The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-11-20

one do not like"
swell, well, let that pass. Have you
seen the beautiful Lola of late? By
the way, Paul, I feared you and I
might have had trouble about her, but
rs you are about to wed, OF course you
will give up flirting, at least for a
time"
At that instant the gentleman in
waiting called to the General that his
Majesty was ready to see him, and so
he could Only bow to the Grand Duke
Alexis, whose light words had mad
dened him and brought stinging
though an unuttered retort to his lips.
Surrounded by number of glitter.
ing pages, and with q tall old man,
Count Linwold standing near bv in the
uniform OF General, the Emperor sat
at one end of the stately apartment,
with light writing stand at his right
hand.
Though seated, it could be seen
that he was q tall, handsome man,
with the high, narrow head that dis.
tinguished the royal house of Roman
off.
He was simply dressed IN evening
costume, blue ribbon over his right
shoulder ana gntter1ng star on MS
left breast alone indicating his high
rank.
The gentleman in waiting preceded
the General, and both advancing mid
way of the royal chamber, the former
knelt on one knee, and said:
"Your Majesty, General Paul, Prince
OF Moskeva, awaits your royal pleas
ure."
"Leave US, and let the General ad-
vance," said the Czar, in low and no:
unmusical voice, and with slight IN.
clination of the head.
The gentleman in waiting withdrew.
walking backward to the curtains that
hung before the anteroom.
The General advanced with SOL
dierly step, and again kneeling before
the Czar, he took the proffered hand
and pressed it to his bearded lips.
Rise, my General, and hear why we
have sent for you"
The General obeyed the sovereign's
order, and turning to Count Linwold,
he stood in respectful yet manly atti.
tude.
"The men who forget Venus in the
service of Mars began the Czar, with
cold smile, "as you have done, my
General, are to be pardoned. But now
that war has smoothed her ruffled front,
and there is peace throughout CUR en-
pire. it is our royal wish tlat the
trusted officers, whose duties keep them
near our person, should be married"
The Gear hesitated, but seeing that
General Paul was not inclined to make
a comment, only acknowledging the
royal words by bow, he continued:
"We have talked with our cousin,
Count Linwold, about this, and he.
showing US the agreement made with
your guardian and uncle, the late
Prince Of Moskeva, we have caused
your engagement to the Countess to
be announced in all the official journals
of the empire. You will read of it on
the morrow"
"a Prince of Moskeva never broke
his word" replied the General, proud
ly. "but had I heard of my proposed
execution-and this I say in all respect
to the noble lady with whom it has
pleased your majesty to connect my
name-I could not be more surprised"
Count Linwold bowed, and taking q
step forward, said:
"Surely, General Paul cannot forget
for it is recently he came into the
estates-that one of the conditions OF
acceptance was that he wed my
daughter"
"This I do not doubt"
"But surely, General, you read the
conditions of your uncle's will" said
the Czar.
"Your Majesty, must confess I did
not. When my uncle died I was bat.
Ting with the Turks along the Dan.
ube, and since my return the service
demanded by your Majesty has barred
me from even visiting my home
though the true soldier, as l claim to
be, is ever at home upon his masters
business"
"But you have heard the conditions.
and, having accepted the estate, you
will abide by all the requirements.
"Your Majesty, have not seen the
Countess Elvira for many years
"I'll pledge you my word she's beau
tiful," said the Czar.
"And she loves the General for his
gallant Deeds" added Count Linwold,
as he rubbed his white hands and
bowed.
"Love should be for the person, not
for the Deeds" said the General, qui.
etly.
dBut," said the Gear, with a show of
anger, "you do not wish to imply that
you will not keep this agreement"
eff it is right that I should hold to a
pledge made when was an infant, or
rather made by others for me, I snail
not rctract."
"Perhaps," interrupted Count Lin.
~old, with q cynical arching of his
white brows, @the Generals affections
are already engaged"
Seeing that General Paul remained
silent, the Gar looked quickly up and
asked:
"What say you to that, my cousin!"
HSimply, sir, that Count Linwold has
struck the key note to my objection, E"
replied the General.
"Ha, I thought so," said the Count,
rubbing his long, bony hands, and
showing his teeth.
A cold light, like an electric fash,
came into the Cars pale blue eyes, as
he asked with impatience:
care you not aware that it is the
duty of all mobiles to convey to the