The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-08
The TraitreSS

1 upon the trampled snow. He turned toward the door, where the woman was still standing with transfiXed fear.
 with your permission" he said,
 T will return tC the city through your house."
 , She motioned him to pass her. and locked and barred the gate. They passed up a narrow passage into a great square hall. Several servants | were covering before the great door. | When Prince Maurice appeared, his sword still in his hand, they fled, screaming to different parts of the house. The countess threw open the 1 door of her own apartment He caught glimpse of a room where a great open stove was burning-a room full of cushions and lounges, a mandolin here. books there, flowers everywhere. But Prince Maurice did not enter,
 q have no wish to finger in this house." he said sternly. "Tell your servants to unbolt that door and let me out"
 She laid her white hand upon his shoulders, and turned her beautiful dlstraught face upward to his.
 Maurice" she said, listen to me-
 He threw her arms roughly away
 What have I or has Crersa done to you?" he asked bitterly, that you should plot for cur ruin? Come, an swcr me that, woman. Have you been lll-treated? Have you found us in- hospitable?"
 Insensibly she drew him over the threshold. But he stopped at the entrance of the room and would ad- vance no farther. She stood before him with clasped hands and great eloquent eyes fixed upon him.
 NO, a thousand times mo-" she moaned. q have been to blame and know 1t. Yet, Is 1t much wrong have done? I have suffered Menid Bey to come to me as friend, for knew him years ago, and he founo his way here by stealth few nights ago. I have been weary to death ot my life here, Prince Maurice. Do you we nder at 1t? Day after day I have spent here alone, seeing nothing but grim, famine stricken faces. an6 hearing nothing but the roaring o1 guns and the shrieks of the wounded Was it for this, do you think, that left our beautiful Paris, that I strovt to get Henri the appointment here, tc be left alone with never a soul tc speak to--nGt even-Prince Maurice?'
 Her eyes forced his to look into them. She knew then that she was safe. Yet he held her coldly at arms length.
 Sophie" he said, eff I have kept away-you know the reason. Your husband Is absent on a mission in oui interests-to save us-and 1 have sat at his table and he has treated me a: his friend. Need say anything more?'
 And why" she asked, should my husband receive all your cCnsidera' tion, and I--none?'
 There was no middle course" ht answered.
 Her eyes ieaped to his.
 "Then you-cared?"
 "For the woman I thought yol were-yes," he cried. For tht woman you are-no.- If Romakof and the others had seen what I have seen tonight, not even I, the Prince . of Crersa, could save you!" s
 She shuddered, and even at tha' moment there came great knocking at the front door and a tramping oi feet outside She called aloud, ant stopped those who would have an swered the summons. Prince Maurice watched her with heavy heart, fol her terror was the terror of guilt! woman.
 Ask what they want, Francis she cried to a servant outside. "Tel unprotected woman in a beleagueret city, to open my doors."
 Even whilst she spoke the shouts from the street told her what sh' dreaded most to hear. Others be sides Prince Maurice had found he out
 Bring her out-the traitress"
 Come and show yourself, you whC are selling Crerso to the Turks!"
 "We will hang her from the walls?
 "Set fire to the place and let hel roast"
 She fell upon her knees and clutch ed him frantically.
 You will save me, Maurice, iron these people? You will not let then kill me? You will not desert me?'
 q will do what I can for you" ht said coldly. Listen. Is there an! place from which I can speak tC these people without opening thu doors?"
 There Is a balcony on the nex floor" she gasped. "They will obe! you. Maurice. Tell them tG go away
 Show me how to reach the bal cony," he answered.
 She caught hold of his arm anc hurried him upstairs. It was her bed room from which the balcony pro jected Prince Maurice set his teetf and swore hard to himself, For tho first time in his life he faced hi! people with a doubtful heart.
 Below, the street and courtyard were full Of a yelling mob-beyond pandemonium reigned. The palace had caught fire. and red tongues o1 flame were leaping up into the night The roaring of the guns were nearer than ever, and more fierce. mingled every now and then with the crash ing of masonry and the shrieks O dying men.
 Prince Maurice lifted hls voice, but not a soul below needed him. They swarmed around the door like mad men.
 He stepped back again into the room at last, breathless and heart broken.
 "They will take no heed of me, 7 he said. "Por the moment they ar' mad We must try and keep then out" She crouched closer to him. Thougf her face was as white as marble, hei hair dishevelled, and her eyes larg' with terror, she seemed more beauti full than ever. But Prince Maurice looked upon her for the first time 1T