The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-10

| The Prime Minister lived as much of the time as inc could at his country house. at a distance from the citty, where one old woman suffced for his interior house. hold and a single man servant for his out door work. There he talked farming and studied ornithology-
 It was u prosperous court and the Crown Prince was about to be married to an Austrian archduchess, for whose ar rival in the capital great preparations were making The Crown Prince was deformed and half witted: but such little matters do not count in state marriages. At the grand ducal court was a young , lady of great beauty, a recent arriVel, whom everybody called the baroness. i but about whom everybody seemed to know little or nothing. Some said she was the niece some the daughter, of Beckendorff; and the later was the gen eraly received theory At any rate the Grand Duke paid her much attention, Beckendorff was almost obsequious to her and the Grand Dukes morganatc wife, Mime. Carolina, found her so interesting.
 A weeks acquaintance between the ] Baroness and Vivian ripened into what promised to he stronger sentiment, though Vivian constantly reproached him self for daring to love again so soon after the death of Violet Fane But truth to l.say, most o1 the advances were made by the Baroness, who had a frank and slightly imperious way with her and was. from her scorn of conventions, voted by the court dandes and oyer-refined ladies | "a savage
 "Do you admire Byron?' asked Vivian of the savage" I think he Is a very handsome man." replied the Baroness, 1T saw him at the carnival at Venice.'
 But his works. his grand works. my | Mime. Carolina. T never read them never saw them" answered the Baroness. '1 never read. 1 like poetry and romance all 1Attt ,l them to me-
 Quite right" said the morganatic lady. We get through the human voice so much more of the-the essence, the soul, the invisible and indvisble. l adore Byron. He wrote so wonderfully of the East from which we get so much, ah. everythingl"
 "I thought we only got cashmere showis from there' said the matter of fact 1 savage
 A grand review of the grand ducal army was given for the benefit of the Austrians of high rank who had arrived to herald the coming of the Arehduchess and prepare the way for her. After the review there was a state dinper in an i'm
 mense tent "ln the tent keep by my side" said the Baroness to Vivian. Al though 1 like heroes these of Resenberg are not to my taste. l do not know why l hatter you so by my notice. for l sup 1 pDSc ludl, ilke dll ISDkllSnnleI. you arc not a soldier. Never mind; you ride well
 enough for a field marshal, I think l could give you commission without much straining my conscience. No--I should like you nearer me- l will make you master of the horse--when l am en-
 titled to have one"
 That evening, escaping from court
 ball, Vivian and the Baroness strolled out into the moonlight. You are sad tonight" said Vivian. Am I?" answered
 the Baroness. "I ought not to be more dlsprited than l always am. But I am sad. Do you think happiness is ever had ?
 I think it must be so, for it ls only with in these few days that 1 have ever known either grief or joy"
 Tt must then be counted an eventful period in your existence,' ventured Viv- ian.
 "Yes. an eyentful period replied the Baroness with thoughtful air. Then. quickly, she turned to her companion and asked But are you not unhappy" Not now said Vivian, drawing her closer to him. They sat on the edge of
 fountain and were silent for awhile. Then in agitated voice the Baroness said: ''Oh, friend, too lately found: why
 have We met to part?'
 ITO part. dearest?" answered Vivian. "Why should we part2'
 Ask not the question" she icp''o ''s l and his l<issss or her lips. An. 'ro gre
 happy" she s9id. "but 1 have no r'gh.
 to happ ness. Forgive me-we nave been too long away Come, let us return. The next day Vivian received note
 from the Baroness. 'I leave court to- night" sine wrote. Much 1 wish to see
 you, much have to say to you. Beclken- .
 dorff is to have an interview with tho , grand duke tomorrow morning. Dare you come to his house in his absence ? l l shall be there For heavens sake let me see you. Dare everything. Fall not Come by the private road. He will travel by the other You know the ground God bless you-Sybilla,"
 Vivian read the note a thousand times. He could not sleep that night. The next [ morning he set out with Essper George [ by the private road to the Prime Min ister's country house. Leaving his steed and servant in q elump of trees he ran , across the flower beds, and entering tine library by one of the long, low windows.
 found the Baroness awaiting him. "Sybilla. dearest Sybilla," cried he, as he took her in his arms, say that you are mine" She neither resisted nor re- turned his caresses, but sobbed upon his breast in a hysterica flood of tears.
 This Is very weak" she said at last,
 suddenly recovering her composure. . Come, let us walk little" i. | At thlS moment b1Nian was SelZeu Dy
 the throat with a strong grasp. He turned-it was Mr Beckendorff with d face deadly white. his full eyes darting
 from their sockets like a hungry snakes, and dagger in his right hand. "Villainl'' he said, in low voice full of passion, lis
 this your destny?"
 Easily throwing off Beckendorn, Vivian turned to look at the Baroness. Instead
 of fainting or being overwhelmed by this 2 pT Ion aha } ly to have regsined her natural spirit and z self possession. The blood had returned , to her pale cheek and the fire to her l eye.
 stand off, sir" she said with an air 5 of lnexpfessible dignity to the Prime Min
 ister. stand of, l command you"
 Beckendorff' threw the dagger away and. lowing. said with choking voice. Well,
 madam. you are obeYed.'
 2 MT. Grey" continued she, ''1 regret
 that this outrage should have been ex- :, perlenced by you because you have dared to serve me. My presence should have 2 preserved you from this contumely; but
 what are we to expect from those who I pride themselves on being the sons Of slaves? You shall hear further from : me-
 < So saying. the lady bowed to Vivian. f | and sweeping by the minister with a r 1 glance of disdain. quilted the room
 "Mr. Beckendorff,' said Vivian In a