The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-09-13
(copwiahL 1851
CHAPTER II.

Now King RUDOLPH IN MS great
chagrln aud dismsy, had himself forgot
ten, or at least neglected, to warn the
count Of FestenbHFG that his sister,
Princess 0ara. was residing at the castle
Of zonda; for 1t was her fsvorile resort
and she often retired from the court
and spent many days there alone
There abe was now with two Of her
ladies, a small retlnus OF servants, and
no more than hall dozen guards and
when Count Nikoias came to the gate,
It being then after nine, she had gone
to her chamber and set before the mir
ror, dressed in loose white gown and
with her ruddy hair unbound anu
floating over her shoulders; and she
was reading an old story book, contains
Ing tales Of Helen, Of Troy, Of Cleopa'
ira, Of DsrsniCe, aud other lovely ladies',
very elegantly related and embeitished
with fne pictures. And tho princess,
being very much absorbed Ia the si0E.
ies, did not hear or notice the arrival al
the counts company, but continued to
road, while NikolRs reused the watch
men, and the bridge was let down and
the steward summoned. Then NiEOlas
took the steward aside and showed him
tho kings order, bearing the kings
seal; and the steward, although both
greatly aStouishsd and greatly grleyed,
could not deny the lstior or the zeal,
but declared himself ready TO obey and
TO surrender tho caSlle; aud the ser.
Gusut in command OF the guard said
tho same; but, they added, sinoe tue
princess was in the castle, they must
inform her OF the matter AMI take her
commands
AYE, DO" said Hikolas, sitting down
in tho great hall. TELL her not 10 be
disturbed, but to give me the honor Of
hoing her host for Rs long NJ she wilt;
aud say that / will wait upon her, II il
be her pleasure" And he smiled to
think Of the anger and scorn with
which OsrR would receive the tidings
when the steward delivered them 10 her
In this respect the event did not fall
short OF hlA expectations for she was so
indignant und aghast that, think.
ing OF nothing but the tidings. she
flung away the book and cried. send
the count here to me, and stood wait.
ing for him there in her chamber, in
her Whits gown and with her hair nn-
bound aud flowing down over shout
ders. Aud when he came che cried,
"What il this, my lord y and listened
to his story with parted lips and fash.
ing ewes, aud thus read the kings letter
Rui saw the kings seal. And 'her ewes
dlled with tears. but she lashed them
away with her hand. Then the count
said, bowling TO her as mocklnHly as he
had to her brother:
at 10 the fortune OF the dice. ma.
dame"
Eyes, my lord, as you play the game"
said she.
His eyes were fixed upon her, and It
seemed to him that slie was moro beau.
tiiul in her white gown and with her
hair unbound over hor shoulders than
he had ever lelt her TO be before; and he
eyed her closely. Suddenly she looked
ut him; and for moment he averlod
llis eyeS; bnt he looked again and her
eyes mst his. For several moments shs
stood rigid aud motionlesS. Then she
said: MY lord, the king has lost tho
castle OF Zenda, which is the home and
cradle Of our house. 1t was scarcely
the kings alone to lose. Have / no
title in III"
ut was the kings. madame, and now
It il mine, smiled NikOlas.
"Well. then, it ia yours" said she;
nnd. taking u stop towards him, sho
said, "lISve You a mind to venture i.
again, my lord?'
al would venture It only against a
great stake. said no, smiling still, whilN
bis oyes wore fixed Oh her face, and
marked every change in tho color Of her
cheeks.
81 can play at dice as well as tho
king" alIo cried "Aro We not all
gambiors, We Eiphberss" And she
laughed bitterly.
"But what would your stake bo2' he
asked Eneeringly.
Princess Osrn's face was now very
pale. but her voice did not
tremblo and sho did not finch;
for the honor Of her house and