Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-11-02

they would keep him, even though he
should become a raving maniac on
the throne, provided they could live
more riotously at the expense OF the
crown 7
Sir Sigismund rose from his seat.
"Your grace he said, Il am going
to the ducal palace
"For what purpose ~ .
"Not to see the duke, your grace.
"Whom, then ?'-
"Her higtncss, the Duchess Vera,
your grace he continued. "Alter
what you have told me, am snre |
am justified in resorting to IA strata
gem in getting die duchess away from
her insane husband.
"Bnt, my young friend, pray be
cautious" counseled the old archbl&tl-
op. "An indiscretion on your part
might bring about q furious outbreak
on Ills part"
"You may trust me; and, should
it come to the worst, | am no coward.
Even crowned nadynan has no ter
ror3 for me r The archbishop gave
the Young Polish di plo,natist his bless
ing before the latter left him,
Sir Sigismund de Nalga" directed
his steps to the ancient looking pal
ace Of the dukes of Ljthuania, which
looked more like a gloomy fortress
than an abode Of sovereign princes.
At the gate he met a ducal officer.
Greet YOU, God, General de Per-
rirov," he said to the Office. "What
news about the dukes health p
ut is not very good, replied the
general, looking cautiously around,
lest any one should ovcrhear his
words. "IIis highness has no slept
Il wink last night. He walked about
for hours, and---
r And ?" asked Sir Sjgismu"d,rIac.
ing a diamond into the officer $ hand.
II know all ;yon canspcal, to me- "
"!'he dukr picked a quarrel with
his chamberlain, old De Ma~sow, an"
strangled him with his own hands.
shocking, shocking, general
ooh, that is not all His hjghness
also dragged the Duchess Vera from
her bed, apl has kept Irr ever since
Il close prisoner IL ms alnartment,
''Indeed, | am going 10 see has high
ness right away
"For God $ sake, dor't, exclaimed
the general. "You would ri-k your
life in trying to gain admitt4nce to
him. he has strictly forbidden The
v.,ets 10 let anybody approach his
door
"Ah," said the Polish envoy, dis,
dainfullv, 81 am not afraid OF hun
DO YOU see this fine 1oledo blade
here? I stabbed with it Count Fo-
ling, in Vienna, the f;,volite Of the
late Emperor MaximiiAn, because he
made dJ-paraging remarks abo". my
country.
SO saying, Sir Siejsmnnd crossed
the palace yard and stepped into the
hall way. =.
There the guards and Wallets told
him that he could not see the duke
But a handful Of gold pieces easily
overcame their resistance.
lie stepped boldly up to the dykes $
apartment. The Goor was not closed,
after the fashion Of that period.
Sir Sigismunl went in. ..
That which he behell there was a
truly startling spectacle. The duke of
Lithuania, Il snail but wiry man Of
forty, sat with lurking expression of
countenance on an easy chair
Opposite him, on another easy
chair, sat beautiful young woman.
She was tall, slender brunette,
which has always been peculiar to the
daughters of Poland, with dak, dreamy
eyes, indicative OF their oriental de-
scent.
But her beautiful face on this day
was distorted by an air Of mortal ter
ror. For her sinister looking hus-
band held in his right hand a short,
flashing sword.
Upon catching sight of Sir Si9is-
nund de Valgar, her ewes assumed
an expression of hopeful Joy.
ooh, Sir Sissmund ~. she cried,
rising from her seat, "pray protect me.
NV life is in peril. My husband, the
duke there, tells me incessantly that
he will cut my throat with the sword
lie holds In his hand. r
Before Sir Sigismunt was able to
reply, the duke fixed his eyes upon
him. Such glances as he now bent
uptn the young envoy Of the king Of
Poland does the famished tiger fix
upon his prey. -a''o".> as oa-
The envoy saw saw at once that the
duke before him was q nadnan..
-''Presumptuous fool '" roared the
insane duke, '"howa darest thou force
thy disgusting presence upon me Wien
| havefold my servants t6keep every
body away from mc?:'f4 4 & 2 flg
Sir Sigismund smiled disdalhfufly.
"Duke of Lithhania, The then said,
coldly, show d&rest thou assume such
tone toward the representative OF
the MIGHTY king of Poland 30