The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-12-26
&ophy Of
Kravonia.
by ANTHONY HOPE.
Author OF THE Prisoner OF zsnds.-
Copyright 1906. Anthony Hope
hawkins


A step creakcd on the old stairs.
Marie Zerkovitch was coming down
from her room ON the door above. The
door Of the dining room stood open.
but neither of them heard the step.
They were engrossed, and the sound
passed unheeded.
Standing there. WITH hands still
clasped and eyes still bound TO his. she
spoke again. and Marie Zcrl;Ovitch
stood by the door and heard the qulcl,
yet clear words. herself fascinated. I'M
able 20 move or speak.
"I've meant nothing Of g. I've
thought nothing ~ It. | seem to have
done nothing toward II. 1t has just
come 10 me-" Her tone took on q
touch OF cntrcaty. whether Il We're %
him or 10 some unseen power which
ruled her life and TO which she might
have TO render an account.
yet Il is Welcomes" he askel quiet
ly. She was lorg In answering. lie
waited without Impotence. On q con
fdence devoid OF doubt She seemed T.
seek for the whole truth and o. give t.
to him In gravest. fullest words.
1T IS life. monseigneur" she said.
Il can't see life without It now"
He held out his hands. and very slow
~ she laid hers IN them.
1T Is enough. and nothing Gle corld
have been crorch from you 20 me avid
from me 70 you" be sail gently "Un-
less we live it together I thirE it can
be no lie for rs now"
The chain which had held Marie Zcr-
kovi,ch motioniess suddenly snapped.
She rushed into The room AMI. forget
ful OF everything o. her agitation,
seized the prince by The arm.
"What ID you ueanf' She cried
"What 60 you mean; Are you madT
lie was very fond Of little Marie. Ile
looked down al Ler now. with an ne
fectionate. indu'ccnt smile.
Come. you've heard what I sail
suppose. though Il wasn't meant for
your ears. You knowl Well. then.
mean just what l said, Marie"
"But what do you mean by itf' she
persisted IN a feycrish. almost childish.
excitement Sine turned on Sophy TOO.
and what DO you mean by it, So
phy;" she cried.
Soplly passed q hand over her brow.
4 slow smile relieved the enchantcd
tcnsioa Of her face. She seemed 10
smile I'm a Whimsical surprise 90 her
self. Her answer 70 Marie came vague
and almost dreamy. IL Thought Il
nothing. deas Marie" size said Then.
with sudden low murmur of delight
eI laughter. she laid hor hands IN the
princes again. She hli thought OF
nothing but OF that lie together aad
their love. Ui
shell share my life, Marie, and.
when the time comes. my throne" tae
prince said softly. lie tried TO per
suade and soothe her with his gentle
tones.
Marie Zerkoyitch would not have Il.
Possessed by her old fear. her old fore
boding. she flung away the arm she
held. with an angry gesture. ITS
ruin" she cried. Ruin, RUM" Her
voice rang out through the OLD room
and seemed 20 iii all the castle OF pras-
lok with It's dirgeful note.
mo" said he firmly. Ruin win not
come through me nor through her n
may be that ruin-what you cali ruin
will come. II may be that ! shall lose
my life or my throne" lie smiled
little. "Such changes and chances
come as nothing new TO n stefanovltch.
I have clever and bold men against me.
Let them try! Wen try too. But ruin
win not be by her fault nor through
this. And II II were don't I owe her
my life already? Should | refuse 70
risk FOR her the life she has given"
He dropped his voice to homelicr. moro
familiar tones and ended, with half
laugh: Come. little friend, you mustn't
try 10 frighten Sergius Srcfanovi.ch
It's better the house should end than
live on In a coward. you know"
The plea was not perfect. There
was wisdom as well as courage ia ques-
ton. Yet he would have maintained
himself to lie right in point OF wisdom.
too. had Marie pressed him on il. But
he's force ytas spent. her violence end
cd. and with ii her expostulatious. But
not her terror and dismay. She threw
herself into a chair and covered her
face with her hands, sobbing bitterly
The prince gently caressed her sbak
ing shoulder. but be raised his eyes to
Sophy, who had stood quiet through
the scene.
Are you ready for what comes. So
phyT" he asked.
"Monseigneur. ] am ready" she said.
with head erect and her face set. but
the next instant she broke into n low.
yet rich and ringing laugh. 1t mingled
strangely with Maries sobs. which
were gradually dying away. yet sound
ed still, an undertone Of discOrd with
sophy's mirth. She stretched out her
hands toward him again. whispering IN
an amused pity. Poor child. she
thought that we should be afraid"'
out Of the dusk of the quiet even
ing came suddenly the blare Of trum-
pet. blown from Volseni 10y fayoring
breeze. 1t sounded every evening at
nlghtfaH TO warn the herdsmen in the
hnls Of the closing OF the gates and
had so sounded from time beyond
mans memory.
The prince raised his hand TO bid her
listen.
"In good volseni there is watch and