The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-10-01

setting her eyes on his and whsperint
again, yet lower, "Monseigneur!"
Marie Zerkovitch says fate sent yol
to Kravonia. think she's right. Fat,
did-my fate. | think it's fated tha
we are to be together to the end. So
ply"
A step creaked on the old stairs
Marie Ierkovitch was coming dowr
from her room on the door above. The
door OF the dining room stood omen
but neither Of them heard the step
They were engrosscd. and the sound
passed uuheeded
Standing there. with hands still
clasped and eyes still bound TO his. she
spoke again, and Marie Zerkovitch
stood by the door and heard the duicl,
yet clear words herself fascinated. un-
able to move or speak
"I've meant nothing of it. rye
thought nothing of it. seem TO have
done nothing toward It. II has lust
come to me-" Her tone took on a
touch OF entreaty, whether It were to
him or TO some unseen power which
ruled her life and to which she might
Yet It is welcome?" he asked quiet
ly. She was long in answering. He
waited without impatience, in con
hdence devoid Of doubt. She seemed 10
seek for the whole truth and to give Il
to him In gravest. fullest words.
1T Is life, monseigneur." she said.
Il can't see life without II now"
He held out his hands, and very slow
ly she laid hers in them.
ut Is enough, and nothing else could
have been enough from you TO me and
from me to you" he said gently. I'm
less we live 1t together / think It can
be no life for us now"
The chain which had held Marie Zer-
kovitch motionleSs suddenly snapped.
She rushed into the room and. forget
rul of everything in her agitation.
seized the prince by the arm
What do you mean?" she cried
What do you mean? Are you madf"
He was very fond Of little Marie. He
looked down at her now, with an az
fectionate, indulgent smile.
Come, you've heard what I said.
suppose, though It wasn't meant for
your ears, you know! Well, then. |
mean just what l said Marie"
But what do you mean by it?" she
persisted In a feverish, almost childish
excitement. She turned on Sophy too
"And what do you mean by it, So. |
phyT she cried
Sophy passed hand over her brow. |
A slow smile relieved the enchanted |
tension OF her face. She seemed TO
smile In a whimsical surprise at her
self. Her answer TO Marie came yague
and almost dreamy. II thought of
nothing, dear Marie" she said. Then.
with a sudden low murmur of delight.
ed laughter, she laid her hands in the
princes again. She had thought Of
nothing but Of that life together and
their love.
shell share my life, Marie. and.
when the time comes, my throne" the
prince said softly He tried 10 per.
suade and soothe her with his gentle
tones.
Marie Zerkovitch would not have It.
Possessed by her old fear, her old fore
boding, she flung away the arm she
held, with an angry gesture. 'Tts
ruin! she cried. Ruin! Ruinw Her
voice rang out through the old room
and seemed to fill all the castle of Pras-
lok with its dirgeful note.
NO" said he firmly. Ruin will not
come through me nor through her. II
may be that ruin-what you call ruin
will come. II may be that shall lose
Tny
little. "Such changes and chances
come as nothing new to a Stefanovitch. I
have clever and bold men against me. J
Let them try! Wen try too! But ruin 5
VIII not be by her fault nor through !
his. And II 1t were, don't I owe her l
ny life already7 Should I refuse to Q
'isk for her the life she has given?" 0
he dropped his voice to homelier more |
amiliar tones and ended, with a half !
augh' Come, little friend, you mustn't l
ry to frighten Sergius Stefanovitch. $
rs better the house should end than !
I've on In coward, you know" \
The plea was not perfect. There
vas wisdom as we'll as courage in ques- I
Ion. Yet he would have maintained !
llmself to be right In point Of wisdom. [
co. had Marie pressed him on il. But J
Ter force was spent, her violence end S
ID, and with 1t her expostulations. But e
lot her terror and dismay She threw s
lerself into a chair and covered her n
ace with her hands, sobbing bitterly. II
The prince gently caressed her shak. /
ng shoulder, but he raised his eyes TO b
'ophy, who had stood quiet through g
he scene v
Are you ready for what comes. So s
'hyT" he asked. a
"Monseigneur, l am ready" she said g
With head erect and her face set, but t
he next instant she broke into low. +
'et rich and ringing laugh. 1t mingled b
strangely with Marie's sobs, which $
we're gradually dying away, yet sound .
ID still, an undertone Of discord with y
'ophy's mirth. She stretched out her y
lands toward him again, whispering in
n amused pity, "Poor child she u