The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1918-03-01

~ VIVA u AANA
l'f WAS Il fine and lonely figure. But
romantic? Had he ever been rOman-
tic?
She siirDed out onto the balcony
aud closed the curtains behind her.
a. her eyes grew accustomed to the
~'iarSness she saw that there was some
one below. under the trees. Her heart
b'at rapidly. In Il moment she was
certain. 1t was Milky down there.
Milky. gazing up at her as "A child may
look at Il star. With q quick gesture
He''wig drew the curtain back. A
Thin ray Of light fell on her, on her
slim bare arms. on her light draperies.
on her young face. He had wanted
10 see her. and he should see her. Then
she dropped the curtain. and twisted
her hands together lest, in spite Of
her. they reach out toward him.
Did she fancy 1t. or did the figure
salute her? Then came the quick ring
OF s'eeis on the old stone pavement.
She knew his footsteps, even as she
knew every vibrant, eager infection OF
MIS- voice. He went away, across the
square. like one who. having bent his
knee to a saint. turns back to the bust
ness OF the world.
In the h0udolr the archduchess had
picked up some knitting to sootha her
}angled nerves. "YOu may play now,
Hilda." she said. .
Annunciata dozed, and Hilda played
softly. The countess opportunity had
come. She put down the dreary em-
oroidery with which site filled the
drearier evenings. md moved to the
window. She walked quietly. like a
cat.
Her first words to Hedwig were
those of Peter Niburg as he linked
arms with his enemy and started down
the street. "A fine night, highness."
she said.
Hedwig raised her eyes to the stars.
ut Is very lovely"
"A night to spend Out-of-d0Ors. in
stead OF being shut up" She
finished her, sentence with u shruy Of
the shoulders.
Hedwig was nOt fond Of the count
N''' IA NA NV hipu WY. litC
truth being, Of course. that between
them lay the barrier Of her own in
nocence When the countess arm
touched hers. she drew aside.
Tonight" said the lady in waiting
dreamily, II should like to be in u
motor, speeding over mountain roads.
[ come from the mountains. you know.
And I MISS them"
Hedwig moved. u little impatientiy.
but as the countess wen on, she lis
tened. After all. Milky. too. came
rom the mountains. Aud because she
was sorry for the countess. who was
hOmesick. and perhaps because just
then she had to speak to some one.
,he turned to her at last with the thing
chat filed her min;.
"This marriage" she said bitterly.
"is it talked about? Am I the only
n in the palace who has not known
about it,"
mo, highness, | had heard nothing.
or course. there are always rumOrs."
"As to the other. the matter my
mother referred. to-" Hedwig held her
head very high, 'I-she was unjust.
| Am I never to have any frlendsf"
"FriendS. hishness? One may have
friends, Of course. 1t Is not friendship
| they fear"
what then"
"a lover" said the countess softly.
ut is impossible to see Captain Lar
isch In your presence. aud not
reRlize-"
go on"
And not realize. highness, that he
is in love with you"
"HOw silly, :" said the Princess He'd
wig, with glowing eyes.
But highness :" lmplOred the count
ess. "If only you would use a little
caution. Open defiance is it's W de-
feat"
s." am not ashamed of what l do"
said Hedwig hOtly.
Ashamed! OF course not. But
things that are harmless in others in
your ~pOsltion-you are young. You
should have friends. gayety. / am"
she smiled grimly in the darkness,
IOl 50 Olu myself Dut tudt L Gull uii-
derstand."
Hedwig stood still. The old city was
preparing for sleep. In the place Il
few lovers loitered, standing close. and
the faint tinkling of n bell told of the
Blessen Sacrament being carried
through the streets to some bedside OF
the dying. The Princess Hedwig
bowed her head.
1t seemed to her, all at once, that
the world was full Of wretchedness and
death. and of separation, which might
be worse than death.
81 wish | could help you, highness,
said the countess. Il should like To
see you happy. But happiness does
not come of itself. We must fight for
It,"
Slight? What chance have l to
fight?' Hedwig asked scornfully.
Some thinu Of course cOuld do"