Litchfield enquirer., 1860-11-08

laughed aloud, and endeevored to disguise her intense anxiety under show of cheer fulness, whilst in secret she prayed fervently to heaven that the red nosed guest might soon eat aud drink his fill and take his leave and the incomparable Ivan might soon ar rive to indemnify her sensitive heart for thi fearful torment.
 Alas! Ivan, who had got leave of tn, governor left the town, and, sped with hasty steps, and with a heart brimful of tender ness and hope, fo meet her. He walked not he flew. Cupid had fastened his own wing to his boots. He flew like an arrow. Blu on his way lay brandy shop; there is nc road without them. He would have fowl by it,; but in the brandy-shop were his ac quaintances, his beloved friends. He madt u halt with them for moment, only a mo ment, and got tipsy with them. It happen ed quite against his will; he was even il despair at it. Altogether, it was one Of tht most memorable victories ever achieved by Friendship over Love.
 Meanwhile the vagabond had emptied hi: sixth glass of brandy. At the seventh he grew pensive, purscd his brows, and bit his ( dark shadow passed like 9 cloud over his countenance; suddenly he sprang from his seat, and without intending it, pushed SC strongly against his companion, that she al most fell between his feet. He looked rounG uneasily, took the brandy bottle, the bread and piece of meat from the table, put then all into the fathomless pockets of his cloak and said: "Thank you for bread and salt for your hospitality Gaura Michalovitcf keeps his money in this secretary, eh? Why don't you speak? You sec am not such c bad fellow as you thought at first, my pret ty chick. l love you-I love you so much Just tell me what sort of death you would like best to die. Shall cut off your head eh? Or would you rather I should hang you-from that beam, for instance? Don't be afraid only say what you would like best, charming Duna."
 What pleasure. .can you take in plaguing me so cruelly?"
 Why don't you aHswer?" he said, exam ing the secretary and the lock. l should be glad to know-whelher you--would rath- er-be hanged, or-Oho! Gaurila Michal- ovitch keeps his money under two locks, does he? Stay bit; it is not the first we have coax,d opcn." So saying, he took an iron instrument out of his pocket, and immediate ly began to use it upon the lock. Duna stood as if spel!-bound in the middle of the room, trembling in all her frame
 "WelI, what is it, then? Speak out, Avdotyu Ycreneycvna. Can't you make up your mind? Hang the lock. Aydotya Yere- wait your answer, my precious This is the strongest lock Eve seen this many a day. Will you speak or not?"
 The secretary Lurst open with crash.
 Whoo! what lot of iiue things! Bank notes and ducats, and watches! They don't go; spoiled most likely. A ring! 1 don't want it. Oh, I'll take these diamonds = Are tllese all crumbs of ofiicc?"
 Chatting with himself and with Duna, he ,rammcd his pockets with money, watches and trnkcts, and then turned abruptly to the half dead girl. "Well, my love, your choice? Waste no time; but tell me, what death you will die?
 "Well, Pm sure! Ar'nt you ashamed, sir? It is Q very ugly joke this."
 Il am not joking at all, my sweet one"
 
 taken whatever you pleased; l did not hin fer yon."
 "That's very true, but do you see, I can't abide leaving eye-witnesses behind me 1 wash my hands of them by all means With others 1 don't stand on ceremony but as you, my love, are such nice, good natured, amiuble little dear, l will give you your choice of death. 1 love politeness /; I too, nave been brought up in St. Petersburgh."
 She would not believe that he was in ear nest
 Now, then, let's have it once I have no time to lose. Let us put compliments aside. am extremely sorry, but you must die by my hand. l am going to be such fool as to let you live, to tell what sort of eyes, nose, clothes, etc, have got--what did here, and which way l went. Now, Avdotya Yeremeyeyna, an swer quickly.
 Every word of her cold-blooded torturer was a dagger, stroke to her; her whole blood, all the warm current of life, curdlcd back upon her heart her limbs grew icy cold, and foods of tears poured over her inanimate face. She tottered and fell to the floor. In her fall she caught the robbers foot, and kissed it. "Have mercy on me P she shlieked. "Oh, spare my life, I im- pIore you swear to you before the Ho ly Virgin, will not say syllable to any one. May never see heaven if do For the sake of the blessed St. Nicholas upon me 1 will pray all my life for you, as for own father, my brother"
 The memorable miscreant shook her off from his foot, kicking her in the breast. In vain she raised her imploriug looks and arms towards him in vain she sought to touch his stony heart with all that intense despair, and the clinging love for a youthful, joyous existence, could breathe into the words, the voice and the tears of helpless being. The villain, harder than granite, grew every mo- mcnt more cruel and savage. Raging with impatience, he caught her by the hair, fore ed back her head, drew his knife from his boot, and was about to plunge it in her throat.
 "Oh, oh for the love of heaven !" sob bed the unfortunate girl, beside herself at the sight of the terrible knife Chang mel hang me !! No bloody death /! Mercy L. mercy Hang me rather l"
 "Ay, ay," he said, with Q hideous grin ESQ you can speak at last. Why did yor not say1so at once? I have lost deal O time already; still l can't refuse you the ia vor; you are such nice girl l Don't b' afraid, Duna You shall die in the pleas antest manner. It as an ugly death that Q the knife If I might choose myself, would rather be hanged than knouted whel