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I < i JULY 23. 190< 1HE SUNNY SOUTH. NINTH PAGE "We can talk as we drive," she said coming out into the hall. "You must take me within .easy walking distance of the place, then I go on alone—you will ccme ba»ck." As they drove on toward Hirschela she told the ntan just What was expected of i him. Kuno, like La) ion, listened with- i out interruption; this woman had a mas j ttrful way about her which might well searched her keenly. She fastened her eyes upon the other woman—her forehead contracted with intense mental effort. She raised a finger and pointed to Bar bara—"Who are you?" "Daria Lukin, my Lady.” i ride.’ “Where have I seefi'you before?” Bar- | DAubant patted the brave steed re- bara shook her head; it was a fact that morsefully. then walked across the side- Barbara did not know-. Charlotte stared walk and stood with one foot on the TIE woman’s heart bound ed; he had called her Da ria, not Barbara. He still thought of her as Daria, not as Barbara Klikoff. She stood facing him, her hands across her bosom, her eyes downcast and timid as any maiden's who came to man unsought. "You here, Daria?" he repeated uncertainly, his voice wavering. "What are ** ou doing in Wolfenbut- wt-U°i l0W ? d yOU ’ she answered slmplv, vehout raising her eyes. Oh, Henri, are you not glad? is all 1we,c °me to come front Stuart’ I followed you so far. Henri. So-very- • 1 ea °h word she came a 5»tep >01 ' I am sorry, i did not know mi own hear t when I went away; let me lie at your feet as Stuart does—let me—” Darla, Daria, this is madness—sheer n.adness—” ' es - OAubnnt, yes, it is madness, the n idness of a woman who’ has never known what it is to be controlled—you tried to curb me and I broke away from t o like a wild horse of the steppes—and t* Kn 1 knew’ j loved the bit, the curb, the the come to wait on call her Barbara. at the woman, struggling to remember, door step, watching Terry lead him away. . have dominated the affairs of an cm- i There was nothing Tamiliar about the He knew too much of horses not to see , . An 'mpassable gulf pjre. j dress or attitude of the girl; it was the other Barbara Klikoff and this j - Turn ofr here,” Kuno ordered the face—no. no, it was the hair. The gray oilier woman, whose V me had become j drlver - Xow st0£ >.” j eyes lighted with a gleam of recollection They drew aside into the shelter of a that died away again. Then she stamped disused road. Barbara alighted, and her foot Impatiently. Kuno pointed out the main gate to Aunt “i remember—I remember—no, no. 1 Frederica's country house, beyond the j cannot remember, but I have seen you. turn of the road. The girl trudged on. , "My dear,” interposed Aunt Frederica, and Kuno, despite his absorbing curiosity | <- w ] ia t this girl has told me I will ex ed slowly away, leaving him to his rapt contemplation of the fire. He ran from his friend's room straight to Barbara’s—“D’Aubant is . alon',” he told the woman. “Where is Terry?” “I did not see him; ft'Auhant alone.” “Good,” she said, placed a signal ■amp in the center of her window. Almost immediately there came a ioud clamoring at both the street doors. Bar bara rushed down the hall, and darted into D'Aubant's room, falling at his feet. before you mean. too sacred for flippant mention. Barba ra s keen perceptions caught it instantly, and in her wrath she forgot diplomacy. "I feared it; I feared it,” she burst out. springing up like a bristling she-wolf, "but I win see her—see her myself; if it were'not for her, you would love me yet. 1 bad sufficient discretion to hurry home. ful attitude, staring at the fir "Henri!" she cried, grasping th banc’ is at he bit, the curb, the .