Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

He pitied Marishka from the bottom of
his heart for he had seen the beginnings
OF the struggle between her devotion
to the Duchess and her duty to her
sovereign. But he knew enough of her
quality to be sure that she would carry
out her plan at whatever the cost to
her own feelings.
AS Renwick approached the gates
which led into the castle grounds. ne
had an actual sense of the consequence
of the Archdulies guests In the appear
ance of soldiery and police which were
to be seen in every direction. and while
he waited in the village road two au,
tomobiles came out of the gate ana
railroad station, in the foremost OF
which he recognized Archduke Franz
and his guests of the rose garden
THE roses of Konopisht." he NUT
tered, thinking of Marishkas fatalism;
Were they symbols. those innocent req
smile. "Marishka What bitterness
could the roses of Konopisht bring be-
tween Marishka and him?'
A sense Of the grave importance of
his mission came over Renwick with a
rush. He looked at his watch. DIN
O'Clock. It would have been hazardous
to use the wire to reach the embassy
even had he possessed code. He knew
enough of the activities OF the austrian
secret service to be sure that IN spite
at Konopisht at this time might be
marked He sauntered down the street
with an air of composure he was lar
from feeling. There was nothing Tor II
but to obey Marishka's injunctions- anu
wait. upon his guard against SURPRISES
but ready to go to any extreme TO reacn
Vienna and the embassy with a SOUND
skin. He found the owner OF a MOTOR
car, and telling the man that he was
travelling by night, he paid Its owner
nd III
certain place by nightfall, promising
further payment IL the matter were kept
secret. Then he went to the inn,, TOOK
supper and lighting his. pipe, paced the
cobbles and waited.
As the summer dusk fell slowly upon
the streets of the little village, Renwlck
found himself a prey to renewed appre-
tensions as to Marishka. Had her
presence and his In the rose gaTasa eeen ren
tainers? And was she now prisoner IN
the castle where a few hours ago sne
had been so free a guest Sne MAS Mas
secret had marked its shadows upon her
face. What exeuse could she oner IN, me
Duchess for her sudden departure Inc
thing in the world but England. and the
thought of making a choice between ner
safety and the performance OF his DUTY
was bitterly painful to hm gons fns nside t6e
house again, for the actions of any
stranger in Konopisht were sure to be
conspicuous. and he felt himself already
ansobject of notice. But at last. unable
TO bear the suspense inactive, he went
out crossed the road and stood, his teeth
clenched upon his extinguished pipe, his
gaze upon the road which led to the
gates of the Park.
The Escape
There she came to him, out of the
darkness. At the touch of her fingers
he started. for he had not been expecting
her from this direction. but the sound OF
her voice fell like the balm of her pres
ence upon his spirit.
Thank Cod he gasped. "Marishka.
! was afraid"
II came as soon as ! could she whis-
pered rapidly in English. 1T was diffi-
cult. / could make no excuses for leav-
Ing. i pleaded fatigue apd went to my
room And when the opportunity offered
stole out through the garden
And your absence wiii not Be discovE
8 q ~ I, '|S'il' q I'';ii = =