Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-04-13

|
an inch wide. And then voice that
made every nerve in my frame ttngle
with delight came Whispering: care
you awake?-Ar. Heath, are you
| awake?"
| I took a step forward without speak
ing, for wonder and triumphant joy
surging in my heart held me dumb. I
took another step, then rushed to the
my beauty, my darling, my queen!
could almost have thought it a disem-
bodied spirit that had come to visit me.
"Irene!'
The next instant Mother nature had
her way. We We're locked fast in each
that embrace! The power of speech, of
hearing, was gone from me. My senses
We're dulled with excess of feeling. l
was in ecstasy!
Still without speaking, 1 softly closed
the door Of the cell, and drew my love
to the window. into the glimmer of the
moonlight. For long time, believe,
though it seemed short enough, we
stood there in silence. still clinging to
each other, still looking fondly into
each others eyes; and sometimes l
would put up my hand and stroke that
silky hair, or kiss the dear, sweet face,
so near my own
At last she spoke, and her voice
sounded to me quite differently from
what it had ever done before, so low
and full and sweet.
II was forced to come to you in the
night time, dearest, for could not let
you go without word. and-how. can
l tell you? my father says that Siberia
for life is the best you can hope for!
And believe it was for me, that you
went into danger If it had not been
for me you would have been safe in
England now. no shadow on your life.
10 perpetual prison to fear! But tell
me. Raymond, was it through what
you did that my father was able to
make his escape:''
My silence assured her.
''And this is his gratitude! He says
his duty to the Car compels him to
denounce you. o. am ashamed,
ashamed. 1t is not like my father. He
has often been violent and hard. but
never have l known him to do thing
like this! How could he? o, how
could he? Something must have
changed him greatly within the past
twelve months. 1 am certain he would
not have been guilty of such ingrati-
tude a year ago. And when you had
come here. too. of your own accord,
with claim that no one"
She stopped. and leaning ON my
breast. wept bitter tears of shame.
/ What could l say to comfort her? 1t
was true that the Princes conduct had
been about as bad as a mans could be;
and. knowing what was before me, L
could not find it in my heart to forgive
| him.
Il try to forget that he is your faith
err, my sweetest" said, softly stroling
her hair. LET us both try to forget it,
and speak of something else How did
you manage to get in lere?'
"Oh! easily though. When 1 came to
the foot of the stairs, I saw just what
l had expected to sec-poor Serge, who
had been put there as a sentry. sound
asleep on the floor, and the keys hang
ing by thong from his finger. con-
trived to draw the thong off his finger
without awakening him. He did not
even stir at the creaking Of the door at
the foot of the stairs. But, Raymond,
if could come up without his hearing
me, why should you not go down and
escape from the castle? You can! You
can! There is nothing to prevent it!'
There is certainly a chance that
I might get out of the castle, dearest,
l said, thinking hard as 1 spoke: "but
1 don't see how could get away from
the neighborhood. I should be fol
lowed and captured, to q certainty
Still. it is surely worth trying.
don't see how an unsuccessful at
tempt to escape could make matters
any worse-except for Serge, poor fel
low"
"Serge must take care of himself, ,
said Irene. II dare say his friends
could hide him somewhere till my ia
Tiers anger had died away. But sup
pose YOU do escape, how am to heal
from you again? Is this to be our las
meeting? l could not bear that. Ray
mond. 1 could not live without the
hope of seeing you again.
My answer was to clasp her once
more to my breast. Then l stood fo]
moment, thinking.
81 will tell you what we must do
said. eve must have patience for
year or more, till the affair is partly
IOTSOtIcu anu uO Ollt llluoiiSo Idt'I
will ever be heard of in this country
again. Then I will send friend, who
will bring you a letter from me, and
if you are willing, he will be your es
cort to London"
"Yes. that will be the best way
said Irene, with sigh. But it viii
be long time to wait without wore
from you"
So we planned, like two children. t.
whom the realities of the world-ranl
and wealth and the unwritten law
that govern society-are as naught.
"Shall 1 go now:' 1 whispered, m!
heart beating fast with the hope tina
few minutes might set me free.
Yes. darling. you had better co.
said Irene. But her dear arms. wer
about me. and was more than con
tent to remain a little longer W.
were standing close together murmur
ing broken words of love. when sud
Gely we started asunder. We hat
heard Il noise below! Another momen
and the heavy steps Of my gaoler wer
heard ascending the stairs.
ooh, what shall 1 do?' moanet
irene II shall never forgive myself