-l>ur, yea, even loved the lash—if sh were but yours. See, 1 hav k to you, to serve you. with willing hands—” She stretched her arms to .the rigid man. "Won t iv ite IIgin man. ■ tt on l i take me pack and forgive me? Stu- ll- t is glbd; he loves me—he tlscec and you-" me—he kisses my She drew nearer " iuiim itilli ;rer. D’Aubant struggled to hold him- ■ - in check. She touched his hand, sped it, covered It with kisses, then ran her hands caressingly around his .» n, woundTSem tenderly about his neck, nd crept like a penitent child into his aims. As a man enchanted, whose brain is numl?. he bent low’ and kissed her, a wild swift kiss like the first kiss in Mos- • w—and shuddered. God in heaven, Daria! What have -t done, to come and take me by storm k > this?” He sank down into his chair, lis head in both his hands, while Daria ■ k her place on a cushion close against iis knee. ’ I was a very long time in finding you, lenri.” Her voice sounded like some ir-sway song, of which he heard only ;lu- louder notes, but Its melody floated upon marvelously lender winds. She Lined against him, put up her arms, un bound her hair, shook it out, and lot it fall in a shimmering tumult. across his knees. He had always loved to stroke her hair—-Barbara forgot npthing. 1 thought the world w?.s quite enough Uie. 1! -Tl^-Tyoman spoke wearily as T ''!y-*J|Jftraveler who has come home at j, xSt -But there Is no world without vui. Henri; only restlessness and hollow, glittering sorrow-." She strained her eyes to see what ef fect her words were having, yet did not shift her head from its cudgled resting place. B’Auhanf rocked gently to and fro and gazed into the fire; mechanically he stroked the woman's hair, held it up and let il trickle through his fingers so that tin soft light glittered on It. "Henri. 7 am ready to go with you now’ to America—back to the summer land Jot love so dearly; to marry you, to he vi slave, your queen, your anything. Hh Henri! such a hideous lesson you have taught me these long months since jou wont' away!" What did you do, Daria?” he asked in a strangely subdued voice. She nes tled closer. You will not scold me if I tell you the ruth?" "No, Daria." "I went back to Russia and saw Men- chikoff— I hate him—I hate him—I hate him. r saw his good friend Peter 1 hate him more—a great drunken brute that stamps like a bull until the earth shakes. 1 stayed in St. Petersburg only two days. Then I ran away to find you again. Last week in Dresden I heard you had come to Woltenbuttel; T followed you." Barbara laughed as an over-happy child, then sighed her glad heart's sweet c itcntnTer*. Out of the corners of her eyes she watched the man and wonder- id. for she felt by no means sure. Soon D'Aubant lifted his head and in- qilired. "How did you come here to night?” "Mv lodgings are here.” "in this house?” She nodded and smiled. "How did that happen?’’ "I searched for you; you were here, Wanted to be near you." She answ’ere- him with a naive simplicity. ■•You woud r...t have- come to me. yould you. Henri. "God alone knows.” The man shud der, d and bowed his head. <n B Tied her gently from him and rose to his feet. Barbara kept her place on th* cushion. She watched him keenly as went to the window and gazed out '■Von the shining street. A so t binned the panes, but made no sound Once or twice D’Aubant glanced toward her she was looking into the Pulling Stuart's ears. The man smiled, for it made a pretty picture, t p w ‘ and the dog-a brfght glow from the^ > v.a-m, homelike and intangible B'Anhnnf was lonely. Again he looked upon the womon upon the c olfl and murky night. I he U mouth grew firmer. He came over and laid a hand kindly on her shoulder "Home. come. Daria.” he said. it is growing late Terry may return t^ ^ Woim-nt—or the Count von S time cp say good night.” Barb ara r-i ,. "Time to say good night Sh. -I,, __<d the hand which hung beside [ 1 will go to ber—’ "You shall do nothing cf the kind—” "Oh, Henri, do not look at me in an ger—it is not like you." She would have i dropped again to her knees, but he bore her firmly to the door. It was bolted. He looked at her. j "I reared some one might come,” the ! woman admitted. ■ "Are you afraid to go alone to your room?" he asked when they both had j reached the hall. j "No; I came alone I can go alone.” “Then go." lie spoke gently enough, I tut there was no appeal; the woman hesitated—anff went. D’Aubant gazed after her vanishing fig ure: his shoulders trembled, his hand fingered the latch uncertainly—he forced iiimself back into the room, closed the door and locked it. "God Almighty! Why are men so | weak?” Stuart whined and scratched at the bottom of the door. "And you want her back—Stuart, do you? I never thought you would play traitor to your mas ter.’