Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-27

| Good-natured Markart joined in the laugh
at his own expense. / m hardly awake yet
he must be made of iron, that Zerkovitchr
Quicksilver" smiled the Prince. AS Mar
kart mounted, he added: An reUoiri'
Markart left the two standing side by side
the Princes serious face lit I'D with a rare
smile, Sophys beauty radiant in merriment
His own face fell as he rode away ~ half
wish | was in the other camp" he grumbled
But Stenovics power held him, and the fear
OF Stafnltz. He went back to a work in which
his heart no longer was, for his heart had felt
Sophy's spell
" You can have had no sleep all night, mon
se1gneur, said Sophy in reproach mingled
with commiseration.
don't need it; the sight of your face re-
freshes me. We mutt talk Zerkovitch
brought news
In low grave tones he told her the tidings
and the steps winch he and Zerl1ovitch had
taken.
&" understand my fathers reasons for keep
ing me in the dark; he meant it well, but he
was blinded by this idea about nv marriage
But l see too how it fitted in with Stenovics'
ideas think it's war between us now, and
I'm ready"
Sophy was almost dazed The Kings life
was not certain for week-for day-no, not
for an hour But she listened attentivelv
Lerkov1tch had gone back to Slavna on a fresh
horse and at top speed, he would have more
than two hours lead of Markart His first
buIN "eS W u pen communications with leDage
and arrange that the valet should send to him
all the information which came to his ears and
any impressions which he was able to gather
in the Palace. Zerkovitch would forward the
report to Prasok immediately as long as the
Prince remained at the castle
But the Prince was persuaded that his father
would not refuse to see him, now that he knew
the true state of the case. MY father is really
attached to me-" he said, and if | see him.
am confident that can persuade him of the
inexPedlency OF my leaving the kingdom just
now. A hint OF my suspicious with regard to
the Countess and Stenovics would do It; but
| am reluctant to risk giving him such shock
| think can persuade him without"
But IS 1T safe for you to trust yourself at
Slavna, in the Palace?"
must risk the Palace alone and I'm NOT
much afraid. Stenovics might go to war with
me, but don't think he'd favor assassination.
And to Slavna shall not go alone. Our gunners
will go with us, Sophy We have news of the
guns being on the way; there will be nothing
strange in my marching the gunners down to
meet them. They are only half-trained even
in drill, but they are brave fellows Well take
up our quarters with them in Suleiman'
Tower don't fear all Savna if hold Sulei-
mans Tower with three hundred Volsenians
Stafnitz may do his worst"
Yes, | see,' she answered thoughtfu1lv. |
can't come with you to Suleiman's Tower, |
though"
Only if there are signs of danger. Then
stay in her house We can meet often
as often as possible. For the rest we must |
wait"
She saw that they must wait. It was i'm |
possible to approach the King on the matter
of Sophy. 1t cut dead at the heart of his am |
bition it would be shock as great as the dis |
covery Of Countess Ellenburgs ambitions 1t
could not be risked
But if under Stenoyics' influence the King
does refuse to see YOU" she asked" refuses
to see you, and repeats his orders?"
The Princes face became grave, but his |
voice firm Not even the Kine-not
even my fathe---can bid me throw away the |
inheritance which is mine. The hand would |
be the Kings, but the voice the voice of Stem
OWES. | should not obey, they would have to |
come to Noseni and take me"
Sophys eyes kinded Yes, that's right, |
she said. And for to-day"
Nothing will happen to-day-unless, by
chance, the thing which we now know NAV |
happen any day; and of that we shouldn't |
hear till evening And there's no drill, even. |
sent the men to their homes on forty-eight |
hours furlough yesterday morning. His |
face relaxed in a smile Il think today we
can have holiday, Sophy'
She clapped her hands in glee "Oh, mon
seigneur, holiday"
" 1t may be the last for long time" he said |
" SO must enjoy it.
This day-this holiday which might be the |
last-passed in fine carelessness and a rich