The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-07-21
Il suppose" he went on arrer

Vile has been at the bottom Of all orr
trouble. All his life he has been one
OF the stormy petrels Of diplomacy,
Wherever he has gone trouble has fol.
lowed later. BY some e he nh.
tanned sufficient mastery oyer the
princess to compel her to obey his or
ders. The lean he EMPLOYED were
threats. He had it in his power to
make mischief. and in such affairs n
woman Is so helpless that we may well
forgive that which she may do in n
moment of panic. l imagine that he
frightened the poor lady into obedi.
ence to his command that she should
open this door,"
BE spread out his hands in denreco.
ton. In his quaint Germanic wav ha
held one hand out we the two mo
nc forms in mute prayer that they
might be forgiven.
I'VE all have u faults" be said
Who are we to Judge each other? If
we understood all we might pardon
The two strongest human motives are
ambition and fear. She was ruled by
both. I myself have seen her under
the influence of sudden panic. l have
noted the working Of her great ambi-
ton. She was probably deceived Mt
every turn by that man, who was n
scoundrel. She must have repented of
her action when she heard the clatter
Of the rioters all round the castle.
am sure she did that. I am sure she
came down here to shut the door and
found Claude de Chauxville here. They
were probably talking together when
the poor mad fools who killed them
came round to this side Of the castle
and found them. They recognized her
as the princess. They probably mis-
took him for the prince. It is what
men call a series of condolences.
wonder what God calls it?"
He broke off, and, STOPPING down, he
drew the lapel Of the Frenchman's
cloak gently over the marred face.
"And let us remember" he said, that
he tried to save her. Some lives are so,
At the very end a little reparation is
made. In life he was her evil genius.
When he died they trampled him un.
derfoot in order to reach her. Made.
moiselle, will you Gomez"
He took Maggie by the arm and led
her gently away. She was shaking all
over, but his hand was steady and
wholly kind.
He led her up the narrow stairs tc
her W room. In the little boudoi1
the fire was burning brightly; the
lamps were lighted, just as the maid
had left them at the first alarm.
Maggie sat down, and quite sudden.
~ she burst into tears.
Stefnmetz did not leave her. He
stood beside her, gently stroking he1
shoulder with his stout fingers. He
said nothing, but the gray mustache
only half concealed his lips. which
were twisted with a little smile full OF
tenderness and sympathy.
Maggie was the first to speak.
II am oil right now" she said.
"Please do not wait any longer and dc
not think me a very weak minded per.
son. Poor Etta!"
Steinmetz moved away toward the
door.
"Yes," he said, poor Eta! 1t is of.
ten those who get on in the world who
need the worlds pity most"
At the door he stopped.
Tomorrow" he said, II will take
you home to England. Is that agreea.
BILE to you, mademoiselle?'
She smiled at him sadly through hel
tears.
Yes, l should like that" she said
'sThis country is horrible. You are very
kind to me-"
Steinmetz went downstairs and foun(
Paul at the door talking to a young Of
Ger, who slowly dismounted ant
lounged into the hall, conscious Of hil
brilliant uniform, of his own physica
capacity to show OF any uniform t.
full advantage.
He was a lieutenant in a Cossacl
regiment, and as he bowed to Stein
metz, whom Paul introduced, he swung
OF his high astrakhan cap with Il flour
ish. showing a fair boyish face.
EYES," he continued to Paul in Eng
lish. 1.-THE general sent me over will
q sotn1a Of men, and pretty hungry
you will find them. We have covered
the whole distance since daybreak.
report reached the old gentleman tina
the whole countryside was about t.
rise against you"
"Who spread the report?' aske'
Steinmetz.
II believe it originated down at tn
wharfs. 1t has been traced to an oil
man and his daughter, a sort of ped
der, l think, who took a passage dow
the river, but where they heard the ri
NOR I don't know"
Paul and Steinmetz carefully avoide'
looking at each other. They knew tina
Catrina and Stepan Lanovitch had sen
back assistance.
rot course" said Paul, 81 am yer
glad to see you. but l am equally gla
to inform you that you are not wanted
Steinmetz will tell you all about l
and when you are ready for dinner
i-ANN -. Co. ,,o1 uriI Uipa IN