* I Barbra raced madly down the halls j and hurled her door wide open. I "Here. Natalie! Here—snatch off these | curse! rags. Hurry, hurry—they seoreh i me—” And while Natalie fumbled at the f B’A .'lings. Barbara furiously tore ; the cloth to bits, stripping herself of the i garments in whleb she Ifcid met such j humiliating defeat. "Uncle T.arion will smile—curse him; and that aimpering fool Von Sorr will ask me about it—I must j tell them both that D’Aubant turned me , out like a common woman of the streets —blood and damnation, but he shall suf- i fer f">r it—.’’ A rap eame at the door. Natalie sped to answer it. j “Your uncle and Count, von Sorr.” i “Tell them to go away!” Barbara 1 screamed. “But. Barbara—” came Prince KllKotrs protesting voice. Barbara tiling a glass at the mail and it shattered against the door. “Now will you go away? Do not dare 1 open that door, Natalie!" A brisk walk brought Barbara to the gate at Hrischfels. The big. kind-faced porter assured ner it was positively against orders, and she could not be ad- |j ke a mummy? mitterl. But th girl talked so prettily : speak .. that he hade her wait while he hobbled off to ask the mistress. “Sometimes she receives h’r tenants amine into, 1 promise you; it is best for ] you—” "Best for me to hear it—now. Go on— I sn on, I say. Why do you stand there 1 command you to • at. this hour; 1 will go and see.” The old man returned, his face beam ing. "The mistress is In high goad temper; you may come in.” Barbara followed the big fellow to Aunt Frederica's door. 'Hie keen Russian ad venturess could not quite suppress a tre- But the expression of Aunt Frederica's mouth, which closed like a steel trap, meant something. "Charlotte. 1 will inquire into this, and If it be true you shall know it—” "I mean to hear it now.” Aunt Frederica did not argue with her The master carried Stuart up th niece—physical strength ended the dis- : and laid him tenderly down on i death in every labored movement. White Terry led Saladin off, Stuart came up with his long lope, breathing desper ate!^. The stanch gray dog did not whimper, but his tongue lolled out dry that rested on his knee, "my tine! and colorless as a wind-lashed rag, and I the door; he will kill me.” his tgil dragged the ground. Utterly ■ "Have you not caused me trouble spent, he dropped on the pavement when j enough for one day?” he reached his master's feet. ; "Henri, Henri! Uncle Larion will kill Terry disappeared with Saladin, and ' me— kill me. do you understand? Listen, D'Aubant glanced down at Stuart. A , hear them at the door—they-will hi oak it smile of affectionate regret flickered to down." his lips. He knelt and took the dog's She paused, trembling wi*h ‘■-iglit, head into his arms. the street door seemed ! ! fall "Poor laddie. poqr laddie, you are tired ne ath the Russian's harr u ring, out—no wonder—what a brute 1 am!" The i “1 am afraid—I am afraid to t -. gr#»t brown eyes looked up lovingly as if is not yet time for me to die— f am too they understood, but the white-lipped i young. My God! -My God! Why did brush lay still. follow you? What a fool! What a “You shall not walk another step." ifool!" stair j Barbara groveled on the floor, wringing rug . her hands, the mass of ruddy hair hysterica!!/ #iiii caugnt T< ls 1 could leave the room. "What in God’s name < Henri?” “Fight.” “Fight?” she echoed. “But you forget me.” "Forget you? Not soon, nor this day’s work.” Then he stopped still and the The mail still sat in the same thought- resolute expression began to fade from oussion. ••Come not*# —sha caught Barbara's arm and began to drag her from the 'beside the fire. Then he fetched him streaming like a molten torrent about | water, and a full share of the spitted i her shoulders. There came a louder duck, before thinking of liis own neces- ! clanging at the knocker. mer of excitement when she caught Aunt room, at the same time holding Charlotte Frederica's benignant eyes peering above j back and blnrfiThlg any questions. her spectacles. She knew there would be a scene—but they who dwelt in the over-charged atmosphere about the tsar grew accustomed t > storms. Barbara paused on the threshold. ] "Come in, come in," Aunt Frederica ■ called reassuringly: "I won't hurt you.” j Barbara glanced hurriedly about the room. D'Aubant had not yet arrived; Charlotte lingered at her toilet; Aunt Frederica knitted alone. "Arc you the Princess Charlotte?” Bar bara asked, bowin appealing timidity. sities. ed erect and ran from window to win- D'Aubant had been f ir so many years a , dow like a hunted creature that kutw soldier on various fields that it had be- not where to hide. D’Aubant ro.