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

who is this woman. sir? Or is she one
of those that have no names?'
The prince sprang forward, sudden
anger in his eyes: he raised his hand as
If he would have pressed it across her
scornful mouth. and kept back her bitter
words. But she did not finch; and. point
ing a him with her finger, she cried to the
bishop in ringing voice:
Kill him, my lord, kill him.
And the sword of the bishop of Modem
stein was half way out of the scabbard.
IT would to God, my lord said the
prince, in low, sad tones, that God would
suffer you to kill me and me to take death
at your hands. But neither for you nor
for me is the blow lawful. Let me speak
to the princess"
The bishop still grasped his sword; for
Osras face and hand still commanded him
But 1t the instant of his hesitation, while
the temptation was hot in him. there came
from the couch where the lady lay low
moan OF great pain. She flung her arms
cut and turned, grooming, again on her
back and her head lay Imply over the side
CT the couch. The bishops eyes met Lud-
wigs; ar with a God forgive me"' he let
the sword slip back, and, springing across
the room. fell on his knees beside the
couch He broke the gold chain round his
neck and grasped the crucifix which II
carried in one hand, while with the other
he raised the lady's head, praying her to
open her eyes, before whose closed lids he
held the sacred image; and he, who had
| come SO near to great sin, now prayed soft
ly but fervently for her life and Gods pity
on her; for the frailty her slight form
showed could not Withstand the shock OF
this trial!
who is she?" asked the princess.
But Ludwig's eyes had wandered back
to the couch, and he answered only:
MY God it will kill her."
II care not" said osra. But then came
another low moan. Il care not" said the
| princess again. "Ah, she is in great suffer
ing! And her eyes followed the princes.
means and the whispered prayers of the
bishop of Modenstein. But the lady open
ed her eyes, and in an instant, answering
the summons, the prince was by her side
kneeling and holding her hand very tender
ly; and he met a glance from the bishop
across her PROSTATE body. The prince
bowed his head and one sob burst from
him.
SIR" said the bishop, and the prince, obey
ing, rose and withdrew into the bay of the
| window, while Osra stood alone near the
door by which she had entered.
A few minutes passed, then Osra saw the
prince return to where the lady was and
kneel again beside her; and she saw that
the bishop was preparing to perform his
most sacred and sublime office; the lady s
eyes dwelt on him now in peace and rest
fitness, and held Prince Ludwig's hand in
her small hand. But osra would rot kneel
she stood upright, still and cold, as though
she neither saw nor heard anything OF
what passed; she would not pity nor for
give the woman. even if. as they seemed
to think she lay dying. But she spoke
once, asking in harsh voice:
us there no physician in the house or
near?"
None, madam" said the prince.
The bishop began the office, and Osra
| Stood dimly hearing the words of comfort
peace and hope, dmly seeing the smile on
| tho lady's face; for gradually her eyes
clouded with tears. Now her ears seemed to
| hear nothing save the sad and piteous sobs
| that had shaken the girl as she hung about
| away her softer thoughts, tanning her fury
| when it burned low and telling herself
again of the insult that she had suffered
Thus she rested till the bishop had per-
| formed the office. But when he had finish
| ed it, he rose from his knees and came tc
where Osra was.
at was your duty" she said. But 1t is
| none of mine"
"She will not live an hour" said he. "Fol
she had an affection Of the heart and this