Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-06-10

| to grow out OF the waters OF the rlveI
He was aware Of her movement
though he had not looked round at
her. "rve brought you. too into this
trouble-you. a stranger" he said.
"You don't think I'm sorry for that?'
mo. but it makes my impotence
worse" He waved his arm toward the
city. There 1t is-here am /! And
yet I'm powerless!'
Sophy followed his gesture and un-
derstood what was passing in his mind
the pang Of the soldier without his
armament. the workman without his
tools. Their midnight talk flashed
back into recollection. She remember
ed his bitter complaint Under her
breath and with sigh she whispered.
III you had the big guns now!'
Low as the whisper was he heard it.
and It seemed to shoot through his
brain. He turned sharply round on
her and gazed full into her eyes. So
he stood moment. then quickly turn
ed to the table and sat down. sophy
followed. her gaze fixed on his face.
Zerkovitch ceased writing. He had
been drawing up an 'ther plan. Both
he and Marie now watched the prince.
Moments went by in silence.
At last the prince SPOKEN low
voice. almost dreamy. my guns for
Mistitch. Mistitch against my guns!
That would be price-a fair price"
The three sat silent. The Zerko-
witches. too, had heard him talk Of the
guns. How on them hung the tranquil
lily of the city and how on them might
hang the country's honor and existence
Stenovics could give them II he would
in return for Mistitch. but to give up
Mistitch was a great surrender. So
phys whisper, almost involuntary, the
voicing of a regret. hardly even Of a
distant aspiration. had raised problem
Of conduct. question Of high policy.
The princes brain was busy with It and
his mind perplexed. Sophy sat watch
ing him. not thinking now. but waiting,
conscious only that by what seemed al
most chance a new face had through
her been put on the situation.
Suddenly Zerkovitch brought his
clinched fist down on the table. mo-"
he almost shouted. They'll think
you're afraid"
Eyes, they'll think that. but not all
Of them. Stenovics will know better.
and Stafnitz too. They'll know I do It
not because I'm afraid, but in order
that l never need be-"
'"Then Stenovics won't give them!"
cried Marie.
II think he must give anything or
everything for Mistitch." He rose and
paced restlessly about the room. So
ply still followed him with her eyes,
but she alone Of the three offered no
argument and made no suggestion.
The prince stood still for moment in
deep thought. Then his face cleared.
He came quickly up to Sophy, took her
hand and kissed It.
Thank you," he said. II don't know
how 1t will turn out for me. The case
Is too difficult for me to be able to fore
see that For me 1t may be mastery
I always thought 1t would mean that
or perhaps, somehow, it may turn to
ruin" He pressed Sophy's hand now
and smiled at her. She understood and
returned his smile. But the question
isn't one of my interest. My duty is
plain"
He walked quickly to his writing
table and unlocked a drawer. He re-
turned to the table with an envelope in
his hand and sat down between Marie
and Zerkovitch.
The orderly entered again. anuounc-
Ing Stenovics. Let him come in here"
said the prince. His manner grew
lighter. and the smile which had COM
forted Sophy remained on his face.
Stenovics came in. His air was nerv-
Gus. and he looked at the princes three
companions with visible access Of
embarrassment At a nod from the
prince the orderly placed a chair for
the general and withdrew.
1.-THE same matter we discussed last
night, generalw
There can be but one matter in the
thoughts OF all OF Us now, sir. Pardon
me; l understood your royal highness
would receive me alone"
Auc prince gave low ldugn. when
one bargains. shouldn't one have wit
nesses"
In an instant Stenovics laid hold of
the significant word. 1t made him for
get his request for privacy. An eager
light came into his eyes.
Bargains? You're ready now to-
LA mutt porte conseil" He drew a
paper from the envelope. unfolded 1t
and handed 1t across the table, "You
remember that, a memorandum I sent
to you three months ago In nv capacitv
as commandant?"
Stenoyics looked at the paper. "I 70.
member. SIR"
IT'S Endorsed in your hand?
''YeS,"
"The Endorsement runs, Tmpossible' !
Rather curt. generalv
THE note was for my private use
but your royal highness particularly |
pressed for the return Of the docu.
ment."