-e and Five, it was DAubant s hour, and his come a cardinal doctrine in his religion j walked elanily to the window. Yes, buoyant step came jauntily down the cor- Xo provide a comnrfissary. Men must there were several men below, an« among ridor. lie rapped lightly at the door— ft , ed we)1 if tbey wou ] d flght well, and them he could recognize the bulky form none of the women heard him; then he i whateV er the victory or disaster, soldiers i of Prince Klikoff. rattled the knob and paused to listen. mupt „ ave thejr rcgu i ar rations. So he “Oh, Henri, ite threatened me once He heard the scuffle within. phlegmatically set about getting his sup- .that he would kill me. Why did I not per. His half of the duck smoked on know he was here?" the platter—Stuart had already demol- Slle Uirned frantically and wound her ished the other, and was crunching .it the | alms about him during the instant that •bones. A worm drink simmered, and ; *' e stood undecided watching the Russians the table looked fairly cosy when the |PO un< J in B on the door. man sat down to his solitary meal. i Take me away to Menchikoff—1 0 the will not sie me his face. "Hold Terry," he said quietly. Barbara quickly seized her opportunity. “Oh. Henri, they will murder you—I can not bear to see it—” He shoved her off. "Hush.” “And then what will hc.-ome of me? God's pity that 1 should love you and follow you here—” “Yes. Tt is a God’s pity.” I They heard ioud voices in the hall— i Kuno and the burgomaster. Kuno hurst j into the door, running full tilt against the table and bruising himself, tie saw D'Aubant slanding in the center of the room, a long sword in his hand, and Barbara pleading with him. Kuno vault ed over the table. while the portly , burgomaster begged and protested from | the other side: ! "Gentlemen, gentlemen—you mus- not Barbara bound- i tight in here; some one may he for b- - It The cloet was striking five. "What a child she is, after all.” be smiled to himself, thinking of Charlotte's girlish freaks at Hlrsehfels. “I’ll peep in and take her by surprise.” He began softly to turn the knob, but twkwardiy and with j was wrenched violently from his hand. and Aunt Frederica flung the door wide "Oh. dear no,” the old woman laughed .open. Her indignant strength hurled His eating progressed slowly, witn long good humoredly. "I am only her aunt. Barbara almost into D'Aubant's arm. intermissions, during which he simply who counts for very little.” Barbara j “Now go. you hussy! Go when I tell gazed into vacancy. Then the knife rrantled her cheeks in a delicious confu- j- ou .” Then they saw D'Aubant stand- I would clatter furiously again, sion. ing tiieye. the wraith of a smile freez- "I have made a bad mistake,” she be- ing on h5s ]ips gan to apologize nervously around as if 1 - M y God—Daria! Did I not forbid you to cornu here?" lie burst out fiercely without considering what he said. Charlotte’s limbs sank beneath her; a great lump came into her throat—D'Au- b«t»t had spoken to the creature—he had called her by name—he had forbidden her to come—the earth ree.led and the heav ens fell. Barbara played the game on to the end; she dropped her eyes and murmured: uite unaccustomed to such surroundtn Aunt Frederica smiled again. "She will come in presently, and you can quire easily toll the difference be tween us. You may wait if you like." i Barbara walked demurely over to the | chair which Aunt Frederica indicated, but after the fashion of humble folk, re- 1 mainod standing. The good old woman nodded kindly and gave her no other thought. Barbara shrewdly studied the woman's face—a calm, firm and good natured face, yet on.