The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-01
THE LESSON OF LOVE.

Siounu's1t = 10 SHOW great humility, the
favorite huntsman Of Prince Horostien-
ko entered the arbor where his illustri-
Gus master was wont to reposc after eat
Ing
Approach, son Of dog, and listen.
Yam Barsouck camo nearer and bent
forward until his face touched his mas
ter's boot.
Arc you always sure of your hand
and your sight?''
God help me, yes, excellency."
We'll, you are to wander away from
the castle, Us is your habit You must
pretend to have lost your way. AT night
fall enter the garden secretly, and jump
Ing the hodge conceal yourself in yon-
der clump of bushes, which is directly
In front Of tho window Of tho blue sa-
Ion"
eyes, exoellency."
''The salon is sure to be lighted.
There you will sec the princess and
Count Alexis Karagina Watch we'll.
When you sec me entor the room, raise
your gun and aim ut the count.
Drawn up in his rustic chair, his face
more wrinkled and distorted than over
before, the old prince spoke authorita-
lively. His gaze was intently fixed upon
his huntsman, i'll whose features no other
sentiment was discernible save that of
servile obedience. He continued:
''Aim ut the count, but do not shoot
at once. Before you blow out his brains
wish to make him understand that he
Is to die"
eyes, excellcncy."
Therefore, you will stand, your fin
ger on tho trigger, until let fall Il hand
kerchief which shall carry III my hand
Then, Yam, shoot and hit your mark.
You understands"
"Ycs. eScellency.
60"
Yam was moro than man-hc was a
brute. Whence he camo no enc knew.
From Lithuania perhaps, Judging from
his name-the only words he could
speak when they found him, tiny
babe, under q bush OIL tho highroad that
crossed Prince Horostienko's estates.
They left him to grow up in tho court
yard among the servants and grcoms.
For his daily nourishmcnt he depended
upon the charity Of the peasants and the
solutions.
At 16 he had mndo bow, with which
he could bring down all tho apples and
pears he wanted. Never once did he
miss his aim
One day the prince saw Yam S. nrrow
pierce the blossom of bergamot tree,
and he commanded him to be brought
before him The servant who led Yam
to his excollcncy trembled But his ex-
cellency was i'll good hulnor He con-
tented himself with giving tho culprit
of Io
the head huntsman, with ORDER, that he
was to have u uniform and gun
Yam retained Gn agreeable rclnem-
brance of his masters clelnency lie
wished to show that he was grateful
Besides shooting was his ruling passion
His skill surpassed that Of all the
most renowned marksmen of his time.
At 40 PAGES he could send bullet di-
rectly through the eye Of an otter with
out the slightest injury to tho fur. Then
he would silently deposit tho dead beast
at his masters feet. Being repaid with
simple ''Well done" Yam would re-
turn to his matched hut. surly and tact
turn, without even glance at tho group
of maidens, who, with potticoats dain-
lilly tucked up, washed their linen in
the river.
lie never spoke to any one. 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 ono love
that for his gun.
When the evening tea had been drunk,
the prince, making proteXt of having
some orders to give, took leave of the
>ount, his only guest that day, and hay
h ng kissed his wifes hand withdrew to
Ills own apartment.
A half hour later he went down into
the garden.
There everything spoke Of love. OPP
Dressed by the heat of tho day, the plants
gid flowers had blossomed once more
Tito life filling tho air with their heavy
fragrance The firefies foated like
bright emeralds on tho night breeze to
where their mates awaited them under
the thick leaves. In the grass tho crick-
cts sang softly to their love mates of an
hour.
The prince took circuitous route
and returned OH tho grass, SO that his
footsteps might not be heard Drawing
aside the heavy leaves Of an elder tree:
care you there? Very we'll. Remember
the signal, and fire at once In the
counts eye, Yann-li1e tho otter's''
eyes, excellency."
Certainly the poor princess had strug-
gled consciontiously to resist the ardent
supplications of Alexis Petrovitch But
he was 20, and she was only 30.
The grave caresses of her husband
suggested to the princess what the in
finite joys of young love might be, with