Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-01-12
CHAPTER X.

tlASulol IL AlOlll tuc SIcill. UiI1pllhe
room which served the double purpose
of library and music room, was in
darkness when l entered it, save fol
the titful light that came from small
wood fire. The great porcelain stove
in the corner did the real work OF
warming the room, but the open fire
was kept burning to give the apart
ment a cheerful look, as it was very
commonly used as a sitting room.
The Princess Irene was standing at
one side of the fire, which had been al
lowed to burn low, the hour being now
late. She was leaning against the
marble column that formed one side of
the fireplace, and her eyes We're fixed
on the red embcrs.
Il wanted to see you" she began,
hurriedly, as soon as she saw me. II
could not sleep until had spoken with
you. Mr.. Heath, implore you to tell
me the truth. 1 could see, easily
enough, while you were speaking to
mamma and me this afternoon, that
you are keeping something back"
How did you imagine such a
thing:" 1 asked, surprised at the tone
OF confidence in which she spoke.
| because you spoke slowly, choosing
your words. You seemed tosbe like all
unwilling witness, who does not wish
to perjure himself, yet is trying to
keep back the truth. You avoided say
| ing, in so many words, that you were
quite ignorant of my fathers fate.
You would not say that you had heard
nothing of him. Do not keep me in
suspense any longer, 1 beseech you.
What is it you have heard? Is my
father dead?"
| "No. believe he is not dead"
| Then you do know something? What
is it? Do be quick. Don't you see
how anxious 1 amp
Princess" l said, "take my advice.
Do not press me further. What good
can it do to know all that has come 10
my ears? 1t would only increase your
anxiety"
She made an imperious. impatient
movement with her hand, but / paid
no attention to it. My information
may be altogether wrong. 1t may be
purposely misleading. 1t has been i'm
possible for me TO verify it in any
way"
would have said more. but the
Princess Irene broke in with
'Ycu are only wasting time. Mr.
Heath. l mean to know the truth. II
you refuse to answer me, l shall go to
my mother, and tell her plainly that
you are keeping back something-that
you are not dealing fairly by u.s.
You are Mistaken l said, coldly.
eff you think that threats of that kind
will have any influence with me- l
shall tell the Princess as much as think
it good for her peace of mind that she
should know, and not another syllable.
OF that you may be certain. 10 men
merely be to distress her to no pur-
pose"
Tile girls look, ner attitude. changed
in moment. Imperfect as the light
was. l could see that she flushed scar
let. Probably no one, except her faith
er, had ever spoken to her in that tone
since she could remember. But her
anxiety made her forget her pride.
When she next spoke. it was almost in
the tone of a suppliant. Turning
swiftly towards me, she leaned her
hands on the back of Il chair, aud
looked at me with so steadfast gaze
that I could not tear my eyes away
from hers.
''Do not be angry with me- she said.
in low, pleading voice it was impossi-
bic to resist Forget what l said just
now in my passion. You know am not
used to having my will put aside.
Father-poor father!-always gave me
what 1 wanted. And, after all, don't
you think have right to know
whatever you have learned? Mamma
would have the right if she We're
stronger; but as it is, l am in her
place. am not a child; can control
my feelings. See how calm am now!
Indeed, indeed, Mr.. Heath, you may
tell me the whole truth, however
dreadful it may be. 1t can scarcely be
worse than the anxiety am suffering
from now"
s'Alas! what I have to tell you will
only increase your anxiety. But, if
you insist on it, think you have a
right to all I know myself. You re-
! member that man hid in the sawmill
last winter-the man to whom you
gave the fur rug?''
"That man? And is it thus that he
rewards us-you, l mean?'
mo, no! you are mistaken. That
man, L DeueVe, Is QUE lileuu. bul 1
have seen him, and he acknowledged
to nett breaks my heart to tell you
that the Prince, your father, has fallen
into the hands of the Nihilists-
men who call themselves the Commit
tee of Public safetyv'
"And they will kill-they will kill
him! know they Will"
"No; I do not think they will put
him to death. They might have muir
dered him on his own doorstep, If that
had been their object. But believe
he is in their hands, and that they are,
in sense, holding him to ransom"
why did you not tell me this soon
err? If it is only question of mon
ey-v'
1T is not question Of money at all.
What is the ultimate object of the con-
spirators do not yet know. For one
thing, have no doubt they mean to
terrorize the agents Of the govern
ment all over the country, by silently
and secretly removing those who fall
under their displeasure. And to a great
extent they have succeeded. Already
in the capital and have no doubt
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