The Marshall republican., 1913-07-11

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Napoleon invited the countess to re.
turn to the capital with him and spend
n few days with Astra. She consent.
ed, and when they we're alone asked
what had become OF the assassin who
had sought Astra's life. Napoleon
could give her nc Information except
that he was in prison.
Almost every mail brought the
countess letters from Europe, among
which was another from the Count
Won wefdenstein.
The e~leverly worded contents OF
that message conveyed the informa-
ton that Napoleon was interested In a
piece OF land belonging to the Schom.
burg Lithow ~princedom. Rositta was
requested TO find the reason for his
interest. As soon az she was ready
to cas the bomb that would destroy
peace the reward she might ask would
be hers.
All this harmonized with her plans.
and she looked forward to the next
trip to Ciryne with Santos.
There was q reception at the Crys-
tai Palace that evening for the diplo-
matte. corps Of the countries repre-
scented nj the capital. II brought back
the days before the isolation. Uni
forms glfttered. orders OF vaior and
distinction were exhibited by the Eu.
ropeans. who seemed to hold to their
traditions; the barbaric splendor OF
the Orient mingled with the simple
evening dress OF the Americans. for
simplicity characterized every Ameri-
can citizen.
When Astra appeared she was her.
self tho greatest Jewel.
A concert was arranged for the en-
tertainment Of tho distinguished
guests.
The Countess Rosiny and Mr.. Hale
sat near each other; he was dreamily
enjoying the wonderful mellow on
tralto voice. ftI- Lar
An Attendant vhisporad: pj'A mes.
senger wants 70 sse your iadyship." u
Quietly she withdrew from the hall.
Xfabrosio Hale looked after her, He
had seen the changing ~oxprcssion on
her sScs, and shook his head doubt.
fully % be watched her leave.
A mao awaited the countess in n
small reception room: he wore the
black cassock OF q Trappist monk. an
ancient order that still existed In o
few OF the European Countries.
His face IeSembled that. OF the
Countess Rosfhy TO Al extraordinary
degree.
When she saw him she uttered one
word, Robert" He motioned for
her to step nearer, and she obeyed.
The pale padre brought from under
his robe R,smau parcel and unfolded
II. ", coptsinedI "a small locket with
q fne chain Of gold. Fine miniatures
were on either side, and pressed be.
tween was n curl Of black. glossy hair.
bound with q narrow black ribbon.
One portrait was Rositta's. The 9TH
or was q little girls.
In pantomime the monk told Rosltta
that he had brought this to her at the
request Of the little girl. She watched
him stupidity. seeming unable TO grasp
his meaning. At last II came over
her with q rush and she grasped the
= monks arm convulstvely.
Brother. what has happened to her.
to my-my daughterf"
The monk slowly raised his right
hand ~hsavenwsrd,
y Rositta gave q shrek and fell
fainting.
The monk PICKED his sister up and
placed her .tenderiy on the sofa, then
he wrapped the lockst and chain in Its
silk covering and placed 1t carefully
in the bosom Of her dress.
His large eyes rested somberly on
ROSETTA. and . sigh escaped his lips,
He crossed himself and. with a last
Glance It the silent woman. departed.