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

shock has killed her. Indeed, I think she
was half dead forIgrief before we came"
''Who is she?' broke again from Osra' 8
lips.
"Come and hear" and she followed him
obediently,- vet unwi|lingly. to the couch
and looked down at the lady. The lady
locked Mt her with wondering eyes and then
she smiled family, pressing the princes
hand and whispering:
yet she is so beautiful" and she seemed
now wonderfully happy, SO that they three
all watched her. and we're envious, although
they were to live and she to die.
Now, God, pardon her sin!' said the
Princess Osra suddenly, and she fell on her
knees beside the couch, crying, Surely God
has pardoned herr'
'sin she had none, save what clings even
to the purest in this world" said the bish-
op. For what she has said to me 1 know
to be true
Osra answered nothing. but gazed in ques-
tontng at the prince, and he, still holding
the lady's hand, began to speak In a gentle
voice:
do not ask her name, madam. But
from the first hour that we knew the mean
Ing of love. we have loved one another
And the issue rested in my hands, would
have thrown to the winds all that kept me
from her. I remember when first l met
her-ah, my sweet. do you remember! Ana
from that day to this in soul she has been
mine, and I hers in all my life. But more
could not be. Madam, you have asked
what love is. Here is love. Yet fate Is
stronger. Thus 1 came here to woo, and
she, left alone, resolved to give herself to
Cod
How comes she here them" whispered
Osra, and she laid one hand timidly on the
couch, near the lady, yet not SO as to
touch even her garments.
"She came here" he began, but suddenly,
to their amazement, the lady who mad
seemed dead, with an effort raised herself
on her elbow, and spoke in quick, eager
whisper, as if she feared time and strength
would fail.
HE is a great prince" she said, he must
be great king. God means him for great
ness. God forbid that 1 should be ms rum.
Oh, what a sweet dream he painted! But
praise be to the blessed saints that kept
me strong. Yet at the last l was weak.
could not live without another sight OF ms
face; and $3.50 I came. Next week am
was to take the veil: and came mere 10
see him once again. God pardon me for it,
But I could not help 1t. All, madam, l
know you, and 1 see now your beauty. have
you known love?"
NO." said Osra and she moved her hand
near the lady's hand!
And when he found me here he prayed
me again to do what he asked, ana was
half-killed in denying 1t. But prevalleo,
and we were even then parting when You
came. Why, why did 1 come! And Tor a
moment her voice died away in low. soft
moan. Bat she made one more effort;
clasping Osra's hand in her delicate fingers,
she whispered, II am going. Be his wife"
mo, no. no." whispered Osra, her face
now close to the lady's. You must live
you must live and be happy" And then
she kissed the lady's lips. The lady put out
her arms and clasped them round Osra' s
neck; and again she whispered softly in
Osra's ear. Neither Ludwig nor the bishop
heard what she said, but they heard only
what Osra sobbed Presently the lady s
arms relaxed little in their hold. and.
Osra, having kissed her again, rose and
signed to Ludwig to come nearer. while she,
turning, gave her hand 20 the bishop, and
he led her from the room and, finding an
other room near, took her in there, where
she sat, silent and pale.
Thus half an hour passed; then the bishop
stole softly out and presently returned, say
ing: God has spared her the long. painful
path, and has taken her straight to His
rest"
Osra heard him. half in trance. and as
If she did not hear; she did not know