The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-05-11
SELECT STORY.
"F0R PHYS SAKE
CHAPTER, |.
BY II. j.

II was in the year 1879 that Russian
society, from the Imperial Court to the
lowliest peasant, was thrown into u
state of alarm and horror at the out
RACES perpetrated by the Nihilists.
Large blocks of ice were being re-
moved from the Neva, as the cold sea
son had begun to break.
Snow in the most regular and beau
tiful crystals fell gently ON the gar
meuts of the pedestrians, and upon a
handsome sledge which was conveying
two ladies' to the Royal Theatre at st.
Petersburg.
A few minutes drive and they arriv-
ed at their destination.
They were both English, and were
stars in their profession.
Mile Olga Marchmont came tripping
off the stage into the green room to
look for her friend, and, as she entered,
all eyes were turned toward her in ad-
miration; and well they might, for she
was a fair picture TO behold, and was
quickly surrounded by the crowd of
mobiles and cour,iers that usually haunt
ed the theatre.
Her talk was like herself; she was
tie fine lady of old comedy, on aud off
the boards, witty, brilliant and super
fetal '''. .'-' ~ '
At the other end of the room sat her
friend, Mile. Evelyn Chatteris, and she
presented striking contrast to the
radiant Olga.
She was about is, with large, wist.
full. hazel eyes, with beautiful mouth.
She was attired in a simple blue stuff
dress, unadorned, except for two cher
ry. colored bows in her mob cap, and
kerchief of clear muslin, which covered
but did not conceal the dazzling white.
ness of her neck and shoulders.
BY her side was grave but hand
some Russian noble, Prince Saltakoff, a
powerful and leading member of the
government, and a great favorite of the
emperor's.
A lovely blush suffused Evelyn's face,
that made her for the moment even
more beautiful than Olga Marchmont,
her stage rival, and dearest friend in
real life.
81 have not seen you for two days,
mademoiselle," said the prince; "this
trial of the Nihilists is a weary one,
and sad one, too
"Must they die?" and her sweet eyes
looked earnestly up to his. at seems
very pitiful," she said, sorrowful,y.
mo, mademoiselle,' he replied, "they
will not all be condemned to death;
some of them will be banisned to 81
IBERIA"
at seems very dreadful, very pitiful
and some are ladies, l hear"
| ''All the more reason that they should
be crushed and exterminated at any
cost or sacrifice, for dragging such into
their murderous schemes.
"Perhaps you are right" she answer
ed, with the trust of a woman who
loves, "and yet"
"And yet-you think we Russians
very cruel. What will you say when
tell you that one of the prisoners is my
own nephew, and | am compelled tc
sit in Judgment on my kinsman, and
condemn him as traitor. But justice
Is Justice, and law is law"
| The tears stood in her eyes as she
answered:
81 see now. Oh, you are noble
nobler than
| At this moment she was called to ap
pear on the stage, and Prince Saltakof
was left alone to mediate.
He had enough to ponder over, fo
he had resolved to do what scarcel,
any man of his rank and position woulc
have dreamed of-namely, to make thi
actress his wife, if she would have him
She was better, nobler, loveier in hi
eyes than any woman he had eve
known; she had been gently born an,
bred, and he knew her to be as pure a
any snow flake, despite of her life; ant
being an orphan, with no intimate
friend except Mile. Marchmont, will
whom she lived, she appealed to him il
her utter loneliness for love and pro
lection.
"Do you act tomorrow 2 he aske'
EVELYN, as she and her friend rasse'
through the greenroom on their way Il
their sledge.
Olga answered for her:
"Of course she does; Rose to my Sill
via. viii your hlghness sup with m
after? Lord Casteton is coming, an'
Madame Bopree."
He assented courteously, but ther
was cloud on his face. lie liked an,
believed in Mile. Olga, but he did no
care to think of his Evelyn associatin
with woman like Madame Bopree.
Yes, she was his Evelyn in hi
thoughts already. He would have bee
less than man had he failed to rea
Alright the limid, yet trusting look c
the girls eyes, as with low, gracefr
courtesy she bade him goodnight,
and followed her friend.
A visitor was awaiting their arriva
Mile. Marchmont gasped, and stared q
him with wild distended eyes,
He was but youth of 10, his fac
was handsome, his manners polished
but his eyes were red and swollen wit
weeping, and his voice choked with
sob as he said: ..
"Oh. mademoiselle, all hope is gon
the Emperor will not lislen to praye,
or supplications, he is doomed to di
My poor Marvyn!-my poor brother
There was a noise as of some one a
: irving.
"I1ush! | must go, my poor, po'
Frank" and she kissed his forehea
as she exclaimed; 81 am well MIG
wild with grief and sorrow, but mu
keep my woman's wit by some means
"Oh, mademoisele," he pleaded, "f'
his sake, for your own
'My poor boy, don't torture ne; car
you guess what my pain must be ? b
! tell you they shall never-it can't,
shan't be- she added wildly and SON
what iucoherently, SEQ, Frank, G,
somebody is coming"
Her stage power served her well; al