Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-04
CALLED BACK.
A Wen-Told Story of Continuous
and Absorbing Interest
BY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER NII.-CoNTTNUEp.

i had peen unable 10 prevent my WORDS
sounding cold and my voice being stern.
If my coming had raised any hope in
his heart my manner now dispelled it.
He knew l had not made the journey
for his sake.
whether 1 can go back to happiness
or not depends or what you tell me.
You may imagine it is no igh: matter
which has brought me so far to see you
for a few minutes"
He looked at me curiousiy, but not
suspiciously. could do him no harm
for him the outer world was at an
end. If accused him of fifty murders.
and brought each one home to him, his
fate would be DO worse. He was blot
ted out, erased; nothing now could
matter TO him, except more or less
bodily discomfort l shuddered as
realized what his sentence meant, and.
in spite of myself. a compassionate
feeling stole over me.
Il have much of importance to say.
but first let me give you some wine and
food"
Thank you," he said, almost hum
bly,. '.You would scarcely believe, Mr..
Vaughan, that a man may be reduced
to such state that he can hardly re-
strain himself at the sight of decent
meat and drink"
could believe anything after the in.
terror of the ostrog. / opened the wine
and placed it before him. As he ate
l. II l..
him aftentively.
His sufferings had wrought great
change in him. Every feature was
sharpened, every limb seemed lighter
he looked at least ten years older He
wore the Russian peasants ordinary
garments, and these hung in rags about
him. His feet, swathed in fragments of
some woolen material, showed in
places through his boots. The long,
weary marches Were telling their tale
upon his frame. He had never given
me the idea of a robust man. and as Il
looked at him thought that whatever
work he might be put to, it would not
pay the Russian Government for his
sorry keep. But the probabilities were,
they would not have to keep him long
He ate, not voraciously, but with
keen appetite. The wine he used spar
ingly. His meal being finished, he
glanced around as if in quest of some
thing. / guessed what he wanted and
passed him my cigar-case and light. He
thanked me and began to smoke with
an air of enjoyment
For a while had not the heart to in
terrupt the poor wretch. When he left
me it must be to return to that hell
peopled by human beings. But time
was slipping by. Outside the door l
could hear the monotonous step of the
sentry, and did not know what period
of grace the polite Captain might allow
to his prisoner.
Ceneri was leaning back in his chair
with kind of dreamy look on his face,
smoking slowly and placidly, taking. as
it were, everything he could out of the
luxury of a good cigar. asked him to
drink some more wine. He shook his
head, then turned and looked at me-
Mr.. Vaughan he said; ives, it il
Mr.. Vaughan. But who and what am l?
Where are We? Is it in London, Geneva,
or elsewhere? Shall l awake and find
] have dreamed of what 1 have suf-
fered?"
81 am afraid it is no dream. We are
in Siberia
And you are not come to bear me |
good news2 You are not one of us-a |
friend trying at the peril of your life to
set me free?"
l shook nv head. Il would do all / |
could to make your lot easier, but j |
come with a selfish motive to ask some |
questions which you alone can answer"
ASK them. You have given me an |
hours relief from misery; am CRATE
full"
''You viii answer truly?"
"Why not? l have nothing to fear,
nothing to gain, nothing to hope. False
hood is forced on people by circum- |
stances; man in my state has no need |
of it,
The first question / have to ask is
who and what is that man Macari?"
Cener sprang to his feet. The name |
of Macari seemed to bring him back to
the world He looked no longer a de-
crepit man. His voice was fierce and |
stern.
"A traitor! a traitorr' he cried. But
for him should have succeeded and es-
capped. If he were only standing in
your place, Weak as l am, could find |
strength enough to cling to his throat
til the vile breath was out of his ac-
cursed bodyr'
He walked up and down the room,
clinching and unclinching his hands.
Try and be calm. DIR. Ceneri," ]
said. Il have nothing &c 20 with bis
plots and political treasons. Who j.
hes What is his parentagee Is Macali
his name?"
The only name ever knew him by.
His father was renegade Italian who !
sent his precious son to live in England |
for fear his precious blood should be |
split in freeing his country. l found |
him young man and made him one of /
us. His perfect knowledge of your |
tongue was of great service; and he |
fought-yes, once he fought like man. |
Why did he turn traitor now? Why do |
you ask these questions?"
He has been to me and asserts that |
he is Pauline's brother"
Ceneris face. as he heard this intel |
Egence, was enough to Danish lie num- |
ber one from nv mind. Ny heart leaped |
as guessed that number two would be |
disposed of easily. But there was a
terrible revelation to be made when l |
came to ask about that.
"Pauline's brother!' stammered Cen |
eri Her brotheri She has none"
A sickly look crept over his features
as he spoke-a look the meaning of |
which | could not read.
He says he is Anthony March, her
brother"
Anthony March, gasped Ceneri |
There is no such person. What did |
he want-his object?' he continued fe-
yerishly.
That l should join him in memori- |
al to the Italian Government, asking
for a return of some portion of the
fortune you spent"