Evening star., 1909-04-18

gentleman. He glared at Rustoff and the
young Count, and said something IN Russian.
They stood with their heads bowed and silent.
He did not speak again except to Lord lvydale,
who bowed very low every time he was ad-
dressed
"His Highness has agreed that the dis
appearance of the Princess would solve all
difficulties" he said; but he wishes proof of
her intention to remain a private person The
best proof he thinks, would be her marriage
TOTO some one IN lower sphere.
ITO NJ Alexis Rustoff. said the Princess.
His Highness did not name the gentleman,
Lord Ivydale remarked dryly.
But l did," The Princess tossed her head.
=" If it is not unpleasing to you, Alexis.
Rustoff took her hand silently and lowered
his lips to it. "You knowl" he said
Il knew, Alexis. " she agreed very gently.
Then she turned to the gray haired gentleman
course, !" she added IN Rustof and would
not accept our safety without his.
The old gentleman nodded, with gesture
as if he wiped the Count from the earth
Then, " said Lord lvydale, Ibis Highness'
chaplain will marry you
WE went into large room; and an old
" priest married them there and then:
and after that the great parsonage went; and
in few minutes Lord Ivydale and followed
them.
The Princess kissed me as / left. Rustoff and
the Count held out their hands hesitatingly.
shook them. They looked at Lord Ivydale
and he looked at them There was no express
If you had harmed this lady, should have
killed you'll he said as if he stated common
place fact. He gave me his arm, and we
walked down the steps together,
1t is like playl" cried rather unsteadily
1.-The play is not over he told me. There
is more that concerns you. / have pledged you
to secrecy for three years: given my name for
your good faith You hold my honor !.
MY Lord, :" said, your honor is my honorl
'Amenl The story in short is this. Rus
Russian police; but Rustoff loved the Prin-
cess"
"And the Count loved him. l said. Il
know. They told me SO much in the carriage.
Go on
"Others of the Princess suite were police
agents too; but they did not know that The
others put the plot into Rustoff's head. They
wanted to draw off, not the Russian agents, but
ours, who were guarding the lady. When she
escaped with her supposed friends-n she
would have gone without Rustoff, which
very much doubt,-she would have found her
self in the hands of her enemies-and on the
way to Russia! When you reached the Prin-
cess house, you would have found yourselves
in the hands of the Russian police. They bore
no resentment against you personally: but
they thought it advisable that you should be
removed. / have persuaded the-the gentle.
man whom you must not know-otherWise-
"He is magnanmous, said
Lord Ivydale laughed slowly "The life or
death of Molly Carew meant peace or war for
half an hour tonight he stated. do l
think so poorly of Molly Carew?"
my 1ord,' cried, Molly Carew's poor
best is yours to command Why did he think
that mattered so much?"
He could take the word of the rest to hold
their tongues. He had to take mine for you.
He took it because promised that your honor
should be mine, and mine yours. | told him
| that you would marry me-and marry me you
must, Mollyl"
Faith, my Lord said, Its hard on
you'll" My voice broke little. ITO marry
poor mimici"
Il loved you at sight, Molly" he declared; !;
and he looked down at me; and looked up at
the dear ugly man.
"There was never Carew but fell in love
at sight," told him: and 1 am one of the
Carewsi You have my heart, my Lord; and
my heart is no mimicl Your honor shall be
mine, and mine yours!''
THIS was yesterday. l marry him to-
morrow, and have red mixed the date in
every calendar that ! possess To-day l am
writing down this story, the best way to get
it out of my mind for three years-and, if he
wills SO, forever after. / shall give the writing
to him to keep: and if other eyes it, it
will be by leave of my Lord. The Carews are
wild and reckless: but they loving and
faithful: and am one of the Carews