The Democratic advocate., 1897-04-10

blouse.
The Princess Irene of Hesselstadt had
never been in such brilliant spirits as upon
that evening, and the young elector hover
ed about her chair in a corner of the great
white drawing room after dinner with an
almost loverlike fondness. But she turned
away from him with an indifference that
became so marked that the margarine in
despair asked her to sing. Waving aside
a lady waiting, who rose to accompany
her, the princess sat down at the piano and
ran her fingers flashing with jewels, lightly
over the keys.
Raising her eyes from the keyboard for
a moment, malicious smile crossed her
face BY a strange coincidence the elec-
tor and Baron Hederich were facing her,
standing together beneath pier-glass, in
which she saw the backs of their heads
reflected Their characters are written
upon square of looking glass, she said
TO herself, as she noted the almost mas
sive proportions Of the elector' head stand
ing out in sharp contrast with the alert
poise II hat of the baron.
Then she began to sing-to sing with
passion and meaning that were unmis-
takall' Gricg's love song, 'Ich febe
dich, her eyes more than once meeting
the baron as the refrain rang through the
lofty chamber The margarine moved
uneasily in her carved oak chair, feeling
conscious that mystery was on foot which
even her astuteness could not fathom, and
when the song ceased there was signif
cant silence, which the elector himself
broke by leading the applause.
The princess sings well, = he remarked
to the baron meaningly.
Eyes, sir, - the baron answered, looking
him full in the face, land with great feel
ing and true expression.
For moment the eyes of the two men
met, the elector' inquiringly, the baron 5
contemptuously, yet with lurking fear in
their depths.
"You are an excellent critic, baron, .
the elector said, slowly. "Her serene
highness sings with true feeling rs you say.
But it is not always wise 70 express our
feelings in public. Then he joined the
group gathered round the princess.
To Hederich Won Egidy the brilliance
and warmth Of the superb room where the
court was gathered suddenly gres gray
and cold. A moment before, intoxicated
by the acquiescence of the princess in a
scheme ambition alone had prompted and
not the love he had so fervently protested,
he had allowed his gratifed vanity to be-
tray him. For moment he stood irreso-
lutte beneath the glowing candles ON the
pier glass, prudence counseling the aban-
donment of the elopement, ambition urging
It's attempt Prudence had conquered
when the Countess Won Vogel came up to
him, and, whispering, cat II tonight,
began to talk of irrelevant matters Baron
Hederich courage returned, and catching
glimpse of his handsome face and superb
figure in its tight-6tting uniform in the
mirror, his optimistic dreams of his future
as the husband of the princess Irene re-
turned.
Even if the margrave refuses to sup
port us, he thought, "Irene is rich, and
once her husband but the countess was
asking him question, and his pleasant re-
Elections were interrupted.
CHAPTER II.
The clock in the great square Of the
Zatunhof had scarcely struck midnight
when two yelled and cloaken figures crept
through the small door of the private EN-
trance to the palace, and as silently en-
tered the waiting carriage which was
drawn up in the shadow of the portico.
The wheels moved noiselessly over the thick
snow, but the rattle of the horses harness
filed the two women with alarm. ''We
shall be discovered whispered the count
ess at the bronze gates of the outer court.
awe shall be discovered.
For answer the Princess Irene placed
her hand over the trembling woman $
mouth and dragged her back into the shad-
ow. ''His excellency Prince Schumam
is recalled to Elberdorf, said the coach
man. The sentry hesitated, and the
countess almost screamed with terror.
1.-The password ? the soldier shouted
but before the coachman could reply ray
of light from the guardhouse fell upon the
carriage door.
Pass cried the sentry, saluting as be
saw the royal arms upon the panel; the
massive doors opened slowly, and the car
riage rolled swiftly into the snowclad coun-
try.
Mile after mile slipped away, and the
cold grew more intense; twice the horses
slipped, and twice the countess implored
her mistress to return. But the princess
maintained an absolute silence until, as
they were nearing their destination, she
said. II wonder what we shall do if | mis-:
the train ?
"Pray God that we do, moaned the
countess from her corner. II have been
a fool 7
s'No, said the princess, touching hel
hand; ''you have been an angel. For per.
haps you have given me happiness instead
of crown" But the countess could not
see an odd smile that played about the
princess mouth.
The frost was so thickly incrusted on the
carriage windows that they had no ides
they were near the railway station unit
the horses drew up with jerk. Muf1ins
themselves closely in their furs they hur-
ried to the little waiting room, which was
empty save for a peasant whose face wa
hidden by the lappets Of large fur cap.
and who was carefully inspecting the ad
vertisements with which the room was
hung. After few moments of breathles:
silence, during which the countess coulc
not repress her violent trembling, Baror
Hederich Won Egidy entered hurriedly q
rush of cold air following him.
''Ah have kept you waiting, he
cried, clasping the princess hand in boil
his own, and frowning at the peasant, who
stood with his back to them. My horse
fell, and l was delayed. How good Of
you, Irene How shall l ever prove nay
gratitude TO you for your sacrifice.
''By taking the train to Paris, baron
that is due in ten minutes, and remaining
in that pleasant city, said voice behinc
them; and, turning, they both recognized
in the peasant the elector of Inselsland
Won Egidy started back with an oath,
I l.. g., 4