Electra uttered a quick cry of pain,
and pressed her hand upon her heart.
"But," pursued Gondebald, who,
though he watched his child sharply,
yet seemed to take no particular notice
of this sudden emo ton, "the king desires
to save the youth if he can, and he has
| called me to his counsel. We delibera-
ted very long while upon the matter.
| 1t was evident that, If Fabian were
brought to trial, his condemnation must
follow, for our plain laws cannot be set
aside. At length we hit upon the only
plan by which his salvation could be ef-
fected. We mean to let him make his es-
cape. Do you understand MOI"
Escape ?" repeated Electra.
"Yes. We mean to let him escape
"A way will be opened to him,as though
by accident, and he will be permitted to
go Free"
With one of those powerful efforts, by
which the maiden could at times en-
tirely control the most passionate emo
ton, she Gained the wild beating of her
heart, thus utterly concealing the feel
ings which were rending her soul. She
could not plainly understand the plot,
but that there was plot against her low
or she felt sure. Should she, at present,
seek further information from her father,
| she feared that she might expose herself,
so she spoke from the necessity of con-
cealment which was upon her.
81 am glad" she said, 'that you have
told me this; for now | shall be mole
| easy. did feel much anxiety when l
heard of Fabian's danger. We have
been children together-we have been
playmates together-and in later years
we have been warm friends. l have
learned to prize his companionship
much; and / will not deny that | have
looked upon him with more, perhaps,
than mere friendly affection. But, ev-
en- to bear me company, l would not
have him remain here, and be in dan
ger. am glad, therefore, that you have
| planned to let him CO."
Gondebald was completely deceived.
He had watched the maiden's every ex-
preston, and had caught every intona-
ton of her voice aad not single sign
could he detect upon which to fasten a
suspicion that she did not mean and feel
just what she spoke. He thought he
saw her real feelings and, furthermore,
he imagined that she had been very
frank with him so he left with feel
ing of satisfaction, which would doubt
less have been changed to rage could he
have overheard the plot arranged in his
tent a few hours afterwards by his
daughter and Leda. The Gypsy fathers
were crafty; but what man could ever
out-plot maiden when striving for her
lovers safety?