Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28

tremulOuS with delight that the hazard of
chance had enabled him to offer her his devoted
help, his life, if need be. Yet he must be loyal to
the dictates of his order, and every consideration
urged that she should be restored to her fathers
protection.
1t impossible to tell her all the doubts that
tortured him, with Natushkas keen ears on the
alert and her suspicious eyes watching them il tently.
The very vagueness and uncertainty of the ir1me-
date future unnervng when weighted with
responsibility for Ernyntrudes safety Hoping
that the good fortune which had aided them thus
far would continue its friendly aspect Armstrong
decided that there nothing to be gained by an
open rupture with Ivan Stephanovtch.
"As we are compelled to accept your hospitality
share your prison, he said addressing the giant
Il trust that you will make adequate arrangements
for the comfort of this young lady. She already is
with mental and physical strain. Where is
she to sleep?'
Let her share my apartment, " broke in Natushka.
YES, certainly That is the only thing to do"
agreed Ivan. Come Captain, you and will leave
them A rest will do HARM
Ermyntrude strangely unwilling to be left
alone with Natushka; but there help for it.
Fervently assuring her that he would not be far
away, nor hesitate to summon her if news came,
Frank left her with hand-clasp to which he
vainy endeavored to impart sense of mere
comradeship in adversely He felt, and Ermyn-
trude knew it, that had he taken her in his
and kissed her it would have been
adequate method of conveying his real
sentiments. She said Goodnight" with
tnlidity that at once embarrassing and
delightful
Poor Natushka noted the manner of their
leave taking; but looked in vain into the large
and curiously pathetic eyes of the great Ivan
for hint of such intangible love-1naking She
sighed When the had gone out she did
not endeavor to reopen the conversation with
Ermyntrude interrupted by the arrival of Ivan.
& With stately poteness she pressed her guest
the Oply couch in the
q her plentiful supply of rugs, and replenshed
3, the fire. Then she too stretched her graceful
y limbs pile of furs and Ernyntrude's last
drowsy impression, after murmuring prayer
for herself and those she held dear, was that
the Circassian already asleep.
The hour was long past midnight. When
Stephanovitch and Armstrong reGntered the
exterior gallery the three hills were not so WISH
BILE when the Engshman conducted to
Natushka's presence. He wondered why this
so, and what the change in the weather
portended.
There is thaw in the air, said Ivan
And that will affect us serously?"
In what way?''
Il cannot believe that you intend to detain
helpless Englishwoman and her equally
helpless friend in this place a moment longer
than is necessary. Lady Ermyntrude Grandson
never will marry Prince Menikoff now. After
all that she has learned tonight such a thing
is impossible"
Women not to be trusted. Their
heads turn like weather-vanes before the wind"
She will not be turned in that direction
matter how the wind blows, persisted
Frank. Consider your position, Ivan Stephano-
witch. This Prince of yours may hold out
against your demands for months. You surely
cannot contemplate keeping the English lady here
indefinitely