The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-30

to you any share of mine in It." They shook the rattling dice and Feodor was the winner And now let us see ths woman' cried the young officers. 'Let no one dare to raise that veil,'' said F'eodor haughtily, and he drew his sword ready for combat. Leave the room!'' commanded he. As soon as he was alone with the captive he approached ths yelled woman to find that she had faint ed and was insensibe He drew the veil and saw before him Elise Gotzkowsky, He clasped her in his arms and she F. vived as he murmured in her ear, "Fear nothing, Elise, I am with you"
 It appeared that band of marauding Cossacks had sealed the wall of the rich merchants garden and, finding Elise walking there, had carried her off to the mess room of Feodors regiment. "Ah. Elise,'' cried Feodor, fear nothing! Like an angel you come to me with an olive branch through a deluge of sin. Peace love and happiness are before us" There came a knock at the door, and as Elise hastily yelled herself again an orderly reported that a man was waiting with out to ransom the daughter of the rica merchant Gotzkowsky, who had been carried off by Cossacks. The next instant Bertram appeared on the threshold.
 His first impulse was to rush upon the absolute young officer and strangle him The other officers came crowdng in. "Oh, it is the daughter of the rich merchant that you have won!" they cried. "A big ransom, a great ransom, and you know you said it was ours"
 Feodor looked intently at Bertram and Bertram knew that the young officer meant to exercise that generous and mo- ble character which had been his before debauchery and sin had perverted it. "Gotzkowsky's daughter?" cried Feodor- and then to Bertram: You sir, assever- ate this woman is the daughter Of the great merchant? So, draw the vel and see if you recognize her. My word, gentlemen officers, If it Is in reality the daughter of Gotzkowsky we will have . fat ransom" Bertram, meanwhile, lifted the veil which shrouded the features of Elise. He started back in assumed dis gust. "rhe woman here,' he said, ''is the woman who sent me on this mission. She told me her mistress had been kiJ- naped. It seems that after telling me this yarn she herself fell into the tolls. This is the chambermaid of Mile Gotz- kowsky. Gentlemen, you have sought for hidden treasure and instead you have found only live coals to burn your fin- gers. Ransom this young woman. have no such instructions" But she cba1I uo vyit mt riches. whoever she is.'' "Gentlemen," said Bertram. 'I will dissimulate no longer This woman is my sister. knew that you had captured her aud that she would not be allowed to go without ran som. I therefore have brought my lit tie savings to you and pray that we may depart in peace" He threw a purse of ducats upon the table and folded his arms. The officers rushed to the table to count the money and divide it. Feodor placed Elise upon the arm of Bertram and. whispering, Are you satisfied, Elise7" hurried them out of the room T am thine forever" replied Elise. Come sister, let us go," said Bertram sternly Expect mo tomorrow whispered Eco dor as he bent to kiss the hand of Elise upon her departure.
 Bertram had a carriage waiting and suc- ceeded in restoring Elise 10 her fathers house without her absence being remarked or having occasioned any uneasiness. He alone of the household had known of her absence. He had warned Elise against visiting the obscure part of the garden where she had been captured and seeing her wander forth there had followed her at a distance only to see her seized by the Cossacks. He was rushing forward to her rescue when thought halted hfm-- the thought that, perhaps, Elise was not being abducted against her will. He had hesitated and the moment passed Elise had been carried away. His next thought was to seek her out and persuade her to