Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20

head Perhaps. But when we get to Slavna?
1t will be different there
He looked at her gravelv for few moments,
making perhaps last quick calculation, under
going perhaps last short struggle. But the
Red Star gowed against the pallor of her face;
her eyes were cleaning beacons.
" Neither the guns, nor the men, Slavna
no, nor the crown when that time comes
without you'll" he said.
She rose slowly, tremblingly from her chair
and stretched out her hands in an instructive
protest: Monseigneurl" Then she casped
her hands, setting her eyes on his and whisper
ing again vet lower "Monseigneur'
Marie Zerkovitch says fate sent you to
Kravonia. l think she's right. Fate did
my fate. l think it's fated that we are to be
together to the end Sophy."
step creaked on the old stairs. Marie
Zerkovitch was coming down from her room
on the floor above. The door of the dining
room stood open, but neither of them heard
the step; they were engrossed, and the sound
passed unheeded.
Standing there with hands still clasped, and
eyes still bound to his, she spoke again-and
Marie Zerllovitch stood by the door and heard
the quick yet clear words herself fascinated,
unable to move speak. I've meant nothing
of it. | have thought nothing of it. | seem to
have done nothing toward it. 1t has Just
come to me-" Her tone took on a touch of
entreaty, whether it was to him or to some
unseen power which ruled her life or to which
she might have to render an account.
Yet it is welcomed" he asked quietly.
She was long in answering. He waited
without impatience in a confidence devoid of
doubt. She seemed to seek for the whole
truth and to give it to him in gravest, fullest
words. 1T IS life, monsegneur," she said.
Il can't see life without it now"
He held out his hands, and slowly she laid
hers in them. 1t is enough-and nothing
less could have been enough from YOU to me
and from me to you" he said gently. " I'm
less We live it together, l think it can be no
life for us now"
The chain which had held Marie Zerkovitch
motionless suddenly snapped. She rushed
into the room and, forgetful of everything in
her agitation, seized the Prince by the arm.
What do you meanf' she. cried. What do
you mean Are YOU mad?"
He was fond of little Marie He looked
down at her now with an affectionate, indul-
gent smile Come you've heard what | said,
| suppose-though it wasn't meant for your
ears, you know. Well then, | mean Just what
| said, Marie"
But what do you mean by it, she per-
sisted in a feverish, almost childish excite
ment She turned on Sophy too. " And what
do you mean by it, Sophy?" she cried
SOphy passed a hand across her brow. A
slow smile relieved the enchanted tension of
her face. she seemed to smile in a whimsical
surprise at herself. Her answer to Marie came
vague and almost dreamy. II thought of
nothing, dear Marie, she said; then with
sudden low murmur of delighted laughter she
laid her hands in the Princes again. She had
thought of nothing but of that life together
and their love.
She'll share my life. Marie. and. when the
time comes, my throne" the Prince said softly:
he tried to persuade and soothe her with his
gentle tones.
Marie Zerl<ovitch would not have it. Pos
sessed by her old fear her old foreboding, she
flung away the arm she held with an angry
gesture. Its ruin" she cried. Ruin,
ruinl' Her voice rang out through the old
room and seemed to fill all the Castle of Pras-
lok with its dirgeful note.
NO" said he firmly. Ruin will not come
through me nor through her. 1t may be that
ruin-what you call ruin-will come. 1t may
be that | shall lose my life or my throne" He
smiled a little. Such changes and chances
come as nothing new to a Stefanovitch. l have
clever and bold men against me- Let them
try We will try too. But ruin will not be by
her fault nor through this. And if it were
don't | owe her my life already? Should |
refuse to risk for her the life she has given?"
He dropped his voice to homelier, more
familiar tones, and ended with a half laugh:
Come, little friend, you mustn't try to
brighten Sergius Stefanovitch It's better the