Warren sheaf., 1901-08-29

pains and sorrows and with its most
exquisite tortures, holds nothing
worse for you within the bounds Of
possibility than to become the
dukes wife. If there were but one
chance in the. thousand, you had
better try it. Remember, you can
not possibly lose anything, but the
chances are for you. Let us go to
the emperor"
"But how, Zenobie ?"
"This evening, after the darkness
OF night has gathered over the city,
let us 60. | tell you do not believe
the emperor will deliberately suffer
a great wrong to be done for the
sake of pacifying the duke. He has
more noble independence than
that"
The young countess did not an
swer at once. She pressed her small
white hand hard,upon her brow, and
thus she remained for some time
buried in profound thought. At
length she raised her head, and the
fire of determination was in her eye.
*1 will co." she said. "I will go
to the emperor. He will help me if
he has human heart"
'eYou have one satisfaction, my
MISTRESS he cannot harm you"
"CaAno4i
II mes>bhstyou can but bensa,
to marry With Olga, and aN other
harm would bs as nothing compared
with that
"Aye; you are right, Zenobie. We
will go this very night"
The more Rosalind pondered up
on this new resolve the more hope
did she derive from it. Ere long she
conversed more freely with her at
tendant, and at times that old smile
would struggle for moment upon
her face. Yet she had gloomy mo-
ments too. Her fear was too deeply
fixed to be swept away so easily.
The afternoon passed away, and
as the shades Of night gathered over
the great city the two girls we're
astir. Zenobie gathered together
such articles of clothing as would be
needed and then proceeded to pre-
pare her mistress for the adventure.
"Fear not" she said as she drew
on Rosalind's robe Of fur, 'Ffor there
can be no danger worse than that we
flee from. Try only to remember
that you flee from the dukes foul
embrace"
This served to nerve the fair
young countess up to the task, and
her frame ceased its trembling.
II shall not falter now," she said.
|:But shall we find the emperor at
this late hour?"
"Bless me, tits not late! But even
if we do not see him tonight we can
do it in the morning. We shall find
plenty in the imperiaa palace who
will shelter US till then"
The girls were now ready, and all
that remained was to start on their
strange mission. With noiseless
steps they left the apartment where
they had dressed and proceeded
along the corridor to the great stair
case. Zenobie knew there would be
less danger there than to 60 down
the other way among the servants.
Having descended these stairs, they
came to the great hall which opened
one way into the saloons. They
took the former course and were
soon in the court. The only trouble
now was in passing the porter's
lodge at the gate, for they knew the
great gate was not open, and to gain
the street they must pass through
the room where the porter always
staid. Zenobie went ahead and look
ed in. The porter sat by the fire
playing with his dog.
'My Mistress" whispered the girl
as she came back r'old John is in the
lodge, and we neh have no fear. He
is a simple, good natured fellow, and
| am sure can get by him. Do you
60 in advance: cover up your face;
don't look at him, and be sure you
don't tremble. Leave it all to me.
Remember, now, you have"-
'Fear not, Zenobie. Go on"
So on they went, and when they
reached the lodge Rosalind went in
first and stood by the wicket, while
Zenobie followed and opened the
door that looked into the porter's
room. y
"Good John," she uttered in anx-
lous tones, "come and open the wick
ct for me, quick. My good mistress
is very i'll, and Tilda and I are going
for the doctor. Come; be quick"
tsBut why don't some of the men
90 ?" asked John as he started up