The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-16

tit NiV1h StilNt II, ~
learned that for four hours l had for
gotten the emperor's business.
Pardon me. my dear lady" I cried
springing to my feet. But l must on
instantly tn Hof."
She rose also and looked at me with
a pale. reproachful face. And me-
she asked. What is to become of
me?"
1T Is the emperor's affair. have
already stayed far too long. My duty
calls me. and must go"
''Yo must so? And | must be aban-
doned alone to these savages. oh. why
did ever meet YOU? Why did you ever
teach me TO rely upon your strength
Her eyes glazed over. and in an instant
she was sobbing upon my bosom.
Here vas trying moment for a
guardian, Here was time when he
had To keep watch upon a forward
young officer, But | was equal to it, I
smoothed her rich, brown hair and
whispered such consultations as l could
think of in her ear. with one arm
around her, it is true. but that was to
hold her lest she should faint She
NN'''NN AiNA AVSlt lt-Stesiitu law W Ullllt.
Water" she whispered For Gods
sake. water"
| saw that in another moment she
would be senseless. l laid the droop-
ing head upon the sofa and then rushed
curiously from the room. hunting from
chamber to chamber for a caraffe. II
was some minutes before l could get
one mud hurry back with it. You can
imagine my feelings to find the room
empty and the lady gone.
Not Oily was she gone, but her cap
ami ner silver-mounted riding switch.
when had lain upon the table. were
gone alsG. | rushed out and roared for
the landlord. He knew nothing of the
matter, had never seen the woman be-
fore, and did not care If he never saw
her again. Had the peasants at the door
seen anyone ride away? No, they had
seen nobo ly. I searched here and
searched there till at last CHANGED to
find myself II front of mirror. where
stood with my eyes staring and my
jaw as far dropped as the chin strap of
my shake would allow.
Four buttons of my pelisse were open.
and 1t did not need me to put my hand
up 10 know that my precious paper
were gone. ~. the depth of cunning
that turks in woman's heart, She
had robbed me, this creature. robbed
mo as She clung to my breast Even
while I smoothed her hair and whis-
pered kind words in her ear her hands
had been at work beneath my domain
And here / was at the very last step Of
my journey deprived of the power of
carrying cut this mission which had al
ready deprived one good man of his life.
AID was l'kely to rob another of his
credit. What would the emperor say
when he heard that I had lost his dis
patches? Would the army believe of
E.tienne Gerard? And when they heard
from me. what laughter there would be
at the mess table and at camp fire! I
coull have rolled upon the ground in
despair.
But one thing was certain-all this
affair of the fracas in the hall and the
persecution Of the so-called countess
was -iece of acting from the begin
ming. This vil!ainous inn n-keeper must
he in the riot. From him | might learn
who she was and where my papers had
gone. shatched my saber from the
table and rushed out i'm search of him.
But the scoundrel had guessed what I
would do, and had made his prepara-
tlons for me. II was in the corner of
the yard that I found him. a blunder-
bugs in his hands and mastiff held
upon leash by his son. The two stable
hands with pitchs)rks stood upon each
side. and the wife hold a great lantern
bchina him SO as to guide his aim.
Ride away, sir, ride away" he cried.
with a cracking voice. ""our horse is
at the door and no one will meddle with
you If you go your way. but If you come
against us you are alone against three
brave men"
had only the dog to fear, for the two
forks and the blunderbuss were shak-
ing about like branches in a wind. Still
| considered that though ] might force
an answer with my sword point at the
throat of this fat rascal, still should
have no means of knowing whether
that ans-,er was the truth. 1t would
be struggle then with much to lose
and nothing certain to gain. I looked
them UP and down. therefore, in a way
that set their foolish weapons shaking
worse than ever. and then throwing
myself upon my mare I galloped away
with the shrill laughter of the landlady
jarrlng upon my ears.
had already formed my resolution.
Although I had lost my papers I could
make very good guess as to what
their contents would be. and this
would say from my own lips to the
prince of Saxe-Felstein as though the
emperor had commissioned me to con-
vey IL in that way 1t was bold
stroke. and q dangerous one. But If
I went too far / could afterwards be
disavowed. 1t was that or nothing, and
when ell Germany hung in the balance
the game should not be lost II the nerve
OF one man could save it.
IT was midnight when rode into
Hof. but every window was blazing.
which was enough I'm itself in that
sleepy country to tell the ferment OF
excitement In which the people were.
There was hooting and peerlng as
rode through the CROW ded streets, and
once stone sang past my head; but 1
kept upon my way. neither slowing
nor quickening my way. until I had
come to the palace. 1t was lit from
base to battlement, and the dark shad-
ows coming and going against the yell
low glare spoke of the turmoil within.
For my part, handed my mare to
groom at the gate, and striding In
demanded, In such tone as an ambas-
sador should have. to see the prince in
stantly upon business which would
brook no delay.
The hall was dark, but was con-