Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-11-09

then hastily rubbed them out again.
"By ST. Peterl but thou art problem
most difficult to solve! Canst not render
thyself unto ineligible language, and say,
| wherefore thou art thus masquerading it,
AleNo stirred not muscle.
wilt thou change masters. and take me
| in place of the Count? I'll double thy
| wages, be they whatsoever they may
Alexo had taken up his tablets in order
| to write, when he was checked by the
Prince.
Come be honest, and make use of Che
tongue and voice which heaven hath given
thee. Let me narrate thy history for thee.
Thou art breaking thine heart for the love
of one who has played thee false, and we'd
ded with another. Is it not SOP
Alexo shook his head.
"Diable! No?"
"No." uttered the page. distinctly,
"Thy voice at last! The saints be praised
for that" laughed the prince.
Your highness will not betray me-
"Betray thee. Not II But tt"
81 have an errand to fulfil, your highness
IAN errand-'
"Ofrevenge'
Precisely so, your highness.'
against whom is thy shaft of vengeance
leyslled: Against the Count or the Count
Against them both"
"Oho!' calculated Prince Preideslaus, at
once falling into Il fit of deep musing.
"Dost thou know that my heart is thy lady 5
slave that am ready to spill my best
blood for her?
Alexo's face suddenly palcd. and sensa-
ton of taintneSs peryadcd his whole frame.
What had he done? He had placed him
self in the power or one who loved the
CounteSS--of one who would. doubtlessly,
act treacherouSly towards him.
AlcXo paused for a few seconds before he
made the Prince any reply. Alexo's ready
wit had furnished him with an answer.
yond what | was already acquaint-
ed with. l know your love for the Count
ess; know, also, that She reciprocates that
love- said the willy page, watching the
changing features before him.
How know you all this
''By using my eyes, your highnesS."
"Iou are drccving me. Madame la
Comtesse dreams not of me.
ASK her to grant your highncss a meet
ing at midnight, under the lime trees, by
the river AIDA, or in her own shady
orangery; and III warrant your highness
will have no occasion to repent making
the request.
"Will you bear to her q letter from nle?"
he cried, quite eagerly, .
Il am at your highness's command, "
answered the page. write boldly, your
highness; let the Countess understand tha at
you have discovered that she reclpcocates
your passion"
You are not deluding me?"
"What end should I attain by so doing,
your highness?"
Nay, know not"
II would rather mislead her than your
highnesS," answered Alexo, in bitter
syllables. "My present aim is to intice her
feet into dangerous pathways-to lure her
n I n ] hnr tn ha WI lr
and frail, and ready to be led whittier she
ought not to go.
cd.
q have good cause to be such, your
highncss.'
II should like to hear your history.
ut is not worth your highness's atten-
ton
Prince Preidc-laus was silent for few
seconds. The street in which they were
standing was in an obscure part of the city,
quiet and lonely-where the Prince and
the page night have stood for hours with
out attracting any particular notice.
"Can you come here at this hour tomor-
row." the Prince asked.
Alexo replied in the aff irmative
Il will prepare letter for Madame la
Comtesse, which you must contrve to
deliver into her own hands sometime dur
| ing the ball at the Tesina Palace where
Il comprehend, your highncss.'
AT this hour and on this spot, to-mor
| row. ,hen?'
Your highness shall find me here"
The prince waved his hand by way Of
| adieu. and the page turning the corner OF
| the street, was soon out of sight.
On the following day. at the hour ap
| pointed. Alexo repaired to meet Prince
| Preideslaus. The page was the first TO ar
| rive at the place of asst gnation. AlexC
| looked deadly pale and as if he had mo-
slept since yesterday. Presently he wa;
| oired by the Prince.
| You are punctual Alexo," he remark
| "Who would not be so when he is serv
ing prnce?'
| Here is the letter" proceeded Prince
| Priede>laus, producing a sealed billet
| which he placed in the pages hand YoI
have not Iorg 'tten my instructions regard
ing it?"
| Jesse sometime daring the progress oil tn,
ball to night your highn $50"
| Exactly. After ynu have done so, seei
me, if possible and let me hear the success
| OF your III sI,On.'
Il shall observe your highness."
Here is zecchino for thee, offering tn,
page large golden coin from his purse.
pardon me. your highness, stand no
Thou art rich eh?'
"Not SO your highness."
"lhy hands and thy speech both bespeal
thee gently bred"
Perhaps so, your highness."
Thou reiusest the zecchino. and like
wise to bestow thy confidence on me7'
Pardon me your highness," answered
Alexo, putting away the billet he had jus
taken charge OF. II am waited for at tn
Palace Tesina."
And. making his bow the page turned
and quickly sped away. clutching. tn
Princes leter ose 10 his breast. his hear
full of wicked EMULATION. AiexO had hi
own plans respecting the destin ton
Of his higlne.s's epistle. Alexo was assist
ing himself to q revenge-tO n specious ant
cruel revenge. He had COMPLETELY dupet
the Prince; but so very cleverly had h
done SO, that his trickerY was nOssuspected