The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-05-05
PROLOGUE

ine room was magnificent in it's pro- portions, its furnishings were massive, Its paneled oak walls were hung with portraits of men and women in the costumss of a bygone day. Through the lofty windows, the casem ents of which were open to the evening sky there was a vista of forest and mea d. ow-land stretching fnternainab1y to the setting sun. The mosQue-like cupola of a village church, a few versts dis , tant, gImmered like pearl in the dusky setting of wooded hills, and close by it, here and there, tiny spir- als of opalescent smoke marked the dwellings of Zukovo village.
 But the man at the piano was de- tached, a being apart from this scene of quiet, absorbed in his piano, when gave forth the turbulence which had been in the soul of the great compos- er- The expression upon the dark face of the young musician was rapt and eager until he crashed the chords to their triumphant conclusion when he sank back in his cna1r with a gasp his head bent forward upon his breast, his darl gaze fixed upon the keys which se4N echoed with the tumult
 It was at this moment that a door at the side of the room was opened and white-haired man in purple livery entered and stood in silence regarding rather wftsfu1ly the man at the piano
 
 startled from a. dream.
 What is it, Vasili?'' asked the mu- sIcian.
 The servant approached softly a few steps.
 'I did not wish to intrude, High ness, but"
 As the old servant hesitated the young man shrugged and rose, disclos- ing tall, straight figure. clad in a dark-blue blouse, loose trousers and brown boots liberally bespattered with mud. The glow of the sun which shot across his face as he came for ward into the light showed rthy features. level brown, straight nose, a well-turned chin, a small mustache and a generous mouth which revealed a capacity for humor- He was quite calm now, and the tones of his voice were almost boytsh in their confidence and gayety.
 Well, what is 1t, vasilt?'' he re- peated. You have the air of one with much on your conscience. Out with it. Has Saona been fighting with you again 2"
 NO, Master not Sacha,' said the old man clearing his throat nervousIy, 'it is something worse-nluch worse than Sacha-" laugh as he took up a cigarette from the table. Nothing could be worse than a Russian cook when she gets in
 Bit it is. Master-something worse much worSe-'
 Really: You alarm me- The Grand Duke threw himself into an arfnchair and inhaled luxuriously of his cigarette. And then with a shrug, ''Well?''
 The old man came a pace or two 1 nearer, muttertng hoarsely. 9Th ey've l broken out in the village again. he | sasped. ! suddenly.
 "HH-m, When did this happen?"
 Last night And this morning they i burned the stables Of Prince Galitzin 1 and footed the castle.' ]
 The young man sprang to his feet. |
 You are sure of this?''
 Yes. Master. The word was brought by Serge Andriev less than 1 ten minutes ago"
 He took a few rapid paces up and 1 down the room, stopping by the open window and staring out.
 ''FooIs." he nuttered to himself. Then turning to the old servitor, But. | VasiIi-why is it that I have heard 1 nothing of this? Today Conrad. the | forester, said nothing to me. And the l day before yesterday in the village the 1 people swept off their caps to me-as in the old days. I could have sworn everything would be peaceful at Zuko- | vo-at least, for the present. he | added as though in an afterthought.
 1T pray God that may be true" mutt tered VasiH uncertainty. And then | with unction. Tn their hearts. they | still love you. Highness. They are chill dren-your children. their hearts still | full of reverence for the Grand Duke Peter Nicholaevitch in whom runs the same blood as that which ran in the sacred being of the Little Father hu. their brains, They are drunk | with the poison poured into their minds by the Committeeman from Moscow"
 An" eagerly, they returned?
 Last night" replied the old man wagsing his head. And your people for got all that you had said to them-t all that they owe to you. They are mad" he finished despairin sly, '-n1 adj"
 The Grand Duke c, had folded his arms and was staring out of the wtn- dow toward the white dome of the church now dyed red like a globule of blood in the sunset
 The old man watched him for a mo- nnent. all the fealty of his many years of service in his gaze and attitude
 "I do not like the look of things. Iighness What does it matter how good their hearts are if their brains are bad?"
 .I must go and talk with them. vssiu" said the Grand Duke quietly. ''If might make so free
 ''Speak-
 Not tonight, Master
 Why not2"
 .sI+ u-i1I he dangerous. Last night their voices were raised even against you"
 .-Srs, why7 Have I not done ev- erythfnS I could to help them ? I am thu cir friend-because l believe in their cause: and they will get their rights, too but not by burning and footing And murder. Master. Two or Prince killed |