The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-29

generally left one of the two pals in the corridor
while she filed the other with water, and, of
course obliged to leave the door open. Every
thing thus depended upon the position in which
she placed her pail An inch or two one side or
the other would decide their fate; for it was
only when the door of the little room was wide
open that it shut out the view of the kitchen and
concealed the end of the ante-chanIber If
not wide open, part of the outer door could
be seen. There remained half an hour
before the decisive moment which both en-
ployed in preparing for fight. Their wraps were
hanging up iii the wardrobe in the ante-chamber.
They had, therefore, to put on what they had
with them in the sitting room. MorosoH put on
a light summer oyercoat Olga threw over her
shoulders a wooden scarf, to protect her some
what from the cold. In order to deaden as much
as possible the sounds of their hasty footsteps,
which might arouse the attention of the sentinel
in the profound silence of the night, both of
them put on their goloshes, which, being elastic,
made but little noise. They had to put them on
next to their stockings although it was not par
sicularly agreeable at that season, for they were
in their slippers, their shoes having been pur-
posey sent into the kitchen to be cleaned for the
following day, in order to remove all suspicion
respecting their intentions.
Everything being prepared, they remained in
readiness listened to every sound made by the
landlady At last came the changing of empty
pals. She went to the little room, threw open
the door, and began her work The moment
had arrived. Morosof cast hasty glance. On,
uOfTOf! Inc enlpuy pail scarcely projected D0-
yond the threshold, and the door was at a very
acute angle, SO that even from the door of the
little sitting where they were part of the
interior of the kitchen could be seen. He
turned toward Olga, who was standing behind
him, holding her breath, and made an energetic
sign in the negative. A few minutes passed, which
seemed like hours. The pumping ceased; the
pail was Iull. She was about to place it the
floor. Both stretched their necks and advanced
a step, being unable to control the anxiety of
their suspense. This time the heavy pail banged
against the door and forced it back on its
hinges, stream of water being split The view
of the kitchen was completely shut out, but
another disaster had occurred. Overbaanced
by the heavy weight the landlady had come
half out into the corridor. Size has seen us, :"
whispered Morosof, falling back pale as death.
NO." replied Olga. eXctedly; and she was right
The landlady disappeared into the little room,
and moment afterward recommended her clat
terng work.
Without losing moment without even turn
ing round, Morosoff gave the signal to his com
panion by a firm grip of the hand, and both
issued forth, hastily passed through the corridor
softly opened the door, and found themselves
upon the landing of the staircase. With eau
tious steps they descended and were in the
street ilIclad but very light of heart A quarter
of an hour afterward they were in a house
where they had been anxiousy awaited by their
friends, who welcomed them with JOY more
easy to imagine than to describe.
In their own abode their flight was not discov
cred until late into the morning, when the land
lady came to do the room.