Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-18
CHAPTER xXv-Continued.


Frina led the way down several corridors
and up and down short flights of steps I'M
til she came to the room where Hannah
waited. The old serving woman came hur-
riedly forward as the door opened. For
moment she did not recognize Martha in
her boys dress, and 1t was not until she
spoke that the old woman's arms were
stretched out with trembling eagerness to-
ward her, and her joy found its expression
in tears.
"Oh my princess! Oh my dear LADY," was
all she could say.
"Dumitru has brought her back, you see,
Hannah said the countess You owe
Dumitru some apology for the hard
thoughts you have had Of him. Go with
him while 1 speak to your mistress a mo-
ment."
GLADLY. now she has come back" said
Hannah; land then I'll be looking out de-
cent garments for you. princess. / should
not wish all the world to see you as you
are"
This is safer retreat for me. is it,
said Martha, glancipg round the room when
Hannah had closed the door. 1T is cor
ner Of your house l do not know, Frina.
Thanks for your great care OF me. 1t is
not long that shall trouble you"
What do you mean?"
MedH. NES, tHdl tie udNS iOI sibllHS
idly down to wait are over. There has
been deadly work in the Bergenstrasse to-
night, and tomorrow the king will seek to
avenge 1t! Do you suppose l shall leave
them without leader? Before dawn. those
who love me will be preparing for the final
struggle. Tonight's work will convince
many who until now have wavered. Rest
assured. there will be a goodly host about
me when the king sends to take me-"
TT is madness. Martial" exclaimed the
countess What can these men, unframed
undisciplined as they are, do against the
troops which even now doubtless are pour
ing into every street? Wait"
MY dear Frina, you are woman; 7, In
heart at least, am a man. Hundreds are In
jeopardy because Of me tonight: would you
have me desert them? You were wont to be
of better courage"
But wait-wait for counsel and advice
From whom?' asked Martha.
From Desmond Ellerey.''
The two women were looking into each
others eyes; neither fully understood the
struggle in the others heart, yet each of
them knew something of the others secret.
For some moments there was silence.
lis Desmond Ellerey here?' asked Martha
presently.
No; bat he will come. Something tells
me that he will come. Wait until then,
Martha. That door, Frina went on,
pointing to one which was hardly discern
ible from the paneled walls of the room,
"opens into a passage which leads to a
small building by the river, where there is
only rubbish No one is likely to search
there. Hannah has the key, and 1t Is a
way of escape II they come to this house.
implore you to wait for Captain Ellerey.
Has he not struggled for you? Is he not
returning to Sturatzberg to stand beside
you in the hour of your need, rather than
take the road to safety, as he might have
done? Have you not a hundred times in
your heart chosen him the champion of your
cause?"
IF he comes tonight he may help me, but
cannot wait, was the answer. The
people call for me; they shall not call in
vain"
Martha. Martha. I tell you It is mad
ness. Be persuaded. Think of your love
for him; think of his love for you. Ah you
must be ruled by me in this" the countess
went on desperately. Il might let you go
to your death. 1 have been tempted to let
you go. Yes it is true, look at me as you
will. Mine has been the waiting part, and
temptation comes easily then: more than
once it has nearly conquered me. Only to-
night the king persuaded me to betray his
enemies to him: / am to send list of them
tomorrow; no, 1t IS today-in q few hours
You have promised to do this?' said the
princess, laying her hand sharply on her
companions arm.
Il promised to think of it-aye! and
when / made the promise l meant to think
of it. Shall I tell you WHY" And Frina
looked straight into Maritza's eyes. THE
king made me believe that Desmond Ellerey
was already in his hands and he swore to
spare MIN III would DO MS Dlddlng. IL
was the keenest temptation he could have
assailed me with. Do you understand,
Maritza?"
And you will send that list?" repeated
the princess.
Can you ask the question now? No, l
have fought my battle and won. What is
to come will be easy after the stress of
that fight. But that the king should so
tempt me shows that suspected there
fore you are here in this room with the
means Of escape at hand Wait for Capt
Elerey. Martha. For the present, at least,
l believe your cause is lost: but a way Of
escape, desperate though it be. still lies
open and you will take 1t with the man
you love to defend you. Wait, Martha"
The hand that had rested on Frna's arm
stole slowly round her, and the princess
kissed her
IT understand" she whispered II have
had my struggle, too. l have never for
gotten that meeting long ago in England.
and now-now 1 love him. All, Frina, you
may pity me. Many a time in the hills
longed to cry out to him to take me north
ward into safety, to give me love instead
of helping me to a kingdom. And then
would surge into my soul the memory of
my fathers, and felt myself a coward. If
you have been tempted to treachery SO
have I. I have my mission to fulfil. my
work is before me, and there is no place
for love in It, If ever 1 call any man hus-
band. he must be king who Will satisfy
the state.'
But he loves you, Martha"
do not make it harder for me- sister of
mine. Fate deals urgently with both.
If Desmond comes before daybreak, bring
him to me, and he shall give me counsel.
Should l taste failure, should I-should l
never see him again, say to him
"Maritza!'
"Yes, speak my name and say that you
loved me, too. If understand him he will
love you for that. l am very weary and
have much to do tomorrow. Send Hannah
to me and let me Sleep
In silence the two women kissed each
other and then Frina returned to her room
while Martha threw herself on a couch
Hannah watching beside her. Dumitru
stood sentinel outside her door.
For Frina there was no sleep, only a rest
less pacing to and fro and longing for
tomorTow-the end, surely the end would
come tomorrow.
The dim light in her room grew DINNER,
paling before the coming day. A bird in the
garden whistled a long note, and after a
silence it was answered from another part
of the garden, and then quickly from an
other. A star cleaned low in the ever
tightening purple of the east, the herald of
the dawn, and from her window Frina
watched it, wondering. There was mystery
In the breaking of a new day; would her
eyes behold its setting? What thoughts
would be in her brain as the golden light