The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-10-06


of the gentlemen of the court. And
yet she must know. But at last she
sprang up from the chair into which
she had sunk despondently, exclaim-
ing:
He Is a gentleman and my friend.
He will so with me-" And she sent
hastily for the bishop of Modenstein,
who was then in Strelsau, bidding him
come dressed for riding and with a
sword and the best horse in his sta
bles. And the bishop came equipped
as she babe him and in very great
wonder. But when she told him what
she wanted and what Christian had
made known to her, he grew grave,
saying that they must wait and consult
the king, when he returned.
Il will not wait an hour she cried.
Il cannot wait an hour
Then 1 will ride and bring you word.
You must not 60" he urged.
Nay, if l go alone 1 will 60 said
she. Yes, will go, and myself fling
his falseness in his teeth"
Finding her thus resolved, the bishop
knew that he could not turn her. SO,
leaving her to prepare herself, he
sought Christian Hantz and charged
him to bring three horses to the most
private gate of the palace, that opened
in a little by street. Here Christian
waited for them with the horses, and
they came presently, the bishop wear
ing a great slOuched hat and sWagger-
ing like a registering trooper, while Os-
ra was closely yelled. The bishop again
imposed secrecy on Christian, and then,
they both being mounted, said to Osra
IF you will. then, madame, come" and
thus they rode secretly out of the city.
about o'clock in the evening, the
gate-wardens opening the gate al
sight of the royal arms on. Osra S ring
which she gave to the bishop, in order
that he might show it.
In silence they rode a long way, 60
ing at a great speed; Osra's face was
set and rigid, for she felt now nc
shame at herself for going, nor any
fear of what she might find, but the
injury to her pride swallowed every
other feeling; and at last she said ii
short, sharp words, to the Bishop OF
Modenstein. having suddenly thrown
the veil back from her face:
He shall not live if it prove true"
The bishop shook his head. His pro
fession was peace; yet his blood also
was hot against the man who had put
a slight on Princess Osra.
The king must know of it," he said
"The king? The king is not here to-
night" said Osra; and she pricked hel
horse and set him at a gallop. The
moon, breaking suddenly in brightness
from behind a cloud, showed the bish-
op her face, Then she put out her hanL
and caught him by the arm, whisper
ing:
Are you my friend?''
Eyes, madame" said he. She knew
we'll that he was her friend.
Kill him for me, then; kill him fol
me-"
T cannot kill him." said the bishop
II pray God it may prove untrue"
You are not my friend if you will
not kill him." said Osra, and she
turned her face away. and rode yet
more quickly
AT last they came in sight of the
little house that stood back from the
road; and there was a light in one oil
the upper windows The bishop heard
d short gasp break from Osra's lips
and she pointed with her whip to the
window. Now his own breath came
quick and fast and he prayed to Coo
that he might remember his sacred
character and his vows and not be lee
into great and deadly sin, at the bid
ding of that proud. bitter face; and he
clenched his left hand and struck his
forehead with it.
Thus they came to the gate
of the avenue of trees that led to the
house. Here, having dismounted an6
tied their horses to the gate post, they
stood an instant, and Osra again
yelled her face.
Let me go alone, madame" he i'm
plored.
Give me your sword and I will &c
alone" she answered.
Here then is the path" said the
bishop, and he led the way by the
there through the trees.
"He swore that all his life should
be mine,' she whispered yet L know
that he did not love me-
The bishop made her no answer; she
looked for none and did not know tina
she spoke the bitterness of her hear
In words that he could hear. HI
bowed his head and prayed again fo1
her and for himself, for he had foun(
his hand gripping the hilt of hi:
sword. And thus, side by side now
they came to the door Of the house
and saw a gentleman standing il
front of the door, still but watchful
And Osra knew that he was tht
princes chamberlain.
When the chamberlain saw them ht
started violently and clapped a hanC
to his sword; but Osra flung her vel
on the ground and the bishop grippeC
his arm as with a vice. The chamber
lain looked at Osra and at the bishoI
and half drew his sword
This matter is too great for you
sir said the Bishop. 1T is a quarrel
of Princes. Stand aside" and before
the chamberlain could make up his
mind what to do, Osra had passed by
him and the Bishop had followed her
Finding themselves in "a marrow pas
sage, they made out by the dim light
of lamp a flight Of stairs that rose
from the farthest end of it, The
Bishop tried to pass the Princess but
she mentioned 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 10 steps further up, was
a door By the door stood a groom;
this was the man who had treacher-
ously told Christian of his master
doings; but when he saw suddenly
what had come of his disloyal chat
tering, the fellow went white as a
ghost and came tottering in stealthy
silence down the stairs his finger on