The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-04-25

on the hypothesis that shall be mt my
country seat. But IL l should happen
not 10 be there. but instead should be AZ
the Governors. will you give me the
first waltz?"
| a little moved. the Countess looked
narrowly a. her inSerlocutor; he was in
earnest, a thing that so rarely happened
that she was touched BY il.
"Yes," she said; 81 will"
keep il for me, remember; when
the music strikes up l shall be there 70
claim it."
.Prince. said the young woman. not
without = shuddcr, "you risk your own
life per haps."
"a waltz with you Is worth more"
sad Kamoutsine As he rose.
81 hope you are only jcfing, as usu-
al, !" said the Countess, smiling, but I'M
easily.
Will you wager that will not be
there? Suppose we do bet upon It'll
know you viii pay if you lose A wa
ger il Is then, and sc farewell till to-
morrow night"
Kamoutsine brushed with his mus
tache the Countess's white wrist above
ire glove and vanished ere she could
speak.
AS he had said, his gendarmes were
In waiting at his quarters and closed
and covered kibitka was standing at the
door. The Prince entered it without giving
his guards chance to dine, whereat they
grumbled exceedingly, but inwardly, as
was their duty in the presence of their
superior, for kamoutsine, for all that he
was their prisoner, was none the less
their hierarchical superior.
The voyage was prodigiously enliveu-
ed with accidents. The Princes valet,
who had been sent on in advance as
courier. had certainly been drunk or
mad, for It every station all went wrong
mo horses were in waiting, positions
couldn't be found, and not morsel Of
food was obtainable. 1t was not until
2 in the morning that an affirmative re-
reply was received to the eternal ques-
ton = Any thing to eat?" and Kamout-
sine, who until then had been sleeping
soundly within the kibitka, came out,
rubbing his eyes, and jovially invited
his guards to sup with him.
The repast was sunptuous. The host
served up great mugs Of kvass that
sparkled like champagne-in fact it was
slightly modified TO suit the
occasion. Kamoutsine pressed upon the
gendarmes the contents OF his brandy
flask. charged with pure alcohol, and in
20 minutes, what with the sudden transit
ton from the icy air without to the
sitting atmosphere within, the weaken
ing Of their stomachs by their long fast
md the ingeniously compounded liquors
% which they had been copiously treat
ID, the four guards were snoring on
Dr., to speak more accurately, under the
able.
Making the sign of the cross over the
our sleepers that their slumber might
De free from bad dreams, the Prince toek
lis pelisse and valise, and stepping to the
ioor entered a peasant sledge that was
n waiting. The horse, though h. look
d mere ruckle of bones, set out ut
,nce at rapid trot; relays were wait
ng at every post house, and at So'clock
n the morning Kamoutsine re-ontered
he city which the evening before he had
luitted-
Before the door of the restaurant
where be had, a. has been recited. pass
d one term Of Punishment, kibitka |,
vas in waiting, battered and travel
tanned as If from long journey. Ka-
entered the restaurant, dotted
lis uniform and donned q civilians
arb, then entered the vehicle, his faith
III valet seized the reins Of the three {
lorses harnessed abreast, and with bells '
ingling and whip cracking drove to the 8
ortress and halted Just before the door I
4 the Governor. !
Out swarmed the lackeys as II to well
'ome long-expected and distinguished !
.uest. 'sAnnounce His Excellency's
lephewi" said the Prince rs he leisure
: assembled the stairs, up which the
'ficious servants had scurried, contend
ng for the honor Of bearing his valise /,
nd cloak.
"My dear nephew!- cried the Cove ;
Tor, embracing him tenderly, sswelcome,
hrice welcome! We have been expect
~ you for . whole week"
+" You will forgive my delay, dear un-
le," answered the young man, "when /
explain"
Yes---yes, of course. Bless my soul, 4
low you have changed; I'D never have
.nown you. You must be worn OUT !.
~ have travelled ~ hours without !
esting so as to reach You the soon !
rs
Poor fellow--come and have cup :,
{ tea. was just at breakfast. Your
unit Is still In bed. You know we give !
ball tonight"
"A ball: didn't know IL; but in :
costume can't
Didn't you bring your dress suit 4
nth you?r
"Of course, but it is in the baggage ! :,
IT behind me when pushed on"
"Well, then, we'll order one from the '