Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-11-10


return to them, Irma after some hest.
tation complies, and one day near a
statue Of liberty for which the coun-
tess was the model, the king clasps
her in his arms and imprints the
kiss Of eternity upon her lips. Later
at ball he tells her that she Is
beautiful and that he loves her, and
she consoles herself with the thought
that "the priest gave him to the
queen but nature gave him to her."
At an oppOrtune moment her broth
er Bruno tells Irma that her actions
are the talk Of the town and the best
way out of the matter Is for her to
get married. Colonel Won Bronnen, a
noble courtier, proposes to her but IS
rejected, and the countess begins to
realize that: "It is hell to be con.
sciOus Of guilt and yet remain beside
pure and happy creature"
In the meantime, Walpurga COM
pletes her term of service, and before
leaving for home calls upon Irma, who
gives her bag Of gold won at the
gaming table the night before.
In the little village In the High
lands, every one at first patronIzed
Walpurga and Hansai, but receiving
no favors at their hands, the people
show that human nature is the same
there as at court, for they circulate
all sorts Of scandalous tales concern
ing them, but when the happy couple
purchase an extensive freehold" the
good wishes Of all their cid friends
go with them to their new abode. At
this 1uncture, some one at court writes
to Irma's father, informing him that
she is "the kings mistress" and at the
news he is fatally stricken, but before
he passes away he presses his hand
to his daughters brow and she inter
prets the act as setting there the mark
of Cain and wears a bandage over it
forever after.
Irma is now in a terrible state of
mind and when the king writes to her:
~ alone can kiss away the shadows
that cloud your brow" 1t only In
creases her desperation and she re-
solves upon suicide.
She writes thus to the queen: NJ
expiate my crime in DEATH" And to
the king: eve are treading the wrong
path. You belong not to yourself alone,
but to your people. Death is my ex-
piatlon for sin. Life must be yours.
God knows we did not mean to do
wrong"
On the way to end her life, the
countess meets a pitiable woman who
had been ruined by her brother, Bru-
no. This woman browns herself In |
the lake and Irma stumbles on, bruised
and bewildered, and is found by Wal
purga and Hansai on their journey to
their newly purchased freehold. Con-
cealing her Identity from all but Wal
purga, she accompanies the party to
their mountain home.
Report Of the countess death soon
spreads abroad and search is made
for her body, but no trace Of 1t II
found, yet tablet is erected by the
lake bearing this inscription: 'Here
persisted Irna, Countess Of WiIdenort, |
IN the twenty-irst year of her life.
Traveller, pray for and honor her mem
,ry."
Back at court, the king upon re-
:eiving Irma's letter is deeply repent.
int and saddened by the reflection
hat "there is no greatness without
morality" He goes to the queens
Dom to ask her forgiveness, but she
s full of bitterness and feigns to be
sleep and later she vents her spite
nd vituperation upon him.
The king thinks that DIR. Gunther is
esponsible for this, and the physician
discharged and goes back to live in
lis old home in the Highlands.
For three years Irma lives with Wal
nrga, supposedly dead, but really ex-
Eating her sins and so growing in
weetness and purity, that all who en-
er her presence look upon her as an
NIGEL and are lifted and inspired.
At length on q day when the king
nd queen and the court are at near
y village. Irma fatally i'll, sends for
'r. Gunther, who hastens to her side
nd placing his, hand upon her fore
cad prOnounces this benediction: "In
our fathers name bless you and
18th this kiss away your burdens.
ou are Free"
Walpurga hastens to the queen who
now stricken with lf-condemnation
'r her hateful spirit and her unjust
ride in her own virtue. She realizes
lat Irma's penance is one through
hich she herself ought to pass and
hen she reaches the shepherds hut
lere is mutual forgiveness.
The king has been hunting In the
cinity. Since receiving Irma's let
r, he has lived a manly life, and In
snitence has sought to promote the
elfare Of all his people. Word is
'nveyed to him Of what is taking
ace, and he rides with all haste, but
'rives on the scene only to find that
e countess has passed away; but
$ heart leaps with JOY when the
leen turns to him with the cry: "For-
We me, Kurt. You have expiated.
)u-alOne. She--alOne." Her maies-