The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1889-12-29
THE SUNDAY MORNING NEWS DECEMBER 20 1880

to explain, but light is my only chance-tc
the English cinbassy-Lord Queensland will
help me, andn- At this moment the Eoy
turned slowly in my door, and | just had
time to push the prince into the recess tNhilt
be implcrod me in a whisper to confide in
''no one-no one''l, when Susette appeared,
sleepy, cross, and with a light.
Il come, miladi, according to orders. Do
you want anythingF
''Oh, Susettel | am so glad you are come.
really VIII not be locked in like this! It
alarms al for il anything were to happen
couldn't get out. l must hs 10 the key"
"Lady Muriel," with sleepy dignity
"madaine said / WIS TO lock you in. But
why" with curiosity)-"why are you
alarmed Why are you up7"
because, l tell you, | don't like being
locked ini II mamma knew how it frightens
me, she would, of course, let it be as say.
What is thati" / added nervously; ~ am
sure heard a step outside my doorT
sit is oniy the guardia, miladi; he walks
about all night and watches the galleries"
'Did be see you?" asked anxioilsly.
'Yes; and he asked where was going"
"Poor prince!" | mentally calculated,
''there is little chance, then, of your getting
out unseen" Then aloud said to Susette,
'Give me the key" Susette was too sleepy
to argue further upon the matter, SO she
delivered up the key and l let her out
and locked the door. / waited to hear her
departing footsteps, then flew to the recess,
and drew back the portiere to hberate the
prisoner; when, to my astonishnent, the
young man issued forth, clad from head to
/ foot in Susettes clothesi No one could pos
sibly have recognized him, for he had tied
thick veil over his fece, and the metamor-
phosis was perfect. In spite Of the awkward,
nay, dangerous circumstances, / felt strong
4 inclination to laugh, but said seriously:
"Why do you not make confdant of the
guardia? Tell him your story and get him
to let you out at the front door"
''No, mol the doctor told me soleulnly to
trust tono ore but you; no servants, for the
padre always brides tho servants. All, Mu-
riella, que faire, how shall get outP'
81 know" said joyfully, and dashing into
j the recess dragged forth strong rope used
\ to cord boxes. "You must get out by the
balcony: it is not high; my brothers could
almost let themselves drop without rope,
and / am sure could"
"Ahi but am i'll, weak, FAINT
"Well, WELL" said rather impatiently,
/ with touch of British arrogance and con-
tempt for foreign chicken heartedness; ''you
stay in here while make preparations" So
stepped on to tho balcony. Ivan was stand
ing q few yards off, watching the windows
of the Russian apartments and with
q horrid shrinking | saw the neon
beams play upon q naked knife he held in
his handi and then for the first time fully
realized how dearly he had resolved to sell
his young masters liberty, and what dan
gerous matter / was engaged in.
The Russian comprehended at q glance
what was my design, for as was tying the
rope to the balcony I suppose my hand
trernbled, for lie came hurriedly forward and
helped me, at the Same time making signs
that we had no time to lose. After fastening
the rope firmly no returned to his post of OBJ
servation, and | softly called the young
prince; then carefully looking into the road,
to see there were no inconvenient passers by,
whispered to him in true school boy phra-
seology, "Now's your timer
Taking the rope very gently from my
hand, the young man seemed to pause, look
ing meanwhile wistfully at me; then raising
the veil which concealed his features before
could prevent it, he threw his arms passion
ately round me, straining me tightly to his
breast and while murmuring tho word
"Muriellal" he pressed his trembling lips
once, twice, and yet again, fervently, almost
painfully to mine, nnd with q great sob
threw himself over the ironwork, slid down
and Disappeared The faithful Ivan now APP
preached, and was slightly nervous as to
whether he might not deem it necessary to
express his gratitude after the Same fashion;
but l need not have been alarmed, for after
making an eager sign to me to lock my win
dow, with q gesture Of deep respect, he
kissed the hem of my garment, slid down
the rope, and was gone and l was
left standing there alone, with half
inclination to slide down the rope and run
away also. However, | listened to the sound
OF the fugitives' retreating footsteps and as
they died in the distance remembered Ivan's
warning, and unknotting the rope | re-
entered my room with it in my hand, then
shutting, locking, and even barricading my
window, sat down for moment to collect
my thoughts t,.se5
Ny eyes wandered round the room, and
ere my bewilderment had quite subsidized
perceived that a bunch of forget-nle-nots
which had placed in the water by my bed
side was gone and blushingly told myself
that, while waiting, the young prince must
have stelon it. With this discovery tears,
all unbidden, rushed to my eyes for was,
after all, very young girD and a tender
feeling sprang up in my heart for the indi-
vidual for whom ! had undoubtedly gone
through good deal; and on my knees I
thanked God for his help and begged him to
raise up a stronger protector than myself to
rid the prince of his enemies. This outburst
of feeling (hysterical, no doubt, relieved me,
and once more became practical and | de-
cided that courageous as | might be land
had undoubtedly proved myselfI dared no
longer stay alone i'll that room; for |
feared the possibility ION the discovery
of the princes fight Of another visit
from some of the Russians; SO opening
the door softly, l let myself out, and,
with creeping sensation, as though
all the Russians in the hotel were pursuing
me, fed toward Susette's room, and to my
unspeakabls relief met her coming towards
mel She was petri6ed a. the rencontre, and
drawing me into her room, asked anxiously
what was the matter. told her breathlessly
all that happened, and she said she had been
struck by my pale, frightened face when she
had seen me an hour ego, and it had SO
haunted her that she was now on her way to
to my room. She looked rather rueful when
she heard of the loss of her clothes, but her
womanly sympathy went out heartily to the
poor boy when | described his terror and dis
tress, and she forthwith began to consider
how best to conceal the scene of his flight
did not then understand that this was more