The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-10-30

love and implore her blessing on
their union, and she saw that heav-
en- had formed them in their youth
full beauty for each other, her OPP
position gave way; she forgot the
gypsy's predictions, and stretching
out her hands in blessing, wept
tears of tenderness on the sweet
maiden's head
The sun was shining brightly on
a morning in early summer. A
procession of the fairest damsels
Of the hamlet, attended by young
men, all in holiday attire, was on
it's way to the church, where the
solemn betrothal Of aJromir and
Ivanowa was to take place.
Two young girls at her side bore
garlands OF flowers, and the widow
Maria followed.
Suddenly the shrill blast OF a
trumpet was heard. Four, or FIVE
horsemen rode up in some confu-
sion; they were laughing and shout
ing, having outrode their compan-
ions in pursuant of a falcon. The
hayward bird was in advance of
them; he wheeled rapidly round
several times, and, Just as the pur
suers came up, had alighted on the
wrist of the bride.
While her young companions
gathered round to admire the noble
and fearless creature, more horse
men Joined the group.
"Ha, my truant bird!" cried the
grand prince, and, alighting, he
held out his hand, that the falcon
might perch upon his wrist. But
his eyes were fastened on Ivanowa.
"Who is the young girl?" asked
the sovereign, turning from one of
his attendants to another; but none
answered till Jaromir spoke.
$50 please your highness, 1t is
my betrothed, Ivanowa, the daugh
ter of Maria, the widow"
'It is well, Jaromir," said the
grand prince. "But you must come
with u.s."
To dispute the will of the SOW
ereign would have been high trea-
son. The young huntsman was
compelled to leave his young bride
and depart with the royal party.
Three days after, Ivanowa and
her mother were summoned to
court by special order from the
grand prince. aJromir had not re-
turned. None save the secret agents
of the sovereign knew that he Ian
guished in solitary Imprisonment,
while his betrothed bride was pro-
claimed throughout the city as the
chosen wife of the grand prince,
pointed out by the will of heaven
itself-indicated by the flight of the
falcon--as her who was to share
the throne of the empire.
Magnificent beyond description
was the next bridal pageant, in
which Ivanowa moved as the prin-
cipal parsonage, while the proudest
noblest of the land gazed in admir-
alton upon her unrivaled and won.
drous beauty. But her face was
pale as marble.
More than year had passed. In
an apartment of the royal abode a
wasted figure reclined on a couch,
surrounded with luxury and elab-
crate adornment which sometimes
seem a more sad mockery of ill.,
ness and pain than would be the
humblest dwelling of poverty. Two
or three attendants moved softly
to and fro, and one had taken her
station by the side of the couch to
watch the slumbering sufferer. 1t
was the grand princess--she who
had been so lately a bride-who
now lay upon the bed of death.
All at once slight CONFUSION
passed over her pallid features; she
opened her eyes, raised her thin,
wasted hand slowly, and pointed to
the door. ut is the priest"
LET him enter!" was the an,
swer, and the holy man approached
the dying. He stood silent a mo.
ment, then, bending over her, whis-
pered in her ear the single word.
''Ivanowa."
A bright flush Illuminated for an
instant the face of the princess; a
light came into her eyes.
Thou art come at last" she
murmured. family; my spirit sum-
moned thee, Jaromir. Farewell.
Jaromir!"
I'VE shall meet in heayen!" said
hA