The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-05

guests and then set him upon Natilie. Ribas poisoned the guardian dogs of the villa where Natalie dwelt and secretly, at night, penetrated into the house, where he confronted his brother Carlo. Failing in making Carlo a partner in his plans, he killed him and escaped in safety back to the house of Orloff. Despair and terror seized upon the now forsaken Natalie. At this stage appeared to her Joseph Ribas, representing himself as a Russian officer and friend of Paulo. Paulo, he said, had been arersted by the Empress, but had sent word to him to look after the welfare of Natalie. A powerful noble who was interested in her had given. or ders that she should be supplied with money and surrounded by every com fort
 This unknown benefactor, after time. was introduced to the ensnared girl. It was, of course, Alexis Orloff. Handsome, winning of manner when he chose to be, he set himself to win the heart of Nata- lie and seldom did Alexis Orloff attempt such a citadel but it captulated. He tolc Natalie the sercet of her birth and said that Russia was only waiting to welcome its Empress. Dazzled and intoxicated by the splendid address of Orloff and the glittering visions of power which were held out to her, Natalie consented to marry the Count and to go with him to Russia to rule the people who were clamoring for her return. The Cardi- nal Bernis, before the marriage, had visited her and warned her against Or loff. limiting that she was being en-
 meshed in snares which would destroy her life. But she proudly repudiates the
 idea that her Alexis could be untrue to her in any way; he was great and mo- ble, the soul of honor, if he should be- tray her then she would not care to live. And the Cardinal went away sad, saying to himself: "She loves him-her ruin is complete
 The marriage of Orloff and Natalie took place in the boudoir of the prin- cess. where an altar had been erected. She was very beautiful in her modest joyful emotion, and Count Orloff, who in a rich Russian uniform stood by her side, viewed her with ecstatic and de-
 string glances. The inhuman execution
 
 out pity or compunction. At the other side of the altar stood the priest, a
 reverend old man with long white locks
 and beard. and the sacristan with him | had no less reverend appearance. When | the ceremony was over and the Count and Natalie had retired the mock priest and his assistant tore off their disguises l and revealed the faces of Joseph Ribas and Stephano the secretary of Orion. | It had been a mock marriage
 And now. my dear" said Orloff few
 days later, 'it is time for us to begin our homeward journey. The Russian
 fleet is due in a few days at Leghorn, where they will receive their empress
 with salvos of artillery and the golden
 chair will be lowered down from the
 admral's ship to take you on board" t"Oh," replied Natalie, q will be good
 ruler of my people. and you, Alexis,
 shall teach me how to govern. Of this
 high destiny, which is now mine. Paulo
 has frequently hinted to me, but un-
 derstood him not. Poor Paulo, the first | thing will do will be to liberate him. D Said Count Orloff to Stephano that
 night: I've start for Leghorn on our way to Russia tomorrow. Naturally my
 wife will accompany me. This is better than sabducting the princes by force and l getting into a squabble with the Roman government. And the commands of my imperial mistress are at the same time fully carried out. Diplomacy, my dear
 stephano. especially Russian diplomacy, is
 most effective when played by man of
 skill like myself" After a day or two s
 walt at Leghorn, whither Orion and Ma