Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-05
CHAPTER XVII.

Iris
The duke had retired to his room at an
early hour under the plea of WEAKNESS. He
was, as matter of fact, worn out by the
food of fears and anxieties that Valerie 5
one reckless sentence had let loose upon
him. So long was it since he had placed
these weightier matters of diplomacy and
government in other hands that the renew
ed sense of responsibility and the imminent
need for action seemed to be crushing in
his brain. But the instinct of self-preser-
walton, backed by the one kingly attribute
left him-love OF his country-strengthened
him To attempt final effort to combat the
overpowerIng odds which he felt rather
than knew to be against him.
Tossed ana harrIeu Dy hundred terrify-
ing Thoughts, the selI-enIeeDled creature
broke at length into mat dreadful CRYING,
the scanty, PAINFUL tears. the aching soDs,
which is the eepIng vi age or OF eX-
hauSJed constitution.
" hen the parUAS was over he lay back
In MS DeG, absolutely drained OF SJrenS n
and of ali power 10 mink longer. " neither
he dOzed OF MOI he scarcely knew, but aILer
an interval he aeenleu 10 awake as II from
sleep with ms thoughts once more unuer
control
nzlar and f.aIy-1uOd with two troopers,
watched III the guard room, through winch
lay the OnIy app. oacn - his Sieeptlls cham
Der. UnZlar. could LnzIar be trusted? He
had heard something OF UnzIar anu that
handsome vixen UI orIpdorfs. Then Colen-
dOrp-an, there was doubt there! Dark
and resenttui, ms poverty ana his pride
were the DywOrds OF the barracks, he
whatever the temptation, would never fail
from honor.
There remained Hollywood. He, to-, was
to be depended upon, the duke decided
quickly, tnuugn fOr No special reason but
that ne nau ,aAen some vague fancy to
the EnglIsnmau ; LrOnzed face and swing
ing stride. Yet Simon was powerful and
unscrupuIOus. now could this handful of
men oppose him?
He sprang Up in his bed as the door
opened anu man stood on the threshold
Sire, there Is treason: Colendorp has
been murdered.
is it you, Cnziar?' The dukes voice
came strangely from his pillows. Send
for the whole escort of the guard from
their quarters.
Impossible. sire! The corridors are held
by Count Sagan men. Mile. SeipdCrf has
brought the news"
What, You told me not two hours ago
she was engaged TO Won Emur. She is
the price Of Seipdorf's treason
Unfair stepped nearer.
Mile. Seipu0ri has already riSked her
life To warn Us that we are in danger. I'd
stake my soul she is loyal"
Good, indeed. Anthony, I'd sooner have
your honor than your soul. But go, in the
name of the Virgin, aud since the corridors
are closed TO the men of my guard, send
the girl for Maj Counsellor She can but
die
Unziar saluted and hurried back to the
anteroom, where Valerie and Hollywood
were waiting In spite of his personal hor-
ror at the thought of her danger, he was
Well aware that only by Valerie's aid could
they hope to reach Counsellor
Valerie listened to the dukes order then
wrapping the lace as before about her head
turned TO Hollywood. He accompanied her
through the guard room and some little
way along the passage. 1t seemed as if he
nhT Lot no IN fnrfh n l. ,.rfIa
enterprise.
For Gods sake. take care of yourselfr'
he said. If anything Were to happen 10
yOut
sense of responsibility and danger, the ex-
altation of such a moment must have re
acted on Valerie. Whether prompted by
some instinct of coquetry, or betrayed into
a touch of real feeling, or perhaps moved
by the knowledge that death stood close
beside them both. she drew her hand from
his arm and raising her face asked in her
soft voice:
DO you remember what you said to me
once-oE the night of the palace ball?"
He sa the deep eyes appraised to his.
though their meaning in that dim place he
could not be sure of. but rush of quick
memories came over him.
Yes
She gave little excited laugh
Then expect me-! she said And she
was gone.
SaSan. half an hour later, she was still
white and breathless. Isolde in fever of
impatient terror. caught her by the arm
Where is he? When is he coming?
Valerie
Valerie made supreme effort to control
herself.
HE is on guard"
Yes. / know 1 know, But he is COM
ing?"
1T was impossible. He could not leave
ms highness Isolde, you would not wish
What does anything matter unless it's
found out2" cried Isolde giving in her adj
herence to a common creed Did you give
undarStand? Then, when all else failed
you asked him for the cigarette case? That
would remind him" Madame de Sagan
spoke in growing agitation.
Valerie looked into her wild eyes.
Il forgot that she admitted
Isolde shook the arm she held.
You have killed him. Valerie, you have
been jealous of me, and by your jealousy
you nave Killed him. Had you spoken as
told you he would be here now-and safe
As II Is he is LOST" she flung herself dowr
among the cushions.
Her slender hands were clenched. he,
turquoise eyes stared wide and blind from
her white face She seemed TO hold he,
breath, as IL waiting for the ineyitabJ,
blow 20 fall Valerie, greatly moved knel
down beside her.
What does It matter il We die tonigh
or q month henceT' Isolde spoke In a Low
voice; her heart had unconsciously bee,
gathering up bitterness against Valerie an,
she had no longer the strength TO concea
II under this unbearable strain. Valerie
you have stopped to meanness-you VIII,
have so scorned meanness in others
You knew long ago what-Rallywoodj
love was to me. Amongst all who preten,
TO love me there is not one like him. no
one! He would be always kind and true