Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-02-16

up haughtily. But the next instant he
remembered the necessity of conciliat-
ing the man who was one Of his capt
ors, and he added, with change Of
tone and manner which was nothing
less than ludicrous: "Ah! If 1 had
taken your advice, Herr Won Mitsch-
ka, should not have been herev'
''True," said the chief, with a quiet
| smile; "but am none the less anxious
to bring about your release, if posi-
ble." :,
"a thousand thanks, my dear sir!
And can only say now, on the word
Of a Prince of the Russian Empire,
that, if your efforts succeed, you shall
| not find me ungrateful. Any little in
| fiuence 1 may have with his Majes-
| ty-"
II suppose our friend here has told
you the project we have in view?" said
Won Mitschka, inter1upting the Prince
without ceremony.
Eyes, certainly. And he has as good
as promised--have you not, my dear
Mr.. Heath ?-to perform the little ser
vice which you require of him? 1t cam
not, surely, be anything beyond his
courage to undertaken"
''That remains to be seen. But pre-
sumo that, in the event of his consent
ing, you will keep your promise, and al
low him to marry the Princess 1rene?"
The Prince turned on me stare OF
naughty amaZement.
1 flushed up angrily, as this was said,
and exclaimed: Nothing has been
said about the Princess
But Won Mitschka paid no attention
to me. He kept his steely gray eyes
fixed on the Prince.
Kropensli's brow became black as
thunder
"You hear what he says" he said,
sullenly, with a side-glance at me.
Not a word has been said about the
Princess, my daughter. We will keep
4 her name out of this discussion alto
gether if you please"
81 fear that is quite impossible. How
can we discuss the terms of q bargain
without mentioning the quid pro quo"'
i At these words, coldly as they were
spoken. the Princes manner changed
altogether. Anger swept away all 9TH
Ell feelings. His prudence vanished.
Striding up to Won MitschlAa, his large,
red face flushed, the veins ON his half
bald forehead knotted to bursting, and
his hands clenched, he shouted out:
, eff you had been in my castle Of Lovna,
OF anywhere else outside Of this ac-
cursed hole, you would not have dared
/ to speak those words in my hearing!
! And if YOU were man, you would not
insult one who is in your power!
81 did not insult you, Prince" said
| the Nihilist, in the calm, even tones ne
had used throughout. But what should
make this young man undertake an en-
4 terprise, which freely admit is one of
| the greatest danger, but some such
prize as the hand of your daughter!
DO you imagine he would risk his life
for love of you, Prince Kropenski? Or
do you take him for an italian bravo,
who will sell the use of his stiletto Tor
so much down? No"
But could keep silence no longer
"I,isten me. Princen l cried. turning
nv back on Won Mitschka. ''It is true,
as he would tell you. that have con
! ceived a mad, foolish love for the
Princess Irene. I see nothing to be
ashamed of in that. And it is also
true that 1 have entertained hopes
foolish hopes, maybe-that if / sue
ceeded in doing YOU this great service,
you might be disposed to look upon
anything / might say with regard to
Your daughter more fayorably than
YOU would otherwise have done. But
nothing was further from my mind
than to take advantage Of your unhap-
DIV situation, by forcing you to a bar
gain about it. And still less would l
presume to ask fer the hand OF the
Princess unless she preferred me OF all
men to be her husband. Unless she
should Join in my prayer-and l have
not the slightest right to think she
would do such a thing-1 would sooner
die than marry her as the price OF
your liberty"
The Princes brow cleared as he list
ened to me. He held out his hand, but
did not shake mine warmly when he
took it. "Ycu have spoken like man
of honor, at all events he said. And,
without casting a second glance at Won
NIitschka, he began to pace up ana
down the narrow limits of his cell, evil
IDENTIFY plunged in thought.
what you have just said puts a diff
ferent complexion ON the affair alto
sether," he said, addressing me. Il
Win sell nv daughters hand to no
man, not even if perpetual ilnprison-
ment or death were the penalty for me.
But if all you ask is a promise that it
YOU win Princess Kropenski's consent,
I will not refuse mine, that is differ
emf matter, I see nothing diShOnorable
in agreeing to that"
1--WE understand then,' said Won
Mitschka, interposing, somewhat to
NV relief, chat If Mr.. Heath can pro-
cure your release from your present
confinement, he is at liberty to be-
come a sutton for the Princess Irene,
and if he is fortunate enough to win
her consent, you will allow him to
marry herb"
..Yes-that is understood" said the
Prince: and we left the cell without
another word, except that whispered
to his as I took his hand at parting:
81 may not see you again, Prince, but
YOU can depend upon it that what
can do shall be done"