Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-04-13
CHAPTER XxVI-tContinucd. }

companion. ''rhey must have been
asleep for a year who told you that.
Why. nothing has been done to the new
building-for there We're no repairs.
but regular new work--nothing has
been done for a year or more. The
Prince went away to his province, and
in the spring the English architect left
also. No work is to be had there now.'
Nevertheless having come so far.
and being so near. will go on. 1t may
he that there are some small jobs that
l can do. But, tell me, is the Prince at
home?"
He is at present. Did you not hear
them say that it was either JOY or sor-
row at his return that killed the
I'rincess?'
He has been away, then"'
Yes. Did you not know that he was
governor of a province? You must be
ignorant of many thinss!'
1T is true, my friend. But 1 look to
you to enlighten me. And see. Here
is my supper. Will you not join me in
eating and drinking a glass of vodka?'
This interested hospitality was
promptly accepted; but did not profit
much by it. I aScertained, however.
that the Prince had held his tongue
about his abduction and his detention
in the prison of the Committee of Pub
lie safety Everybody in the neighbor
hood supposed that he had been at NO-
lotka all the time. He had come home
suddenly, and either the shock OF his
arrival without warming, when she had
believed him to be dead, or Il reaction
from the anxiety she had been suffer-
ing, had been too great Il strain for the
weak heart which beat in the gentle
bosom OF the Princess Kropenski. She
died on the third day after her nus
bands return, and had been buried
just three days.
1t certainly was not an oppOrtune
time to visit the Prince, but [ had no
choice. | could not remain where
was; the danger was too great. And it
l returned to the town had been liy-
ing at ten to one the Prince would not
be at the castle when l came the sec
ond time.
So l resolved to so on. and the fol
lowing day, about dusk. l once more
stood before the great stone portal OF
the castle.
was prepared for being Indignantly
turned away by the porter, but |
thought it was better to run the risk OF
one man recognizing me than half Il
dozen, which would have been the case
if had gone to the entrance that led to
the servants quarters. The fat old
porter did not know me in my work
mans clothes, and for a small consid-
Grafton he allowed me to go into the
hall where | must take my chance OF
seeing the Prince.
All hour later it happened that the
Prince passed through the great hall
I could not help remembering when
first caught sight of him. that it was
here he had given audience to Won
Mitschka, nearly a year before, when
he had come to warn the Prince
against going to Volotzla. L went
straight up to His Highness. aud stood
before him without speaking.
The lamp that burned near the porch
ard the candles that We're scattered
around here and there feebly lit up
that great space, but the Prince knew
HE in a moment.
"Ah!w He drew long breath, and
stood regarding me with II fixed smile
Il congratulate you, Prince, on your
return" said l.
Prince Kropenski made no answer
frown took its place. The frown was
tho h0nester OF the two.
so you have come back. brigand. to
claim the reward of your vllainy:'
All along | had had suspicion that
n.y reception might be something of
this nature: but had refused to listen
10 the suggestion, thinking that even
the basest of mankind must feel some
e., ~ hn ~
free from what was practically penal
seryitude. SO the Princes words We're
not quite such surprise to me as one
might have supposed.
You spoke to me in a different tone
when last l had the honor of seeing
your Highness," was my retort.
Yes" he said. grimly. not whit
abashed. 1T Wa your turn then. 1t
is mine now.
81 do not quite understand you,' said
I, still speaking with composure; but
my heart sank within me, for | knew
had put myself into this mans power.
You came, expecting to be a well
come guest, suppose? he asked, with
a sheer "You thought the best apart
ments in the castle would be placed at
your disposal, and that your Hetrothal
10 my uduSuleI, liic 1lICcSo -
would be Immediately announced? by
Heaven, when I think of your pre-
sumption, it is wonder that l do not
strike you to the earth.'
81 do not see how you can reproach
me. will not add that some might
think had some slight claim to your
gratitude
.:Gratitude! Good heavens, what for?
For kidnapping me at the ball:'
..Prince.w I exclaimed, indignantly,
1.you know well. that l had nothing to
dowith your abduction
II know that your friends kidnapped
me. and kept me close prisoner. with
every ignominy they could think OF,
forcing me to toll like slave. for some
months. saw you with my gaolers.
on friendly terms with them. How am
I to believe that you did not !nstigate
them to the outrage. on purpose that
YOU might have hold aver me. The
second act of the comedy was your
pretended sympathy. and some ridicu-
Ious nonsense about Il great service you
were to undertake, in order that you
might persuade your friends to release