Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-01-17
CHE Repuhlira1r,
For The REPUBLICAN.
Eodoiska
The Russian Counts Daughter.
BY FRED LANG.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER Xxx

Midnight was the hour agreed upon
for Willhof to come for Henry, and
conduct him to the place appointed.
Wilhof then left the room. Henry
and Frederick then took walk out
into the fresh air, to pass away time.
and to get a more accurate view OF
the building. Thus they strolled
about till late in the afternoon; when
they re-entered the castle. Thew had
scarcely entered their own room,
when a servant appeared and an
nounced that dinner was ready. They
repaired to the saloon, where they
found table set for two guests only.
They fingered at the table until near
ly eight o'clock, when they retired to
their own room, where they impati-
entity awaited the arrival of midnight.
The hours appeared to creep slowly
along. They listened anxiously to
every sound in the castle. They
heard with nervous interest the open
ing and shutting of the various
doors. the footsteps of the servants
along the passages and upon the
stairs, and the voices Of those who
called and those who answered.
Thus they kept their impatient watch
until it seemed that the whole castle
was deep buried In slumber.
All is still as the grave" said
Henry, quietly opening the door and
thrusting his head into the corridor.
1T must be near midnight; wish
Willhof would come and relieve US
from our uncertainty. Harki there
Is rustling sound along the passage.
1t is approaching the door. Probably
1t is Willhofs."
He listened, he heard as 1t were the
sound of q footstep cautiously ad-
vancing, Henry partially opening
the door whispered:
is 1t you my friend?'
at is l." answered the gentle voice
OF q female, who at the same time
pushed open the door, and entered
the room. She seemed to be the
Princess maid-servant, who appear
ed to have assumed q partial disguise,
as her features were half concealed
In a handkerchief bound around her
head,
The two friends stood mute, Henry
suspecting some unlucky mischance
OF an intrigue, peevishly said to her,
You are in error here, young woman.
"No, 1 have not missed the right
door," answered the girl in a we'll
known voice, at the same time taking
of the handkerchief which covered
half Of her face. 1t was Lodoiska.
SISTER. is it you, in this disguise?'
exclaimed Henry; ~for heavens sake,
what does all this mean?"
Necessity has imposed this course
upon mel" replied Lodoiska: @being
a captive. I could reach you only in
Disguise"
you a captiye?" exclaimed both
Henry and Frederick.
Let me be quick, for the moments
are precious" replied Lodoiska. Il
fear our secret is half II not entirely
betrayed. We must have been watched
yesterday. When left you and re-
paired to the Countess. found her
In the greatest excitement; she sat
up nearly dressed on the sofa in
waiting for me. Upon my entering
the room, she hastily collected her
papers, and began to speak Of :ndifr-
erent matters; but In her countenance
her extreme disquietude was not to
be mistaken Although / suspected
what might have happened, 1 made
no inquiries through fear OF arousing
her temper. I betook myself very
shortly to my bedroom, where my
maid was waiting for me- I suffered
her to undress me at once, and then I
sent her away. Full OF apprehension
/ did not lie down. Slightly opening
the door OF my workroom, / discov-
cred that the Countess was convers-
ing with some one. I could not dis
tinguish what was said, but thought
i recognised the voice of the Counts
confidential valet. At length, all be.
came quiet and silent. and went to
rest. But in the night I distinctly
heard the gate open and a sleigh
driving away. This morning pre-
sented myself to my foster mother.
SO strong were the traces OF doubt
and suspicion upon her countenance,
that could not but believe that our
secret was partially at least discov-
cred. had already resolved on tax
ing breakfast by myself in my own
room, 20 avoid giving cause for OBJ
servation; but would have come to
dinner, had not the Countess init
mated TO me that she expected
would pass the night with her, 1t not
being seemly that should, while she
remained indisposed to dine with two
strangers. She added that it might
lead to some difficulty IL 1 continued
Intercourse with you during the alb
sence Of the Count. submitted to
her will; but / was more and more
confirmed in what / had surmised,
that something must have trsnspired.
In the course Of the forenoon was
going to my own room, when per-
ceiyed accidentally that the door
leading into the corridor was fast
ened and the key taken away. Now
i saw through all; was a prisoner OF
the Countess she must have learned
our secret The Counts valet has
not made his appearance during the
day; suppose he has been sent to
the Count, resolved therefore to
inform you. of all these matters, and
/ sent you note by means OF my
maid and Oloff. But / reflected
afterwards that our conversation at
the window might prove very dang
erous. requested my maid therefore
to remain in my room all night.
under the pretext that was myself
fatigued and indisposed. When she
had fallen asleep, / quietly put on her
clothes, and passed undetected
through the room Of the Countess.
And now ask thee, my brother, what
are we to do?"
Immediate flight seems to me to
be the only means OF safety" Henry
instantly replied. IF 1t were possible
to reach Smolensko this very night.
Possible it certainly is. But, must
I, my brother. separate myself from
my foster-parents as stealthy fug-
tive, in the night time? Would not
my conscience upbraid me with
cruelty and cold ingratitude?'
But, dear sister, what will you