The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-10-27

She stood up slowly and cautiously
and stepped to the window. She
looked out at the beautiful green TO-
liage and the blooming flowers for a
long time, and Napoleon did not dis
turb her. Her actions commanded re-
spect.
A smile appeared on her face, a
smile that reminded Napoleon of his
own mother; it expressed mother
love, the most holy of all.
"See-see how green the grass Isl
How blue the sky isl How mild the
air, and the water of the Lago di Mag
giore is as smooth as mirror" She
beckoned to Napoleon. Just look at
that sweet little girl see how she runs
on the shore-she is after a butter
fly. Don't you see her, man! Don't
you see herr" She gasped these last
words hoarsely and grasped Napole-
on's arm. A nameless terror had his
noble soul in its grip.
Answer me, do you see her?' She
began to sob. "Ah, don't say no-say
you see her. She is my own little girl,
She is good and not like her mother.
She is good, say! She must be good
to be happy" She sobbed wildly.
Turning to Napoleon she screamed:
Speak! Oh. speak to me, or shall
go mad entirely"
He took her hands in his and in a
mild voice said; "Rositta, be quiet;
you don't know what you are saying"
She pushed him away. A wild look
came into her eyes.
you iend! You have killed me,
and I'll kill you now!" Her hand
slipped into her bosom and a short
gilt Venetian dagger glistened bright
ly. She darted forward blindly and
just missed Napoleon. Her dagger
struck the wall fiercely. The blade
broke and fell with a sharp clink to
the floor. The next moment she faint
ed in Napoleons arms.
He carried her to the sofa and
brought fresh water to revive her.
For two long hours her soul trav-
eled through unknown regions where
there is neither time nor distance.
When she opened her eyes again she
was not the same youthful, vivacious
Rositta. She had become old.
She did not speak for long time,
and Napoleon had the patience to
await her pleasure, notwithstanding
his neglected duties at Washington.
At last she sat up and said weakly:
Napoleon Edison. you have won. You
are strong; / am weak. The Queen
ROSETTA is dead. The only one ever
truly loved, my little daughter, Is
dead, and now can mourn the rest
of my life. You may go, Napoleon.
That kiss of yours on the roof at Hell.
goland-that kiss given as alms-is
responsible for all have DONE" She
offered her hand. please go; there
are many awaiting you. I want to
rest in this solitude"
Napoleon took her hand "Good-by
| Should you need me, there is a special
signal arrangement in the other room
use It," He left, and she watched his
form disappear in the dark night The
man she had once feared, loved and
hated was gone, and, it was strange
but she found all these conflicting
emotions gone as we'll.
That was the last ever heard of the
oncefamous Princess Schomburg
Lithow, the ambitious Queen of the
/ Air.
En- route to Washington Napoleon
talked with his men on Ciryne
Whistler told him that his instruc
tons had been carried out to the let
ter and Sullivan told of the success
full capture of the four aerodromones
from the west.
1t was ten o'clock in the morning
when he sighted the capital, and Con
gress was in session.
The newspapers had already de
scribed the battle between the Eagle
and the Princess and the capture of thu
whole aerodromone fotilla. Whistler
had reported to the proper authorities
but no one knew what had become o.
the Princess Rositta
Loud shouts filled the chamber wheI
Napoleon came in. Representative!
left their chairs and, lifting him up
carried him on their shoulders to his