Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-27
PRINCESS MARTHA
BY PERCY BREBNER.
Copyright. 1905. T. J. Mcbride 4 son.)

est for you. No doubt you would render
| him a service If you could"
MY friendship would prompt me to do
Then urge him. countess. to Withdraw
| from Sturatzberg. The torch now put to
| the dried wood is in his hand What is
he to me? Nothing; but l would save him
If could. What he Is to you, l do not
know 1 am not skilled with women; but
| for your country's sake urge his departure.
1t must be done promptly. for l warn you
the fire has already caught hold. and not
ALL even now, shall escape the burning.
Your appeal to my patriotism might stir
me- Lord Cloverton, did 1 know where to
find Capt Ellerey."
had hoped you would know. Have I your
permission to stop the carriage?"
| She inclined her head. They had returned
! close to the spot from which they had
started There were fewer carriages in
| the Bots. and hardly any pedestrians now.
| Lord Cloverton had, however. seen a man
| standing close to the roadway. and he
| beckoned him to the carriage.
what news?" he asked sharply.
Every gate is closely watched. my lord
| By the kings orders Capt Ellerey is to be
stopped if he attempts to leave the city,
| II fear we are too late to render any
service" said the ambassador. turning to
! the countess. ut is a pity. The hand
that holds the torch can hardly escape"
! 1T is not thought that the captain has
already left but all efforts to find him have
| failed" said the man. and then at sign
| from Lord Cloverton he withdrew.
! II believe we are allies at heart. countess;
| 1t Is a pity we have no power to act.
Perhaps you exaggerate the danger"
81 fear not" he answered. he stepped
| from the carriage. II foresee evil days for
J Sturatzberg. Good day. countess; If 1 can
! save the situation. it must be by the sacri-
| flee Of my countryman I fear 1t is a
| pity
He stood bareheaded until the carriage
| had driven away and then went quickly
| I'd no in
knew where Capt. Ellerey was as Lord
ClOverton was convinced she did. she would
| warn him. Whatever interests Ellerey had
! at heart. he would not chance disaster by
! attempting to leave the city Until the watch
| upon the gates was relaxed to some extent.
There must. therefore, be delay in what
| ever plot was in hand. and a few days
| now were of priceless value.
! Politics had little place in Frina Mavro-
| din's thoughts as she drove homeward
| through the city. She had denied that
| cause. and yet might he not have done so
after all? What she had seen might only
have been the end of a quarrel. Baron
Petrescu may have spoken some light word
II Lord Cloverton had spoken the truth,
Ellereys last thought had been of her.
She was quite content that her fair fame
should rest in his keeping. Now he was
in danger. Whatever Lord Cloverton's
aims might be, one thing was certain-the
city gates were closed against Ellerey's de-
parture. Without warning he would al
most certainly be taken. How could she
! help him?
There was confusion at her door when
the carriage stopped. Servants were in
| the hall expectantly awaiting her.
what is it," she asked.
'In your absence countess. were pow
erless.' answered her ma jordomo. pale
even now with indignation. The order
was imperative"
What order?"
The order to search the house"
The countess started. but was self-pos-
sessed again in a moment. Not all her
princess.
For whom were they looking?"
For an English captain named Ellerey,"
was the answer. Il said that no such per-
son visited here at any time, but they
would not believe me, and searched the
whole house"
"And found"
mo one. countess"
The man was wise: he said no more be-
fore the other servants.
IT will complain to his ma jesty." Frina
answered. and then she went quickly to
the apartments occupied by the Princess
Martha Hannah met her on the thresh-
old.
Has she not returned. my LADY,"
where is she? How did she have warn
ing?' asked Frina.
"She had gone long before. She went
without word to me. When they came
asking for some Englishman l had just
ladyship's servant, and knew English
man; but it was hard work not to ask
| them what had become of my princess"
And Dumitru?'
Gone gone. always took him for a
cut throat with that naked knife hidden in
his shirt. l believe he has made away
with her"
Peace, woman. Say nothing A word
may ruin her. You can CO.
But, my lady
You can go. say"
There was a tone In the command that
brooked no disobedence. The woman left
the room hastily, leaving the countess
/ alone.
Alone. wild rush of thoughts over
! whelmed her. The hope and joy that had
| budded in her heart We're suddenly blighted
| The world seemed to slip away from her.
| leaving her alone indeed.
| (To be Continued Tomorrow