- that suggested inflexible resolu tion and volcanic temper,—a thorough German. "Hello, D'Aubant—where have you been all day?" Kuno asked carelessly, pop ping his head into D'Aubant's door. "Riding.” Kuno withdrew his head and stopped uncertainly outside. D'Aubant Instantly no way to escape." regretted his brusqueness. Terry came rushing breathless t.trough "Kuno—oh, Kuno, come back. Pardon the hall- this infernal temper of mine, but things “Master, master, both street doors are have gone wrong with me, and I'm not blocked—Prince Klikoff leads—I came in quite myself.” j by the ailey—" Terry stopped and rec- "Can 1 do anything?” I ognized Barbara. "They seek her—and “No—let me alone for tonight; tumor- ' you—” may tell you some- j Terry talked rapidly in great cxcite- "Oh. Henri. I could not help it—I was rQW per haps, so unhappy! tiling." D'Aubant's hand fell; he neither moved "Hood night.’ nor threatened; nor did lie dare look into j "Good night,” D’Aubant responded ■ stood to one side awaiting orders and Charlotte’s faca. Charlotte drew her | without raising his head. Then he rest- kept hi.s eyes fastened upon the restless hurt—it would ruin my house—” D’Aubant paid no heed to his red-faced wrath. "What folly is this. D’Aubant?” Kuno spoke in deadly earnrst. “This is rank folly. Think of the noise it will make—” D'Aubant wavered and Kurto leaned closer to him. “Think of the humiliation it will he to—” D’Aubant faced him sternly—Tie did not open his lips—there was no peed— his eyes shone coldly, and Kuno dared not mention Charlotte's name. The hammering grew mom imperative at the door. Herr Seidel stormed, begged and thundered. D'Aubant’s eye rested on Barbara, and lie tightened his grip on the hilt. Kuno laid a hand on his arm. “Come, Henri—you can not fight—no gentleman could fight in su.-h a quarrel., Think of—some one. You can return to morrow' and fight if you like it is best for all.” D’Aubant's face changed quickly from resolution to indecision. Kuno urged him, and Barbara remained discreetly silent “Come. D'Aubant. come; that is the most sensible—to save some one. Think of the heartbreak such a brawl as this would cause—to her.” D’Aubant flung his sword on the floor. "Damnation. Kuno, what cowards these women make of ns! Hurry. Barbara,” he said fiercely to the woman, “get your ment, but his master s demeanor quieted cloak—r will take you away. Terry, how him like a draft of strong coffee—he | is Saladin?” nd "Dead.” tsar—at Thorn they harmed—anywhere—” He pushed the woman savagely from him, and held her at arm s length. The steady glitter of his eyes frightened her now in good earnest, so her next appeal rang true. Listen, listen—they're at the side door now. Oh. God! it's too iate—there's “Barbara has failed,” said l^arion to Kuno, "hut she will never tell us how or why.” They were quite alone, and Barbara skirts about tier with unspeakable con- j ed „pon the table, and fell to gazing j Barbara. The woman crouched on a in the corner, watching D'Au bant between her fingers. D’Aubant thought this the best chance to tel! her tempt. She glanced once toward him, Readily into the fire. Kuno took counsel divan story—this woman would surely listen, once toward th^ woman—the two stand- jwith iiimself in the hallway. CHAPTER XX. Charlotte Remembers. D'Aubant spent the night in his chair, restbss and weary, dreading to see the daylight come. For with Barbara Klikoff and Charlotte might not. If she delayed , ing there side by side. And then—then— there mig’ht come an interruption. Bar- | s'he looked hard at Barbara—at D’Aubant; , bara made a hesitating step or two. the clour light-'tf Indignant knowledge "You are the aunt of the Brincess , broke into her eyes. Her finger rose and ! Charlotte?” she inquired doubtfully. ! pointed quivering at D'Aubant and the j “Yes.” The needles paused a moment. ; wom ’ an- “She loves you and will Usten to you? ’ ■ know now where I "nave seen von- s - The streets are full of ugly gossip; Sometimes. She smi ec .1 vaT ™ ra both—the theater at Dresden. she said something that is said to have taken enraged there was a certainty of trouble earnestness. Then, as if with a sudden , bpforp Almt Frederica could slam the door placc at Hlrsehfels this afternoon; your- courage, Barbara flung ters, . emphatically between them. : se] f, a ] ady in th j s house, and—” Kuno oldet womans eo. , “The Dresden theater,” Charlotte re- floundered a moment—“Brince Klikoff is Oh. m\ ac .