The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-08-19

the dignity and devotion OF the stnaH-
ger whose sincerity was beyond
doubt, and she quickly advanced to-
wards her husband with extended
hands, and lock of earnest plead
ing beamed from her expressive eye.
Repulsing her. N0Fratziu turnes
towards Armand.
4 only came, monsieur, TO con-
vince this lady" he said, and now
she is convinced )"
"0f what" questioned de Bierges.
You are in love with Armand de
Bierges' madame" be continued, not
needing the young man 4 can
prove nv word by this As he
spoke he drew from his pocket piece
of ivory-a naughty sneer curling
his lips. "Do you recognize this
painting7r be added
The Princess uembled and clasped
her hands in agony.
What is it ~ exclaimed Armand.
No mystery responded the
Prince, simply your portrait painted
By madam, aud which so closely re-
sembles you that it is utterly impos-
sible it should have not been painted
from nature, and far too perfect net
to have been accorded many sit
tings.u
Pale and motionless the lady stood
as though turned to stone.
There is some magic in all this, "
said de Bierges.
sThe magic of love, " interrupted
the Prince. Il haze finished; there
will be no duel, no assassination
You are at liberty, and still retain the
kew Of the secret door. As to you,
madame" he continued, Eve viii
have no scandal, but you are also
free. No one will see me come, no
one will see NE depart. Moreover,
| will remain silent unless you wrong
me again, yet, l repeat, we are both
free. Adieu, forever" With these
words, Prince Novratzin retired.
"Is it possible you still remain ~
said the Princess, raising her head
proudly.
4 am going. madam, responded
Armand.
"Yes but not before am utterly
lost" sobbed the unhappy woman.
"D0 not accuse me, madam. | AN
puiItless Of all wrong toward you.
"Are you not here ?" she inquired
quickly.
That fact | do not dispute, but as
I have already stated, I could not
avoid coming. | was brought to this
house"
"Do not add to your wrong. mon
sieur, by the baseness Of q falsehood, "
replied the lady, haughtily.
"Can it be possible you don't be-
Iieve me? How can ! convince your
l assure you on my honor as gen
tleman, | did not know until tonight
that your hotel has two entrances" "
"And that key ?"
"Some one must have placed it in
my pocket"
"if credit your words | am fore
ed to believe in the existence of some
plot against me, but why were you
chosen ?"
II am utterly unable to explain,
being as surprised as yourself; but
admitting that my arrest and all |
have said, be mere fabrication, you
cannot, at all events, attribute the
portrait to me-"
True responded the Princess,
''but to that you must not attach IN
due Importance. l viii not deceive
you, 1 did paint the picture from rec
collection. To not ask me further to
explain, as from this night we must
be strangers. We can never meet
again"
Never ~ repeated Armand.
"Neveri" was the low response
This interview must end ct once, "
continued the lady, "and it has IN
deed lasted longer than modesty can
endure, as YOU see you have surpris-
ed me in a garb which i'll becomes a
woman in the presence Of a man not
her husband"
! De Bierges arose, intending to obey,
and in his embarrassment advanced
towards the first door that attracted
his attention.
Monsieur, exclaimed the Prin-
cess. "that is my bed chamber"
Pardon nv mistake, madam. end
in truth, permit me to say, that |
1 don't know which way to 60" re-
piled Armand, with a shade of annoy
ance
i Taking the lamp from the stand
the lady crossed the boudOir rapidly.
"Come, " she said. Il win light the
way"
As they entered the hall the wind
blew the light cloak from her shoul
ders, and through the transparent folds
Of her thin drapery. Armand saw the
CLEAN of her white and exquisitely
moulded bust and shoulders. In an
other instant the light was extin
guished, and they stood together il
the darkness.
Alas madam, | know not where
am" whispered Armand. clasping
the unresisting hand within bis own
"The stairs are near yUu, she mur
INJURED in low voice Come ana
QUICKLY Leading him she wended
her way down the long flight. "ThC
door is Just before YOU, said she or
reaching the foot of the staircase
Go
"Yes, bat how shall open itg'
"You have the kew"
"True, but | should not retain it
"When once out throw it on The
balcony" replied the Princess impa
.iently.
He caught the intonatiOn Of her
voice and hurried out
4 On his return home de Bierge;
vainly endeavored to explain his sin
gular adventure.
The jealousy and anger Of th'
Prince appeared under the eircum
stances but natural. but the suddel
Iull of the tempest was difficult t
comprehend, and be retired toward
morning well persuaded that no
: many hours would elapse before b
would again hear from the Princes
: NovratZin
J The next day and again the mex