New-York tribune., 1911-02-19

81 am al-and | agree" said Zagorsky in
a way of magnifcence all her own. And,
that being settled, an hour for consultation.
THE council sat till midnight, resolving
there by the glowing stove the plans for
assuring the coming Of the Duke to meet
waiting doom. There were no more hints OF
mutinv: but all agreed that instantly, upon
the possible appearance Of deliverance sent
for Thurley, the knife in the hands OF Jan
should do its work, no matter what the after
consequences to any in the band.
Zagorsky retired little after twelve.
Thurlev was sleeping like the Princess OF
legend, bound by a magic spell. In It's cor
ner the oilStove, rank with emanatlons,
glowed all night like a beacon set to lure
trusting ships on the reef.
At eight in the morning a thunderouS and
long continued pounding on the door reused
| Thurlev from her torpor while her captor
still raSped song of sleep. 1t was Pelevln,
ready to bring the breakfast, but desiring
the dishes Of the meal of the evening before.
The door was locked, precautlon ZagorSky
had taken on her own initiative lest Jan be
ovcrzealouS in the night.
She was reused at last, reluctantly and
heavily emerging from her Information,
which ! hurley duly noted.
The dav had officially begun. 1t was deS-
tined to be day OF dullneSS, dread, and
dcsolation, broken but once, in the morning
when the breakfast things had gone.
ZagorSky was summoned TO the room be-
low. and Pelcvin returned for the earthen-
ware cups. over which the woman had lin
gcrcd The door had been left trltie open,
Zagorsky desiring to hear any sounds that
might be of moment above.
The man thus alone with Thurley alb
ruptlv placed the utensils once more on the
table. He turned to the girl with face
transformed to one of contrtlon and shame.
"Ah, your Highness,' he whispered in
tragic undcrtone, suffuSed with intense emo
ton. 81 can no longer bear that YOU shall
regard me also with the hatred and dread,
the suspicion and horror these Others may
nSprcl have waited to tell you, declare my
loyalty, my friendship, my wish to assist you
10 eScapcl" And down on his knees the fellow
sank, his hands held imploringy before him.
Thurlcv was startled, more than SUR
prised. by the abruptness OF his action.
Something in his face the previous evening
had a little prepared her mind for some such
declaration Yet she hardly knew what was
best to do in the moment that might be
vouchSafcd them.
"Oh, if you would-if you would really
help mel" she said, her own voice barely
more than whisper. "But what can pos
sibly do?"
"Your friends" he said eagerly. "Let
them know! Your royal fianc6! In an hour
must 60 to the village for meat. y letter, a
note, to the Duke-the brave young Duke!
Let me take tiff only line!"
But have no paper no pencil My
other friends She answered eagerly. "lf
tell them all
"Ah! to ruin cvcrything!' he interrupted
imploringly. "If 50 many come, are seen
from here, your life must pay the forfeit on
the instant. This is predetermined. Let
the Duke come alone, he only, and | can
help! All! part of a letter. He had
Snatched an old letter from his pocket and
torn away the second sheet. "But a stub of
pencil only!' This he likewise produced,
with CRIME, from pocket Of his vest. write
it-write it quick There is not a moment
to lose! And already know where to find
him. The tears rolled swiftly from his eyes.
at is 50 little | may do but your life shall
be saved shall not have lived in vain-l
shall have not suffered shame, degradation,
for nothing" He dashed away the tears.
But write
Thurley was deeply affected by the fell
| l.,