Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

Prince Neagoe assembled his coun-
oilors and asked them to levy addi-
tional taxes. But they shook their
heads and said the country could
bear no more. And was that struc.
ture, tho glory OF his reign, the or
nament of his kingdom, to remain
unfinished?
Just thon the door opened, and
there entered in oil her grandeur
and loneliness the Princess Despina,
rObod in white satin, mantle of
| blue broCade, edged with rich sable
claspod around her snowy throat
Over 1t rippled her soft brown hair
almost to her feet. Upon her head
was cap of sable, from which today
tho diamonds were missing. No
bracelets, necklace or earrings were
visible, but a silkon veil fell like a
spider S web over her slender form.
In her hands sho bore Casket con-
tanning all her jewels, which she
emptied before the prince. Then,
shyly, as though about to confess q
wrong, she said, Take these and
complete the church; else they shall
be bedewod with the tears of women
whose children arc suffering of
want. And she was gone ore tho
astonished mon could reply.
The church was finished. Rightly
was 1t called wonderful structure
Each stone was carved and painted
~ HnNrn,
ground, and no blossom was like an
other. The domeS, the crosses and
the chains which held the crosses in
place cleaned with gold-like the
sun itself. Around the roof wero
golden doves that held tiny bells in
their bills, and every zephyr made
these peal with marvellous sweet
ness.
But Prince Neagoe, who so ardent
ly wished to see the church COM
pleted, and his faithful Despina, who
had given all her possessions for it,
had long closed their eyes upon this
world, and their successor, Radu,
was a cruel man.
All the scaffolds were removed ex
except one small ladder, by which the
prince assembled to the roof to view
closely every detail of the superb
work. Manola listened silently to
the praise bestowed upon him. Even
the huzzas of the admiring multi
tude brought no smile to his face.
His eyes burned and glistened from
nights of wakefulness and feverish
thoughts. Prince Radu had seen
everything.
We'll, Manola, said he at last,
would you pledge yourself to build
a second church like this?"
Certainly, answered the master.
The second should be thousand
times moro beautiful. Now l realize
my power" His face lighted up as
he saw in his mind his next splen-
did work.
I'm order that that shall not hap
pen, said the prince, you shall
abide up here, my excellent master.
Your men shall destroy the ladder
ks soon as / descend. ! would not
II.
Manola stood speechless upon the
shining ro>f. From the vast multi
tude that a few moments ago shout
ed his praises arose no word of re-
monstranCe. No hand was raised to
rescue him. On the contrary, they
began to mutter: The prince is
right. The master is in league with
the devil. He walled up his wife
with his own hand. He deserves
the punishment"
Even his own workmen said: 1--WE
would not have done it. He forced
us to take an oath. He helped wall
her in, the poor woman. And she
cried to him so piteously. He is a
cruel, wicked man. Has he given
us a kind word since that day? And
it is to us that he owes the compile.
ton of this building. Let him starve
up there. He deserves nothing bet.
ter"
Not one pleaded for him. All
gaZed up with adherence at the
man who had begun his great work
in sin that would now be punished
with death. But he stood with fold
cd arms and saw the ladder removed,
saw the people follow the prince,
who Knocked him as he left the place.
He stood thus when night fell and
thought of his whole life; his bound
less ambition, to which he had saori-
ficed his happiness, his love, the
only being in this wide unfriendly
world that he could call his own.
Then there seemed to ring family
from below the voice of his beauti-
full wife, "Manola, Manola!' Still
the same sound that had haunted
him so many nights and robbed him
of sleep. The night was sultry and
there was no dew. Like flaming
disk the sun arose and poured glow.
ing rays upon the golden roof. All
around the grass withered. Over
the marsh hung a blush, ghostly
light. The Argesoh seemed to have
ceased to flow. Not even gnat
stirred Ill the hot mir. Hunger be.
gan TO gnaw at the bowels of the
lonely man, and thirst, consuming
thirst, parched lips, throat and
breast. The next night there was
again no dew. Not the slightest
moisture lay upon the roof. A mar.
bic stiffness was upon everything.
On tho second day Manola $ brain
grew giddier and giddier, and he
heard Anna $ voice louder and clear
or calling him as she did in life and