Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-01-24
Eodoiska
= RED ANG.
CHAPTER XXI.

take themselves to flight. While
Willhof prepared the sleigh and
horses, under pretext Of getting
ready to cary his masters dispatches,
Lodoiska returned to her room and
made hasty provisions for her jour
ney. She could no longer avoid
making Jeanette acquainted with
her design. The girl was unwilling
to leave her mistress, and in tears
entreated to be permitted to share
the fortunes Of her mistress.
Lodoiska was compelled to consent,
inasmuch as she justly dreaded Dol
gorofs indignation, upon discovering
the girls participation in the betrayal
OF his designs. The poor girl was
therefore soon deeply engaged in
making up her wardrobe, while Lo-
doiska occupied herself in collecting
her money, jewels, papers and many
other valuable matters, all OF which
were readily enclosed in case, east
" carried. and, If necessary, con-
cealed. Henry and Frederick had in
the meantime, by Willhof's admoni-
ton, provided themselves with pistols
belonging to the household. Fred
erick went down in the yard. with
the design of following Willhof out Of
the yard, with the sleigh, as soon as
he left it on horseback. Henry re-
NAMED to conduct and protect his
sister. A signal was to be given
from the window to the parties in
the yard, Indicating that the Princess
and her maid were ready.
The nature Of the suspense in
which Frederick stood looking up to
Lodoiska's window, can be better
imagined than depicted. The immi-
nent danger of delay, the possibility
OF being betrayed, the peril OF being
plunged into the direst misfortunes,
contrasted with the brilliant dreams
Of prospective happiness, converted
his suspense into torture, and pro-
longed each successive second into
an hour OF agony. At length Henry
stepped with a light to the window,
and there suddenly extinguished it..
That was the signal agreed upon.
WilIhof mounted his horse and rode
quickly towards the gate, which he
ordered to be opened. Frederick
followed him with the sleigh; under
the gateway and near the great steps
according to agreement, he was to
await the descent of Lodoiska and
Henry, and then, as rapidly as the
horses could fly, to follow Willhof,
who galloped on in advance. That
they might not be instantly pursued,
Willhof had taken the precaution to
collect all the brides into one bundle,
and had them thrown over a ruined
part OF the wall into the ditch OF the
castle; which, it is true, was frozen,
but where nobody would think TO
look for such articles. They, there
fore entertained reasonable expec-
tation that before dawn it would be
difficult to pursue them. Darkness
favored the undertaking. With
great care, so that no one might
hear the tramping OF the horses upon
the snow, Frederick brought the
sleigh to the gateway. Willhof was
already outside. remaining on the
bridge. BY the obscure glimmer OF
the lamp that hung in the vaulted
archway, Frederick saw three forms
upon the upper steps OF the stair
case.
as it you Henry?" he whispered.
Here we are" was the answer,
and at the same instant Lodoiska
approached to enter the sleigh
But at this moment was heard
Dolgorof's fearful shout:
@Treacheryl Ho! there-awakel
Shut the gate-seize the traitorsl'
he cried. At the same instant
drawn sword flashed above Henry's
head and, under the suddeness OF the
blow, he fell to the ground.
Lodoiska uttered piercing
shrek, and in falling, struck Dolgo-
rofs arm, which was about to deal
second and heavier stroke.
For. the mercy Of Heaven spare
biml-he is my brotherp she ex-
claimed, in a tone calculated TO
pierce the stoutest heart.
Frederick was astounded; bat.
quickly recovering himself he
jumped from the sleigh, tore the
pistol out OF his girdle, and discharged
it at Dolgorof. The ball penetrated
ouldsr, and he tottered back
ward.
Fly. unhappy lsdyl-fyl-ex-
claimed Frederick, and would have
embraced Lodoiska; but already
three servants, who had been doing
in the guard-room near the gate
to the scene. and Selling
him behind, threw him to the ground.
aseize the traitorsi-bind them!'
exclaimed Dolgorof furiously, and
the servants, momentariiy increasing
their numbers, soon overpowered the
unfortunate and unaided young
man. Dolgorof himself grasped
Lodoiska, lifting her up by force,
and bore her away, as she struggled
ND the stairs, into the hall or the
castle. Her strength failed her.
under her terrible misfortune, and
all resistance was soon at an end, as
indeed IL was vain Jeanette fol-
lowed her mistress. The servants
without waiting for further In
structions dragged the unconscious
Henry along with them, az q fonoweo
the retreating steps of the Count.
In the upper corridor the Countess
met them. having been alarmed by
the discharge Of fire. arms and the
general tumult without knowing the
cause.
ATake your daughter to your
apartment. Countess." exclaimed
DoIoorof. The honor OF our house
is in the greatest of jeopardy
ST am not your daughteri" ex-
claimed Lodoiska, whose conscious
ness had returned Il no longer
acknowledge your rights, You have
with great energy she wrenched
herself from the arms of the Count,
and fastened back to meet the
servants who were dragging along
you are my vassaIs,' she ad,
dressed them, in a tone OF excited
despair: Il command you to re-
lease these unfortunate men, ana u
cd 20 tho W0nn0p0.~