The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-03-07
CHAPTER XIX.
CONCLUSION.

COu4AbNSo III ACl Va NSoiAA5 AOOhA. al
did not tremble now, for every nerv
had become fixed in utter despair.
"Will you not change your dress
my mistress" asked Zenobie in
low, tremulous tone.
mo, no." the maiden replied, anC
her voice sounded strangely even il
her own ear, it was so low and hol
low. "Why should / dress for the
sacrifice? The dumb beast may suf
fer garlands about its neck before
being led to the heather altar, but
alas, God has not given me a brute's
ignorance to help me now. No, no
Zenobie; ! will not dress for the
bride"
"But the duke expects it"
81 care not. He cannot ask me to
do it. He may do all he wills, for |
am helpless here, but he dare not
ask"
ooh, my dear mistressw cried the
faithful girl, throwing her arms
about the neck of her mistress and
weeping as she did so, "would to
God that I could bear this for you"
81 thank you all the same, my
best of friends" the countess re-
piled, gazing gratefully up into her
attendants face. 'But it matters
not much now. l shall not suffer
long. My sorrow will soon cease"
Zenobie looked inquiringly up,
but she did not speak.
"God will soon take me home,"
the wretched maiden murmured aft
er a pause. 81 feel the chill hand
upon my heart even now, and l
know that earth cannot bind my
spirit long with such curse upon
it."
Zenobie had no more words of con-
ISOLATION to offer, so she did all she
could do. She drew the head of her
mistress upon her bosom, and there
she held it for long time. She held
it thus until the door of the apart
ment was opened and female do
nestle entered.
Lady" the newcomer said, trem-
bling perceptibly while she spoke,
"the duke bade me tell you he
awaited your coming below in the
hall"
She stopped here and seemed to
wait for all answer. But Rosalind
did not speak. ,
"What answer shall I give him,
lady ?'' |
At this the countess started up,
but she sank back again without
speaking.
''Tell him we will come" inter
posed Zenobie, who saw that the an
had taken the last pow
or of effort from her mistress.
eyes, yes" whispered the count
ess as the messenger hesitated and
gazed inquisitively into her face.
And with this the woman left the
apartment.
"My dear Mistress" spoke Zeno-
bic, now calling all her power of self
control to her aid, call means of
help and escape we have tried in
vain. The time has GOMEZ
90 God, have mercy" groaned
the countess.
-"and we must meet it, since
here is no further hope. 1t will be
better to go down at once than to
lrouse the bad mans anger by more
lelay. were there the least gllm-
ner of hope, we would not go. But
here is not. You know what I
nean."
A few moments Rosalind sat like
me dead. Then she started up, with
Ter hands clasped, and raised her
yes toward heaven. She did not \
peak aloud, but her lips moved,
nd she surely uttered prayer to
iod, and it was none the less elo-
uent because it was silent. Then
he turned to her companion. Her
Ups were set and colorless, and a +:
eathly look had overspread her
,hole face. !:
"Zenobie," she said in a tone
vhich bore no feeling more than !
he gliding of cold, icy sound, 81
m ready. Once more, before the /
lst joy of earth departs from me, !
1t me bless thee and press thee to |
~ bosom. am pure now!" !
She opened her arms as she spoke, |
nd when she closed them again Ze- !
obie was within their embrace.
"Bless you, bless you cyer!, God +
eep and guide you to the end of
fe and then receive you home to I
imself Kiss me. There, l am
eady now" I
The broken hearted girl wiped the !
,ar from her eye, and in moment
lore she was as cold and passionless !
, leforp