The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-11-05

news came from outside and no news
yet from the room in the guardhouse
where the wounded king lay. The
street on which the room looked was
empty save for one man, who walked
patiently up and down. smoking ci-
gar Dunstanbury waited for Basil
Williamson. who was in attendance on
the king and was to pronounce to Vol
seni whether he could live or must die.
Dunstanbury had been glad that Basil
could be of use, but for the rest he had
listened TO the story which Zerkovitch
told him with an amused, rather con-
temptuous Indifference, with an Eng
lishman's wonder why other countries
cannot manage their affairs better and
something of a travellers pleasure at
coming in for bit of such vivid. al
most blazing, 1ocal color" In the course
OF his journey. But whether Alexis
reigned or Sergius mattered nothing to
him and, in his opinion, very little to
anybody else.
Nor had he given much thought to
the lady whose name figured so promi-
nently in Zerkovitch's narrative. the
Baroness Dobrava. Such a parsonage
seemed no less appropriate to the sur
roundings than the rest of the story-no
less appropriate and certainly not a
whit more important. or course he
hoped Basil would make a good report,
but his mind was not disturbed. His
chief hope was that the claims Of hui
manity would not prolong his stay in
Volsenl beyond few days. II was
picturesque little place. but not one for
long visit and. in any case. he was
homeward bound now. rather eager for
the pleasures Of the London season aft
er his winter journey-the third he had
made in the interests of book on Rus
sia which he had in contemplation,
book designed to recommend him as an
expert student Of foreign affairs. He
could hardly consider that these goings
On in Kravonia came within the pur-
view of q serious study Of his subject,
but VI was a pleasant, moonlit night,
the old street was very quaint, the
crisis he had happened on bizarre and
amusing. He smoked his cigar and
waited for Basil without impatience.
He had strolled hundred yards
away and just turned to loiter back
when he saw figure come out OF the
guardhouse, pause q moment and then
advance slowly toward him. The
sheepskin cap and tunic made him
think at first that the stranger was one
Of the volsenian levy. The next mo-
ment he saw the skirt. At once he
guessed that he was in the presence Of
Baroness Dobrava, the heroine of the
piece. as he had called her In his own
mind and with a smile.
Evidently she meant to speak to him.
He threw away his cigar and walked
to meet her. As they drew near to each
other he raised his hat. Sophy bowed
gravely. Thus they met for the first
time since Sophy washed her lettuces
in the scullery at Morpingham and at
the young lords bidding fetched Loren
70 the Maguifi cent bone. This meet
ing was. however remotely. the result
of that. Dunstanbury had started her
career on the road which had led her to
where she was.
"I've seen Mr.. williamson" she said.
"and he knows me now But you
don't yet do you. Lord Dunstanbury
And, anyhow. perhaps you wouldn't re-
member"
She had been a slip OF girl when he
first saw her. in print frock, washing
} lettuces. With a smile and depreca-
tory gesture he confessed his ignorance
and his surprise Really, I'm afraid
Il don't. I've been such a traveller
and meet so many An acquaintance
with the Baroness Dobrava was among
the last with which he would have
credited himself or perhaps, to speak
his true thoughts. charged his reputa
ton.
"Mr. Williamson knew me almost di
rectly-the moment reminded him OF
my mark" She touched her cheek
: Dunstanbury looked more closely at
her, a vague recollection stirring In
him. Sophy's face was very sad, yet
; she smiled Just a little as she added
. 'T remember you so well-and you
! dog Lorenzo. I'm Sophy Crouch ol
. Morpingham. and became Lady Meg
J companion. Now do you rememberT
: He stepped quickly up 10 her, peeret
2 into her eyes and saw the red star.
"Good heavensp' he said. smiling a
3 her in an almost helpless way. "Well
r that is curiousw
r he added. $50 s1S&
D ply Crouch! CTSFA nm
e And you are NSYTMIE
D Baroness Do INlIHFEA y
:. bravaT ~ ~ RI II
e "There's moth |N\J 2NIllIA
r ing much in WA MfyJ II Y
+ that" said So Ll hAA g. Y
0 ply. "I'll tell WAUN
j you all about WV y
! that soon If we NJ
have time To VT
{ night can --E 11U{
e think OF moth ~ y. Lr~
!. ing but mon s.,3
o seigneur. Mr.
n Williamson has "SOphy GTouchI an
: extracted the yoI u ., 1"'o''''
n | hnIIaf h,tf I'm COOio0ON