Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-06-22
Henry Seton Merriman

SAASA4Ios ~ - A. Ia LAO ROWe "
make mischief, and in such affairs a
woman is so helpless that we may well
forgive that which she may do in a
moment Of panic. I imagine that he
heightened the poor lady into obedi-
ence to his command that she should
open this door,"
he spread out his hands in depreca-
ton. In his quaint Germanic way he
held ~ hand out over the two mo.
honless forms in mute prayer that they
| might be forgiven.
1--WE all have our faults" he said,
"Who are we to Judge each other? Ii
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. I have
I noted the working of her great ambi.
ton. She was probably deceived at
| every turn by that man, who was a
scoundrel. She must have repented OF
her action when she heard the clatte1
Of the rioters all round the castle. ]
am sure she did that. l 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 hel
as the princess. They probably mis-
took him for the prince. 1t 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" be 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 I'M
derfoot in order to reach her. Made,
moiseile, will you Gomez"
He took Maggie by the arm and LED
her gently away. She was shaking al,
over, but his hand was steady and
wholly kind.
He led her up the narrow stairs tC
her WI room. In the little boudoil
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.
Steinmetz did not leave her. He
stood beside her, gently stroking her
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 all right now,' she said.
"P1ease do not wait any longer and dc
not think me a very weak minded per.
SON.. Poor Etta!w
Steinmetz moved away toward the
door.
EYES," 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?"
oue SL1llSO dI ullu SdulS luTOuSu LEI
tears.
Eyes, l should like that" she said
This country is horrible. You are very
kind to me-"
SteinmetZ went downstairs and found
Paul at the door talking to a young Of
Ger, who slowly dismounted and
lounged into the hall. conscious of his
brilliant uniform. of his w physica
capacity to show off any uniform tt
full advantage.
He was a lieutenant in a Cossacl
regiment, and as he bowed to Stein
metz, whom Paul introduced, he swun:
of his high astrakhan cap with a -four
ish, showing a fair boyish face.
Eyes," he continued to Paul In Eng
lish. The general sent me over witt
a sotnta of men, and pretty hungry
you will find them. We have covered
the whole distance since daybreak. I
report reached the old gentleman tina
the whole countryside was about t
rise against you"
who spread the report?' asked
SlSlllulCIL.
Il believe it originated down at tn,
wharfs. 1t has been traced to an ole
man and hts daughter, a sort of ped
der, l think, who took a passage dow
the river, but where they heard the ru
NOR 1 don't know"
Paul and Steinmetz carefully avoide;
looking at each other. They knew tina
Catrina and Stepan Lanovitch had sen
back assistance.
"Of course" said Paul, Il am yer.
glad to e you, but / am equally glat
to inform you that you are not wanted
Steinmetz will tell you all about it
and when you are ready for dinner i
will be ready for you. 1 will give in
structions that the men be cared for
Thanks. The funny thing is that
am instructed, with your approval, t
put the place under martial law ant
take charge"
"That will not be necessary, thanks,
answered Paul, going out Of the opel
door to speak to the wild looking Cos
sacks sent for his protection.
While the young officer was chang