Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-07-14
CHAPTER XII.
A Princess and a Woman.

| WIN ner nanQ8 claSpeu Denlnd ner
back, and her lovely brows knit in
thought, the while she dictated let
ters to her secretary. The boys keen
glance detected that she was pale. AS
he entered and stood by the door, ST.
lently waiting, she turned to him eag-
erly and said:
We'll! What is this communica-
tion that you have to make to me?
Do you bring me letter."
II must see you alone" replied
Wang. There was something in his
manner and expression that could not
be denied. The princess turned to-
ward her secretary, saying:
"You may leave the room until
ring for you, Olga"
"But surely" protested Olga, your
highness does not wish to be left
alone with this stranger? Let me
stay, beg of you, to protect you!"
Romanovna smiled.
II fear you would be of small pro-
lection in case of danger. Besides"
glancing at the boys slight form, "this
young man does not look like dan
gerous person. Go, insist"
The girl gathered up her papers and
left the room at once.
do you know where my master
is?" demanded Wang in perfect Rus
sian.
"Your master?"
Eyes, or my employer, II you will,
though l love to call him my master.
mean the American, Frederick Court
land Hardy"
"Oh! So you are the Korean boy
of whom have heard-his secretary?
No, my poor boy, do not know where
he is, further than that he is in prison
in st. Petersburg charged with a ter
rible crime, on presumptive evidence
so strong that his conviction is almost
certain. Was he a kind master to
your" asked the princess. do you
love him very much? Why, what is
the matter?"
Wang turned an ashen color, reeled
as if wounded and caught at the knob
of door.
"No-nothing," he gasped, "just a
little faintness-the heat of the room,
perhaps. l am all right now. Mr..
Hardy is the kindest man that I have
ever known-and the bravest and
truest gentleman that walks the
earth"
II am glad to hear him so we'll
spoken Of" said the princess. Her
hands were still clasped behind her
back as she stood gazing fixedly at
Wang. "My acquaintance with him
would lead me to have the same opin-
ion, were 1t not for this terrible accu-
sation, so strongly substantiated by
evidence"
She was talking with this wonderful
boy as though he were an equal
And do you believe this accusation
you. who love him? Shame upon
you! Does not your heart tell you
that he is innocent?"
IL was now the Romanovna's turn
to grow pale and stagger, as though
she had been struck a physical blow,
How dare your she cried; "you
insolent boy Did he tell you that
loved him? But no! He Ia a gentle
man. He could not do such a thing.
But something. though II cannot be
my heart, tells me that he is inno-
cent"
Then something tells you right"
said Wang. quietly. "for he did not
kill your worthless cousin. killed
him!"
"You-you killed him!" Her ex
preston. as she said these words, de-
noted perplexity. quickly followed by
/ pity. You poor boy" sho cried
your sufferings have affected your
mind Those little hands have never
committed murder-and such ter.
rible murder!"
Listen" said Wang. and you will
understand and believe. The Prince
/ Romanon hated my master from the
/ beginning Of his acquaintance with
/ him, because he could not make him
/ his tool. In Japan. where the prince
/ came as spy. he attempted 10 throw
I suspicion on Mr. Hardy, but did not
+ succeed Ia getting him into any seri
/ ous trouble. It's hatred was increased
I on the Amur because Il was my mas
/ ter who saved your life. and not he.
/ The AFFAIR OF the duet. In which the
I American figured aa the real hero by
f sparIns hIs life at your request.
Z changed hla aulmasity into resent.
m,nt which Mr. iiardy's death alone
/ could have satisfied
% overheard the prince TALKING Ia
Z tAn station al Moscow with tNu uf hi8
I aH8rlAt.s ila mentioned the name
af haTdy aifA mufdrFaus hHte. aHl + T
ahalobri them ior ESQ days. II
learned tHat tae prince aas planning
F I1 Alll mY MASTER Fhef Uere su.us
F ta hafe unH ceaeh H ulIrb he Uas
HH.iIus blown ag HIfl dynamite ana
. iHH fHU.T Hr.aH lHal 2 mIs.ats haa
E h..H Waa. Ha ha# happened before
/ aul lHat t4e sAp.e.lpu had been IA