Evening star., 1897-02-20

l PAoRoA liohS VI tn0 SleCtOr neaQ Stan0tn&
out In sharp contrast with the alert poise
| of that of the baron.
Then she began to sing-to sing with a
passion and a meaning that were unmis-
| taRapie, GreigS loyesong, "Ich liebe di-h, "
| her eyes more than once meeting the bar
| on's 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 fathonl; and when the
song ceased there was significant silence
which the elector himself broke by leading
| the applause.
The princess sings we'll" he remarked
| to the baron, meaningly.
| Yes, sir, the baron answered lookin 2
him full in the face. land with great feei-
! ing and true expression"
For moment the eyes of the two mea
met, the electors inquiringly, the baron $
| contemptuously, yet with a lurking fear in
| their depths.
You are excellent critic, baron" the
elector said slowly. Her serene highness
| slrSs with true feeling as you say But Il
| Is not always wise to express our feelings
| cred round the princess
10 Hederich Won Egidy the briliance and
warmth of the superb room where the court
was gathered suddenly grew gray and cold
A moment before. intoxicated by the ac-
qulescence of the princess in a scheme am
! bltlon alone had prompted and not the love
he had so fervently protested, he allowed
ms sratified vanity to betray him. For a
glowing candles the pierglass, prudence
counseling the abandonment of the eiope-
meht' ambition urging its attempt Pru-
aence had conquered when the Countess
Won togel came up to him, and, whisper
ing. AT the private entrance at II to-
night, began to talk of irrelevant matters
Baron Hederich's courage returned, and
catching a glimpse of his handsome face
ana superb hgure in its tiyhtfitting uniform
IN the mirror, his optimistic dreams of his
future as the husband OF the Princess Irene
returned.
Even if the Margrave refuses to s;,pnort
u.s. ne thought, irene is rich, and once
her husband'-. bat the countess was ask
ing MIN a question, and his pleasant re-
hections were interrupted.
The clock in the great square of the "a
lunhoi had scarcely struck midnight when
Two Velled and cioaked figures crept
through the small door of the private en-
trance to the palace. and as silently en-
drawn up in the shadow of the portico
Ihe wheels moved noiselessly over the
thick snow, but the rattle of the horses
harness filled the two women with alarm
wv shall be discovered" whispered the
countess as the sentry stopped the carriage
| at the bronze gates of the outer court I'VE
shall be discovered"
For answer the Princess Irene placed her
hand over the trembling woman's mouth
and dragged her back into the shadow,
His Excellency Prince Schaumann is re-
called to EIbersdorf," said the coachn,an
IL
most screamed with terror.
The password?' the soldier shouted; but
before the coachman could reply n ray of
light from the guardhouse fell upon the
carriage door.
"PaSs!" cried the sentry salutinp aS he
saw the royal arms upon the PANEL the
massive doors opened slowly, and the car
rage rolled swiftly into the snowclad coun-
try.
Mile after mile slipped away. and the cold
grew more intense; twice the horses slip
ped and twice the countess inlplored her
mistress to return. But the princess
they were nearing their destination, she
said, II wonder what we shall do if we
miss the train"
Pray God that we do moaned the
countess from her corner. Il have been a
focir'
No" said the princess, touching her
hand, you have been an angel. For per-
haps you have given me happiness instead
of d crown. But the countess could not
see an odd smile that played about the
princess mouth.
The frost so thickly incrusted on the
carriage windows that they had no idea
they were near the railway station until
the horses drew up with a jerk. Muffiing
themselves closely in their furs they hur-
rfed to the little waiting room. which was
empty save for a peasant, whose face was
hidden by the lappets of a large fur cap,
1 and who was carefully inspecting the ad-
vertisements with which the room was
ituiis Alter lew moments OF GREATNESS
silence, during which the countess could
not repress her violent trembling. Baron
Hederich Won ESidy entered hurriedly, a
| rush OF cold air following him.
Ah! L have kept YOU Waiting"' he cried
| claspng the princess hands in both his
| own and froNning at the peasant who
stood with his back TO them. MY horse
| fell, and l was delayed How good of you,
Irene! How shall ever prove my graft
| tude TO you for your sacrifce?"
BY taking the train to Paris, baron.
that is due in ten minutes, and remaining
| in that pleasant city, said a voice behind
them; and. turning, they both recognized
| in the peasant the elector OF Inselsland
Won Esidy started back with an oath,
but the princess made profound courtesy.
| saying, mockingly, Since when has Your
serene hishness added the role of detective
| TO your many accomplishments
I Since nave found it necessary to pro-
| tect my honor, and yours, madam" was
| the answer; and the princess flushed and
| bit her lip.
There was painful silence, only broken
| by the unrestrained sobbing of the coun-
TESS. Inc baron fidgeted with the cap he
had taken of when he recognized the cleo
tor. threw implorng glances at the prin-
cess, whose eyes were resoiuteiy fixed upon
the floor; but her lips We're smiling The
elector regarded the baron with open con-
| tempt.
The carriage is waiting" he said at
length, Offering his arm to the princess:
but, turning to Baron Hederich, she said:
w nat do you advise me to do?'
Il think, madam, that you had-better
return replied the baron. weakly, and to
his bewildered mind it seemed that her
smiling face was not that of woman
whose brightest hopes had suddenly been
shattered
"Ah, baron.' replied the princess, anita
bly, your advice is sounder than your
protestations, l fear But sting lay be-
hind her words, and Won Egidy WINGED
Still smiling, the princess took the cleo
| tors arm. and the slammng of a carriage
door sounding through the still air as the
Paris train rumbled in the distance told
| the baron that his house of cards had
tumbled about his feet, and that he was an
exile.
The return journey to Zatunhof was per-
| formed in silence, and it was only when
they reached the foot of the grand stair
case that the princess spoke. rs it up or
down, sir?' she asked fippantly, her foot
upon the lowest step, ito the deepest of
your dungeons or to my apartments?'
The Countess Won Vogel will conduct you
to your rooms, madam" the elector re-
piled. coldly; and. bowling profoundly, he
disappeared down corridor.
The next morning letter was brought
| to the elector from the Princess Irene, ask