The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-09-17

aodTd and kissed her ssI,ed vorno
hand. 49,. - E
gaging candor His finger pointed al
| Sophy's face.
SO quaint an interruption to the state
ly formality of the scene struck peo-
pies sense of humor. Everybody laugh
ed-even Countess Ellenburg. Sopby's
own laugh rose rich and merry. Her
| Ignorance or carelessness of etiquette
betrayed itself. She darted at the pret-
| ty boy. caught him in her arms and
kissed him. answering That's my luck
my red star"
The boy touched the mark with his
finger. look Of childish awe came
into his blue eyes
"Your luckr' he said softly and con-
tinued to look at the mysterious sign
after Sophy had set him down again.
The little scene was told all over Slav-
ma before night, and men and women
talked, according to their temper of
the nature and the meaning of the red
star. If only the foolish think about
such things, even the wise talk.
The king left his chair and mingled
with his guests. His movement was
the signal for a general relaxation of
ceremony. The prince came across the
room and Joined Sophy. who had re-
turned to Marie Zerkovitch's side. He
offered the baroness his congratula-
tions, but in somewhat constrained
tones. His mind seemed to be on some
thing else. Once or twice he looked In
quiringly at Marie, who, In her turn,
showed signs of restlessness or dis
tress. A silence followed on Sophy's
expression of her Acknowledgements.
The prince glanced again at Marie and
made up his mind to speak.
you've done me the kindness l ask
ed?' he inquired of Marie.
Marie picked at the feathers Of her
fan In unhappy embarrassment. mo.
sir; haven't. IL couldn't"
"But why not?" he asked In surprise
IL couldn't" repeated Marie, flush
ing.
He looked at her gravely for mo.
ment, then smiled. "Then must plead
my own cause" he said and turned to
Sophy. Next week I'm leaving Slav-
ma and going to my castle of Praslok.
It's near Volseni, you know, and want
to raise and train my gunners at Vol
SEM. We must be ready for our guns
when they come, mustn't weT'
His eyes met hers, eager glance eX-
changed for glance as eager. "Our
gunsw whispered Sophy under her
breath.
"Marie here and Zerkovltch have
promised TO come with me. He'll write
what ought to be written, and she'll
cook the dinners" He laughed. ooh
well, we do live very simply at Pras-
lok. We shall be there three months
at least. ] asked Marie to persuade
you to come with her and to stay as
long as you could, but she's disappoint.
ed me. I must plead for myself"
The changing expressions of Sophy's
eyes had marked every sentence Of his
speech, and Marie marked every ex-
preston of the eyes. They had grown
forlorn and apprehensive when he
spoke of leaving Slavna. A sudden Joy
leaped into them at his invitation to
Praslok
you'll come for little? The scenery
is very fine and the people interesting"
Sophy gave low laugh. "Snce the
scenery is fine and the people interest
ing yes, monseigneur."
Their eyes met again, and he echoed
back her laugh. Marie Zerkovitch drew
In her breath sharply. With swift In
sight she saw and foresaw. She
remembered the presentiment under
whose influence she had begged Sophy
not to come to Kravonia. But fate had
weighted the scales heavily against