The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-05-21

hDruptly, AFTER cNing nlm Tor some
moments i'll silence. No strolling,
wandering minstrel, at least by birth.
Were YOU stolen when 4 child from
your home by the gypsics, and have
you lived among them ever sincc?n
NO. highncss, was the brief answer
''Who and what are you?" she de-
manded with impaticnce.
Pardon me, highncss. if l for the
present keep that secret"
What is your name-or is that too a
secret"
stephan highncss.'
Play for me, Stephun-but nothing
you have heard or learned. Let your
soul, your heart, speak TO mine in
music
Stephan obcyed When he had fin
ishcd playing the princess remained
silent for while, then suddenly en-
cluimed, Your music could teach one
how to love"
us love, then, lesson to be learncd?'
he returned quickly.
You are no wandering fiddler" she
replied in her turn. Let the mask
drop now. 1t is time. Who are you?''
stephan, Count Thurzo.' he an
swered ilinging himself at her feet and
pressing his lips to her liand.
She smiled Town ut him and did not
withdraw her hand.
Stephan remained at the palace: in q
short time he was the declared and ac-
copied lover OF the princess But he
was not Happy. His iianccc refused To
set any time for the marriage When
l,,, -.
at him for his impaticncc or grew rest
less at his Importantly. Often she was
cold and naughty TO him, as though he
were really a basc-lorn fiddler living
on her bounty. instead of Il great ana.
powerful magna:s Then Stephan.
growing weary of ehc treatment he re-
ceivcd at his tickle mistress hands
would wander off again with Gczas
throughout the country. Several times
he returned TO his own castle, vowinr
never again to return to Presburg. But
the willy princess understood well how
TO lure him back again, TO keep him Sc
curely in her tolls and at her feet
One day, however, Stephan. sitting
opposite Il little island where the prin-
cess had built hcrsclfa summer pavil-
ion, was addressed by his companion:
why are you sad to-day, count?"
Stephan gave no answer but sighed
deeply.
You are tormented by the treat
mcnt of the princess toward you.
Think of her no longer, my lord She
is falsc-in every way. Incapable Of
truth or faithfulncss. She is iii no way
worthy of a love like yours"
You Use strange words-vou Il
gypsy-in speaking of Il great and
noble lady;
True words, nevertheless, my lord.
And can prove their truth. This
princess You love is both false and
cruel, as can show you this very
night if you choose to have me do So -
What is it you know about her
speak"
Il know that this princess hcsitates
to lestow her hand upon you, although
She loves you-that is, as much as suci!
Il woman can lovc-because she is am.
bilious and hopes to wed the illegiti-
mate son of the emperor. She dreams,
too, with France and Turkeys aid, tc
Of hungary.
Can this bc true?'
That il is so YOU can discover to.
night, yourself. On that island Won.
der the princess will within an hou,
lave an interview with Rakoczy II
You choose, we can row across TO the
Island, and, conccaling ourselves in
the grotto near the pavilion, be wit
ncsscs of what will take place ut this
Interview"
What shall decide?' exclaimed
stephan, dcspniringiy--' trust her i'm
plicitly, rs love her dcvotcdly. or lis
ten TO yon, who do not like her and
have always distrustcd her?'
Believe and trust in neither of MS,
but to your own eyes and ears, and
that too at once. Within an hour YOU
can see and hear What sort of a wolnun
it is whom you love and wish to marry.
And this very night-only trust TO my
guidance"
That will do gladly" answered
Stephan.
Then follow me-" returned the
gypsy. and going down to the river he
nnmoorcd boat lying there and, the
two stepping into it, Gezas took the
oars and rowcd across to the island on
which stood the pavilion
On reaching the opposite bank, the
gypsy concealed the boat among Il
clump of weeds and rushes and the
two crept softly and stealthily through
the thick shrubbcry surrounding the
garden until they reached the grotto
where they concealed themselves be-
hind thick veil of ivy hanging before
the mouth of the grotto They were
quite secure from all eyes, however
sharp. They had not lain very long in