The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-11-14

THERE SOON APPEARED THREE STRANGE MEN.
ing his eyes he could see but one,
and on that steed rode the Princess.
He held his breath as she dashed by Kre
the wind, both steed and rider carryingl
themselves superbly. tg
Again he felt the same inexplicable mis-
givings, the same mysteriously prophetict
warning, and again he flung aside the
emotion, The deed was begun and, wereI
the heavens to fall, must now be done!
But how Is 1t that he beheld but one horse
womanl Where was Lydial Alasl miles
away On q wild-goose errand.
Ere leaving Paris, Fairfax had left
sealed end unaddrcsscd envelope in the
structions to mail it to a given address in
America, If no message to the contrary was
received, within 1--WE days. e'a S.
III, however, you get a telegram bearing
the word Send, ask mcssaSc-5oy to carry
it to the nearest telegraphic at:tion." -
His instructions were followed to this
very letter. On receipt of the message that
Roger had taken to tho Dol telegraph sutton
the previous evening, Fairfax envelope was
forwarded to its intended destination. The
teiegrapher who opened It found written
in woman's hand, apparently, telegram
10 this effect:
"Lady Lydia, Chateau Dor, village Of ",
Cote-du-Nord. Meet me ut Dol, four o'clock.
"BLANcHE HARDWOOD"
This explains Lydia's absence. For, on
receiving the telegram, she dashed OF u.
hasty note of regret to Natalie, ordered her
barouche and hastened to meet her aunt at.
Dol.
Fortune had SO favored Fairfax that nc
actually began to entertain q feeling Of dis
trust toward the good dame. It made him
still more careful, and he resolved to spare
no pains in taking every precaution possible
to ensure success.
The Princess Natalie was putting the
finishing touches upon her picture. On the
morrow she expected to leave her beloved
village and summer home for Lake Mag
giore where her chief companion,
brother, scarcely more than one year older
than herself, had been accustomed to spend
with her his summers. at
A little more than two years previous to
the time when this narrative opens, on the
morning Of her birthday, he had, among
other gifts, presented his sister with love
ly palette-knife, just as he was departing on
q short hunting expedition into the valley.
But before going he took his seat at the
piano and began playing the "Addio." This
song was great favorite with both Natalie
and himself)
Aroused by the many evidences Of her
brothers. love and the fact that it was her
birthday--she scarcely knew by what, it
seemed almost prescience -she went over
to his side and sang as she rarely had sung
before. Otto was 30 much moved when the
song was ended that he put his arms about
her, and kissed her "Good-byc." As the
words Of the song have it, it proved "Good
bye for ever"
| Two hours later, in headlong chase after q
stag, he galloped his horse down Q ravine.
The exhausted beast lost his footing and
stumbled, throwing its master headlong
against o rock The unfortunate youth
lived but few moments.
Tho shock to the Princess was even
greater than might havo been anticipated.
Returning from horseback ride, while gnl-
Looping at full speed, as was her won't, and
laughing gaily at some remark OF, her old
governess. whom hcr affection still retained
more Is companion and chaperon than in
structress, she suddenly turned o curve in
the road and saw before her . rude, i'm
provised litter, borne on the shoulders Of
four men. A fifth was leading two saddle
horses. A figure covered with mantle
lay upon the litter.
Tho impetuous speed Of Medji carried his
rider nearly up to the party, ere she could
check him. AS he came to q standstill,
Natalie recognized the men and also her
brothers. horse. For moment she doubted
the evidence Of her senses, and looked
again.
With overwhelming force the horrible
truth burst upon her. She leaped to the
ground, rushed up to the litter, tore the
mantle from tho face, and saw her only
brother lying pale and cold in the sleep Of
death.
20 Otto, my brother dcad!'' she cried, and
swooned away
For weeks afterward she lay, hovcring
petwixt life and death, in wild delirum OF
fever. AL her physicians looked for death.
But one sunny afternoon strolling harper
CHANGED to play under her window q
peculiarly sweet air. In the midst of her
rawlings she stopped, and seemed to DO
listening to the "Addio," and lay quiet a
long time aftor the melody had died away,
falling finally into refreshing slumber.
from which she evoke in her right mind.
As tho Princess grew stronger, the old
scenes proving painful to her, sho asked 70
be removed to others; and when she once
more looked upon the fair waters Of MAJ
giore, it was at the request Of her parents.
CHAPTER Y.