Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-11
CHAPTER XIV.
DOES SHE REMEMBERr

face. as much as to say there was sucl
thing as overstepping the limits o
even such an authority as l held. l ha,
no desire to protract the conversation
with the convict. The object Of IN,
long journey had been attained. l ha,
learned ali that | could learn. / knew
Pauline's history. The crime had beer
fully confessed. The man with me haC
no claim upon my consideration. Ever
had felt inclined to help him l had M
means of SO doing. Why should
lingerp
But l did linger for a while. TIL,
thought that my rising and giving tn,
signal that my business was finished
would Immediately consign the prisoner
to that loathsome den from which b,
had emerged. was ineXpressively pain
full TO me. Every moment | could keet
him with me would be precious to him
Never again would he see the face of q
friend or acquaintance.
He had ceased speaking. He sat with
his head bent forward; his eyes resting
on the ground. A tattered, haggard,
hopeless wretch; so broken down that
one dare not reproach him. l watched
him in silence.
Presently he spoke: You can find nc
excuse for me, Mr.. Vaughan?"
None" l said. 1t seems to me
there is little to choose between you and
your associates.
He rose YEARLY. Pauline will re-
cover, you think?" he asked.
Il think-I hope shall find her al
most well on my return"
You will tell her how you have
found me; she may be happier in
knowing that Anthony's death has in
directly brought me to this"
l bowed assent to this dreary request.
Il must 60 back now," he said, with
q kind of shiver, and dragging his weary
limbs slowly toward the door.
In spite of his sins | could not let the
wretchcd being 90 without a word.
stop moment" | said. Tell me
if there is anything l can do to make
your life any easier
He smiled family. You NAV give
me money! little. l may be able to
keep it and buy a few prisoners luxu-
ries."
l gave him several notes which he
secreted on his person.
'.Will you have more?" ! asked. He
shook his head.
Il expect these will be stolen from
me before l spend them"
But is there no way of leaving
money with any one for Your use?"
You might leave some with the
Captain. 1t may be, if he is kind
hearted and honest, portion of it may
reach me. But even that is doubtful. y
Ipromised to do so, and knew that,
whether it reached him or not | should
feel easier for having made the at
tempt.
But what will your future be?
Where are they taking you, and what
will be your life?"
''They are taking US right to the end
of Siberia-to Nertchinsk. There l
shall be drafted off with others to work
in the mines. We go all the way on
foot and in chains.
what an awful fater'
Ceneri smiled. After what I have
passed through it is Paradise opening
before me. When man otfends against
the Russian law his one hope is that he
may be sent at once TO Siberia That
means going from hell to heaven"
Il do not understand"
''You would if you had lain like me
for months, untried and uncondemned.
II you had been placed in a cell with
out light without air. without room to
move If you had heard those next to
you screaming in their madness mad
ness brought on by solitary confinement
and cruel treatment If every morn
ing as you woke you had said. Il. too,
shall be an idiot before night-fall.' If
you had been frozen. beaten. starved.
in order to make you betray your
friends. If you had been reduced TO
such state that your death-warrant
would be welcome, then, Mr.. Vaughan,
you would look forward to and long for
he gentle rigors of Siberia | swear
10 you. SIR" he continued, with more
fire and animation than he had dis
played, that if the civilized nations of
Europe knew one-tenth part of the hor-
rors and deeds in Russian prison, they
would say, guilty or innocent. no hui
man beings shall be tormented like this
and for the sake of common humanity
would sweep the whole accursed Govern
ment from the face of the earthi"
"But twenty years in the mines! Is
there no hope of escaping"
Where could escape to? Look at
the map and see where Nertchinsk is.
If l escaped l could only wander about
the mountains until died or until some
of the savages around killed me. No,
Mr.. Vaughan. escapes from Siberia only
occur in novels.
Then you must slave until you-
death?"
Il hope not once gathered togeth-
er much information respecting Sibe-
rian convicts, and, to tell you the truth,
was rather disgusted to find how incor-
rect the common opinion is. Now l can
only hope my researches showed me the
truth"
1.-The treatment is not so bad, then2"
at is bad enough, as you are always
at the mercy of petty tyrant. There
is no doubt but for year or two must
slave in the mines. If survive the toll,
which is very unlikely, l may, by find
ing favor in the rulers eyes, be released
from further work of that description.
l may even be allowed to reside at some
town and earn my living. have great
hopes that my professional skill may be
of use to me. Doctors are scarce in
Asiatic Russia"
Little as he deserved it, my heart
echoed his wish; but as looked at him
| felt sure there was small chance of
his enduring even years toll at the
mines.
The door opened and the Captain
once more looked in. He was growing
quite impatient l had no reason for
to prolong the conversation, so
| told him / should have finished in
He nodded his head and
withdrew.
If there is anything more can do let
me know said, turning to Ceneri.
There is nothing-Stay! one thing.
hot l.ta ha