Evening star., 1928-04-25

walter Savage Lander. 1155.1s6t;
was a famous British writer, author %, Of
foiIom,nS is one between the Empress
Catherine the Great OF Russia anu Prln-
cess Dashkot a. the time 81 the assas'
Into his heart!" shrieked Catherine
outside the double doors that separated
her from the bedroom and death
chamber. Into his heart! II he es-
capes, we perish Do you think. Dash
kof. they can hear me through the
door? Yes: hsrk! They heard me:
they have done It, What bubbling and
His blood Is buster now than 1t ever
was before. / should not have thought
1t could have splashed SO loud upon
tho floor, although our bed, indeed, Is
rather of the highest. Put your ear
against the lock. Dashkof"
Il hear nothing" said Dashkof doing
as she was told
My ears are quicker than yours, y
said Catherine. land know these notes
better. Let me come to listen-~hear
nothing! You did not wait long enough,
nor with coolness and patience. There!
There again! The drops arc now like
lead--every half minute they penetrate
the eiderdown and the mattress. How
now! Which of these fools has brought
his dog with him? What tramping and
lapping The creature will carry the
marks all about the palace with his
feet and muzzle."
"Oh. heavens!" Dashkof exclaimed,
hearing this.
Are YOU afraid" snarled Catherine.
There Is horror that surpasses
fear, and will have none of H." said
rltI MT ii2n this before "
You turn pale and tremble." said
Catherine You should have supported
me. In case l was about to faint.
Il thought only of the tyrant,' said
Dashkof. Neither in life nor in death
could any one of these miScreants make
me tremble. But the husband slain by
his wife! saw not into my heart; ]
looked not into 1t, and now 1t chas-
tiSess me-"
'Dashkot, are you really then un-
asked Catherine.
What will Russia say? What will
Europe say?" gasped Dashkof.
Russia has no more voice than a
whale" said Catherine. "She may toss
about in her turbulence; but my ar
tillery--for now, indeed. / can safely
call It mine--shall stun and quiet her"
God grant" began Dashkof.
II cannot but laugh at thee, my
pretty Dashkofl" scored Catherine.
God grant. indeedl He has granted
all we wanted from him at present
the safe removal of this odious Peter"
yet Peter loved you" said DaShkof.
"and even the worst husband must
leave, surely. the recollection of some
sweet moments. The sternest must
have trembled. both with apprehension
and with hope, at the first alteration
in the health of his consort. at the
first promise of true union, imperfect
without progeny. Then there are thanks
rendered together TO heaven for This
child, and satisfactions communicated,
and infant words interpreted. And
when the one has failed TO pacify the
sharp cries of babyhood. pettish and
impatient as sovereignty itself. the sue
cess of the other in calming 1t, and
the unenvied triumph OF this exquisite
ambition. and the calm gazes that II
wins upon IT,"
Are these. my sweet friend. your
lessons from the stole school?" asked
Catherine contemptuously. Are not
they rather the palesfaced reflections OF
some kind marriage-lover from Llvonia
or BesSarabia? Come. come away.
am to know nothing at present of this
his death?"
1T is not his death that shocks me. .
II understand you; besides, you said
as much before.
Il fear for your reputation" said
Dashkof.
And for your own good name, eh,
Dashkcf?"
He was not, nor did / ever wish
him to be. my friend"
You hated him" said Catherine.
Even hatred may be plucked up too
roughly"
Europe shall be informed OF my rea-
sons" said Catherine. IF she should
ever find out that / countenanced the
conspiracy She shall be persuaded
that her repose made the step necessary
that my own life was In danger-that
I fen upon my knees to soften the
conspirators. that only when had
tainted the horrible deed was done