Litchfield enquirer., 1878-03-14

supposed to know nought of this last scheme. We conversed rather about his family, his talents his sufferings in Siberia-and hereon nay fair hostess soon began to shed hysterlcal tears, vowing that, after all, it was not she who had caused Casimir to be sent into exile, for that he would have been arrested in any case. the government having long noted down his family for persecution. It was but natu- ral that the unhappy womrn should now seek to disculpate herself of her crime against the man she loved, and should lay particular stress on the pardon she had obtained for him. She seemed to be working herself up to the conviction that itwas as shewho had prevented the patriot from ending his days in the Oural mines, the remainder of his life properly be- longed to her; which proves once again that woman's logic is often at fault.
 said nothing that might grieve the count ess, for it was my duty to be courteous, as a visitor in her own house; and so we talked con1dentially enough for couple of hours. 1t was about ten o'clock, think, and l was on the point of taking my departure. when foot man came in with 8 letter on tray, which he handed to his mistress. Panlina begged my ! leave to open it. but the instant she had glanc- cd at the first lines she started to her fest, and shot me a glance of vigorous hatred such as she-wof may throw when she has fallen into trap; then, without plotting what she had written, she hastily folded the sheet enclosed it in an envelope, and handed tito the tootman, who retired.
 This done, Paulina advanced towards me with flashing eyes and arms folded, whilst, in a voice that was almost a scream, she exclaim- ed,-
 ''Do you know what have just done? have signed an order for the arrest of those two Zezioffs."
 | .:o oF fOr hey went away this afternoon, and are over the frontier by this time," replied 1, " calmly. This information staggered her for a mo- ment. 'Fool that am; should have had them seized two days ago!' she ejaculated, gasping. ''But anyhow, Casimir Barinski shall not escape. know that he is to leave for Kaptcha to morrow, disguised as peas ant"
 And what if you do prevent bis escape :? Love him as you may, you can't force him to marry you against his will. '"
 But can send him back to Siberia, and will. I would rather see him there than married to that drudge of a girl '" | ''Tut tut" said l. Our enemies are bad | enough, but they won't cancel an imperial pardon for the sake of advancing your love affairs. You haven't the power you boast, | Paulina"
 This sally drove her almost mad | Haven't 1 the power?" shrieked she, as she spread out her hands wildly. Know that am queen of this town and have been for years. lam the only person here in di- rect relation with the police minister at St. Petersburgh; and a line of mine could send yOu, priest as you are, to Siberia.
 "I don't believe it." said |; and in any case feel no fear ;" nor did feel any.
 ''Ah, you think you can defy me, but you will do well not to go too far!" she exclaimed, wringing her hands, and looking as if she | would smite me.
 ''I do defy you" said I, atandng up, in wrath for there isn't priest in Poland who would give you absolution ifyou once laid afin- ger on one of our order. If we don't all hold to- gether from brotherly love, we do from the | necessity of mutual protection, as you well know, else you would have disposed of me long ago."
 II am too good, and that is my weakness 7" said Paulina, panting as she dropped, half fainting, on to the sofa. 'I have let myself be held in bondage by your superstitions like a child, but I'll turn schismatic."
 And I'll excommuncate you from the sac raments, and denounce you to the Camarilla as heretic and traitress, with whom no pact of faith need be kept" cried l, paying her back glance for glance, without quaking. l Iknew the sort of woman with whom had to deal, you see. Half choking with rage, she pointed to the door, and I walk ed out; but 1 felt quite confident that she would neither mOlest me nor suffer others to do so. Religion, as she practiced it, | was half the business of PaunaS life, and she had need to believe i'll the inviolability of it's ministers She would have known no peace in shining if she had destroyed one of us | priests who have power to absolve sins.
 All this did not prevent my passing very anxious night, for had hoped that no news of Casimir's flight or the intention of it. would reach the countess till morning by which time | all researches would be in vain. l was not so sure that tn ey would be in vain at this hour, if actively conducted and every time l heard the tramping walk of the night police under my window, quaked lest one of these indi- viduals should knock at my door, and request me to accompany him to the central office, there to answer questions as to my connivance in Casimir's flight. There was no knocking, andI received no police visit until ten o'clock next morning. At that hour a crop-headed man in plain clothes arrived at the church and told me laconically that was wanted to iden- hfy dead body.
 ''Whose dead body ?" I asked, my tongue almost cleavingto my palate.
 'Casimir BarinSki's," he answered. ''The man was overtaken as he was trying to es- cape in peasants clothes; and as he offered re- sistance, he was shot down."
 "Where? On the road to Kapteha:"
 Precisely" replied the policeman, with a significant look into my eyes. ''lt was on the road to Kaptcha."