Richland beacon., 1877-06-16
rur~L.sr MELODY OF PAU PES
y.r THE RUSSIAN CONSPIRATOR


III. a,dest brother, the Grand Duke Con-
...rt;ne was his natural successor to the
t,rone of Russia but, BY deed till then
kan. secret, Constantine, in Alexander's
lifetime. had renowned the crown in
favor Of his younger brother, Nicholas.
The accession of the latter, therefore, e1-
cited general surprise; an unsettled feel
inc manifested itself among the people
and the army. The time appeared favor
able for the breaking out of conspiracy
which had been forming for years. An
instruction took place at St. Petersburg
on Christmas day, 1925; but the move
ment of the conspirators was too hasty,
and their attempt, not well seconded by
the troops, failed through the energy OF
the car. A hundred and thirty-six
leaders of the insurrection were seized,
tried and condemned, and almost all OF
them we're sentenced to perpetual labor
or 10 exile in Siberia. The FIVE principal
chiefs were condemned to be broken On
the wheel, but did not undergo that her-
rible punishment, the gibbet being sub
sti:uted by a ukase of the emperor.
Among these five chiefs the first and
mos: remarkable was Paul Postal, colonel
OF he infantry regiment of Wiatka. The
long and arduous task to which he had
devoted himself had not wholly engrossed
the mind of this brave and persevering
conspirator. Alive to the charms of the
arts, he cultivated them with success,
and, in particular, was an excellent mu-
stefan. The young and beautiful Cath
arine W had conceived devoted at
tachment to Postal. Gifted with an ex-
quisite voice, she loved to sing his mel
odies. The passion with which she in
spired him was as fervent as her own,
and if ever the deep conspirator could
forget his gloomy reveries, it was when
seated by GATHERINGS side, and dreaming
of love and happiness.
son the eve of the day when the in.
surrection was to break out, Postal, more
preoecupied than usual, scarcely an
swered Catherine, and at times seemed
not to hear her.
What ais you to-day, Paul9' she
said, taking his hand. 'You do not look
at me-you do not speak to me. 1 never
saw you 10 cold, 50 absent, when you
were with me-
paul looked at her sadly.
"what would you do, Catherine, were
you never to see me again7'
al should die!' cried Catherine, with
enthusiasm; and then added in a voice
Of terror. Butwhy this question, Paul
Can YOU think OF iorsaking mef'
"Pestal was client.
"But it cannot be- nid Oathssine,
You have sworn to love me till death.
eyes! While this heart beats It i
yours, Catherine, butt he added, en-
bracing her with melancholy tenderness,
promise me, If 1 die, that you viii live
for the sake of your old father, and that
even when dead, shall never cease to
occupy your thoughts.'
al promise to live Is long - my grief
will allow. But Of us two, Paul, it il net
I who shall have this cruel trial to
undergo
. "sThere are presentiments that do net
deceive said Postal, declining his bead
on his breast; ian inward voice warns
me that l must abandon my two hap
piest visions-the bliss Of living in the
enjoyment Of your love, Catherine, and
the glory of assuring the welfare Of ~
countzymen.' -
"Whatdo you mean p cried the young
girl, whose fear and agitation increased
every minute what mean these mystic
rious words, these gloomy predictions!
Paul, you are concealing . secret
"Yes, Catherine
"'A secret from me, who never had
one from you'll
"You have had all mine-but THU
one does not belong to me-
"And, if 1 may judge from your looks
yeur words, your thoughts of death and
parting, it must be something very
teYrible!'
"Terrible, indeed!'
AFTER moments silence, Postal con
tinued: :,
"Hear me, Catherine. When l shall
give you, this evening, my farewell kiss
it may, perhaps, be the last you will re
ceive from me. But whatever may bt
my lot whenever you are told "Paul Il
dead" come, and you shall find remem
brance Of me! for, Iswear to you, my las'