New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-14
SUNDAY MAGAZINE for MAY IL, l9Oo
I O

cavity, where it jammed against the arch They
built other big stones around it. Nothing but an
explosive would shift it from beneath.
Lsten!' said one, enjoining his mates to cease
from further labor.
Through the interstices they all could hear
plainly the noise made by their pursuers stumbling
up the broken stairway. At last the leading man
encountered the obstacle caused by the great rock
They heard him swear ierCely, and Ermyntrude
recognized Prince Melnikoff's voice.
oh" she whispered, Il thought he was hurt
| saw him lying senseess in the chapel"
Frank found it necessary to squeeze her wrist to
enioin silence Somehow it seemed to be natural
thing to do. Another voice spoke and the Princes
frenzied accents again were audible He gave
some orders which Ermyntrude did not understand.
From the sounds she imagined that COssaCks were
vainly endeavoring to pry the stone out of its
resting place with their swords She heard sharp
snap and cry of pain, while her would-be husband
relieved his surcharged feelings with words of weird
import.
Silently their guide held his lantern aloft and
signed that they should follow. Ermyntrude, with
an odd sigh of contentment for a disappointed
bride disengaged Frank arm, but instantly caught
it again in trustful clasp.
As well as she could Judge they crept with bent
head along a passage cut through the network OF
trees and underground until they reached place
where Armstrong told her she must crawl on hands
and knees for few yards.
The man with the light went first and endeavored
to Illumne the path as well as he could, forcing
way for her amid the dense scrub, while Frank,
close behind cheered her with the promise that she
had not far to go. Yet she thankful when she
emerged into a starlit road and half dozen
sleghs drawn up beneath the outer fringe of trees.
Her hands and face protected from the terrific
thOrns by her stout furs, but she knew that her
dress was torn, and her knees aChed with the
unwonted method of progression.
Quickly the whole party took seat in the selghS,
the Russians slowing themselves away in a mar
vicious fashion, and the ponies trotted off along
road which wound its way through valley she
never had seen.
You did not know what Prince Melnikof was
saying in the underground passage?" said Frank,
when they were speeding along silently without the
merry Jingle Of seighbells which alone breaks the
monotony of Russian journey in winter.
mo. 1 only follow the language little If
it is spoken slowly"
He gave orders that troop of COssacks should ride
instantly DukhOf and take Lord ValletOrt and your
brother at once to Bannofka. | must lime the twig
for the bird in another place PrOverb he used.
He is a bad man, and l hate him!" she muir
INJURED brokenly, almost on the verge OF tears. Il
never can thank you sufficiently"
A bright glare suddenly flashed into the dark
vault of the sky. Several subdued cries came from
the sleighs behind.
'Oh, what is it," cried Ermyntrude TREMENDOUSLY,
dreading some catastrophe this night of
surprises.
THE beginning of the end mademoiselle" said
the chief Russian savagely. The Chapel of St.
Stanslaus the wonder-worker is on fire. He has
wrought his last miracle. 1t betokens the fall of
the house of Melnikoff."