Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-09-07
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if God himself tried to change my
heart, all His power could not unbind
me from the oath have NADER
From her usual pallor, the princess
became livid. Her eyes flashed yellow
fire. For Il moment George believed
that passion and jealousy were I'M
chained within her, and that a terrible
storm would burst.
He was wrong. She possessed over
herself marvellous control. She fought
against her anger land came forth vic
torious from the struggle. Will was
stronger than passion. BY miracle of
resolution and strength she silenced
the tempes twithin her. She conquered
her head. her heart, her nerves.
At the end of a minute all external
sign of the terrible combat which had
dashed her soul had disappeared. A
ded of snow concealed the volcano. She
appeared calm, though her nostrils di-
lated and her lips still Quivered.
''Sir George she said, in low, slow
whisper, not raising her eyes to his.
"a sort of ineXplicable delirium took
possession of me, moment since. and
deprived me of my reason. | have been
most foolish. Forgive me-"
"Ah, madamew stammered George,
whose embarrassment increased.
Conquered by this strange mad
ness" continued Djella. Il have al
lowed to escape a secret that you
should never have known. l appeal to
your loyalty as a man OF honor. This
secret shall die in your breaSt!'
con my honor as a gentleman. ma
dame. I swear it! / should indeed be
the most contemplate Of men to be-
tray such a confidence and cowarGly
perjure myself"
1T is we'll believe in you. Let the
remembrance of the past be obliter-
ated. as dreams born Of night are ef-
faced by the clear rays of the dawn
L promise you to forget-forset like
myself! Take wife in your own
rank. Mary Miss Agnes Burteu and
be happy! I have the weakness to
love; I will have the strength and cour-
age to suffer and to live"
TO herself she added, eyes, to live,
only for vengeance!"
In the moment that Djella, to con-
firm the words she had spoken alond,
extended to George Malcolm her hand,
some one knocked lightly on one of the
doors of the boudoir. Her hand drop
ped, and she cried, imperiously:
'Come in!'
The door opened, the portieres were
lifted, and Saugor's face appeared. like
bronze mask, between the brilliant
hangings.
Seeing the young Englshman, the
Hindoo made an abrupt motion to re-
treat; but Djella detained him.
'It is of no consequence that this gen
tlcman recognizes you," she said. "He
now knows all"
Saugor crossed the threshold, bowed
low before the princess, and stood in
respectful silence.
In language George could not I'M
derstand she addressed him:
What brings you? and what do you
wish Of me?"
Saugor extended toward her his right
hand. in which he held bunch Of
lotus blossoms, as he murmured, in q
low voice:
Mistress. these flowers are for you"
The princess shivered convulsively,
and her black pupils appeared to dilate
in their orbits. She took the bouquet,
articulating barely loud enough for
SaugOr to hear:
'The lotus flowers! Flowers of silva,
god of evil! What is about to hap
Den?"
Saugor appeared not be believe that
this question was addressed to him,
since he preserved perfect silence.
Crushing the flowers in her hand,
Djella continues:
"Ihere are four blossoms"
"YeS, mistress"
"There are four heralds. then:"
Eyes. mistress.
when did they arrive?'
"'rhis moment"
ono one has seen them"'
mo one"
cit is we'll. Let them await me. Re
turn to them. Saugor. and assure them
from me their detention will not be
long"
The Hindoo bowed and went out
from the boudoir, the hangings falling
behind him.
Notwithstanding their extreme brev-
ity. the questions and replies had a.
lowed the princess time to conquer the
emotion awakened by sight of the lotus
flowers.
A smile was on her lips. as. renew
ing the interrupted conversation she
said, in her usual sweet and gracious
tome:
IhPn 1t is well UNDERSTOOD mat lne
misunderstanding which separated us
for few moments no longer exists.
We are friends Give me your arm,
Sir George. and let us rejoin my guests
who will not be able to comprehend our
prolonged absence"
The young Englishman happy to be
released from an interview which was
positive torture. gladly obeyed.
AS they came upon the terrace. Sir
John FASTENED to meet them.
'My son is indeed honored. princess"
he said. ut is for him you have aban-
doned us. He has privilege we all
envy him."
Your son has spoke mt ONE Of his
future, Sir John, responded Diella-"of
his approaching marriage. and his love
for his betrothed. / was charmed to
be made his contidant, and 1 proved it
as best l could by the warm and pro-
found interest felt in his happiness"
This was said with SUCH perfect COM
posure and so calm smile that George
scarcely could believe his senses.
SIN a word" resumed Sir John "egot-
list, like all lovers, he has detained from
us to detail to you the charms Of his
tiance."