The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-10-08

a lew minutes pdSSSus IUeu OSId SdW
the prince return to where the lady was
and lneel 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 i'll peace
and restfulness, and held Prince Lud-
wigs hand in her small hand. But Os-
IA would not kneel. She stood upright
still, and cold as though she neither saw
nor heard anything of what passed.
She would not pity nor forgive the
woman, even if, as they seemed to
think, she lay dying. But she spoke
once, asking in a harsh voice:
''Is there no physician in the house
or near?"
''None, madame" SAID the prince.
The bishop began the Office, and Osra
stood, dimly hearing the words of COM,
fort, peace and hope, dimly seeing the
smile on the 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 Ludwig's
neck. But she strove to drive 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 flu
ished it he rose from his knees and
came to where Osra was.
SIT was your duty" she said. but
it is none of mine"
''She will not live an hour" said he.
For she had an affection of the heart,
and this shock has killed her. Indeed,
think she was half dead for grief be-
fore we came. "
who is she?" broke again from Os-
ra's lips
Come and hear" and she followed
him obediently, yet unwillingly, to the
couch and looked down at the lady. The
lady looked at her with wondering eyes,
and then she smiled family, pressing
the princes hand and whispering:
''Yet she is so beautiful, :" and she
seemed now wonderfully happy, so that
they three all watched her and were en-
vious, although they were to live and
she to die.
"Now, God, pardon her sin, " said the
Princess Osra suddenly, and she fell OH
her knees beside the couch, crying,
"Surely God has pardoned her."
''Sin she had none, save what clings
even to the purest in this world" said
the bishop. For what she has said to
me I know to be true"
Osra answered nothing, but gazed in
questioning at the prince, and he, still
holding the ladys hand, began to speak
in a gentle voice:
''Do not ask her name, madame But
from the first hour that we knew the
meaning Of love we have loved one an
other. And had the issue rested III my
hands I would have thrown to the
winds all that kept me from heC. re-
member when first l met her-ah, my
sweet, do you remember? And from that
day to this in soul she has been mine
and I hers in all my life. But more
could not be. Madame, you have asked
what love is. Here is love. Yet fate is
stronger Thus 1 came here to WOO, and
she, left alone, resolved to give herself
to God.
Chow comes she here then?" whis-
pered Osra, and she laid one hand tim
idly ON the couch, near the lady, yet so
as not to touch even her garments.
"She came here, he began, but sud-
denly, to their amazement, the lady,
who had seemed dead, with an effort
raised herself on her elbow and spoke
in a quick, eager whisper, as if she
feared time and strength would fail.
''He is a great prince" she said.
"He must be a great king. God means
him for greatness. God forbid that /
should be his ruin! Oh, what sweet
dream he painted But praise be to the
blessed saints that kept me strongl Yet
at the last was weak. could not live
without another sight of his face, and
$3.50 came. Next week / AMI was
to take the veil, and came here to see
him once again. God pardon me for it.
But could not help it. All, madame,
know you, and see now your beauty.
Have you known lover"
NO." said Osra, and she moved her
hand near to the lady's hand.
"And when he found me here he
prayed me again to do what he asked,
and [ was half killed in denying it.
But prevailed, and we were even then
parting when you came. Why, why did
1 Gomez" And for moment her voice
died away in low, soft moan. But she
made one more effort. Clasping Osras
hand in her delicate fingers, she whis-
pered: Il am going. Be his wife. %
mo, no, no." whispered Osra, her
face now close to the lady's. 'You
must live-you must live and be hap
py.'' And then she kissed the lady's
lips. The lady put out her arms and
clasped them round Osra's neck, and
again she whispered softly in Osra's
ear. Neither Ludwig nor the bishop
heard what she said, but they heard
only what Osra sobbed. Presently the
lady's arms relaxed a little in their
hold, and Osra, having kissed her again,
rose and signed TO Ludwig to come
nearer, while she, turning, gave her