The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-10-06

would suffer you to kill me and ne to
take death at your hands. But neither
for you nor for me is the blow lawful.
Let me speak to the Princess"
H8The Bishop still graspfd his sword for
/ O5ra's face and hand still commanded
him. But at the instant of his hesitation.
while the temptation was hot in him,
there came from the couch where the
lady lay, low oan of great pain. She
| flung her arms out and turned, grooming,
| again on her back, and her head lay lin
| ply over the side of the couch. The
Bishops eyes met Ludwig's; and with
''God forgive me !" he let the sword slip
back and springiug across the room, fell
on his knees beside the couch. He broke
| tue gold chain round his neck and grasp
cd the trucifx which it carried in one
hand, while with the other he raised the
lady's head, praying her to open her
eyes, before whose closed lids he held the
the sacred image; and he, who had come
so near to great sin, now prayed softly
but feryently for her life and Gods pity
on her; for the frailty her slight form
showed could not withstand the shock
of this trial
who is she ~ asked the Princess.
But Ludwig's eyes had wandered back
to the couch, and he answered only:
"My God, it will kill me-"
81 care not" said Osra. But then
came another low man. Il care not"
said the Princess again. ''Ah, she is in
great sufferingw And her eyes followed
the Princes.
There was silence, save for the lady's
low moan and the whispered prayers of
the Bishop of Modenstein. But the
lady opened her eyes, and in an instant,
answering the summons, the Prince was
by her side, kneeling and holding her
hand very tenderly; and he met a glance
from the Bishop across her PROSTATE
body The Prince bowed his head and
one sob burst from him.
Leave me alone with her for little,
sir" said the Bishop, and the Prince,
obeying, rose and withdrew into the bay
of the window, while Osra stood alone
near the door by which she had entered
A few minutes passed, then Osra saw
the Prince return to where the lady was
and kneel again beside her; and she saw
that the Bishop was preparing to per-
form bis most sacred and sublime office;
the lady's eyes dWelt on him now in
peace ard restfulness, and held Prince
LudWig's hand in her small hand. But
Osra would not kneel; she stood upright,
still and cold, as though she neither
saw nor heard anything of what passed;
she would not pity nor forgive the
woman, even if, as they seemed to think,
she lay dying. But she spoke once, ask.
ing in harsh voice;
is there no physician in the house or |
near?'
"None, madame, . said the Prince.
The Bishop began the Office, and Osra |
stood, dimly hearing the words of com
fort, peace and hope, dimly seeing the
smile on the lady's face; tor gradually
her eyes clouded with tears. Now her
ears seemed to hear nothing save the |
sad and piteous sobs that had shaken
the girl as she hung about Ludwick's |
neck. But she strove to drive away her |
softer thoughts, tanning her fury when |
it burnt low and telling herself again of |
the insult that she had suffered. Thus |
she rested till the Bishop had performed |
the office. But when he had finished il. |
he rose from his knees and came to |
where Osra was.
cit was your duty" she said. But it
is none of mine2"
''She will not live an hour" said he.
'For she had an affection of the heart
and this shock has killed her. Indeed, |
| think she was half dead for grief be- I
fore we came"
who is she2" broke again from
Osra's lips.
Come and hear, and she followed
him obediently, yet unwilling, to the
couch and looked down at the lady.
The lady looked at her with wondering