Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-10-06
'.Forgiye me-" he murmureu.

OTSlYe Iue, lie .nurInureQ.
SIT is too late. she replied. Then
his hand sought hers again, and, dizzy
with emotion, he led her up to the
open door. AS they passed into the
huge, dimly lighted chamber he turned
to look into her face She met his
gaze. and there We're tears in her eyes.
Sclim was ahead of them She shook
her head sadly, and he understood.
Can we ever forget?" she murmured
plaintivcly.
"Ncver!" he whispered.
''Then we shall always regret-al-
ways regret she said, withdrawing
her hand. 1T was the beginning and
the end
Not the erd. dearest one-if we are
always 10 regret" he interposed eager
y. But why the end? You do love
me. know it! And l worship you
oh. YOU don't know how l worship
you. Genevra. T.
Hush! We We're fools! Don't,
please. do not love you. was car
ried away by Oh, can't you under
stand? Remember what | am! You
knew aud yet you have degraded me
In my own eyes. Is my own self re-
spect nothing? You will laugh and
you may boast after am married
to-
"Genevra" he protested as If In
great pain.
"EXcellency." came from the lips of
Selim at the lower end Of the cham
Der, breaking in sharply upon their lit
tie world. there is no time to be lost"
Time to be lost! And lie had held her
in his arms. Time to be lost! All the
rest of time was to be lost! "They
may return ut any moment"
Chase pulled himself together He
looked into her eyes for n moment.
finding nothing there but II command
to go. She stocd straight and unyield-
Ing on the very spot which had seen
her trembling With emotion but mo-
ment before.
Coming. Selim," he said. and moved
away from her side as Neenah came
toward them from the opposite wall
Genevra did not move. She stood quite
still and numb. watching his tall fig
ure crossing the stone floor. All, what
n man lie was! The little Persian wife
of Selim, after waiting for full min
ute, gently touched the arm of the
princess. Genevra started and looked
down into the dark, accusing, smiling
eyes. She flushed deeply and hated
herself.
"Shall we go back?" she asked nerv-
ously. IL have seen enough. Come,
Neenah. Lead me back to-
"Most glorious eXcellency," said Nee
nah. shaking her pretty head, 1--WE are
to wait here. The sahib and Selim
will join us soon."
where are they going?" demanded
the princess. a feeling of awe coming
over her. II don't want to be left here
alone" Chase and Selim had opened
a low. heavy iron door at the lower
end and were peering into the dark
ness beyond.
"Selim will explain. He has learned
much. 1t is the secret passage to the
coast. Be not afraid"
Genevra looked about her for the
first time. They We're standing in a
long. low room, the walls of which
rocked with dampness and give out Il
noXious odor. A single electric light
provided faint. almost unnatural
| light. Selim raised u lighted lantern
as he led Chase through the squat
door. Behind Genevra We're enor-
nous casks. dozen or more, reach.
ing almost to the ceiling. A number
Of boxes stood close by, while on the
opposite side of the chamber four
small iron chests were to be seen,
dragged out from recesses in the dis
tant corner Observing her look of
wonder. Neenah vouchsafed casual
explanation.
ut is the wine cellar and the store
room. The iron chests contain the
silver and gold plate that came from
the great rajah of AIurpat in ex-
change for the five huge rubies which
now adorn his crown. The old sahibs
stored the chests here many years ago
but few know of their existence. See
They were hidden in the walls over
there. Won Blitz has found them"
won BlitZ!" in Gmazement.
HE has been here. He has carried
away many chests. There We're TWEEN.
ty in ALL
"And-and he will return for these?
| queried the princess in alarm.
"Assuredly. most glorious one. Soon
perhaps. But be not afraid. Selin
can close the passage door. He can
not get in. He will be fooled. eli.
Why should you be afraid? Have you
not with you the most wonderful. the
most brave sahib? Would he not give
his life for you:'' The dark eye.
fparkled with nderstnnding-aye. evel
mischief. GENEVA felt that this orr
entail witch knew everything. For 3
long time she looked in uncertain mood
upon that smiling. wistful face. Their
she said softly. moved by an irresisti
BILE impulsesto confess something. ever
obscurely:
.Oh. If only were such us you
Neenah. and could live forever on this
dear islandv'
But. most high. there are n,
/ pAAhSSo hSiS. AnGkS 10 uO OuC ~
whom the most gracious one could bt
sold. No one who could pay more
than dozen rubies. Women are
cheap here. and you would be won
an. not most beautiful princess"
Il would not care to be princess
perhaps"
you love my Sahib chaser" de
manded Neenah abruptly. eagerly.
"Neenah!' gasped Genevra. with ,
startled look. Neenah looked intently
into the unsteady. blue gray eyes ant
then bent over to kiss the hand of thu
princess. The latter laughed almos
aloud in her, confusion. She caugh
herself up quickly and said with some
asperity: you foolish child, 1 am t,
become princes wife. How can
love your sahib? What nonsense!
am to marry prince: and he is no
to pay for me in rubies."
.Ah. how wonderful cried Neenah
with ravishing candor. "a prince To-
a husband and the glorious Sahil
| Chase for n lover nil vour lifai Ahi'