The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-02-28

while speaking thus, and his mar
ner had been frantic and excite,
As he ceased speaking he sank int
his chair and gazed the priest in n
face He was all iron now. Ever
nerve and muscle was set, and
fierce determination was IN his sonl
There is one more scene IN tn
ducal palace, and it goes on at tn,
very time while the duke and hi
tool were together.
Vladimir, the monk, was in thu
chamber OF the countess, and tn,
fair occupant and her maid wer,
there with him.
"And you are sure he means to
make you his wife today" said the
monk in continuation Of a CONVEX
satien which had been going on for
some moments; ''that he Will have
the ceremony performed whether
you consent or not ?"
"1es, sir" the countess murmur-
ed. She gazed into the strange
mans face a few moments after she
had spoken, and then, starting
quickly up, she threw herself upon
her knees before him.
"Oh," she cried, with her clasped
hands raised toward him, "can you
not help me in this bitter moment !?
Do not say so. On, l know you have
some strange power, and you may
help me. You cannot know the
misery l suffer. Oh, earth has no
pangs more cruel, In all the long
of woes there is nothing
more bitter! Strand the maiden
raised both hands toward heaven as
she thus continued-"sooner than
be that mans wife / would with my
own hand let my lifeblood out were
not the act sin against my God!
But you may help me-"
"Alas, lady, / cannot assure you
now"
ooh, say not so! You can help
ne flee from here; you can find
some hiding place = some place
where my days can be spent in safe
y from this great evil"
'But how can l help you away,
ady?"
because you know some secret
ntrance to the palace. You know
ONE secret passage, else you would |
lot be here now"
"True," the monk replied in a
'erplexed tone, 81 do know such a
7ay, for by that way l came, and by
hat way shall | return, but | can
ot convey you away thus. l am
orry that
The monk stopped here, for at
hat moment heavy football sound
d without. He had started up from
is seat when the door opened and
he stout duke entered. The count
IS uttered one low, quick cry and
INK down. She would have sunk
, the floor had not Zenobie caught
er and bore her to the couch.
The monk stood erect, with his
rms folded across his breast, but
is right hand was hidden within
lie bosom of his robe. The duke
arted back like one thunderstruck,
I'd it was some moments ere he
,uld gain the power of speech.
e turned first pale as death, and
len the blood mounted, holly,
freely to his brow.
"By the living God" he gasped in !
Kissing, frantic tone, chow came |
here?' t
'"To learn of your wickedness, 9
uke of Tula," calmly responded
ladimir.
ala! Do you beard me in my
ry palace, dog? But you have VEN
red here once too often. AS sure =
there is life in me, you go not n
nee alivew [
"Hold, Olga!' spoke the monk, )
d so strange and powerful was the h
ne that, though the duke had v
rned toward the door, yet he stop n
d. ''This lady tells me you mean
make her your wife. Is it sop
"Out, accused monk! Who gave
ee right to question me?' G.
''By my soul, proud duke, you J,
Ill know that anon But listen. to
you force this lady to that thing, CT
i do it at your peril! You had ~ -
ter seek the tabled potion of the d.
Is and drink and be dog than pr
that thing" q
Hold a moment, monkW cried C. C.
duke, now nearly blind with pas "
n. "You 60 not hence alive! :
lat, no, there. Without. say! 4
lobie, pull that bellcord-quick! \
ok, monk! You pass not here
re-! What, ho! Without, there!"
Beware, Olga!" spoke the monk
calmly as before, at the same time
wing a heavy pistol from his
IL