Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1914-04-24

sat along III her bOudoir, she had com,
pletely forgotten that Lupinsli was to
be hanged at sunrise. when a serving
woman entered to say that a young
woman craved audience on a matter
Of life and death.
The slender figure that followed tho
servant let fall heavy shawl and ad.
vanced. She was still in her teens and
pretty with wholesome country beau
ty. although her usually red cheeks
were pale and tear stained Her
brown eyes told as plainly Of hard
days journey as her mud-stained skirt
and muddy shoes.
What is 1t, my child?" demanded
Sonia. Diminishing the attendant with
nod.
They are going to hang Ivan, my
sweetheart" cried the girl. He is In
nocent. Noble princess. save him.
Ills manner"
Ivan Lupinsh. He"
"He assaulted the governor OF bis
province with intent to kill" said
Sonia, stern1y.
There Is some mistake. He could
not"
"He received a fair trial There Is
no doubt of his guilt"
Mercy. gentle princess. and spare
his lifei"
"As a woman forgive him his cow
ardly attack upon my life. But as the
cars representative at Kikamsk L
must enforce his laws"
Tomorrow at SUNRISE" muttered
the girl. turning away; ''he will"
She stumbled and fell halffainting
towards the princess, who supported
her to the couch
you poor thing! You are all worn
out" she said, alphabetically.
Il have been walking since mid
night" the other answered. attempt
ing to rise.
There, there" said Sonia. lie
still and rest for few minutes"
She rang for her woman, who
brought glass of wine, which she
made her patient sip. Then, ordering
more wood thrown on the fire, Sonia
dismissed the servant and from her
favorite chair watched the girl who
vainly struggled to keep awake.
AS the wood caught and blazed up
the princess turned out the lamp, for
she loved the glow of an open fire.
The pet angora cat, which had van
ished at the girls entrance. reap
peared and rubbed itself against
Sonia's chair. and at length sought
her favorite place on the hearth,
where she crouched. blinking at her
mistress.
The latters heart was filled with
pity. for the sleeper. In vain she tried
to think of some way of alternating
the others grief Pardon Lupinsh
she conscientlously could not. More
over. had not Providence saved this
young woman from an unhappy mar
rage with desperate! Nevertheless
Sonia was certain that the girl would
be heart-broken. Again she looked
with pity at the figure on the couch,
motionless save for her breathing and
the even throbbing of the artery at
her throat.
The wood was consumed and the
light grew dim. The dropping OF a
half burned chunk with its accom-
panying fare aroused Sonia. Looking
up, she was startled by the greenish
radiance of two orbs that blazed with
the intensity of lamps. Sonia smiled
ut her fright and looked curiously at
the cat, whose eyes did not waver for
a second. Instinctively thinking OF
mouse. she drew her skirts closely
about her Following the direction OF
her pets gaze, she discovered to her
amazement that the green eyes were
intently fixed upon the pulse in the
sleeping girls throat. AS Sonia looked
the cat balanced and sprang.
Screaming, the girl started from the
couch and supporting herself on her
elbow, stared wildly about, as II awak-
ened from nightmare.
your lover Is saved" cried the
princess, joyously. 81 have found the
guilty one"
Then sounding the bell for the cap
tain of the guard she gave the order:
set free the prisoner, Lupinsk,
and bring him here. He is innocent"