>, m - ' * . r , t q peated to herself; “the Dresden theater. making a great noise; he is coming here and noble—you wfll not he , .,r. h to a , ^ preFSed her hands tightly against tonight to km yolI •' poor girl fear to tell the princess ner- ; , ,. ,— >—l self. It is of Monsieur d'aubant— What of him? What should a woman " n 0 — ’ -But his anger seems to be specialty ider woman s eyes; : directed against the woman who bears the window again, mly three of them, at . this door"—D'Aubant toward a heavy table center of i^,e room, two mantel, and 10 reverence for who obeyed no —Barbara who knew’ God or man. Barbara law. human or divine. Early the next morning lie rode abroad; the cool air helped him to think. Alter a brisk gallop he stopped to breathe Saladin. A hasty rider climbed the hill like you know of him?' toward him: when it was too late to avoid ’ Barbara raised ner eye Aunt Frederi- i her eyes, then drew hack her head, and pale, cold, determined she walked on to l^ffp C L so he mended his statement, her own room. Teats came to th "D'Aubant," he said, reappearing hesl- walked over I tatlngly, "1 dislike to bring bad tidings, “There are hut—” ^ j Terry, at “Well, What is it?” glanced Kuno did not look him straight in the in the eye—he could not. I pairs of pistols above tlT a half dozen blades hanging about the walls. Then he began quickly and coolly to remove his coat and turn back his sleeves. He stripped himself swiftly, every step short and determined. D’Aubant flung the hall door open. "Here, Terry, bear a hand.” He swept Kuno saw that this produced but little ! everything from the table in a heap. The two men struggled with the table and placed it squarely across the doorway. the man. D’Aubant recognized Alphonse ca's stern face softened in spite of her self. for there was no brazenry of de fiance in the shrinking figure before her. Barbara cowered oil her knees, her hands in her lap. her head bent forward. "Pite Chevalier d'Aubant—what do you know of him?” Aunt Frederica repeated 1 sharply. Without lifting her eyes, Bar bara replied. "He took me away from my home at Moscow and brought me to Dresden. We 1 were to he married at once. But since de la. Mar. The young fellow reined up and put out his hand. “Hey. D’Aubant.” h" called, cheery as the morning birds, “wherever I go T meet you. Are you here in Wolfenbuttei now?” "Yes. for a few days.” "Where shall I find you? I'm in a hurry now—” "Burgomaster Seidel's. What's your he sat down and furiously attacked her knitting. The angry snapping of the needles relieved her mind. Perhaps a half liour had gone by when Charlotte reentered the room and stood before her aunt. The girl's deep eyes were red with weeping, hut tearless now. She spoke as quietly as if the question she asked gave her little concern. “Now. aunty, you may tell me—” And Aunt Frederica told her bluntb wliat Barbara had said. Charlotte wanted his name.” D’Aubant shrugged his shoulders sig nificantly. "Lay out those pistols, Terry.” D'Au bant critically balanced his swords, se lecting a heavy weapon to his liking. He kicked the trash away from that part of hurry?” "The tsar his ordered Alexis hick to we came to Wolfenbuttei, he is greatly the plain truth; she was no shorn lamb vo demand the hand of Princess Charlotte: 1 changed, and now folk say—" Barbara s whom the wind must be tempered, lie Is coming tomorrow. Burgomaster head dropped lower upon her bosom, and “J thought that must he the trouble. I Seidel's, you said? Goodby.” He spurred she burst into convulsive sobbing; “—and saw them together that night at the Dres- on. leaving D'Aubant sitting his horse [ now folk say—" ' den theater. I remember it perfectly "Out with it—out with it." Aunt Fred- now." erica gripped her tightly by the shoal- Charlotte walked quietly back to her ders. own room, closing the door after'her. The “Folk say he loves the Princess Char- old woman remained behind as long as iotte and—oh, my dear lady, she is a she could, then she followed. Charlotte royal princess—she would not take him stood dull and stupefied beside a window, | away from me." her slender