The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-10-26
him like. q brother"

most as much as he docs his country
for whose sake he faces the bullets o,
the Austrians. Heaven grant that
when you do love, that your lover
may not treat you with tho cold dis
dain that you have showered upon all
who have knclt to you"
The words Of the old man seemed
like a presentiment of evil to the
girl. They chilled the heart beating
80 high within her breast, as though
it had been touched by deaths cold
fingers. With an effort, she rallied
from the depression that had SO sud.
denly ccmc upon her spirits.
81 am going for a walk, uncle" she
said, suddenly; 81 will be back before
nightfall." Then,. with light step,
she walked down along the rivers
bank.
Matthias watched her until the
wood hid her from his view.
"Pray heaven that her pride meets
with no fall" he muttered, as he en-
tered tue house. -
The girl FASTENED on, ever and anon
casting an earnest glance behind her
to make sure that she was not follow
ed.' But she had no cause for appre-
hension; the birds Of the wood alone
noted her footsteps.
In little opening In the wood stood
a young man. a handsome fellow,
with his pure Saxon face. The long
yellow hair hung down almost to his
shoulders from under the swing
fatigue cap; his eyes were dark blue,
handsome eyes, but with a restless,
shifting look The white uniform
that the young man wore told that
he was Oil officer in the Austrian ser.
vice.
With a glad smile upon her face,
the girl fastened, with outstretched
arms, toward the young man.
The truth was plain; the Hunga
rian girl, Zombar's flower, loved one
of her country's foesl
A strange. expression was upon
the face Of the young man, as lie
coldly returned the warm embrace of
Yclva.
The quick instinct of the woman
warned her of coming evil.
"Leopold, what is the matter?"
"The matter?" questioned the
young officer, bis eyes looking more
restless than ever.
Eyes there is something the mat
ter, am sure of it. Your manner
toward me tells me CO." the girl said,
sorrowfuIIy. "
"Yelva, you have guessed arigbt,''
the officer said, slowly. Il have de.
ceiyed you
.HDeccived me!' Yelva exclaimed, q
strange, stony look coming over: hel
fair face. 80 E"c
Yes; you know me only as Cap.
tain Leopold. My name is Leopold.
but I am a colonel in the Austrian
service, and I bear tho title Of Count
Of Lamberg."
"You u nobel" Yelva cried, in
amazcment.
Eyes"
"And do you no longer love me 2''
the girl asked, a terrible accent in her
voice.
"Why, of course, Yclva; what put
that thought into your head ?" Leo
pold asked, in tones that were
strangely confused.
"Your manner if not your words.
Leopold; do not try to deceive me I
am but Il simple girl, but there is
some subtle instinct in my nature
which tells ne you are about to break
the faith you swore to me. Speak
out frankly; | can hear it; You see
that | am calm"
And SO sho was, but, though her
face was stone, fierce passions were
surging wildly through her heart.
Her calmncss was but tho prelude to
the tempest.
"Yclva, will be frank with you,"
the Austrian said, slowly. Heaven
is my witness that I love you as we'll
now as l did at the moment when
you first confessed your passion for
me, and I folded you to my heart, my
promised bride; but" and he paus-
ed.
':But what ?' asked Yelva, with
eyes that flashed strangely, and "a
face rs white as The driven snow.
81 am ward Of the emperor he
has absolute power over ME. l am
ordered to return TO Vienna at once.'
"Return to Ticnla! Leave me?''
the Girl gaspcd.
"Ycs; but that is not the worst
news. In Vienna my emperor's or
dcrs, I am to be married"
"AIarriedw Yclva's breath came
thick and fast. She pressed her hand
convrlsivcly upon her heart. She
felt as if tho gates of death were
about to uncosc before her. Alarm
cd, Leopold supported her i'll his
arms.
"You faint, dear Yclva' he cried
even his cold heart touched at the an
guiSh Of the girl.
"You will obey this cruel order?"
she murmured, looking up in his
face.
Il dare not refuse; my head
would pay tic forfeit. What other
course is open to me but to oboy 2"
ely from tho power Of the em-
pcror the Carpathian hills Of Iunga-
ry will hide you from pursuit!' she
explained.
"What, forsake my country and
KIN II be cried, an angry frown gath
ering on his face.
"What have I not given up for
you2". Yclva asked, bitterly. cam |
not a Hungarian, a native Of the land