The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-06-13

NIHE y
debtor Of my enemy's outrage. Those
words from you are more than sufi.
cient compensation for it,
- poor one, I fear. Your colonel
is your enemy, then? And where
fore?" ~ #.-
he paused a moment. &c.,
Why, at first l scarcely know. We
are antagonistic, suppose"
"But is it usual for officers of his
high grade to show such malice to their
soldiers?''
Most unusual. In this service espe-
cially so, although officers rising from
the ranks themselves are more apt to
contract prejudices and ill feeling
against as they are to feel favoritism
to their men than when they enter the
regiment in a superior grade at once.
Since am here, madame, let me thank
you, IN the army's name, for your in
Unite goodness in acting so munifcent-
~ on my slight hint. Your. generosity
has made many happy hearts in the
hospital"
generosity! Oh, do not call it by
any such name! What did it cost me ?
We are terribly selfish here. 1 am in
debted to you that for once you made
me remember those who suffered"
She spoke with certain impulse of
candor and Of self accusation that
broke with great sweetness the some
what careless GOODNESS of her general
manner. 1t was like a CLEAN of light
that showed all the depth and the
warmth that in truth lay beneath that
1mperious languor Of habit. 1t broke
further the ice of distance that severed
the grande dame from the cavalry SOL
der. He wholly forgot their respec-
1--WE stations. He only remembered that
for the first time for so many years he
had the charm of converse with a vo-
man of high breeding, of inexpressible
beauty and of keen and delicate intui
ton. He wholly forgot how time pass
ed, and she did not seek to remind him.
Indeed she but little noted it herself.
At last the conversation turned back
to his chief.
You seem to be aware of some mo.
tive for your commandments dislike ?'
she asked him. "Tell me to what Won
attribute it?'
He obeyed and told to her the story
OF the emir and of the Pearl of the Des-
ert, and Venetia Corona listened, as
she had listened to him throughout,
with an interest that she rarely vouch-
safed to the recitals and the witticisms
of her own circle
"This barbarian is your chief?" she
said as the tale closed "His enmity
is your honor. can we'll credit that
he will never pardon your having
stood between him and his crime. But
l have not heard one thing. What ar
gument did you use to obtain her re-
lease?"
no one has ever heard it, he an
sWered her, while his voice sank low.
Il will trust you with it. 1t will not
pass elsewhere. told him enough of
of my own past life to show him
that l knew what his had been and
that l knew, moreover, though they
were dead to- me now, men in that
believe my statement if 1 wrote them
this outrage on the emir and would
avenge it for the reputation of the en-
pire, and unless he released the emir's
wife swore to him that would so
write, though he had me shot on the
morrow, and he knew I should keep
my word"
ing on him with musing gaze in
which some pity and more honor for
him were blended.
"You told him your past. Will you
confess it to me?'
II cannot, madame"
"And why?
because I am dead, because in your
presence it becomes more bitter to me
to remember that ever lived"
"You speak strangely. Cannot your
life have a resurrection"
Never, madame. For brief hour
you have given it one-in dreams. 1t
will have no other. AS I am now so
desire to live and de-
"You voluntarily condemn yourself
to this?'
II have voluntarily chosen it. 1 am
well sure that the silence I entreat will
be kept by you?'
"Assuredly, unless by your wish it
be broken. Yeti await my brothers
arrival here. He is a soldier himself.
l shall hope that he will persuade you
to think differently of your future.
At any rate both his and my own in
fuence will always be exerted for you,
If you will avail yourself Of it,
"You do me much honor, madame.
All will ever ask of you is to return
those coins to my colonel and to forget
that your gentleness has made me dis
regard for one merciful half hour the
sufferance on which alone trooper can
present himself here"
He swept the ground with his cap as
though it were the plumed hat Of
marshal and backed slowly from her
presence as he had many time long
hQf0ra 49,