body showing no sign of She "I believe he intends to kill her. too,” I the floor, and took position behind the Kuno continued, desperately, trying to table fronting the door. make some impression upon the indiffer- | "Now. Terry, 1 am at home; you may ! "Herr Seidel." D’Aubant commanded the voluble burgomaster, "go down to the door and parley with these men—gain me n brief time, and 1 shall he gone." • * » * • In half an hour D'Aubant and Barbara had passed the gates of Wolfenbuttei. and quiet rested again oh the burgmas- ter's house. The streets were very still when Kuno unbarred the side door and admitted Larion Klikoff. “I told you Barbara was the cleverest woman in Russia,” the prince laughed triumphantly. "But lie will return,” suggested Kuno. "Oh, no. I warrant she'll find a way to keep him from troubling its further.” Then the two disappeared into the room that Barbara had vacated. “T wonder what that means,” thought Terry, as he came out of a darkened door where he had hidden as the two went by. (To Be Continued.) ent man. “He has his men with him, and is now on his way to the house.” "Well, what of it?’ "I—thought that I would warn you so that—so that—” “So that the gentleman might find such welcome as the manner of hi.«J- coming warrants? Thank you, Kuno.” invite the gentlemen in—the three at the front door first. Crawl tinder the table when you come back—these are yours,” pointing to a pair of pistols and a sword. D’Aubant knew the mettle of his Irish lad, and gave no further instructions. Barbara, cowering on the divan, watch ed these preparations in helpless stir- like a piece of graven stone. “Alexis coming,” he repeated to him self; then dismissed it as a matter of no consequence, for the sudden reappearance of .Barbara frightened him out of caring for lesser dangers. “I must git her away.” he thought, j Exactly how, lie did not know. "He took you to Dresden?” the old 'weakness or humiliation—or of life. Tt was not Barbara s plan to leave the i woman questioned bluntly. Barbara nod- j turned upon l?er aur.t. ! “How dare you? How dare you inter- ! rupt me? What are you crying for? How dare you look as if you pitted me? I want no pity—I want no sympathy—I want i nothing but to be left alone. u»u t->« ; carriage and let us go 'home. What do you mean standing there staring at me?” Aunt Fredica pushed the girl aside, and charlotte whirled her roughly about. “Or- rose from her chair, walking to and fro, der the carriage. Fod God : S sake don’t dragging the tangling ball of yarn be- i rr jtate me—” ! Aunt Frederica hurried away, and when fCharlotte cam* e, few minutes later, she wore hat and glov“>s. untangling of this knot to D'Aubant. Be- t d?d sides, she was angry now in earnest and took a keener interest in her t T ncle La- rion's affair. Deepe*- than this there was another reason—a woman's omni present reason. “I wil. not be beaten.” she declared the following day to T.arion. “He shall leave I Wol/nbuttel, and leave it in disgrace.” j ft rankled in Barbara's soul that D'Au- ' 'rant, who once had loved her madly, now j thought her too low to take the name of is newer love upon her lips. Von Sorr,” she questioned briefly, “you "When?” "About eight months ago.” “You lived there wii— him?” "Yes,” she almost whispered. “Where do you live in Wolfenbuttei?” "In the house of Burgomaster Seidel.’ hind her. "Infamous! infamous on Barbara, lifting her voice to its keen- say he rides every afternoon to visit this est pitch of anger. 'And you dare—’ "Who is that with you, aunty?” Char- CHAPTER XXI. Iotte called, appearing behind the por- _. ’ tiere. her face beaming. ! The Elo P e ment. "Nothing, dear—nothing—” i Midnight, heavy-handed and ominously "Yes, there is something,” Charlotte ! still, spread her silent tents to guard the insisted, her eyes falling upon Barbara 'sleep of Wolfenbuttei. Nothing iiioved; who still crouched beside the chair, j no foot disturbed the streets, no cloud Frederica darted a wilonrine- e-lanee _ ... . . ... _ . woman at the -country "Yes, she—” “At what hour?” “About 3 ' i - — ; ncc=3 goes with her aunt in the carriage.” “And D’Aubant?” “Rides by a no f ter route a trifle later.” Prince Klikoff only stroked h*s beard and | Aunt