Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-09-11

Must Nolseni lie in the dust for her
sake. for the sake Of her who wore
that ominous, inexplicable star?
Dunstanbury knew all this. Luke.
Witch hardly sought to deny 1t, though
he was full Of scorn for 1t, and Marie
Zerkovitch had by heart the tales of
many wise old beldams who had proph,
esied this and that from the first mo-
ment they saw the red star Surely
and not slowly the enthusiasm which
had crowned Sophy was turning into a
fear which made the people shrink
from her even while they pitied, even
while they did not cease to love. The
head Of Heaven was against her and
against those who were near her, said
the women. The men still feigned moi
to hear. Had they not taken Heaven tc
witness that they would serve her and
avenge the king? Alas, their simple
vow was too primitive for days like
these-too primitive for the days Of the
great guns which lay on the bosom OF
the Krath.
Dunstanbury had an interview with
Sophy early on Tuesday morning, the
day after Stafnltz had started for Kol
skoi He put his case with the blunt
ness and honesty native to him. In
his devotion to her safety he did not
spare her the truth. She listened with
the smile devoid Of happiness which
her face now wore so often.
II know it ALL" she said "They be.
gin to look differently at me as l walk
through the street-when go to the
church. If l stay here long enough
they'll all call me witch. But didn't
they swear? And Haven't l sworn
Are we to do nothing for monseign
eur's memory"
What can we do against the guns;
The men can die and the walls be tum
bled down. And there are the women
and Children
Yes, l suppose we can do nothing
But 1t goes to my heart that they
should leave monseigneur's guns"
Your guns" Dunstanbury reminded
her, with smile Of whimsical sympa
thy
That's what they say in the city
too?" she asked
"The old hays, who are clever at the
weather and other mysteries. And OF
course Nine. Zerkovitch"
Sophy's smile broadened little
ooh, Of course poor little Marie Zerko
vitch!" she exclaimed. "She's beer
sure Pm witch ever since she's
known me-"
II want you to come over the from
tier with me and Basil Williamson
I've some influence, and l can insure
your getting through all right"
"And then?"
Whatever you like. shall be utter
ly at your ORDERS"
She leaned her head against the high
chair in which she sat, chair of ole
oak, black as her hair. She fixed bel
profound eyes on his.
II wish could stay herein the lit
tie church-with monseigneur." she
said.
by heavens, no." he cried. startled
into sudden and untimely vehemence.
"All my life is there" she went on
paying no heed to his outburst.
"Give life another chance. You're
very young"
"You can't count life by years any
more than hours by minutes. YOU
reckon the journey not by the clock
but by the stages you have passed
Once before l loved man, and he was
killed In battle. But that was differ
ent. l was very hurt, but l WASH,
MANNED. I'm manned now by the
death Of monseigneur."
"You can bring ruin on these folk
and you can't give yourself up to Ste
movies" He could not trust himself tt
speak more Of her feelings nor of the
future. He came back to the presen,
needs Of the case.
Its true-and yet we sworev' She
leaned forward to him. "And you
aren't you afraid Of the red starr"
I'VE Essex men aren't afraid. We
haven't enough Imagination" he an
Swered. smiling again.
She threw herself back, crying low
"Ah, II we could strike one blow-jus
one-for the oath we swore and FOL
monseigneur! Then perhaps l should
be content"
ITO go with me?"
"Perhaps-if In striking 1t what ]
should think best didn't come to me-"
"You must run no danger anyhow
he cried hastily and eagerly
"My friend" she said gently, 'fol
such as am today there's no sucl
thing ss danger. Don't think / valu
my position here or the title they'v
given me, poor men! l have love
titles"-for moment she smiled-"an
I should have loved this one If mon
seigneur had lived. | should have bee
proud as child of it. If could hav
borne it by his side for even a fey
weeks, few days! But now it's bal
rem and bitter-bitter and barren t
me-"
He followed the thoughts at whic
her words limited. They seemed to hir
infinitely piteous.
"Now, as things have fallen GU
what am in this country? A waif an
stray! I belong to nobody and nobod
to me-"
"Then come away" he burst on
again.
Her deep eyes We're set on his fac
once more. Yes, that's the concll
sion," she said very mournfully. wv
Essex people are sensible, aren't we
And we have no imagination. Did 20
laugh when you saw me proclaime
and heard us swear"
Good heavens. mop
"Then think how my oath and m