Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-05
CHAPTER XVIII.
MI Pa NIL

series OF gorgeous pageants,
a riot OF semi-eastern splendor.
But If this last held all the rejoicing
and glory OF the commencement OF q new
reign. it held also the deep regret and
dread of the passing OF tested security.
The empire loved Stanief with grateful
fervOr, 1t feared Adrian. Even in the
court We're those who foresaw q return
to old disaster in the rule OF the unguid-
ed and willfull young sovereign.
Yet before Staniefs own will all these
elements were helpless. The court party
proper triumphed. because the others
lacked a leader. Dalmorov and his fol-
lowers. the officials held to strict account
under Staniefs stern government. the
officers and ministers deprived of brides
and pillage. the jealous and chatting no
bles. all these turned in snarling glee to
watch the fall.
Through all the chaos Stanief moved
with a dignity never SO great, carrying
his head proudly above the conflict. Still
the power lay in his grasp. and firmly he
held the seething country to semblance
of calm. Many a shaft he received,
many a yelled insolence and obvious
taunt. growing holder as the last beads
Gus enemies feared him less: but since
the day Of the attack he had borne him
self like one who possesses a secret world
Of his own.
BY his side Iria played her part. no
less dreamily radiant. She at least met
no bitterness except her own knowledge
of the coming change: she had offended
no one, and no one ventured to annoy
the gentle princess whom Adrian's love
might yet hold above the wreck. But 1t
peror avoided seeing either her or her
husband. SO far as possible.
The night before the coronation Allard
escaped from the palace and went TO
than usual. and he was furious before
some new arrogance OF the victorious
party.
TT is Dalmorov again and always" he
pas
ly it is time for his reckoning. You
once said You would crush him while
you could; tomorrow
Tomorrow 1 cannot" Stanief COM
pleted. THAT is very true. John: to-
Sic transit-you know the rest"
For the first time he had received Al
lard in the apartments OF the grand
duchess, and Iria was seated by her hus-
band in rapt and silent content They
also had returned recently from the
palace; the shining folds of Iria's court
dress lay over the floor in pillows OF
rose and silver; again she wore the
pearls whose tinted beauty echoed the
soft luster Of her face.
Tomorrow Allard exclaimed. i'm
petuously ''Monseigneur. mOnseigneur.
it is quarter to 12!'
$50 late? Well. SO I would have the
day find us-together. Ny empire has
verse. For Dalmorov, be satisfied. Down
in my desk are papers that can send him
to a prison or a scaffold. as I choose.
have not been idle or forgetful; thought
of YOU"
minutes" he sprang to his feet. afire.
Stanief rested his head against the
back Of the chair. quieting the others
energy with curious smile.
MY dear John. l have had those pa
pers for two months; two months ago I
sent to England the poor wretch who
earned his pardon by aiding me to get
them"
Stunned. Allard gazed at him:
Two months?" he repeated. Two
All the long catalogue Of insults. an
noyances and petty wrongs rose before
him, the open warfare and secret IN
slowly he gathered compre-
hension Of the singular expression with
which Stanief frequently had regarded
his rival on such occasions.
Perhaps I liked to play with him"
the level voice resumed. Perhaps I did
not care to deprive the emperor Of his
work to be done. But I think waited
because of a quixOtic dislike to using
my superior strength OF position against
an antagonist: to being both accuser ana
tention of letting him escape and work
mischief undisturbed; simply leave him
to Abrams justice"
"Then you
81 shall give the evidence to the en-
peror after the coronation and before I
leave the city. If he chooses to pardon
Dalmorov, very good: my part Is done.
However, I would not value the baron's
chances much. My cousin is-my
cousin"
yes" Allard admitted. reluctantly: he.
too, knew the steel-hard Adrian. "Only
it seems pity to give him tomorrow"
Stanief laughed.
"And I fancied you Americans good
Let Dalmorov go with all the
glittering wreckage Of my regency. l
have found the better part"
Iria's little hand nestled into the one
held out for it, and there fell silence.
Allard looked at them. then. signing.
turned his head. The memory Of Theo-
dora caught at his heart. Theodore, who
had loved Robert and now grieved out
her marred life. alone amidst the I'M
valued wealth SO hardly bought.
From the great cathedral pealed the
first rich bell of the chime. lria lifted
her finger in warning.
Midnight" she said. softly.
Stanief rose, and, drawing her with him, |
crossed to push aside the curtains be- |
fore the open window. !
Come" he bade Allard. The last
night is gone. Look at the city, John:
the board Of our royal chess. at which
admit checkmate."
Out over the velvet blackness studded !
with myriad points of light the three /
zazed quietly. Already faint rumors of /
carnival awoke here and there. The capi- |
.al stirred in its sleep with dreams of the
morning whose sunrise |
ship of the empire by seventeen guns.
Never did the purple and gold sands |
slip less regretted from the hourgiass.
said Stanief, no faltering i'm the low
zones which an hour before had carried |
dominion over q nation. "Only one sor-
row I have tonight, Iria, when with you |
and John lay down the life we know.
She leaned closer against his breast. /
As If to throw her frail body across the /
gates of destiny.
"And that one. FeOdor?
adrian" he answered. $50 near to /
NY heart lay pride in proving my 10y
atty, in convincing him OF 1t and living |
Down the lying distrust sown by ms
father and the court, SO strong was my /
to lift my honor above dis !
belief and wear my wards confidence
Is a decoration in all mems eyes. And
dreamed of helping him bear the heavy |
charge laid upon his slim shoulders. |
Fancies. boyish fancils wiser outgrown:
[ have learned better now.
'The world knows" she whispered.
Eyes, or will know. But loved
ADRIAN
The quiet words fell with the last dis
ant chime of bells. Listening, it seemed
% Allard that no reproach leveled at
he young emperor could be SO utterly