The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-05-18
THE LESSON OF LOVE,

foot aftgssssthe other slowly along the
grounds# to show great humility, tho
iavorite hnntsnan of Prince Horostien-
ko entered the arbor where his illustri-
Gus master was wont to repose after eat
ing.
Approach, son Of q dog, and listen. I"
Yam Barsouck camo nearer and bent
forward until his face touched his mas
ters boot
Are you always sure of your hand
and your sight?''
God help me, yes, eXoellency."
Well. You are to wander away from
tho castle, as is your habit You must
pretend to have lost your way. At night
fall enter tho garden secretly, and jump.
Ing the hedge conceal yourself in yon-
der clump Of bushes which is directly
In front of the window Of the blue So
lon.'
Yes, cXccllency.''
Tho salon is sure to DO lighted.
There you will see tho princess and
Count Alexis Karagine- Watch we'll
When yot. see me enter the room, raise
your gun and aim at tho count -
Drawn up in his rustic chair, his face
moro wriniled aud distorted than ever
before, the old prince spoke authorita-
lively. His gaze was intently fixed upon
his huntsman, in whose features no other
sentiment was disccrnible save that of
sarvile obedience He continued:
Aim at the count but do not shoot
at once. Before you blow out his brains
! wish to make him understand that be
Is to die
Eyes, cxoellency."
Therefore, you will stand, your fin
ger on tho trigger, until let fall hand
kerchief which shall carry In my hand
Then, Yum, shoot and hit your mark.
You UNDERESTIMATE
Yes, axcellcncy.
Go"
ann was more than maI-ho WIS u
brute. Whence he came no ono knew.
From Lithuania perhaps Judging from
his naIne-the only words he could
speak when they found him, n tiny
babe under bush on tho highroad that
crossed Prince Horostienko's estates.
They left him to grow up In the court
yard among the servants and grooms
For his daily nourishment he depended
upon the charity of tho peasants and the
6CulllOllS
AT l6 he had made bow, witch which
he could bring down oil tho apples AMI
pears he wanted. Mover once did he
miss his aim
One day the prince saw Yanns arrow
pierce the blossom of bergnmot tree,
and he commanded him TO BE- brought
before him The servant who Led Yam
to his exoellency tremblod But his ex-
cellency Was in good humor He con-
tented himself with giving the culprit
10 lashes, after which he was sent to
the head huntslnan, With orders that he
was to have uniform and gun
Yam retained an agreeable relnenl-
brance Of his masters olemcncy. He
wished to show that he was grateful
Besides shooting was his ruling passion
His skill surpassed that Of all tho
most renowned marksmcn Of his time
AT 40 PAGES he could send bullet di-
rectly through tho eye of Oh otter with
out the slightest injury to the fur Then
he would silently deposit tho dead beast
ut his masters feet Being repaid with
simple 'Well done" Yam would re-
turn to his matched hut, surly and tact
turn. without even Il glance ut tho group
Of maidons, who, with potticoats dain-
tily tucked ZIP, washed their linen in
the river.
he never spoke TO any ono The peas
ants held him in awe Evil stories were
current about him They may have been
true For Yam there was but one law
the word Of his master; but one love
that for his gun.
When tho evening tea had been drunk.
the prince making prctext Of having
some orders to give, took leave of the
count, his only guest that day, and hay
ing kissed his wifc's hand withdrew to
his own apartment.
A half hour later he went down into
the garden.
There everything spoke of love OPP
pressed by the heat of the day, the plants
and flowers had blossomed once more
into life, filling the air with their heavy
fragrance. The firehies floated like
bright emeralds on the night breeze to
where their mates awaited them under
the thick leaves. In the grass the crick-
cts sang softly to their love mates Of an
hour.
The prince took circuitous route
and returned on the grass, so that his
footsteps might not be heard Drawing
aside the heavy leaves Of an elder tree:
care you there? Very well. Remember
the signal, and fire at oncel In the
counts eye, Yann-lil1e the otter's''
eyes, excellency"
[ Certainly the poor princess had strug-
Eled conscientiously to resist the ardent
Eupplications of Alexis Pctrovitch. But
&,a xuos On and she wos only 90