Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-02-05
THURMONT FREDERICK COUNTY, MD. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY

blossoms In their hands and
all this faded into the midst of
dreams. The countess slept beside
the fire, opposite her sleeping hus-
band.
And Paul was stammering out his
love and clasping Clothildes little
hands in his.
Forgive me-" he was saying, "for
my remarks to you that day in Paris.
! was mad with a sense of shame and
betrayal. l have always loved you.
Clothilde. shall love you for ever
more. Do you love me?"
For they never seem banal to low
ers, those hackneyed words. Nor did
her reply seem as inspid as the
printed record of it would be; for
both were in heaven.
Paul saw tears in Clothildes eyes.
81 love you, Paul." she said, and
humility had replaced the imperious
pride in her voice. when you
showed me to myself for what am l
suddenly realized-O, ever SO many
the one man whom | could love. l
always loved you, Paul, from that
strange moment of our first meeting
in America. But lately-well, Paul, do
you know why am here?"
"To aid Apollodorus," he answered,
with the least tinge of bitterness in
his voice.
NO" she answered. 1T is because
| I am sick of the league. l tried to
bury myself here, to escape them
But they have found me and followed
me. They know that without my in
fuence the league will lose the last
vestiges of it's influence And they
have even threatened me, Paul"
"Who?" he cried angrily.
| "Von Holzrath He is now one of
the leaders Of the organization. He
has offered me the choice between
continuing as their agent and the
leagues enmity. l must decide. l
fear him so; | hate the league so
much and long for peace. think
it is my love for you. Paul, that has
sickened me Of these intrigues."
Then come with me-" cried Paul.
"Come back to America. No one will
dare modest you there. Come and"
She placed her hand upon his arm.
Some day" she answered. But not
now. There are things to be done
you understand? | cannot disappear
so swiftly. feel, somehow that l
must remain until the league is
crushed, or till 1t crushes me. 1t will
be only little while, Paul. Promise
me that, now we are sure Of each 9th
er's love, you will not seek me out
until | call you"
81 promise" he answered sadly.
But, Clothilde, why are you here?
Did not the league send you to aid in
the fraud upon the Tsar?"
She nodded But found that it
is no fraud Paul" she said
"What? You don't mean that 1t Is
true?"
She nodded, looking earnestly into
his eyes.
1T is in very truth the spirit of the
late Tsar," she answered. Il was
most sceptcal; bat when | went with
| the count saw and heard and touched
him. None could mistake Alexander.
| Why. Paul, do you not know that
| Alexander was the strongest man in
! Europe? He could bend horseshoe
double with one of his hands. And l
have seen hm-his spirit-do that.
to convince Nicholas"
1T was Apollodorus"
Never, Paul He is weakling
and has hands like a woman. Paul,
if you are here to expose the monk
you will be convinced in spite Of your
self"
You are deceived by a clever i'm
postor," Paul answered. 1T cannot
be, Clothilde"
She did not try further to persuade
him. and a moment later the countess
awoke and looked around for her knit
ting.
The party was to start from the
| station at ten o'clock on the We'd
| nesday morning, In special train,
scheduled to reach Nishikoff late in
the afternoon, when they would be re-
ceived and dined In the refectory
Of the monastery and lodged over
night. The program was carried out
as 1t had been planned. Paul caught
glimpse of the thin, nervous figure
Of the Tsar as he hurried into his
private COACH then, with his host and
comfortably at home-he entered
compartment already three parts filed
with gentlemen of the Tsar's body
guard, and the train rolled out of the
station, to pull in at Nishikoff about
! five In the evening. There carriages
awaited the party and drove In long
procession to the monastery.
Their sleeping accommodation was in
cells, for the Tsar's visits were re-
garded both by himself and by the
head monk as disciplinary journeys;
but the meal, spread on long tables
= in the refectory, was satisfying and al
most epicurean. Evidently these
monks were not averse to the good
things Of life; indeed. from the
glances which they turned upon Clo-
thide 1t was evident that they were
by no means fanatical in their asceti-
cism. The admission Of woman,
though contrary to the strict monastic
rule, was condoned In the case Of
one of his majesty's suite, but 1t
proved sufficiently disconcerting for
many of the inmates. Paul noticed,
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