Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-10-06

\
state of affairs was no verse than
that which she was accustomed to at
home, The court OF Rapp-Thorbers
was ever in !, state OF unrest. despite
/ It's outward suggestion OF security.
Outbreaks were common among the
masses. Somehow they were sup
pressed before they grew large enough
to be noticed by the wide world
! I'VE invariably come out on top"
she philosophical, .and so shall we
here. AT home we always eat, drink
and make merry. for tomorrow never
| comes
| Soon after breakfast was over Chase
announced his intention to visit each
of the gates in turn The princess
strolled with him as far as the bridge
at the foot of the terrace. They stop
ped in the shade of a clump of trees
that hung upon the edge of the stream.
As they were gravely discussing the
events of the night Neenall came up to
them from beyond the bridge. She
salaamed gracefully to the "sahib."
She had no eyes for royalty.
Il EASSllchNs, ShG ptssuu DIGululSSo-
ly, lit is Sellm who would have pri-
vate speech with the most gracious
sahib. 1t is to be quick. excellency.
Sclim is under the ground, excellency."
"In the cellars?"
YES. eXcellcncy. 1t is so dark there
that one cannot see, but Neenah will
lead you. Sellm has sent me. But
come now"'
\ Chase felt his ears burn when he
turned to find delicate. significant
smile on Genevra's lips. Don't let me
detain you." she said. ever so politely.
WAIT. please" he exclaimed. SIS
Selim hurt?" he demanded of Neenah.
who shook her head vigorously.
"Then there is no reason why you
should not accompany us, princess"
81 am not at all necessary to the UNI
dertaking." she said coldly. turning to
leave him.
"Selim has found fuses and gunpow-
der laid in the cellars. exceilcncy--in
the secret VAULTS" began Neenah ca
gerly, divining the cause of the white
lady's hesitation.
This astounding piece of news swept
away the feeble barrier Genevra would
have erected in her pique. She con-
sented to accompany Chase into the
cellars, Il spirit of adventure overcom-
ing certain scruples which might have
restrained her under other conditions.
Ncenah led them through the wine
cellars and down into the vaults be-
You'd the dungeons The princess
clutched Chase's hand tightly as they
| stole through the bleak. chill corridor.
i, She found herself wondering if the
girl was to be trusted. What if she
We're Leading them into trap? She
would have whispered her fears into
Chase's ear Ind not Il sharp Ssh come
from the girl who was leading. Ge-
nevra felt queer little throb of hatred
for the girl-she could not explain it.
The dungeon was off to the right.
They could hear the insistent murmul
Of voices. with now and then Al laugh
from the distant cells. The guard
could be heard scofiing Mt his charges.
With caution that seemed wholly alb
surd to the two white people. Ncenah
guided them through the maze of mar
row passages. dark as Erebus and chill
as the grave. Chase checked II hys-
terical impulse to laugh aloud ut the
proceedings. 1t was like playing at a
childrcn's game.
He was walking between the two
women. Neenah ahead. Gcnevra be-
hind. Each clasped one Of his hands.
Suddenly lie found himself experience
ing an ovcrpowering desire To exert
the strength of his arm to draw the
princess close-clGsa to his insistent
body. The touch of her flesh. the
clutch of her cold little hand. filed
him with the most exquisite sense of
possession. The magnetism of life
charged from one to the other. strik-
ing fire to the blood. He was forget
ting Neenah. forgetting himself. think
ing only of the opportunity and its
fascination. In another instant he
would have drawn her hand to his
lips. Neenah came to a standstill and
uttered Il warning whisper Chase re.
covered himself with mighty start
chill as of one avoiding an unseen
2 peril sweeping over him. Genevra
/ heard the sharp. painful intake of, his
breath and felt the sudden relaxation
, of his fingers. She was not puzzled
: She. too. hud felt the magic of the
/ touch. and her blood was surSing red
She knew then that she had been
clasping his hand with II fervor that
was as unmistaEable as 1t was shame
less.
Neenah may have felt the magnetic
current that coursed through these
! surclarged creatures. She was smil.
ing mystcriousiy to herself
! wait here" she whispered to Chase
. ever so softly. She released his hand
and moved off in the backncss Of the
J passage. ~ will bring Selinl." came
back to them.
ooh" fell family. TREMENDOUSLY. from
Genevra's lips. 1t was trap. after
all! But it was not the trap laid by
a traitor She fell all aquivcr Her
! heart f1uttered violently: her breath
came quickly. Alone with him. and
their blood leaping to the touch that
} thrilled!
Chase could no more have restrained
the hand that went out suddenly in
quest of hers than he could have
checked his own heart throbs A wave
of exquisite JOY swept over him-the
JOY of a temptation that knew no fear
no conscience. He found her cold lit.
tie hand and clasped IT In tense fir
gers-fingers that throbbed with the
call to passion. He drew her close;
their bodies touched and sweetly trem.
bled.
Are you afraid?" lie whispered In
tones he had never heard before.
Yes" she murmured convu!sively-
"of you! Please, please, don't!' Al
the same time SIC t.;.i.,...rd her clutcl
upon his hand aud Crrpt closer to him
governed by an nnronquerable craving
i Chase had the sensation of smothering
He could not believe the senses which
told him that she was responding tt
hic appnol