Part 59 (2/2)

Ellerey did not answer There was no time The soldiers were upon them

With Petrescu on one side and Dumitru on the other Ellerey threw hile had commenced, and so fierce was the resistance of these three men that the soldiers hesitated and fell back a pace

”Fly, Princess, while there is time,” Ellerey shouted

”Victory or death, I stay” (and her voice rang clear above the uproar) ”with you, Desmond”

The last words were spoken almost in a whisper, and they maddened him

Here was death, butchery, and she was in the midst of it

”Maritza! Go, dear! Go!” he cried ”Let me hold them back for a moment

I will follow Petrescu! Dule round the steps of the statue that the tide of battle seeain, and some of the rebels dashed fiercely back into the fray

”Take her, Dumitru,” Ellerey whispered ”We'll hold them while we can”

Suddenly froh the ranks of the flying rebels, came a woman

”Are you cowards or men?” she cried aloud as she came, and some turned at that cry and met death with a shout of defiance, while others stood irresolute until fear overcame them

Ellerey saw her as she reached Maritza's side, and then he was conscious that a stalwart ar heavy blows upon the foes which seemed to surround him

”She would come I could not stay her,” said Stefan between his deeply panted breaths as he struck again and again

”Fly, Maritza!”

”Frina! You!”

”Fly, Maritza!” The salvation of Maritza seeht accomplish it, even at the last moment, had drawn her hither Hoas to be done she had not asked herself Yet now she appeared to have found the way

Even as she spoke Dumitru seized the Princess

”Come!” he said, as he threw a cloak about her to conceal her identity

”To-day we fail; to-morrow--Ah!”

It was a short, sharp cry, a cry with finality in it Whatever to- forth, he should have no part in it His hand still grasped the cloak as he fell backwards, and Maritza was dragged doith hiosie,” said Ellerey to the soldier beside hiht understand to the full Was there anything that Stefan would not do for Grigosie?

Frina Mavrodin stood for amass She had shuddered when she had passed the dead body of Francois in the passage, now she drew herself to her full height and looked down upon the battle She stood there that all ht escape, and then she saw Ellerey with the sweat and grime of the conflict upon him For an instant their eyes met, her lips whispered his name, and then she threw up her arms, and with a low cry fell prone upon the steps of the statue

Maritza, as bending over Dumitru, turned swiftly and made one step towards her when Stefan stopped her