Frederica darted a silencing glance j shIfted overhead; nothing stirred in earth listened, with his eves on Barbara—she j at Barbara, and replied: had not yet called upon him for advice. “Von S irr," Barbara issued her orders, “you will have a carriage ready and waiting; when the princess drives out j coming forward. Into the room. "Let me ; this afternoon, come immediately for me.” j speak to her.” j "What do you mean to do?” Kuno ven- i Aunt Frederica stood squarely in her | tured. niece's way. "No; this is no affair for j “Something that is easier done than j you—go back at once and finish your talked about. Be so kind as to see to the | dressing.” Barbara struggled to her feet, still cov ering her face. "But she ls weeping, aunty. Can we not do something for her? There, there,” she said tenderly, laying a soothing hand "Nothing whatever. It is only one of or heaven. Darkness hung like a brold- the tenants wno is ir. trouble—” "Poor child,” Charlotte sympathized. Henri Henrl-you will not drive •iwav'* Is there no tenderness, no dveieVs in your heart? What! You nX«n look at me? No. you can- look at me! You dare not look at 11* must be tme-and I. fool. tool. tlrl not believe that you could love Hop. Barbara." D’Aubant command quietly. Ks right hand uplifted h!«li ve his head, emphasizing the word* re was no threat in a gezture whose i- a lenity enforced obedience, id S womkn at hi. feet heard him | carriage. You may go." j Kuno departed instantly. | “Now. Uncle Tarion, listen to me very j closely. Tam going out to see this Prin- | cess Charlotte—” I “What will you say to her?" i “That ls for me i snapped. Barbara ga j struction for himself and Kuno to fol low. “It seems very easy,” assented Larion, with a low whistle at the simplicity of the scheme, A few minutes after 3 Kuno rapped hurriedly on .Barbara’s door. "They have gone by. the princess and ered curtain before the breathless couch of night. In a doorway opposite the burgomaster’s a shrouded figure stood for hours watch ing Barbara Klikoff’s window. At intervals the cautious step of Prine. .Klikoff came from the public hous. around the corner where he waited with his men. "No light yet, Stephen?” “None, my Prince.” and Larion went ♦ ” AetVrmino ” <=h«* ° n Bar b a r a 's arm, "tfell me what is your back as softly as he^ came. to determine. -he trouble _ x will heIp you . In Barbara s r.jom Kuno askod anxious- i\e tm care tij in Aunt Frederica took the Russian wo- ! of the woman: What if he doc. not man roughly by the shoulder and shoved co ™ e home tonight?’ her toward the door. “You—go out now—go away—” “Oh. aunty, how can you be so hai*h? She is so young—and pretty—” v "Go. now, I say—go, go—I will tell her myself.” “You will tell the princess of Mon sieur d’Aubant?” sobbed Barbara. "Monsieur d’Aubant? What of Mon- her aunt; D’Aubant is starting.” * ‘tip readv to accompany me in ten min- . T, „ nrHomil Kuno would I "Monsieur a AUDant? wnat or ivion- utes,’ the woman ordered. Kuno would | s)eur d . Aub{ult? „ Charlotte dema nded. have protested had she allowed him time lookjng from Barbara to her aunt . - Te ii for he feared to take part publicly In an < mc w j lat ? WTiat is this? Tell me, I affair that must cause a commotion. But j say.” She took her position firmly at Barbara shut the door between herself j the door- “Now tail me, for I know and his objections, while she hastily | it concern, me.” “Be quiet and wait.” She uncoiled her languid limbs like a serpent In Ita lair, Terry, too, kept faithful vigil, peering Into the night, and coming to turn a spitted duck so that It might be warm for his master’s supper. His quick ear caught the sound of hoofs. He ran down the stair, for the -frantic thumping stop ped at the burgomaster’s door. D’Aubant flung himself from the saddle, and reeled as If he could scarcely keep his feet. Saladin spread his legs wide apart and stood hanging His head. He panted hard, and the smoke began to curl i Sever,il times D’Aubant opened his lips prise. The affair was going wrong; she ns if he desired to ask other questions, . and her uncle would be laughed at now but he closed them again. Kuno back- unless they fought it out. 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