Middletown transcript., 1882-01-20

longed, but scarcely dared to be pre-
sented.''
"Dared p exclaimed Sophie, with a
laugh Z" it is our religion to dare!''
But 1 am novice. Perhaps shall
learn to dare everything in time"
There was significance in the words
which made the girl blush again.
1t is a long time since the cause of
the people became the dearest thing to
me-" Then she said Some one used
to send me Nihilist pamphlets, and 1
became a convert when 1 was a mere
child. wish knew that person. 1
would like to meet him."
A peculiar smile came to the lips of
her companion. Are you grateful to
him 20
Yes; look upon him as my apos-
tie.
Suppose I could point him out"
q You ?'
6 Yes. Pardon me, am the un-
known. owed your family debt. L
began payment in that way-but I shall
not end there"
"Ah p exclaimed the girl, {" 1 fear
they will not be as grateful as 1. Hush!
they are going to speak. 1t is Demitri.
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 fanatical
faces and lurid eyes that seemed to peer
into wonderful future when, all bar
riers burnt away, new world should
spring up on the ruins of the old-a
world of free thought, free speech, free
action, and, it must be confessed, free
morals. There were 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 mon
ey, even their hearts idols, for the
work. They had sworn to give all,
even themselves according to the man.
dates of this strange power.
Demitri, muscular man with a pas
sionate face and fiery eyes, was de-
nouncing the tyranny of the Gar in
burning words. Then he passed on to
a vivid picture Of Siberian exile. We
are in Dante's Inferno - muttered |
Sergius to the young girl " first lake
of fire, and then sea of 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" he
said at last.
The Count Semiloff smiled calmly.
Never better ! Shall we have speech
from the renowned Sophie tonight ?"
81 suppose so. She is cogitating it
now, probably, in the shadow of that
wine cask ~
The counts eyes followed his COM
panion's.
"What that girl % he cried.
"Did you expect to see an old wo-
man ?''
Excuse me. 1 come from the prov
inces, the count stammered. Unjust
see her nearer"
The next moment his hand was on
her shoulder "Sophie Posenski, you
are my prisoner ~ he cried. "No
escape, gentlemen, the place is sur
rounded p
The girl turned, and the count uttered
a cry. My God, Vera my child p
he moaned, and staggered back, then
fell heavily to the ground.
The lights we're put out, and there
was utter confusion. "Now's your
chance, gentlemen" some one cried.
" He is insensible he has not made the
signal"
Vera stood for a moment as if para
lyzed; then, STOPPING, she lifted her
fathers head in her arms. There was
asound of retreating steps, then silence.
Suddenly torch famed out on the
scene. She looked up and saw Sergius
standing near her.
C You have not escaped ?'' she asked.
"No! told you owed a debt to
your family. 1 want to settle it now ~
he said with strange smile.
The count raised his head family,
" My girl, my poor child p he moaned
"your father did not know come +
have you at last. Let us fly. They
shall not take you now, save over my
dead body"
"Aha, Monsieur le Count. High
treason, is it not ?'' exclaimed Sergius.
The count stared. "Vera, my love,
who is this man 20
"He is-a friend,'' stammered the
girl.
g So you do not recognize me, most
noble count 20 began Sergius in mock
ing tone. 81 am Nieole Sergius, the
man whom you lashed for pastime, one
fine day. Oh Icarried your autograph
on my face for long time, and then
carried it in my heart l told your
daughter had debt to pay to your
family. Well 1 pay it to-day. She
will be sent to Siberia as Nihilist
and you, heaven knows what fate will
be yours. But | have my revenge"
Vera sprang up with blazing eyes.
Coward" she cried, "what are you
Whatever my fate, you will not escape
you are one of us ~
He smiled, mockingly. "What am
II I am spy Yes, although I am
your apostle, that was part of my
game.
Good God p exclaimed Vera, hid