Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-06-20

of doors without an attendant But
who shall guarantee the guards
manp"
A laugh, low and savage, and each
auditor looked round on his neighbor
confidently. The Secretary handed the
spokesman a transcription of the mes
sage on the bark, which, after perusing,
he destroyed.
"The master has spoken" said he
respectfully. "He who is one and is
manyl This is his order: A new dig
nitary must meet his DOOM"
4" More blood" said Colonel Kabul-
off, resolutely.
"When horse falls down a prick of
a dagger starts him upon his feet-so
with nations-the blood shed cures the
apoplexy and inspirits the brain. But
this time we stab at the morale. The
General Committee says after the serv-
ant the master-the man in the bed
after the man at the door. Is there a
living Russian whose kinsfolk have not
been nailed, transported, slain, flogged,
impoverished Is there Russian gem
tleman who dares to take public morn
ing bath among Europeans but they see
the marks of rod or knout upon his
shouldersP 1t is not enough to tear out
one eye when our thousands have been
filled with tearsl This time a woman
shall die that man may be tortured" "
IA woman" repeated Sergius;
"what are you thinking OFF"
"Justicer
at will be cowardly."
"Cowardlyl Ha! hal He talks of
cowardice. While you were warm in
here. While those hundreds danced,
millions are freezing. Nature made
none of these distinctions, and we will
not improve on nature. 'All for all
forever That's our desire. You
know we do not despoil the rich who
has gathered his money toilsomely, but
the robber let revel on his plumber is a
living example which lead our sons
astray. How can I tell my daughter
that her honor is her jewel, when Cath
crime the Courtesan was CZarina of the
Russias; how persuade my son that
honesty is precious, when Moss Lewis
XII, the forger in Frankfort and default
er in Maentz, is the chief of Muscovite
commerce Bob! we are the innumer-
able Damocles' daggers OF Kings, and
we care no more on when we fall than
the lightning if it strikes hovel, palace
or haystack. The General Committee
designate A or b to die, and G or ID is
allotted the poniard."
"And we striker' chorused the as.
semblage.
Careless of what conclusion they drew
| icbr nl
covered his face with his hand, and was
absent to the progress of drawing OF
lots. Seeing his inattention the Secre-
tary drew for him. 1t was the marked
billet.
"Colonel Sergius Kabuloff," said the
Chairman, " to you the task. And il
will be the more facile since you have
the entree of the habitation."
He laid the slip of paper on the table
at the Colonel's elbow, and waited for
all to withdraw. Then, leaning over
so that his lips were at the ear of the
artillery officer, he whispered:
81 glory in you! You have made her
love you! And so it will break her
heart as well as his-the tyrant."
1t was dawn when he left the house,
and the yellow sun shone pale on the
frozen river and snow-covered quays.
At eight o'clock Count Kabuloff sent
in word to Prince Murine that he wished
to see him straightway. The General
had laid down in his clothes, so that he
made no difficulty in rising and hasten
ed to greet him. The officer, pale as
an icicle, merely bowed. Singularly
astonishod at such a sudden change,
the General only then perceived how
convulsed were his features.
Your Excellency," said he, in a
broken voice, 81 was too happy last
night. l must not only beg pardon
for having dreamed of happiness, but
implore you to release me from my en-
gagement. am going on long voy-
age"
" Are you madP Explain Your alb.
rupt refusal is an insult to me and my
daughter!'
81 insult such an angel! She should
have the last drop of my blood-but
alas! that is devoted to my country"
The General nodded mechanically in
assent. But suddenly he suspected
another meaning in the phrase and
gazed at him intently, anxious and
wistful. The Colonel sobbed as if tC
choke: then, his torture being unen,
durable, he drew u revolver from his
pocket, ready capped, aud presented il
to the Prince.
"Blow out my brains for the insult,
and die-blessing you"
The General took the weapon, threw
it on the ottoman, and folding his
arms, said in his brutal tone of su.
perior officer: I" If this is a plot to in
jure me, it fails; but if you are the mar
l hope you to be, speak! make cleal
breast of the venom that madden!
you"
The door opened suddenly while Ser
gius hesitated. He must have though
an enemy was coming, for he fell bacl
in an attitude of defense, and felt fol
the pistol which he had put from him
1t was merely Princess Nathalia, come
in flowing white cashmere morning
wrapper, to wish her father good-day
She smiled more than before, anC
blushed at seeing the Count. He ut
tered cry of admiration and of horror
and sank on the ottoman.
The General took her hand and said
sadly:
daughter of my love, this is a mar
whom you love, and who told me HI
loves you. | gave him leave overnigh
to pay his addresses to you, and 10! hi
refuses, without reasons, to accept thC
happiness which l allowed. Perhaps
he may answer you; he would if he ha'
drop of manly or noble blood in him. )
Sergius was too deeply overwhelmed
to hear this slur. Nathalia took hi
cold, nerveless hand in hers, fastened
on him her penetrating eyes, and sale
in her sweet, crystalline voice, only
slightly quivering:
"Since you love me, do not repulst
me in my first request. ->Speakr'
The officer dropped on his knees be
fore her and with what he could sum
mon up of energy, replied