The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-02-02

he added, as though speaking TO HIM |
SCI, "since do not think that should !
ever go down the stairs again after see
ing them pass my window with the
empty muskets."
He stopped short, breathless with the |
hurry of speaking, and looked at her
with flaming eyes that commanded far
more than they beseeched. Her own,
wide open and affrighted, were fixed |
upon his troubled face, while her shak-
ing fingers clutched the chair back yet /
tighter.
Speak say something he said
fiercely, as she did not yet break the
silence. "There is no time to lose. Even
at this moment they may be leading
him past my window"
With an effort she appeared to rouse
herself.
"Yes," came the broken words, 81
see that he must be saved, but how? 1
have already pleaded to my father-in
vain. You know what he is like when
he thinks he sees duty"
"Piead once more; there must be
hope. Can not a fathers love be made
to triumph over an imagined sense Of
duty? Everyone knows that your
power over him is boundless use it
then, in Gods name use it to obtain
this boon And go quickly, l implore
YOU / tell you that even at this mo-
ment the people are collecting to see
him die. Surely you will not stand by
tamely while the man you love is being
shot down like sick dog? Use every
argument you can think Of. What
have you said as yet? Have you told
your father that you love him2
She grew little paler. 'No, l have
not said that"
''Then soy it before it is too late. To
save your happiness when once he
knows that it is at stake, he will grant
the reprieve. Go, oh gol There is
not moment to spare, and remember
that you are saving two men,"
He advanced with outstretched
hands, as though to push her from the
room.
Fora moment longer she stood search
ing his face with her wild eyes, andap-
parently struggling to speak.
81 will go" she whispered at last;
land l will tell my father the truth
as you bid me-"
Alone in the deserted drawing room
Brentner stood for a short space, deba-
ting with himself as to whether he
should await the result of the appeal
here, but finally snatched up his cap
and almost ran back to his lodging, TO
take up his pest once more at the win
dow. A quarter of an hour later, just
as the clock hands told him that barely
twenty minutes were wanting to the
moment OF execution, his strainiDg ear
caught sharp clatter of hoofs on the
pavement, and the adjutant galloped
past, holding white handkerchief in
his hand. BY that sign Brentner knew
that Pauline had been to her father and
had told him that she loved Count
Neckers, and so intricate are the work
ings of the human heart that he actu-
ally groaned as he turned from the
window.
Upon Count Neckers' reprieve there
follow ed Immediately his dismissal
from the army, but to man situated
as he was, this closing Of his career
involving, as it did, no taint upon his
| personal honor-was not necessarily
crushing blow, and Brentner, as little
as anyone in the regiment, doubted
that his betrothal to the beautiful girl
whose interccssion had saved his life
could be but a question Of weeks. II
was in order not to be forced to witness
Count Neckers' happiness that he took
three months leave of absence that
spring. He was much more amazed
than pleased when, at the end of three
months, he came back to discover that
the betrothal had not yet taken place.
This was a prolongation of torture on
which he had not counted.
The sum mer dragged by without
bringing any change in the situation
or any solution of the enigma to the
lockers on. At last there came day
when Brentner, finding himself unex-
pectely alone with Pauline Degenthal,
felt that he could bear the strain Of sus-
pense no longer. 1t was during one Of
the large riding parties which the
Prince loved to organize, and which
were attended by most Of the officers
stationed in the place. Pauline, draw
ing in her horse after a long gallOp,
found herself Outstripped by all except
Captain Brentner. They were in a
broad forest clearing, straight as an av-
enue, aud carpeted with golden brown
moss. Overhead a ribbon of pale blue
sky, to the right and to the left walls of
whispering leaves Just beginning to be
streaked and spotted and tipped by au-
tumn's many-colored brush, while far
on ahead the other riders were vanish
ing out Of sight. 1t was the first time
these two had been alone since that day
in February, whose date had been fixed
for Count Neckers' execution, and, as
he met her furtive glance, Brentner in
stinctively felt that Pauline, too, was
thinking of that day.
81 have never until now had the OPP
portunity of thanking you, Princess,
for your kindness in acceding to my
wish when l asked you to go TO your
father" he began in a stiff, formal
voice, very different from the impas-
stoned tone he had used on that Oeca-
sion.
Pauline ficked at the tree branches
with her riding whip, and made no
answer.
"I am more thankful than can say
that your prayers were not spoken in
vain"
az, too, am thankful" said Pauline,
with what sounded like dawning irri-
tation in her voice.
al suppose the Prince was very hard
to move?" rmirked Brentner hesits-
tingly.
she was not easy 10 move" was all
she::sa d, in ent apparently on flick
] .f. could