Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15
CHAPTER l
Juue l2. 1914


the tortuous paths In the rose gardens
OF the Archduke which soon had her
pursuer gasping. She ran like boy.
her dark hair falling about her ears
her draperies like Mixes in the wind
her cheeks and-eyes glowing. a pretty
quarry indeed and well worthy of so
arduous pursuit. For Renwick was
not to be denied and as the girl turned
into the path which led to the matched
arbor. he saw that sne was breathing
nard and the half-timorous laugh she
Threw over her shoulder at him only
spurred him on to new endeavor. He
seacned the hedge as she disappeared.
put his instinct was unerring and he
ieaped through the swaying branches
just in time to see the hem of her skirt
IN the foliage on the other side and
piuneing through caught her in his arms
Just as she sank, laughing breathlessly,
yond
Marishka," he cried joyously. did
you mean it?'
But she wouldn't reply.
You said that If l caught you"
The race-isnt aiways-to the swift
- she protested falteringly in her
Your promise"
II made no promise"
you'll make 1t now. the one I've
waited for-for weeks--Marishka. Lift
UP your head"
mo. no. she stammered
Renwick caught her in his arms again
and turned her chin upward. Her eyes
were closed. but as their lips met her
figure relaxed in his arms and her head
sank upon his shoulder.
You run very fast. Herr Renwick."
she whispered
You'll marry me. Marshka?"
who shall say?" she evaded.
our own liDS NOu'ye given them
to me"
mo. no. You have taken them"
1T is all the same They are mine."
And Renwick took them again.
oh" she gasped, you are so per-
sistent-you English. You always wish
to haxe your own way"
He laughed happily.
Would you have me otherwise? My
way and your way. Marishka, they go
together. You wish 1t so. do you not?"
The Strahni Saying
She was silent while, the wild spirit
In her slowly submissive. and at last
smile moved her lips, her dark eyes were
, upturned to his and she murmured
little proudly:
"It is a saying among the women Of
the House of Strahni that where the lips
are given the heart must follow ,,,u ,,u
which have followed"
what matters it now, beloved" she
sighed d.,ol "sinee s,,,,iuS you have them both"'
Nothing. 1 only wondered why
you've kept me dangling SO long"
She was silent moment.
"Of what?"
II do not know. 1t is the Tzigane in
my blood which reads into the fu-
She paused and he laughed gayly.
Because I am foreigner-
II have not always loved the English.
!! have thought. them cold' different
from my people"
He kissed her again.
And I could let you believe me
She laughed, "oh. no. 3. But you have
shown me enough" And, pushing him
away, 81 am convinced, non ami -"
"As if you couldn't. have read 1t in
ALAS One reads-and one runs"
..You couldn't escape me. 1t was
Yes" she said dreamily, II believe
that now" And then, But u anything
should come between U.s.
What, Marshka?'' he smiled.
II don't know. n o,,s have mO, oons always ;o
me without bitterness"
What bitterness. liebchen?"
She settled softly closer to him and
shrwgs shrugged lightly How should :
He smiled at her proudly and caught
her brown hand to his lips
"You are dyed in the illusions OF your
mystery-fatalism. They become
you we'll. But here among the roses of
Konopisht there Is no room In my heart
or yours for anything but happiness.
See how they. nod to each other in the
sunlight, Marishka. Like us. they love
and are loved. June comes to Bohemia
but once a year---or to US. Let us
bloom in the sunlight like them-happy
BLOOD red. the roses she, said pen
sively. THE white ones please me
Ssttss BTt tes tSe ars ones bes
II sometimes think that never
The Rose as where some buried
what 1nattef Caesar or Kaiser to us
Marishka? Our own kingdom"
''Yes. yes" she sighed. And am
happy in It. You know 1t. nicht wahr?''
silence, except for the drowsy hum
of the bees and the songs of the birds.
call Of love and June. Marishka was
content that her. flight had ended IN
capture and sat dreamily. gazing at the
white clouds floating overhead while SIN
listened to the voice at her ear, replying
to 1t In monosyllables, the language OF
acquiescence and content. The moments
. passed. Konopisht was no longer
garden. Enchanted their bower and
wen the red roses forgotten.
lhe lnrce wen
Suddenly the girl starteC upright tc
q her knees, and peered wide-eyed
4 Through an opening In the foliage.
what is II, Marishka?
"a She nut a finger to her lips in token o
ience, and Renwick followed her gaz'
u1down the graveled path which led TOWARD
the arbor As under-secretary Of thu
British Embassy in Vienna, he had beer
trained to guard his emotions agains
surprises but the sight Of the three hg
ures which were approaching them dow
the path bereft him Of all initiative. iI
the center walked the archduke. pull
4 ling deliberately at his heavy. dark mus
( taches, while he listened to the fgur'
upon his right, man Of medium stature
who were hunting suit and Jaeger ma
with feather in 1t. He carried his lei
q hand, concealing a defect of his arm. II
- the pocket of his shooting jacket. whil
with his free right hand he swung al
ebony cane. His mustaches were turnet
straight upward from the corners OF nj
mouth, and the aggressive chin shot out
ward as he glanced right and left, talk
tng meanwhile with his companions
I The third figure was very tall. topping
even the archduke, who was by n.
means small of stature, by at least si'
inches his hair, or as much OF II a
could be seen beneath the soft hat
was gray and a long beard. almos
white in the patches at either side
"a <he chin descended in two long point
Il Of the way to his waist.
r.; lsirk recognized the visitors a
on. sturned toward his startle
COMB ~ his own mind as to the pro
priety y his situation at once made uI
'eMarishka." he whispered. I'VE mus