The Washington times., 1911-09-13


- Gus by the intense electrical at
mosphcre which seems always
to surround a person who is danger
ously i'll, grew more and more prey 70
vague and terrible apPrehensions. his
mind dwelt Historically on the most
fatal possibilities.
He wondered what would occur if by
any i'll chance Eugen should die in that
bed-how he would explain the affair 10
Posen and to the Emperor; how he
would Justify himself
He saw himself being tried for nur-
DER, sentenced !him-a prince of the
blood, led TO the scaftold-a scene I'M
paralleled in Europe for over GEN.
tuTy!
Then he eazed anew at the sick man,
and thought he saw death in every
drawn feature of that agoniZed face.
He could have screamed aloud.
His ears heard peculiar resonant
boom. He started-it was nothing but
the city clock striking L. But there
was another sound-a mysterious shuttle
at the door.
He listened; then jumped from mis-
chair. Nothing now! Nothing Bot
still he felt Drawn to the door, and
after what seemed an interminable i'll
te1val he went and opered il, his heart
Beating furiously.
Nella lay in a heap on the door mat.
She was fully dressed, but had appar-
emily lost consciousness.
He clutched at her slender body,
picked her up, carried her to the chair
by the fireplace and laid her In it.
He had forgotten all about EuSen.
What is ii, my angelo" he wits
pered, and then he kissed her-kissed
He could only look at her; he did rot
know what to do to succor her.
sighed.
Where am I?' she asked vaguely, in
a tremulous tone. "Ah," as she reccg-
nlZP6 10
thing silly? Did l faint?"
What has happened? Were you ill?"
he questioned anxiOusly.
He was kneeling at her feet and held
Il saw Jules by the side of nv bed. {"
she murmured. I'm sure l saw him:
he laughed at me. had not undressed
l sprang up, frightened, but he had
gone. and then 1 ran downstairs-to
You were dreaming" and he soothed
her.
You must have been. I have not
heard a sound. No one could have en-
tered. But If you like 1 will wake Mr..
Racksole'
Perhaps I was dreaming" she admit
ted. How foolish"
You were overtired," he said, still
unconsciously holding her hand
at him.
You kissed me-" she said suddenly,
and he blushed red, and stood up before
her. Why did you kiss me?"
"Ah, Miss Racksole," he murmured,
hurrying the words out. Forgive me-
1t is unforgivable, but forgive me. 1
was overpowered by my feelings. did
not know what was doing
Why did you kiss me?" she repeated.
"Because--Nella, 1 love you! 1 have
no right to say it,
why have you no right to say it?''
If Eugen dies, l shall owe a duty to
Posen-I shall he its ruler
We'll" she said calmly, with an ador-
millions. Would you not abdicate?'
All" He gave a low cry. "Will you
force me to say these things? I could
not shirk my duty to Posen, and the
reisning Prince of Posen can only
marry a princess"
But Prince Eugen will live" she
said positively. and If he lives"
nounce all my rights to make you mine,
if-if--"
"If what, Primer"
hand"
Am I. then. rich enough""
'Nellar' lie bent down to her.
Then there was a crash of breaking
glass. Aribert went to the window and
opened 1t.
In the starlight gloom he could see
that a ladder had been raised against
the back of the house. He thought he
heard footsteps at the end of the gar
den.
TT was Jules" he exclaimed to Mel
la, and without another word rushed |
upstairs to the attic.
The attic was empty; Miss Spencer |
had mysteriously vanished.