The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-08-17

They vouchsafed him no reply. but
the door presently opened and admit
ted Constance, clad In a mantle of
dark green velvet, bordered with sable.
She motioned with her hand for the
men to withdraw; then, left alone
with her captive, she measured him
with eyes full of angry scorn.
you are in my power now" she
said exultingly. Expect no mercy
from me | give you only one choice.
Either you marry me, here and at
once, or you die"
Il cannot marry you, Constance"
he returned firmly; my duty to my
parents and my country forbids it,"
"You are decelving me-"
Hamofsk's face crimsonpd with rage,
and an angry answer seemed remb-
ling on his lips. But he controlled
himself, after a visible struggle, and
remained silent.
Yes, you are lying TO me-you are
the acknowledged lover of the COun-
tess Oginska, and II is because you
wish TO marry her that you have
broken ycur faith to me. But | ask
you once more, and for the last time
are you willing to keep your prom
Use and marry mel"
II cannot, Constance Unfortuna tely
may not follow the dictates Of my
heart In this matter"
Then prepare, and at once. for
death" coldly returned the disdaincd
beauty. Il shall leave you now 10
send IA priest In my stead. In quar-
ter of an hour you shall die on the
gallows"
Zamofsld started involuntary. but
controlled himself Immediately, and
bowed low, without opening his lips.
few moments after Constance had
gone priest entered the room.
''ls i really SO serious" demanded
Zamofsld of the newcomer.
"The gallows has already been erect.
ed In the court yard" replied the
other
A quarter of an hour later Zam.
ofski, securely bound, was led into
the court yard. Not even the sight Of
the gibbet, however, could shake his
determination. It was only when he
was on the scaffold and felt the moose
tightening around his neck that he
gave way.
priest standing near him. ''Iet the
marriage take place"
Constance gave orders that he be
'''NN iipii tAiV oNhipiti iill
removed.
Zamofski was now hidden to enter
the capel, which had already been
lighted for the occasion. The marriage
ceremony was quickly performed by
the priest, the rings exchanged, the
blessing pronounced.
The ceremony over Zanfofski was
conducted into a richly furnished
apartment by his bride, who, seating
herself on a divan covered with bear
skins, thus addressed him. her eyes
flashing scorn as she spoke:
You are at liberty, now, my lord, to
so whithersocver 1t may please you TO
20. l have no further demand to make |
on you either as regards your prop. |
erty or your person. | shall remain, |
as before, under the protection of my |
father and the shelter of his roof. We |
part now and forever Farewell"
ZamOfsli gazed at her moment in |
establishment, then recovering him |
self, bowed silently and left her.
After this strange wedding the young |
counts friends set the legal machin.
cry In motion to have the marriage |
annulled All this time he remained |
at Ostrog, delving among the books.
One day, riding slowly through the |
forest and sunk deep In thought, he
came face TO face with Constance,
who appeared suddenly from out of
thicket opposite Zamofski bent to
his saddle-bow in greeting, and she nc.
knowledged his salutation by "A slight
nod.
When she had passed he drew rein
and gazed long and tiXedly after her.
He sighed and murmured, half under
his breath:
What an absurdity 1t is for the
husband of young and beautiful wo-
man 10 pass his days alone like her.
init among dusty. musty folios."
He was not without hope of cncoun
tering her again In his daily ride. Fail
ing to do SO, however. he rode OF
secretly one night to Zabolow, tied his
horse to a tree in n grove hard by,
and then stole through the garden up
to the house.
The windows We're securely closed
by thick, wooden shutters, but a slen.
der ray of light, creeping through one
of them, betrayed the presence Of a
rift. Applying his eye to this, he
found that he could see into small
room, furnished with Turkish divan.
Bear skin rugs We're thrown across II
and laid on the floor beside It, A little
to one side stood an embroidery frame
and on a small stand, slver-branch-
candlestick, with three lighted candles
In 1t.
Constance came into the room pres
emily. Seating herself on the dvan,
she drew the fran aside and threw
herself down on the dark skins OF the
divan.
Thereafter Zamofski came secretly
to the house every night.
These nightly visits 70 his wiSe's
home had gone on for some weeks,
when one evening his jealousy was
aroused by seeing sleigh drive up
into the court yard from which tall.
handsome man, wrapped IN furs,
alighted. AS he could not visit Ia
below, except under cover OF darkness
he commissioned his valet TO do so,
and to bring him back word who the
newcomer might be.
The man brought back word that
the strange guest was Count Starbel,
and the further Information that he
was "A suitOr for Constance's hand