The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-02-04

self that he had been so ready to give
away the only treasure of his life.
How hard he had been TO her-how
seldom had he been softened into
caresses or shown her his heart. If he
had made her love him she could not
have left him thus. So, after long
weeks of loneliness, his life seemed to
center into one object-to find her
again. All his inquiries so far had
been in vain; but he would go out him.
self; and what could elude s. fathers
yioilanceP He had waited with vague
hope that she would come back to him.
A girl of eighteen only, how could she
battle with life? But the slow DAYS
came and went, and she made no sign,
and at last the Count Semiloff went
forth with hope in his heart-a hope
that failed day by day. For the DAYS
grew into months and the months to
years-yes, four years--and he had not
heard from her, not one word.
SO as balm for an aching heart, the
Count threw himself into hard work.
His old prejudices grew strong again,
and with the vigor of young man he
took up a service for the Gar; secret
service that needed fidelity, courage
and even recklessness of life. And who
was so Indifferent to life as the Count
Semiloff, the last of his line save for the
unnatural daughter who had forsaken
him in his old agep What did the few
remaining years hold for him. that he
should be careful to preserve them
Nay, he was ready to fling them away,
if by so doing he could render a serv-
ice to his master Therefore, he gave
himself up to ferreting out the crea-
lures who were plotting against that
masters life, and the well-being of all
Russia, according to his convictions.
1t was with peculiar sensations of tri-
umph, therefore, he read one day an
anonymous note that some one had left
for him:
"Whereas the Count Semiioff7s vigil
ance for the Car is well known, an OPP
portunity is now offered for the defeat
of Nihilist plot of the first magnitude,
and the arrest, among others, of a GER
tain Sophie Posenski, who is a powerful
member of the party. This woman has
for two years been leader and an in
fluence in the band-the most subtle
the most dangerous to all lovers OF
peace and order. She has an infatua-
ton, an insanity, it might be called, tc
redress wrongs; she is eloquent, anC
sways mems minds at will; she is beau
tiful, and she rules mems hearts; she is
the most malignant enemy the Gar car
find, and you can deliver her into hi!
hand. Be at the Borsoff Warehouses to
morrow night at ten o. clock. The watch
word is Public Safety the place a eel
lar under the first house"
The Count felt sudden enthusiasm
for his work-greater even than he haC
ever experienced before. All! if he coulC
but seize this woman, of whom he haC
, heard much, but whom he had neve
, been able to see or trace before--if h
could deliver her into the hands of jus
tice, then, indeed, he might be able T.
say "Amen" to his weary life.
t Somehow he had conceived an intens
, hatred against this Sophie Posenski-
) this arch-traitress, as he thought he1
who led men into treason with smiles
and made them willing to cast thei
g lives away for a word of praise. n
r stain had ever sullied her name, yet
, pleased him TO think of her as Giro
: who lured men to their ruin-a Messs
!, lima
< "whose hands were blood-stained, tho {
white
: As carven snow or winter frost,
I Red with the souls deceived and lost"
I And a thrill of triumph came over hil
I as he thought that he was to be the il
strument of delivering Russia from TIL
# curse. Siberia would be the place fc
r this ardent, soaring soul. In the NEAR
It time the object of his wrath, uncor
IS scious of her danger, but knowing thf
" she walked amid ceaseless dangers
= traps and plots and pitfalls was maxim
Il ready for the meeting. Her toilet wf
IS simple, as BELTS a woman. sworn to b'
, long to the cause of the people-tE
Vt poor, the downtrodden and oppressed
y yet her beauty doomed through all, {
e a rose might do in neglected garden
n Her hair was cut short, that no tin
d might be wasted in its arrangement, b1
k it disposed itself in bewitching little il
l. fantile curls all over her head, and 10
a down on her broad, white forehead
st The face was full of force, the mou
1t impressive-bu it looked as if it migl
is be eloquent of love and passion as well
N and the dark-blue eyes that could fla!
ID in scorn at an ignoble action, or ang'
20 at tyranous act, were soft and limp
E. now with memories. Her room w
'e plain and bare as a cell. She was oil
of the workers., and her slim finge
le were hardened with toll; but she d
IS not grieve over that. A strange e
ii thusiasm filed her heart; she was livil
or for purpose, and that is the secret
~ happiness. Once in a while there can
up before her suddenly as if some o.
a held up portrait, the memory OF ia
is she had seen at the meetings lately
new member who seemed to hang up
n her words, yet whose eyes betrayed
N, - che Gould Gn1