The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-26
Sophy of
kravonia.
By ANTHONY HOPE.
Author Of -The Prisoner 81 zsnds"
Copyright. 1906. Anthcny Hop
Hawkins.


padition," she entd. It's MS VI nihc
before we part"
al don't blame you for that"
"Oh. no!' The reply sounded almost
contemptuous: at least II showed plain
~ that her conscience was not trou-
bled. "And he won't blame me either.
When he sees me. he'll know what IL
means"
"And, in fact. I intend to help. So
do we all. think"
1T was our oath In volseni," she an-
swered. "They think monseigneur will
sleep the better for II. But know well
that nothing troubles monselgneur's
sleep. And I'm so selfish that ! wish
he could be troubled-yes, troubled
about me; that he could be riding In
the spirit with us tonight. hoping for
our victory. yet very anxious. very
anxious about me; that ! could still
bring him joy and sorrow, grief and
delight. ! can't desire that monseign-
eur should sleep so well They're
kinder to him-hls own folk Of Volseni.
They aren't jealous OF his sleep-not
jealous of the peace OF death. But I'm
very jealous OF 1t. I'm to him now
just as all the rest are. l. too. am
nothing 10 monselgneur now"
"who knows? Who can know" said
Dunstanbury softly.
His attempted consolation. his invok-
ing OF the Old persistent hope. the saw
Ing doubt. did not reach her heart In
her great love OF life the best she
could ask OF the tomb was a little
memory there. SO she had told mon
seigneur. Such was the thought in her
heart tonight. She was jealous and
foriorn because of the silent darkness
which had wrapped her lover from her
sight and so enveloped him. He could
not even ride with her in the spirit ON
the night when she went forth to
avenge the death she mournedl
The night broke toward dawn. the
horizon grew gray. Lukovltch drew In
his rein. and the party fell TO gentle
trot. Their journey was almost done
Presently they halted for few min
utes, while Lukovitch and Peter Vassir
held a consultation. Then they logged
on again In the same order. save that
now Sophy and Dunstanbury rode with
Lukovitch at the head Of the party. In
another half hour. the heavens tighten
ling yet more. they could discern the
4 double row OF low trees which marked
at irregular Intervals the course OF the
river across the plain. At the same mo
ment a row OF squat buildings rose IN
murky white between them and the
river bank Lukovitch pointed to 4
with his hand.
There we are. madame" he said
That's the farmhouse. ct the right enc
and the barn at the left. within hun
dred yards OF the lock There's on
shelter till the colonel comes" tf
What Of the farmerY' asked Dun
stanbury.
1--WE shall catch him In his bed-hin
and his wife," said Lukovltch. "There'i
only the pair OF them, They keep thu
| lock and have a few acres OF pastur'
land to exc out their living. They'l
give us no trouble. If they do, we car
lock them In and turn the key. Thei
we can lie quiet in the barn. With bl
OF close packing it'll take us all. Pete
vassip and I viii be lock keepers 4
anything comes by. We know tn
work Eth, PeterT
ave. captain. and the man-Peterl
his name. too. by the ,way-must Civ
/ us something 10 hide our sheopsklns."
sophy turned TO Dunstanbury. Sh
was smiling now.
ut sounds very simple, doesn't III
she asked.
"Then we watch our chance for
dash - when the colonefs on hi
guard" Lukovitch went on.
"But II be won't obllge us In tina
wayY" asked Dunstanbury. with
laugh.
"Then he shall have the reward o
his virtue IN q better fight for I'll
| guns" said Lukovitch. "Now. lads
ready! Listen, I'm going forward wit
Peter vassip here and four more. We
secure the man and his wife. Their
might be servant girl on the prem
lses. too, perhaps. When you hear m
whistle. the rest OF you VIII follow
You'll take command. my lordr IA
turned TO Sophy. Madame, will 20
come with me or stay hereT'
"Tll follow with Lord Dunstanbury,
she said. 1--WE ought all to be In I'll
barn before it's llghtf"
Surely. A barge might come up o
down the river you see. aud II wouldn
do for the men on board to see any
body but Vasslp and me. who are to b
the lock keepers"
i. He and Peter Vassip rode on wit
their party OF four, and the rest wal
ed In field couple OF hundred yard
from the barn. A dip in the ground nj
forded fair cover. Some OF the me
began to dIsmount, but Dunstanbur
stopped them. ITS Just that one ne'
or knows" he said. "and It's better
be on your horse than or 1t In case an
, trouble does come. you know
There oughn't to be much troubl
with the lock keeper and his wife Q
even with the servant girl" said Bias
Williamson.
. "Glrls can make a difference some
: times" Sophy said with a smile.
did once in the Street OF the Fountai