Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-26

You were frightened, dear"
"Yes-terribly frightened, Rugh," she
confessed. by him-and by the firing.
1t seemed at times as though the castle
were rocking under me. Listen!"
A terrific cannonading began again
louder. more continuous than any that
had gone before.
"Yes-they are fighting for the end OF
the Pass he muttered: "the Rus
sians--'
And will they"
God knows, I pray" he paused
and scanned her face anxiously.
What, Hugh?"
THAT the Russians may win'
She started away from him. her eyes
widely inquiring,
He smiled slowly
It's simple enough Because il am
taken by the Austrians shall be shot
mo, not really" he said soberly.
But I'm an Englishman, an enemy Of
Austria armed and in disguise. That
'They-my people would shoot you !"
She whispered, horror-stricken.
Il have no illusions about my fate
But you have come hereto help
Unfortunately that does not change
while and listened at the doors, and
then came back to her. ~
silence. But we will wait a little
longer" he whispered.
Marshka caught him by the shoulders
and looked up into his eyes:
Hugh. what you have said frightens
me. You mean that you-that we are
enemies-you and Iwbecause our ma
She drew away and held him at arms
length while she scrutinized him in the
light of the fluttering candle.
A wan smile came proudly. to her lips.
"If I am your enemy. beloved, then
love and loyalty have perished from the
earth; And You; who have risen from
must know the truth. whatever hap
pens--here in the castle. the Austrian
too. There is no escape for me unless
the Russians come through. That is
Marishka put her arms around his
"Then I. too, pray that they may come
through" she whispered fervently.
"Marishka | do not ask you to give
NO, Hugh. 1 give without asking.
Beloved; | want yoMSto y. unIsrstand' Ne, s,e sme
said solemny Ihose apsis shaf You are wyoud ySId
have died for me--and I. can 1 do less
for you?"
"sh--. Marishka,",, he murmured,
there Is no death"
death can be no worse for me than
the horrible utter loneliness without
YOU: but whatever comes, l am yours,
Hugh-in life--in death.
II owe no allegiance, no fealty. but 70
you, and have kept the faith, Hugn
even here. I can have no country that
are are not yours also; Ny kingdom Is in IN
your heart: beloved, {, a. there 10 1--WE "''''e
"Marishka y He caught her in his
arms and held her long in his embrace,
and she clung close to him: her Mps on on
troth About them the thunder OF bat
tie, ever approaching nearer; the rumble
and din of groaning wagons on the road
below: the hoarse cries OF men Motor,
| trying to pass in the narrow road-con,
| fusion, disorder. chaos; but now they
heard nothing. For them the eartn
s1ssS srssS Si but a'9ns shsF empire %sH' was IN
Renwick raised his head at last
Marishka" he whispered: at, M Is ssd tims hes
suddenly, listened at the doors, and then
moved to the table beside her.
First, we had better put out the light
then perhaps we can see II there Is
Marishka snuffed the candle, and they
went to a window overlooking the court
yard, drew the hangings and peered out
| The din in the valley below them was
increasing, a hurrying of wagons, horses
and guns in the narrow road. Were more
Austrian re-enforcements coming up? II
| seemed so. From the mountains be.
risen to a steady roar, but the detona'
tions of heavy ordnance were less fire.
quent.
"The .Austrians-may be winning" hi
said calmly.
She pressed his hand. II am sorry,
she said bravely.
But there was a world of meaning fol
Renwick in the way she whispered 1t.