Year: 1860

bone is from the right fore finger of a girl like
yourself; and she wears them to mark the
number of those who have fallen into her fiend.
ish tolls She must have fifty Of them to make
the charm all powerful. She now has eight.
and-forty She has fixed her evil eye upon


No! no.'' cried Electra, really terrified.
go, it cannot be.


But known' asserted Gondebald, slowly
and emphatically. "And Eow, warn YOU to
beware of her. At present her power is limited:
but, If you submit to her wiles you are lost p"


Electra dared not dispute her father, and yet
she was unwilling to believe that Dione could
mediate any such cruel plan. True, she did
belleFe that the woman was a witch, but still
she felt some confidence in her personal friend
ship. Gondebald seemed to read the girls
thoughts, and he presently interrupted them:


But, my child, did not mean to speak of
Dions when began; though am glad that
the thought occurred to me, for now I have
gwen thee sufficient warning of great dan
ger meant to speak to you of this Fabian.
Ah-yOu start. You are interested :"


"Aye-l am interested, the maiden replied
after moments hesitation. - should be
foolish were l to attempt the concealment of so
palpable truth


8 am glad that you are so frank with me,
Electra. But, to the story; Fabian is under
arrest, and In close confinement, for killing
Cover and attempting to take the life of Tro-
gus; and if he comes to trial, he must surely
be condemned


Electra uttered quick cry of pain, and
pressed her hand upon her heart


But, pursued Gondebald, who, though he
watched his child sharply, yet seemed to take
no particular notice of this sudden emotion,
"the king desires to save the youth if he can,
and he has called me to his counsel. We de-
liberated very long while upon the matter.
hat Eoh
trial, his condemnation must follow, for our
PLAIN laws cannot be set aside. At length we
hit upon the only plan by which his salvation
could be effected. We mean to let him make
his escape. DO you understand me?"


Escape :" repeated Electra


es. We mean to let him escape A way
VIII be opened to him, as though by accident,
and he will be permitted to 90 free


With one of those powerful efforts, by which
the maiden could at times entirely control the
most passionate emotion, she calmed the wild
beating of her heart, thus utterly concealing
the feelings which were rending her soul She
could not plainly understand the plot, but that
there was plot against her lover she felt sure.
Should she, at present, seek further informa-
tion from her father, she feared that she might
expose herself, so she spoke from the necessity
OF concealment which was upon her


. l am glad" she said, THAT you have told
me this; for now shall be more easy. [ did
feel much anxiety when l heard of Fabian's
danger. We have been children together-we
have been playmates together-and in later
years we have been warm friends l have
learned to prize his companionship much; and
Will not deny that [ have looked upon him
with more, perhaps, than mere friendly affec.
tlon But, even to bear me company, L would
not have him remain here, and be in danger.
am glad, therefore, that you have planned to
let him CO.


Gondebald was completely deceived. lie
had watched the maiden's every expression,
and had caught every intonation of her voice:
ond not oinslo sign could he detect upvi
which to fasten suspicion that She did not
mean and feel just what she spoke. He thought
he saw her real feelings; and, furthermore, be
Imagined that she had been very frank with
him; so he left her with feeling of satisfac.
ton, which would doubtless have been changed
to rage could be have overheard the plot ar
ranged in his tent a few hours afterwards by
his daughter and Leda. The Gipsy fathers
were crafty; but what man could ever out-plo,
a maiden when striving for her lovers safety