The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-03-24

ready for the meeting. Her toilet was
simple, as BELTS woman sworn 10 be-
long to the cause Of the people-tbe
poor, the downtrodden and oppressed
yet her beauty bloomed through all, q
q rose would do in neglected garden.
Her hair was cut short, that no time
might be wasted. in it's arrange.
ment, but 1t disposed itself in
bewitching little infantile curls all
over her head and low down over her
broad. white forehead. Tho face was
full OF force, the mouth impressive
but it looked as ifit might be eloquent
Of love and passion as we'll and the
dark.blue eyes that could fash in
scorn at an ignoble action or anger at
q tyranous act, were soft and limpid
now with memories. Her room was
plain and bare as cell. She was one
OF the workers, and her slim fingers
were hardened with toll; but she did
not grieve over that. A strange en-.
thusiasm filled her heart; she was liv-
ing for q purpose, and that is the
secret Of happiness. Once in while
there came up before her suddenly,
as II some one held up a portrait, the
memory OF face she had seen OF the
meetings lately-a new member who
seemed to hang upon her words, yet
whose eyes betrayed a sort OF animosity
she could find no other word for it.
Sometimes it seemed as il hatrcd and
love struggled together in, their ex.
preston, and she had felt cold creep
ing sensation as she saught the glance.
She had grown somehow to look for
his coming, and his presence affected
her in an inexplicable manner. It
seemed to touch some chord of mem
ory, too, and she vexed herself with at
tempts to understand IL. Tonight, as
usual, her eyes sought him out, and
then as she met his glance the hot
blood surged into her face.
The next moment he was at her side,
and with him person whom she knew.
"Let me introduce my friend Sergius,"
leave you together to talk. Two such
ardent disciples must be friends"
have heard much Of you," ex-
claimed Sergius, bowling, "and have
longed, but scarcely dared, to be pre-
sented."
DARED" I" exclaimed Sophie, with
laugh; ''it is our religion to darel"
"But am a novice. Perhaps I shall
learn to dare everything in time"
There was significance in the words
which made the girl blush again.
1T is long time eince the cause OF
the people became the dearest thing to
me-" Then she said: "Some one used
to Eend me Nihilist pamphlets, and
became convert when l was o mere
child. wish I knew that person. 1
would like to meet him"
A peculiar smile came to the lips OF
her companion. "Are you grateful to
him p
"Yes. I look upon him as my
Suppose could point him out"
"Youw
"Yes. Pardon me, 1 am the unknown.
owed your family debt. began
payment in that way-bu. shall not
end there"
"Ahp exclaimed the gpl, 81 fear
they will not he as grateful as ]. Hush |
they are going to speeh. It is Dt,nitri.
He is one OF the bloodthirsty ones.
1t was an odd crowd that was gath
cred together in the great damp cob
webby cellar. Men with pale faces and
lurid eyes that seemed to peer into q
wonderful future. when, ali barriers
burnt away, new world shoul / spring
up ON the ruins of the old. There we're
women there in uncouth dresses, with
clipped hair and strange bonnets =
women who eschewed all the frivolities
of fashion as sins against the great cause
who were ready to sacrifice their rank,
their money, even their hearts idols,
for the work. They had sworn to give
all-even themselves according to the
mandates Of this strange power.
Demitri, muscular man with pas.
sionate face and fiery eyes, was de-
nouncing the tyranny Of the car in
burning words. Then he passed on to
a vivid picture of Siberian exile. "We
are in Dante's Infernop' muttered Ser.
gius to the young girl ; I" first lake Of
fire, and then sea # ice."
At that moment the door sprang open
and an old man entered. He did not
seem at all bewildered by. the noise. but
took his place quietly and looked about
him. Sergius drew nearer to HIM
stealthily.
"How goes the cause, friend 7" he
said at last.
The Count Semiloff smiled calmly.
Never better Shall we have q speech
from the renowned Sophie to might 2"
81 suppose so. She is cogitating il
now, probably, in the shadow of that
wine cask T.
The counts eyes followed his com.
panion's.
"What, that girl ?" he cried.
"Did you expect to see an old
woman ?"
Excuse mo. ] come from the prov
inces," the count stammered. :" must
see her nearer"
The next moment his hand was on her
shoulder. "Sophie Posenski. you are
my prisoner r. he cried. "No escape,
gentlemen, the place is surroundedp
The girl turned, and the count ut
tered a cry. my God, Vera my
child r. he moaned. and staggered back.
then fell heavily to the ground.
The lights were put out and there
was utter confusion. "Now's your
chance, gentlemen" some one cried.
He Is insensibie; he has not made the
signal"
Vera stood for moment as il par
alyzed then, stopping. she lifted her
fathers head in her arms. There was
q sosnd Of retreating steps, then
silence. Suddenly n torch famed out
on the scene. She looked up and saw
SerRius standing near hor.
"You have not escaped ?" she asked.
"Noi Itold you / owed a debt to
your family. want to settle 1t now !"
he said, with strange smile.
The count raised his hesd, family,
"My girl, my poor childp r. he moaned |;
"your father did not know; comei
have you at last. Let US fly. They
shall not take ycu now. save over my
dead body"
"Aha, Monsieur 10 Count. High
treason, is it not?" exclaimed Sergius.
The count stared. "Vera, my love,