Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-17

there quiet with his head between her
hands. And presently his eyes closed and
he slept But Osra did not know what to
do; for darkness had fallen and she dared
not leave him alone there by the river.
Therefore she sat where she was, and
in an hour, the night being fine and not
cold, she grew weary, and her hands fell
away from his brow and she sank back
on the green turf, pillowing her head on a
curved arm, and there she slept with the
mad lord by her and the ruby necklace ly-
ing near them.
At midnight Lord Harry Culverhouse
awoke, and saw Princess Osra sleeping
peacefully with smile on her lips such
as decks child's lips in sleep. He rose
and stood up on his feet, looking at her;
and he heard nothing but the sound of the
horses cropping the grass little way off.
Then he drew near her and gaZed long on
her face; and she opened her eyes and saw
him. But she showed no fear of him; she
smiled at him and che said:
Even here I am guarded by one of the
gentlemen who guard me in the palace"
And she closed her eyes again and turned
to sleep.
Then SILVER ran through him. And
he dug his nails into the palms of his
hands, and, turning, walked swiftly up and
down on the bluff by the side Of the river,
while Osra slept And presently he fell oil
his knees beside her and began to murmur
in rapid rush of words, but he did not
now curse her beauty, but blessed God for
1t, and blessed Him also for the preserva-
ton of his own honor Thus he spent the
! night till day was near, and then he bent
over Osra and looked once more on her,
and he took up the ruby necklace and laid
1t lightly about her neck. And, feeling the
touch Of it, cool and wet from the dew, she
again opened her eyes, and, putting her
knuckles in them, she rubbed gently, and
she gasped a little yawn, saying, "Heigh no,
l am sleepy!'' and sat up. And she said,
Are you not sleepy. my lord?"
II am on watch, madame" said Lord
Harry Culverhouse.
AS the princess sat up, the ruby necklace
fell from her neck into her lap. Seeing It,,
she held 1T up to him, saying:
Take it again, and go to your own home.
l am sure you gave too great price for
He smiled. for she did not know how
great the price was, and he asked:
And must I, in my turn, give back the
pin that fastened your hair?"
mo, keep the pint Is worth nothing"
she smiled. rs it safe for me to go to
sleep for a little longer?'
"Who would harm you, madame? Even
/ have not harmed you"
"You." said she with little laugh. you
would not harm me-" And she lay down
and closed her eyes.
Then Lord Harry Culverhouse sat down
on the ground and rested his chin on his
knees, and clasped his hands about his
shins, and he cursed himself bitterly, not
now because he meditated any harm to
| her-for his mad fury was past, and he
| would have died before hair of her head
should be hurt-but because of the evil
| that his wild and reckless madness had
| brought upon her. For he knew that soon
| there would be pursuit, and that If she
| and he were found there 1t would become
| known who he was, and her fame would
| suffer injurious rumors by reason of what
| he had done. Therefore. he made up his
mind what he must do next, and he aban.
] doned all dreams that had led him into the