The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-05-11


prize beyond any gew gews.'
Olga leaned her head against the
girls innocent cheek, but did not ans
wer except to say:
"Let's go up stairs, Eva, we will be
each others maids tonight, for | hate
Marie's prying eyes"
Olga tossed her tresses back i'm.
patiently, and pouring out some fresh
water, cleaned her face from its stage
paint, which, off the boards, was dis.
figuremeut rather than a grace, for her
skin was soft and clear as alabaster.
But when this night she turned, after
having laved her face, to Evelyn, the
girl was fairly frightened. ...
"Oh, my dear Olga, what is the mat
ter with you? Are you sick ? You look
terribly ill.,
There was hardly trace left of the
brilliant actress who had enchained
hundreds few hours before by her
magic spells, fascinations and beauty,
in the wan, white woman who had
faced her friend with o ghastly expires.
sion of agony depicted on her haggard
countenance.
"Not ill., she answered, "only mad
only the most wretched woman in
the world !"
"What is it, dear? Can't you confde
in me? Oh, Olga, you frightened me! !"
"Yes, | will tell you,' and quick
CLEAN of wild hope lit up her pale face.
"You can help me, Eva"
al How?"
81 will tell you. 1t is life l am ask
ing for-for my hearts happiness, for
all that makes life worth living to me- &"
She spoke eagerly and fiercely.
"What do You mean" ?" cried Evelyn.
'Expain all to me at once"
81 will Do you remember Mervyn,
the Earl of Montrose's SOM"
"Yes," Evelyn replied in a tone of
great agitation, ''of course | do"
"He is one of the suspected Nihilists,
and is awaiting the sentence of the EN-
peror,"
"How dreadful" Evelyn remarked.
"lIe is my husband, am his welded
wife. We were married secretly for
fear of his fathers anger, just before l
accepted this engagement with you in
Russia.
He followed me out here, and then,
through being found in the company of
these rash men, he was implicated in
their vile schemes and put upon his
trial And | have to smile and act and
play my part nightly, while my darling,
my husband, is in danger of death Oh,
my Mervyu! Child, child! !" she moan
ed, "think of my suffering. l have to
hear mems compliments and flattering
speeches and smile back to them, while
oh Heaven! my brain seems lost.
And he is to die, they say-to die Oh,
it can't be true it can't be true!'
Evelyn placed her arms round her,
and let her sob at her will.
ellis brother came tonight" said
Olga, she is the only one who knows
of our secret. His heart is broken,
poor boy, for he loves Mervyn, as all
must who know him. But he says that
there is no hope except through the
power of Prince Saltakoff, who has the
greatest influence over the Emperor,
but who refuses to exercise it in the
favor of any of the prisoners"
"Prince Saltakoff!' Evelyn exclaim
ed.
eyes; now you can guess what
want" she cried, grasping both hel
friends hands as in wise. "The Prince
is madly in love with you, he would dc
for you what he would refuse any on,
else. Ask him. On, dear Eva, you will
not deny me this prayer!"
"Olga,' and the beautiful girls face
crimsoned, "indeed have no influence
with the Prince
| She moved impatiently.
''Is this time" she said, ''for falls,
modesty and coquettishness? You know
as well as | that the man is at your feet
| Ask him, | implore you, for our friend
ships sake. You are the woman h
loves; if he can save him 1t will be fo
your sake-and your sake alone; 70
that reason you must not mention m,
name, but beg the boon for yourself" y
"But, Olga she exclaimed, confus
edly, she will think | am in love witt
Mervyn Montrose,"
'Ot course he will. If he were dii
ferent man it might be a dangerou
game to play, but he is gentleman il
every sense of the word, andif he think
your happiness rests on Mervyn's life
will, firmly believe, do his best t
save him."
Evelyn was silent as Olga continued
81 would not ask this of you, dear,
| thought you cared for him, or if
were possible that his intentions wer
to WOO you as n wife
Evelyn turned away YEARLY.
II cannot answer you tonight sh
: said, slowly; Il will to morrow
All Olgas entreaties failed to NOV
, her, and she went sadly to her ow
room and tried to sleep, but could no
Olga must be right" the poor chill
thought, as she lay awake, trying t
still the bitter pain of the thought thi
. the pure, high minded gentleman ST
had always esteemed him had only bee
, amusing himself, and perhaps had fal
, cied that she would have consented {
last to become even his mistress.
The big tears strayed heavily dow
/, her face, wetting her pillow, as 81
thought how she loved him, and won
cred il he would believe she was in 10,
with Mervyn Montrose,
Her task was hard one to perforr
But there arose before her the vsiC
, of the horrible drama of felons deaf
= of Olga's face, as sne had seen it t
: night, ghastly and gray with grief.
. she We're able to prevent this, she mu
=. do it, at what cost to herself matter,
little.
i CHAPTER H.
It 1t was past 10 the next morniI
,, when Olga entered Evelyn's dressin