The age-herald., 1897-08-15

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 "I cannot kill him, ]" said the bishop. "I pray God it may prove untrue. "
 'sYou are not my friend if you will not kill him." said Osra, and she turn ed her face away and rode yet more quickly.
 At last they came in sight of the lit- tie house that stood back from the road, and there was light in one of the up- per windows. The bishop heard short gasp break from 0sra's lips, and she pointed with her whip to the window. Now his own breath came quick and fast, and he prayed to God that he might remember his sacred character and his vows, and not be led into great and deadly sin at the bidding of that proud, bitter face, and he clinched his left hand and struck his forehead with it.
 Thus when they came to the gate of the avenue of trees that led to the house. Here, having disnounted and tied their horses to the gatepost they stood an in- stant, and Osra again yelled her face.
 ''Let me go alone, madame" !" he i'm plored
 ''Give me your sword, and will go alone," she answered.
 ''Here, then, is the path," said the bishop, and he led the way by the moon- light that broke fitfully here and there through the trees.
 "He swore that all his life should be mine," she whispered. "Yet knew that he did not love me"
 The bishop made her no answer. She looked for none and did not know that she spoke the bitterness of her heart in words that he could hear He bowed his head and prayed again for her and for himself, for he had found his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. And thus, side by side now, they came to the door of the house and saw gentle man standing in front of the door, still, but watchful And Osra knew that he was the prince's chamberlain.
 When the chamberlain saw them, he started violently and clapped hand to his sword, but Osra flung her veil on the ground, and the bishop gripped his arm as with wise. The chamberlain looked at Osra and at the bishop and half drew his sword.
 "'This matter is too great for you, sir," said the bishop "It is quarrel of princes. Stand aside!" And before the chamberlain could make up his mind what to do Osra had passed by him, and the bishop had followed her.
 Finding themselves in narrow pas k.vk 1 1ir,l. 1q lamp a flight of stairs that rose from the farthest end of it. The, bishop tried to pass the princess but she motioned him back and walked swiftly to the stairs. In silent speed they mounted till they had reached the top of the4frst stage, and facing them, eight or ten steps farther up, was door. By the door stood a groom. This was the man who had treacherously told Christian of his masters doings, but when he saw suddenly what had come of his disloy- al chattering the fellow went white as ghost and came tottering in stealthy silence down the stairs, his finger on his lips. Neither of them spoke to him, nor he to them. They gave no thought to him. His only thoughtwas-to escape as soon as he might, so he passed them, and, going on, passed also the chamber lain, who stood dazed at the house door, and so disappeared, intent on saving the life that he had justly forfeited. Thus the rogue vanished, and what be- came of him no one knew or cared He showed his face no more at G1ottenberg or Strelsau. = .se.see.
 "Harkl There are voices, "whispered Osra to the bishop. raising her hand above her head, as the two stood mo- tionless. -sss-
 The voices came from the door that faced them, the voice of man and the voice of woman. Osra's glance at her companion told him that she knew as well as he whose the mans voice was-
 Tt is true, then," she breathed from between her teeth. My God, it is truep ..a1.,..
 The woman's voice spoke now, but the words were not audible. Then came the princess. Forever, in life or death, apart or together, forever. But the woman's answer came no more in words but in deep low, passionate sobs that struck their ears like the dis tant cry of some brute creature ill pain that it cannot understand. Yet Osra's face was stern and cold, and her lips curled scornfully when she saw the bishops look of pity.
 Come, let us end it." said she, and with a firm step she began to mount the stairs that lay between them and the door. ses- .-zss--i
 Yet once again they paused outside the door. for it seemed as though the princess could not choose but listen to the passionate words of love that pierced her ears like knives yet they were all sad, speaking of renunciation, not hap piness But at last she. heard her own name; then with sudden start she caught the bisEop's hands, for she could not listen longer And she staggered and reeled as she whispered to him: 1.-The door, the door. Open the door,
 The bishop. his right hand being across his body and resting on the hilt of his sword, laid his left upon the ham, dle of the door and turned it Then he