Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-11

Enough of this"' cried Hermann. hru-
tally clutching her arm "for the last time
will you speak or no?"
The arm telt strangely limp and lifeless
in his grasp. He approached and exam-
ined her face by the light Of the fading
fire. \ look of naughty determination
was upon the withered face, hut the eyes
were dim, Anna, countess of Fedotovna.
was cold aud dead.
Three days after this scene the obse-
Quies of the Countess were celebrated In
the Cathedral of Vasili Blazhenhoi. Her.
mann entered the church Although he
felt no remorse. he could not deny to HIM
selftha, he was her assassin. Faith he
had none-superstition had forced him
there. He fancied that the dead woman
would exercise = mali.n influence over
his lie if he did not appeasc her spirit by
assisting at the funeral
The Cathedral was crowded The BODY
lay upon an imposing ca,afalque under a
velvet canopy. Around the bier were
gathered the three generations of her fami-
ly. Noone wept-tcars would have been
considered an aflectation. The Countess
was so old that her death had long been
regarded as probable al any moment.
After the funeral Grafton the relatives
and friends detiled slowly around the bier
to look upon the features of the dead wo-
man. Hermann also advanced. He
reached the catafalque. mounted its steps
and bent over the coffin. He recoilcd
with a stiiled cry. He fancicd he had seen
a movement of the ewes of the corps and
mocking smile play over its cold lips.
All the rest of the day he felt most ex-
traordinary uneasincss. At the restaurant
where he took his solitary dinner he drank
deeply. contrary to his habit in the hope
of shaking OF the gloom that oppressed
him. II was all in vain. The wine only
inilamed his imagination. and gave new
activity to his working brain. He walked
the streets OF the city till he was exhausted.
and then returned 10 his quarters. He
threw himself upon the bed fully dressed,
and in few minutes n leaden slumbcr
fell upon him.
When he awokc a food of moonl,gh
streamcd from the window to his bed.
He looked at his watch. II was half-past
three. He could sleep 10 longer. lie
began to think of his failure to obtain the
secret. and of the escape of the old Count
ess TO the other world, hearing her secret
with her.
Suddenly he looked up. lie thought
the door was moving. Could il be his
servant? No, not at that hour The door
slowly opened and he could dimly distin-
guish in the background of darkness u
figure in white The figure advanced
toward him with gliding motion. II
reached the yellow line of moonlight
Hermann's hair rose upon his head. |,
was the Countess,
81 come against my will. " the apparition
said owly, "but by your will IL is that
am forced to come. Three. seven. ace.
PLAYED one after the other; these are the
cards. FAREWELL
The figure glided towards the door.
As it reached the threshold il turned.
and Hermann fancied he could discern in
the darkness its mocking smile.
Three, seven, ace. Three. seven, ace,
This was the secret. The words were
branded upon Hermann's brain. He could
think of nothing else. The cards appear
ed in a myriad mystic forms. He saw
vast forests whose nodding branches
wove themselves into threcs Mighty
cities reared themselves before him. whose
Gothic gates were strangely like to sevens.
Monsirous aces dangled from the skyes
like spider-webs. The clock ticked Three,
seven. ace
There was at Moscow famous faro
bank frequented only by the rich. The
bankers name was TcbckaliDski. HIS
life had been passed at play, and he had
amassed an immense fortune. His mag
nificent house. his excellent wines, his
elegant manners. had succeeded in attract
ing the fashionable youth of Moscow.
They deserted the ball room for the
gambling hell: they neglected the smiles
of beauty for those Of the iickle goddess.
! Fortune.
Naroumoff was in the habit of frequent
ing this place. and Hermann requested
him to conduct him there. They passed
through . number of rooms filed with
Generals and dipiomatists were playing
at whist. Young men were extended
upon the divans smoking Turkish pipes.
At last they reached the main room.
Tchekalinski was seated Mt the centre of a
long table dealing faro, surrounded by a
score OF players. lie was man OF GO
with noble head, crowned with snow-white
hair. His countenaDce shone with good
humor and with good living. During a
pause in the play Naroumoff presented
his friend. The banker greeted him with
charming smile, bade him not to stand
upon ceremony, and began another deal
The bets were numerous. The deal last
ed long At its close Tchekalinski began
shuffling new pack for a fresh deal.
Hermann deposited check upon ths
table.
What exclaimed Naroumoff, laugh.
iDgly, lat last, oh man Of iron. you have
yielded to the temptation' Well. I wish
| you good luck"
/ .How much" says the banker, peerinf
at the check. beg your pardon, but
] cannot see the figures"
Fifty thousand roubles.'. replied Her
mann.
At these words all eyes were turne.
upon the young officer.
/ ..Hc il mad - thotiVht Narouu1o6