The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1909-11-19
Copyright. 1908. by Dodd. Mead
q Co.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE JOY OF TEMPTATION.


the chateau that night. The
charity ball was forgotten or,
~ If recalled at all. only in con-
nection with the thought of what it
came so near to costing its promoters.
No further disturbances occurred. A
strict watch was preserved; the pic
turesque drawbridge was lifted, and
there were lights on the terrace and gal
leries; men slept within easy reach of
their weapons. The siege had begun
in earnest. Men had been slain, and
their blood was crying out for venge-
ance; the voice Of justice was lost in
the clamorings of rage
The princess was quite serene. She
lightly announced that the present
state of affairs was no worse than
that which she was accustomed to at
home. The court of Rapp-Thorberg
was ever in q state of unrest despite
its 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
1--WE invariably come out on top"
she philosophical, land 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 clump of trees
AS they were gravely discussing the
events of the night Neenah came up to
them from beyond the bridge. She
salaamed gracefully to the ''sahib. "
She had no eyes for royalty.
"Excellency," she began breathless-
ly, at is Selim who would have pri-
waite speech with the most gracious
sahib. 1t is to be quick, excellency
Selim is under the ground, excellency.'
@'''''A IN tue ree4lTFs?"
Eyes. eXcellency. 1t is so dark there
that one cannot see, but Neenah will
lead you Selim 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. "Is
Selim hurt?" he demanded Of Neenah
who shook her head vigorously.
'Then there is no reason why 70,
should not accompany us. princess"
II am not at all necessary to the un
dertaking." she said coldly, turning II
leave him.
"Selim has found fuses and gunpow
der laid in the cellars, eXcellency-il
the secret vaults" began Neenah ca
gerly, divining the cause of the whit
lady's hesitation.
This astounding piece Of news swep
away the feeble barrier Genevra woul'
have erected in her pique. She con
scented to accompany Chase into tn
cellars, a spirit of adventure overcon
ing certain scruples which might hav
restrained her under other conditions
Neenah led them through the win
cellars and down into the vaults bt
yond the dungeons. The princes
SndSc tightly uS tiC
stole through the bleak, chill corridor
She found herself wondering if til
girl was to be trusted. What IL sh
were leading them into trap? Sh
would have whispered her fears int
Chases ear had not sharp "Sh!" com
from the girl who was leading. G,
nevra felt queer little throb Of hatre
for the girl-she could not explain it.
The dungeon was off to the RICH
They could hear the insistent murmJ
of voices, with now and then laug
from the distant cells. The guar
could be heard scoffing at his charge
With a caution that seemed wholly a
surd to the two white people. Neena
guided them through the maze of ma
row passages, dark as Erebus and CHI
as the grave. Chase checked by
terical impulse to laugh aloud at Il
proceedings. 1t was like playing at
children's game.
He was walking between the tv
women. Neenah ahead. Genevra b
hind. Each clasped one of his hand
Suddenly he found himself experien
ing an overpowering desire to exc
the strength of his arm to draw t
princess close-close to his insiste
body. The touch of her. flesh, t
clutch of her cold little hand. fill
him with the most exquisite sense
possession. The magnetism of Ii
charged from one to the other, STR
ing fire to the blood. He was forg
ting Neenah. forgetting himself. thin
ing only of the opportunity and
fascination In another instant
would have drawn her hand to
lips. Neenah came to standstill
uttered warning whisper. Chase
covered himself with a mighty sta
a chill as of one avoiding an unse