The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-06

And what will you oo m tne "eah- timer
 1T will take my drawing book, and, from this chicken-ladder, sketch the land
 .'f did not know that you were a paint er."
 T am nothing else now'
 In the meantime the connecting tram had arrived. and it's passengers nastened to find seats. The face of the beautllui statue betrayed some uneasiness. Tae conductor had opened the door of the car in which she sat, and she looked out anxiously, as if fearing that some one would come to disturb her in her agree able solitgde. Suddenly, and with cE an hS- sS- precision Of terror. she drew back her head. It was too late, she had been seen.
 A yoIng man jumped with the dexterlty of an acrobat upon the steps or the ear. He was elegantly dressed, and carried a small valise, and at his side hung cigar. case attached to strap: in his right hand he had a small walking-cane, the handle of which showed that there was a dagger within.
 chestnut hair, lively eyes, and stately bearing. That he was conscious or ms beauty was proved by the care bestowed upon his curling hair, and the studied effort which he made to display his per- feet teeth whenever he smiled.
 "Ah my princess, what an unexpected boon!' said he, dofifng his hat and talk Ing a seat opposite the lady addressed.
 beg YOuT pdTuOH. Sdlu ttit ytu lady, but that seat belongs to gentle man who accompanies us"
 The young man, with an insolent smile, answered:
 ''There was no garment left upon the seat. and consequently, according to railroad regulations. it was free to any body. I will not willingly relinqu!sh my good fortune in being able to sit opposite you, my princess"
 She could find no words to express her HQr ntoO therefore. con- sidered it her duty to offer assistance, and took 1t upon herself to expel the in truder.
 you ought to know the conduct of a gentleman toward ladies. Ycu are well aware that you are obnoxious to the Princess. and you can easily guess the cause."
 In answer to this fierce attack the hand some young man took a dainty box out of his side pocket, opened the lid and offered the contents to his adversary.
 Mine. de Dormandy, you like dainties May serve you with these excellent car amels? They are from Ferrara, and there Is nothing like them"
 Upon this, the lady turned her back to him, and, murmuring angrily, put her head out of the window"
 s'Rut where in the world is the lawyer?'
 How long do you intend to prosecute me?' asked the Princess in voice tremD- ling with emotion.
 OnIy as Tar HS LlS grave, There we separate. You will certainly go to Heaven, where I probably shall not find admission"
 why are you determined upon my de- struction?'
 Because you yourself desire it. Did I ever make secret of my intentions? Do I not let you look at my cards?"
 Do you wish to compel me to leave my seat, and take refuge n the first available car with the fishwomen?"
 stXpfY would mt rob of the delight of being near you. All the way to Rome, there IS a place reserved for me with ev- cry position, in all post-statons. where you, my Princess, have ordered convey ances." .,
 What do you intend to do with me?"
 "Whatever you choose. To make you as happy as man ever made woman or as unhappy as the St devil Il.Sve eyer made man.
 Futile beginning. have in my power the means to embitter your life so that 1t will seem no better than closed vault"
 That God will never permit"
 ''Ah, Princess, we are going to Rome where there are churches in great num- bers. but not single God.
 At these words the lady shuddered. and drew her shawl more closely around her trembling body, while the young man, crossing his legs, smiled complaisantfy at his own words. l...
 What has become of those other two
  looked among the hurrying crowd for the two travellers.
 One of them, the heathen. sits upon the imperial and sketches the earth-ruins, which, surrounded by pine trees, are re- fected in the river; the other has gone into the dining hall to take dinner. But the most disagreeable thing which can ever happen to a hungry passenger oc- cured to him there. He had just tucked his napkin under his collar. as it behooves a good Christian, and had taken a com fortable seat at the table, in order to enjoy the steaming risotto, when the con- ductor, In voice which might have raised the dead thundered into his ear the watchword, "Partenza!' The alarmed cit- iZen feared that the train would leave. and. relinquishlng risotto and macaroni, with fork and knife in hand, and napkin still about his neck, rushed out to search for his coupe. He asks, shouts, swears, talks Latin, until at last. his young com panion. noticing his distress, descends from the imperial to help him. Aided by a waiter who has appeared to reclaim knife. fork and napkin. he succeeds in quieting the fugitive, whereupon, in con- sequence of mutual explanations, It was ascertained that he might have had twenty minutes in which to consume, not only the risotto but also the portion of branzino, for which he had paid in ad- vance. But he desired nothing more; the fright had been enough for him, and all he wished was to be conducted back to his seat.
 But there the greatest surprise of all awaited him, for he saw the man whose neck he was so desirous of breaking was occupying his seat. Now he had caught his enemy in the act of usurpation, and sitting opposite his client But notwith- standing this he did not break the in- truders neck The paralyzing fear or being left behind tended to make him cowardly; he even saluted his enemy, and then looked around for an unoccupied seat The handsome young man inso- lently asked him: :.
 Have l taken your seat, 'spectabilis?' 2 "
 The bewildered citizen answered: "Oh, not at all; not at all.
 His reward for this was sarcastic smile from the young dandy and a flash ing glance from the eyes of the blond lady. At the next moment the Princess saw that sarcastic smile suddenly changed into an expresison of terror. Manasseh stood upon the steps of the car
 The Princess noticed that the two young men exchanged glances which re- minded her of flashing swords turned up- on each other.
 Adorjan, remaining in the doorway, said to Vajdar:
 ''S'- this seat is taken"
 The face of the person addressed as- sumed hatred, fear and anger. Biting his lips, he instantly. with convulsive motion of his right hand, drew out the handle of his cane. so as to reveal part Of the glistening dagger. The face of the young man standing before him betrayed no emotion, except that on the projecting portions of his forehead there appeared two fiery spots, which reminded one of crimson clouds before an approaching storm. All this lasted but a second. The next moment the intruder arose, took his valise and left the compartment This scene reminded the lady of tiger crouch lng at the command of his keeper. What was the secret of Adorjan's power?