Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-05

princess, but she motioned him back, and
walked swiftly to the stairs. In silent
speed they mounted. till they had reached
the top of the first stage; and facing them,
eight or ten steps further up, was a door.
BY the door stood groom; this was the
man who had treacherously told Christian
OF his masters dcirgs; but when he saw
suddenly what had come of his disloyal
chattering, the fellow went white as a
ghost, and came tottering in stealthy 81
lence down the stairs, his finger on his
lips: Neither OF them spoke to him, nor he
to them. They gave no thought to him;
his only thought was to escape as soon as
he might; SO he passed them. and, going
on. passed also the chamberlain. who stood
dazed at the house door, and so disap-
peared, intent on saving the life that he
had justly forfeited. Thus the rogue van
ished, and what became of him no one
knew or cared. He showed his face no
more at Glottenberg or Strelsau.
''Hark, there are voices" whispered Osra
to the bishop, raising her hand above her
head, they two stood motionless.
The voices came from the door that faced
them-the voice of man and the voice of
woman. Osra's glance at her companion
told him that she knew as well as he
whose the mans voice was.
cit Is true, them" she breathed from be-
tween her teeth. MY God, it is true"
The woman's voice spoke now. but the
words were not audible. Then came the
princes. Forever. in life or death, apart
or together, forever" But the woman's
deep. low, passionate sobs, that struck
their ears like the distant cry of some
brute creature in pain that it cannot IN
derstand: Yet Osra's face was stern and
cold. and her lips curled scornfully, when
she saw the bishops look of pity.
Come, let US end it, said she, and with
firm step she began to mount the stairs
that lay between them and the door.
Yet once again they paused outside the
door. for it seemed as though the princess
could not choose but listen to the passion
ate words of love that pierced her ears
like knives: yet they were all sad speaking
OF remuneration, not happiness. But at last
she heard her own name; then with a sud-
den start she caught the bishops hands,
for she could not listen longer. And she
staggered and reeled, as she whispered to
him, 1.-The door, the door; open the door"
The bishop, his right hand being across
his body and resting on the hilt Of his
sword laid his left upon the handle of the
door and turned 1t. Then he flung the door
wide open; and at that instant Osra sprang
past him. her eyes cleaning like flames
from her dead white face. And she stood
rigid on the threshold of the room, with
the bishop by her side.
In the middle of the room stood the
Prince Of Gutenberg, and, strained in
close embrace. clingins to him. supported
by his arms, with head buried in his breast,
was a girl Ct slight and slender figure,
graceful though not tall; and her body was
still shaken by continued struggling sobs.
The prince held her there as though against
the world, hut raised his head and looked
at the intruders with grave, sad air.
There was no shame on his face and hard
ly surprise. Presently he took one arm
from about the lady, and. raising it, mo-
toned to them to be STILL Osra took one
step forward, toward where the pair stood;
the bishop caught her sleeve, but she shook
rim off, The lady looked up into the
princes face; with sudden startled cry
she clutched him closer, and turned ter
rified face over her shoulder. Then she
the ground If he had not upheld her. and
her eyes closed and her lids dropped. as
she swooned away. But the princess
smiled, and drawing herself up to her full
height. stood watching while Ludwig bore
the lady to couch and laid her there.
Then when he came back and faced her,
she asked coldly and slowly: