The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-27

q StCtit " i'i' !" ~
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.
sI will 60" she said. II will go
to the emperor. He will help me if
he has a human heart. "
ssYou have one satisfaction, my
mistress-he cannot harm YOU"
"Cannot ?"
eI mean that you can but be made
to marry with Olga, and all other
harm would be as nothing compared
with that
"Aye; you are right, Zenobie. We
will go this very night"
The more Rosalind pondered up
or 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 a 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 were
| astir. Zenobie gathered together
such articles of clothing as would be
needed and then proceeded to pre-
pare her mistress for the adventure.
Gear not" she said as she dreW
on Rosalind's robe of fur, sfor there
can be no danger worse than that we
flee from. Try only to remember
that you fee from the dukes foul
embrace"
This served to nerve the fair
young countess up to the task, and
her frame ceased its trembling.
81 shall not falter now" she said.
'sBut shall we find the emperor at
this late hour@
s.Bless me, 'tis not late! But even
if we do not see him tonight we can
do it in the morning. We shall find
plenty in the imperial 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 go 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, 'old John is in the
lodge, and We need have no fear. He
is simple, good natured fellow, and
am sure l can get by him. Do you
20 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"-
sFear 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.
-"Good John," she uttered in anx-
ious tones, "come and open the wick
ct for me, quick Ny good mistress
is very i'll, and Tilda and lare going
for the doctor. Come; be quick"
"But why don't some of the men
go?" asked John as he started up
and forced his dog back.
Because 'twould take them lon
ger to do the errand than twill us.
But don't detain Us. We shanst be
long"
The honest porter had orders not
to allow the countess to pass out,
but he thought not Of that now.
He had known the gentle girl from
a child, and so well did he love her
that he might not have stopped her
] ovo,, had ho known she WaS then