Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-12-17

and my country forblds IT,"
"You are deceiving me-"
XamofslS's face crimsoned with rage
and an angry answer seemed trembling on
his lips But he controlled himself, after
a visible struggle. and remained silent.
eyes, you are lying to me-you are the
acknowledged lover Of the Countess Ogin-
ska. and it Ia because you wish to marry her
that YOU have broken your faith to me.
But ask you once more and for tho last
tme-are you willing to keep your promise
md marry mef'
II cannot, Constance. Unfortunately |
may not follow the dictates of my heart in
this matter"
"Ihen prepare and at once for DEATH"
coldy returned the disdained beauty. Il
shall leave you now to send priest in my
stead In quarter Of an hour you shall
die on the galows."
Zamofski started invountarily, but CON
trolied himself Immediately and bowed
low, without opening his lips.
A few moments after Constance had gone
priest entered the room.
"Is it really so serious demanded ~
mofski of the newcomer.
The gallows has already been erected in
the courtyard" replied the other.
A quarter of an hour later Aamofs,i,
securely bound, was led into the court
yard Not even the sight Of the gibhet,
however, could shake his determination.
1t was only when he was on the scalTod
and felt the moose tightening about his
neck that he gave way.
IL am ready" he muttered to the priest
standing near him. "Let the marriage
take place
Constance gave orders that he be lifted
| from the scanod aud his bonds removed.
"If YOU make the slightest attempt TO
escape." she said in n warning tone, Il
will shoot YOU at once" and, as she spoke,
she pointed to pistol stuck in her girdle.
! Zamofski was now hidden to enter the
chapel which had already been lighted up
for the occasion. The marriage ceremony
was quickly performed by the priest, the
rings exchanged, the blessing pronounced.
The ceremony over Xnmofski was con-
Quoted into richly furnished apartment
by his bride, who, seating herself on a
divan covered with betrskins, thus ad-
dressed him, her eyes flashing scorn as she
spoke:
"You are at liberty now, my lord, to 90
whthersoever it may please you to 90. |
have no further demand to make on You,
either as regards your property or your
person. ! shall remain as before, under
the protection of my qther and the shelter
of his roof, We part now and forever.
Farewell"
Zamofski gazed at Der n moment in as
Constituent; then, recovering himself,
bowed silently and left her,
Later, when his parents, with their
friends and supporters among the Polish
nobility and the .leoultS, were moving
heaven and earth to induce the pope to an
81 IL. Iii M Il
quietly at Ostroc. He appeared, however,
to be Il prey to melancholy and The bitter
est humiliation, and soon after quilted the
castle to bury himself in Il small hunting
lodge in the forest. There among his
books and manuscripts, he led the life of a
hermit his only diversion being the long,
solitary rides he took daily.
One day, riding slowly through the for
est and sunk deep in thought, he came
face to face with Constance, vino APP
reared suddenly from II thickeG oppo-
site Zamofskl bout TO his saddle bow in
greeting and she acknowledged his saluta-
tion by a slight nod.
When she had passed he drew rein and
gazed long and dXed.y after her. H-r
blond hair glittered golden in the sun
light from beneath her cap Of dark velvet
lie sighed and murmured half under his
breath, "What an absurdlty 1T is Tor the
husband OF Il young aud beautiful woman
to pass his days alone like hermit among
dusty, musty folios."
lie was not without hope of encounter
ing her again in his daily rides. Failing
to do So however, he rode Off secretly one
night TO Zabolow, tied his horse to a tree
in a grove hard by. and then stole through
the garden up to the house. The windows
were securely closed by thick, wooden
shutters; but u slender ray Of light creep
Ing through one of them betrayed the
presence Of rift Applying his eye to
this, lie found that lie cuald see into q
small room, furnished with a Turkish
dvan. Bcarshiu rugs were thrown across
it and laid on the floor beside it. a little
to one side stood an embroidery frame
and on IA small stand "A silver branched
candlestici with three lighted candles in it,
Constance came into the room presently
Seating herself on the divon, She drew the
frame up before her ana began to work
Xamofski could now undisturbcd feast his
eyes on ner beauty-ou hcr slender, supple
figure, her fresh, bright countenance, hel
small taper fingers, as they drew the
needle, with its silken thread, in and ou
of the tapestry. in the eyes Of God an(
of man she belonged to him; but yet, az
he told himself sadly, she would never b'
his. After an interval of working sht
pushed the frame aside AMI threw herse
lHzily down on the dur, skins Of the divan
b The loose sleeves of her fur lined jacket
. falling backward, revealed arms rount
and winter than ivory, and tiny foo
peeped out from under the hem Of he
silken robe.
Thereafter XimofsN came secretly to tn
: bou.e evrrv uipht He stood long hOur