Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-10
The Red Symbol
Continued from page 10

overlook us. flying helterskelter before the
new terror, Lorls had urged his horse forward.
or it quickened its pace Of its own accord as the
throng In front thinned and gave way more
easily. think l tried instinctively to keep up
with it; but the crowd closed round me, the
rush of fugitives from the rear overlook, over
whelmed, us, and was carried along with it.
l suppose l must have kept my footing.
otherwise should have been trampled down
as were so many others on that awful day. But
where went and what l did during the hours
that followed l don't know and never shall
/ lost all sense of time and place; though I've
hazy recollection of stumbling on alone.
through dark Streets sodden with the rain that
was now falling in a persistent icy drizzle.
Some of the streets were silent and deserted,
in others l paused idly to watch parties of.
sullen soldiers and police. grumbling and swear
ing over their gruesome task of collecting the
bodies and tossing them into carts; and again
l stared into brilliantly lighted cafes and
listened to the boisterous merriment of those
within. Were they celebrating an imaginary
victory, or acting on the principle, " Let us eat,
drink, and be merry: for tO-morrow-per-
chance to-night-we die"f
death brooded over the city that night
- felt his presence everywhere-in the
streets which were silent as the grave itself: in
those whence the dead were being removed;
most of all where men and women laughed and
sang and defed him,-but l felt the dread
was my enemy indeed, enemy who would
not strike, who passed me by one beneath
contempt And always, clear before my eyes,
in my ears, above all other sights and sounds,
l saw Anne's face heard her voice. Now
she stands before me as l first knew her-a
radiant, queenly vision, girl whose laughing
eyes show never care IN the world or a
thought beyond the passing moment. Her
hands are full of flowers, red flowers red as
blood Why, it is blood! Yet the man
doesn't see it, that man with the dark eager
face, who is standing beside her, who takes
a spray of the flowers from her hand What a
fool this Cassavetti is not to know that she is
Now she is changed! She wears black
gown, and the red flowers have vanished; but
she is lovelier, more queenly than ever, as she
looks at me with wide, pathetic eyes, and says,
i have deceived you!"
Again she stands, with hands outstretched,'
and cries, 1.-THE end is in sight! Thank God for.
all His mercies" and her face is as that of
angel in Heaven.
But always there is barrier between her and
me, barrier impalpable yet unpassable l try
to surmount it; but am beaten back every
time. Now it is Cassavetti who confronts me.
Again, and yet again, it is Loris, with his stern
white face, his inscrutable blue eyes, He is on
horseback; he rides straight at me; and he
bears something in his arms.
7 STRUGGLED up and looked about me.
knew the place well enough, the long mar
in the Vassilitzis' Warsaw house, but which,
ever since had known it, had been the prin-
cipal ward in the amateur hospital instituted
by Anne. A squalid ward enough; for the beds
were made up on the floor, anyhow, and every
bit of space was filled except narrow track.
Along that track came big figure which
recognized at once as Mishka, walking with
clumsy caution. You are better? That is
well, he said in gruff undertone.
How did get here!" demanded.
"Yossof brought you. He found you walk
ing about the streets, raving mad. 1t is mar
vel that you were not shot down."
Then remembered something at least of
what had passed. How long since?" 1 STAN
mered, putting my hand up to my bandaged
head.
1.-TWO days"
"And-"
81 will answer no questionsl" he growled i'll
his surliest fashion. II will send you food. and
you are to sleep again. He will see you later.
"He-Loris; he is safe them"
He nodded but would say no more, and
presently drifted back into sleep or uncon-
seriousness.
CHAPTER XLVIH
The Grand Duchess Passes
YOU'VE heard it said that sick or wounded
people always die if they have no wish to
live: but that's not true. / wanted to die as
1>od did. hit vet I lived /