The Van Buren press., 1873-04-22


lips and spoken as freely Of Russia be-
fore his iriend-I should have set him
down at once for deadly spy
l had been about month at Homburg,
my mother was wonderfully improved,
and very anxious to get backbone, when
most curious circumstance happened
to me had not received a letter from
Catrina for more than three weeks, and
was getting uneasy. was quite willing
to return home. being impatient to as
certain If any letters had arrived from
Russia, and had been forwarded and lost
wrote long loving letter to Catrina
telling her had missed her usual week
ly dispatch, informing her also of m,
mothers cenvalescence and OF my impa
tient desire to get back to Russia ant
make her my wife with as little delay a.
possible.
We settled to leave Uomburg the fol
lowing day, and W, mt to post my letter
and bid adieu to my friends Coming
out of the postotiice, on the bottom steE
| saw something glittering in the sun
picked it up-it was the prettiest little or
nament eversa A scarf pin, evident
ly made to fasten like brooch, about tn,
size of shilling and round 1t some ca
balistic figures inoloscd within q carter
tive letters interviewer in the centre or
red and blue enamel-the letters beng
in brilliants; blue enamel at the top
and the letter X hanging from the bot
tom in plain gold.
| thought the best way to find its own.
sr was to wear it my self; so ! stuck il
in the left lapel Of my coat, and on my
black coat it glistened famously.
In looking for Scholvolski l met his
obnoxious friend, who glared in fright
ful way at the jewel in my coat, which
made me say, in fun, How do you like
the order have received?'
"Did you receive that y he asked, ap-
parently unable to keep his eyes off it.
why shouldn't I2' answered,
laughing
He turned on his heel and left me sud.
denly, while | sought out my friend
Schol, oski
At last seated at the roulette table, !
touched him on the shoulder, and asked,
" "What luck p
"Ah, nv dear friend" he answered,
" the same--always bad, How are you
But what what !" and he too stared with
all his might at my order, and seemed to
turn pale
"Well," ] thought, "this must be
something remarkably interesting. DO
the take me for king in disguise; or
do they think I've stolen the decoration
At any rate, won't tell them until find
out what they mean. -
ski, isking my stS1bSali aa RsglIls'oh to
the terrace, where we sat down at Ia
BILE and had some coffee All this time
he never took his eyes off my decora
ton.
At last l said, "Well, my friend, how
do you like my new order, ell ? hatter
nay self this is rather better than your dir
ty little bit of green and orange ribbon y
"Have you had it longf' he asked, Sc
riously
NO." replied, "not very long.
Why p
"Oh, nothing; only thought"
And hearing a whistle in the grounds
below, he Jumped up, and without saying
o word, rushed down the steps. In q
minute or two / saw him emerge from
some trees with his horrid friend They
were both talking vshemently, and gss
ticulating like two mad Frenchmen.
Holloa" l thought; that whistle
sounded like signal. I'll try and imi
tate it, and see if it brings him back; "
and as well as ! could. | gave it--twe
high notes, then two low, and one very
shrill / seemed to have hit it rather
smartly, for both jumped as il shot, and
looked up to the place whence the whis
tie proceeded. My friend Scholvolski
rushed to me and said
Ibid you whistle then ~
Yes" | replied. "ls 1t such won
derful thing to be able to initiate whis
tie My dear friend, it's an English
mans solace and delight. We whistle
all day long"
"Ah " he mutter, can Engli,hman
True; but half Russian. "
Saying which, he rejoined his compan
ion, and they appeared more frantic than
ever
He came up to me soon, and ! began
to bid him my adeux
"Oh, come and dine with me-quitt
alone, I assure; this is our last night >
In vain l pleaded packing.
"Bah " said he; 4" iou have a good
hour before dinner
1t was OF no use; he would take nc
excuse; and when said, "All right, >" Q
curious look came over his face didn't
understand it then-I did some hours af
ter.
We had most sumptuous dinner-by
far the best he had ever given me.
"lll see you home, old fellow" ht
said, taking my arm and leading me out
you've got your order oil right
haven't you ?" he shouted in my ear, ane
glarng down on il, his face, to my dis
tempered vision, appeared to have turn
ed yellow.
"Oh, yes, I've got it safe enough,
laughingly answered I'm not going tC
lose such treaaure as that. +"
No. mind you dos't." he shouted
again, and looked yellower than ever,
BY this time we had passed through
the vestibule, and lie hailed a carriage of
the stand
"Get in," he said quite roughly.
mo, thanks, replied, lprefer thu
fresh air, and will walk home so goot
night, and good bye