Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-15

again leering beside the door. viii you
come this way if you please?"
She led the way upstairs and 1 folloWea
her into sitting room brilliantly nsnted
with wax candles, as though for the recep-
ton of distinguished guest. closed the
door behind me and was about to speak
to her. when she laid her finger on her
lips. and, taking one of the candles. looked
beneath the table and behind the couch,
and even opened the door Of an empty cup
board and glanced hurriedly inside. She
very pale, and the candle trembied IN
her hand as she returned 1t to its place.
Then she suddenly sank into chair, COW
cred her face with her hands and broke
into stifled sobs-
Why Kate said I. this is not like
you. What is the NATTER"
Indeed, I-I-scarcely know, Frank she
faltered raising her pale face and smil-
ing family through her tears. 1T Is very
silly and childish of me. but II am fright
ened. Andrew and his mother are out. and
all the servants have been sent away, and
/ have been alone in the house for hours,
with no one to speak to but that odious
wretch Donald Fraser-and-and-I got
nervous and began TO think l could hear
strange noises, whisperings al the door, and
footsteps on the stairs. until l was quite sure
there were strange men in the house. L
though one might be in the cupboard there,
watching us and listening to all we said.
l think it must have been fancy. III not,
what can it all mean?
Il fear there is no doubt Of what 1t
means. Kate said /, land the time has
come to speak plainly. 1 have learned
that tonight the young pretender, Charles
Stuart, is coming here. l see you have
triclsed yourself out in all your finery, with
the white cockade on your breast to meet
him. Oh. Kate. you foolish child. can't
you that this vile man, this glib, plausi-
bic. double-faced spy and traitor, Andrew
Macintyre, is using your pretty face and
innocent enthusiasm to lure the unfortu-
nate young prince into trap?'
In SDit nj her
eyes she did not exhibit the anger and
incredulity 1 had expected. Was it posi-
HE that she had already begun to distrust
Macintyre?
oh Frank" she exclaimed, desperately,
surely this cannot be true. l have thought
of late he was growing lukewarm, that his
zeal for the cause had cooled, but he could
not be capable of such treachery as this
indeed, he could not. 1 cannot believe it.
Nevertheless 1 could see that in her heart
she did believe it.
The man is spy" 1 said impatiently.
Il have 1t from a sure source, and there
can be no doubt about it, Moreover, there
are men lurking in the garden and about
, the house. 1 heard them rustling among
the bushes and saw them Sinking through
the door. They are here to seize the prince,
and We are pOwerleSs to prevent them.
No one will believe in your innocence If you
are present when the prince is taken, and II
you do not wish your name to become in
famous You must come away this minute.
1 have a coach waiting. and will take you
to my aunt, Lady Chester. I will bride
Fraser to let US pass before your cousin
returns. or, II necessary, run him through
the body and trust to escape in the dark
ness"
She wrung her hands In agony.
oh, she cried. that 1. who would give
my life to save the prince, should have been
tricked by this base wretch into betraying
him! Oh. this man, this man! l did not
| think such men lived in the world
Come, come" l said impatiently, I'VE
a wa lfiv fiYno md fhnr
ment to lose. Your cousin may return at
any moment. We must go at once"
And leave the prince to his fate" she
exclaimed. without making one effort to
warn him? l cannot do it. Frank indeed
l cannot do it. l should loathe and despise
myself ever afterward. / must do what
can to save him. and | know you will helm
me, Frank. You will help me, Frank, will
you not?'
Now. what was 1 to do? AS have said
| l was no Jacobite. To interfere in the mat
ter against both my principles and my
interest If 1T became known that 1 had
assisted the prince to escape l should en-
broil myself with the government and ruin
my career, if did not risk my neck But
yet-ah, well, what man with any heart
could listen to the cold dictates Of prudence
when moved by the sight of that innocent
| child's face. Quivering with pain and shame
| and those sweet, tear-filled eyes gazing be-
! seechingly into his? / may have been rash
| disloyal. what you will. but could not do
| 1t. God knows that, however foolish may
| have thought her in the past, l loved the
/ girl infinitely more, If that were possible
| for her fidelity to the unfortunate prince In
| his hour of need. Yet l knew well that IL
4 was a desperate business, and like to end
| badly for both of us, however it ended.
| II we think of any plan that has the
| least chance Of success / will do what
| can to help you. Kate" I answered. .'but
| Tor my part 1 can see no way but one and
| that is to intercept him before he reaches
] the house. For Gods sake, let US get out