Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-06
CHAPTER xVII-Continued.

prise Frina MavrOdin. That they Snoufu 20
chiefly toward the hills seemed only nat
ural. seeing that the brigands lay there.
The time since she had returned to find
that her home had been searched had
passed in a whirl of conflicting emotions.
For few moments after dismissing Han
nah she had stood upright, tnmovable. with
a sense of being alone in the world. All
the interests and hopes of her life seemed
to slip from her and fall into heap of dead
ashes at her feet. The princess had gone
Doubtless she had meant to go when Frina
had left her that morning. and had got her
out Of the way on purpose. 1t was Dunn
itru who had suggested her going into the
Bots: it was Dunl;tru. probably. who had
persuaded Martha that the time to act
had come Not for a moment did Frina
suppose that Dumitru was cogniZant OF the
fact that her house would be searched; she
did not believe that they had gone to es-
cape discovery. If such had been the case
she would have been taken into their con-
fidence No: the departure had taken place
for the furt herance of plans in which she
had no part. and which She promptly
linked with the disappearance of Capt. FL
lerey. 1t never occurred to Frina to set
watches to warn the princess should she
return. She would not return. For good
or In she haQ begun tne maj move toward
her goal. What We're her plans? What
chance lad they of success? Frina knew
what secret societies nursed the cause of
Princess Martha in the city. She knew to
unit what support could be depended
upon. knew the exact value of it, the
strength and the weakness of il. The cause
had looked to the hills for support. not
without reason. perhaps. Were not the
men gathered there rebels. ready to strike
blow at the government? This had always
been .Maritzas argument and there had
been some signs that she was right. Frina
knew that the material for revolt was to
hand, but resolute leader had been lack
ing Now this want had been supplied by
Capt. Eilerey. 1t was round Ellerey that
the whirl of Frina's emotions centered.
Her relief that the princess had gone be-
fore the house was searched gave place to
the appre hension that she had gone to join
Capt. Elerey. She saw only a rival In her
late guest 1t was her love for the man
which ruled Frina Mavrodin's actions not
her love for the cause. 1t was in this spirit
that she made her complaint to the king,
for the time might come when her house
would prove the only safe refuge for FL
lerey. 1t was in this spirit that. with her
maid in attendance she presently went to
visit Baron Petrescu.
The barons wound had not proved Sc
rious. but it had kept him to the house.
The countess found him lying on sofa,
from which he half rose as she entered.
She hurried forward to prevent him.
This is good Of you, countess" he said.
strangely, you were IN my thoughts When
you were announced
She inquired about his wound and ex-
pressed her regrets in a few prettily turned
sentences.
ut was nothing said the baron. 1.-The
greatest hurt was to my PRIDE.
And, of course. you long for an oppor-
tunity of wiping out the defeat?" said
Frina.
"Curiouly enough. that idea has not risen
uppermost in my thoughts" Petrescu an
swered. Il owe the Englishman an apol-
ogy for the attack which was made upon
him directly he succeeded in wounding me.
He is a gentleman and gallant swords
man. and l writhe under the fear that he
believes that attack was of my contriving."
There was the genuine ring of truth in
the baron's words. Frina Mavrodin was
not surprised. She believed that she thor
oughy understood him, or would not have
visited him.
you would befriend Capt Ellerey were
it in your power?" she questioned.
Gladly. for bis own sake and for yours.
Pardon me, countess, II my own confession
slips out with these words. Those who love
recognize love quickly"
Was that in your mind when you forced
this duel upon Capt. Ellerey?" she asked.
:. have tried to believe that love for the
cause stood first, countess. Please question
me no further. 1 take refuge behind the
punishment l have received. That l have
not forfeited all your esteem Is proved by
your presence here. Tell me how 1 can
serve you
Like many others, baron. you jump to
conclusion too quickly; but let it pass
There is weightier business In hand" and
then she told him all that was known about
Ellerey and of the disappearance of
Princess Martha. Knowing that the
princess always had it In her mind to use
Capt Ellerey when the time came" she
went on. II have little doubt she has joined
him in whatever mission he has undertaken.
What art she will. or can. use to turn him
to her service, 1 do not know"
l. xl,4 n ho lerhtl ry f,.,.1
from the cause he has espoused.' said the
baron thoughtfully, and that cause is not
ours"
Love might prove incentive enough" said
Frina.
Petrescu turned to her quickly. The look
in her eyes told him her secret plainly
enough, but her words were sufficient to
have auickeninE influence on the hopes
II may be jumping to a rash conclusion"
FrIna went on hastily. ''but If am right
indeed, whatever art is used. what hope Is
there of success
None, unless those in the hills are with
u.s." replied the baron decisiyely. Here in
Sturatzberg we have much enthusiasm,
much talk. much jealousy; but doubt the
fighting temper behind II. The princess has
moved too SOON.
rs there any chance of her being able to
persuade the brigands?"
Where men are concerned I dare not
limit the power of a woman" he answered;
'.but since the Princess has moved, We are
bound to be on the watch. Failure will be
disastrous to you and me. countess
TT will probably mean death to Princess
Martha. to Capt Ellerey certainly
Il understand" said the baron. The
hope that was in him died, and it Is doubt
full IL the woman ever gave him full credit
for what his words cost him. Il under
stand. Tomorrow l Shall be out again
Command me and trust me. There shall
at least be one arm to strike blow in the
Englishman's defense, and back to back
countess, he and l would render no mean
account of ourselves"
She had taken the hand he held out in
token of her thanks and the compact be-
tween them when the door was suddenly
opened and a man entered hurriedly. He
stopped abruptly, seeing that his master
was not alone.
II have no secrets from this lady said
the baron. You may speak freely