Evening star., 1886-09-04
Written for THE EVENING STAR
THE EXPLOSION AT 10 BESS-
BOROUGH GARDENS.
4 STORY OF NIHILIsTIC REVENGE.
By COUNT ALEXIS cHAPALsKY,
AUTHOR OF sTHE LIFE THAT WAS GIVEN FOR
MNA" AND OTHER STORIES OF NIHILIsM.
Copyrighted 1867


Hn1" AND OTHER STORIES OF NIHILIsM.
Copyrighted 1867
The neashborhood of Bessborough Gardens, Pfmlico
was suddenly thrown into state OF me widest alarm
terrific explosion at No. ls the house occupied by
Madame Raitzin Dynamite the cause, etc.-7Ae Lon
don Itases July 2Sch
1t was a dark night raining, so that the few
persons, by twos and threes who hurried up the
Rue Sturm, past the Chappelie Russo, with its
five giIded domes. glitterng little in the feeble
lamp-llght of the bare, hiliy, sandy, Russian
quarter of Geneva, drew more closely about
them their dingy waterproof coats and cloaks,
and peered through the rain drops that blurred
their binocles. These persons came from diff
ferent directions, but they all tended to one
point, an obscure jewelers. shop in the ground
floor of a bald-looking broad wood house,
standing amid similar neighbors in a narrow
street leading from the Rue Sturm.
The door swung creakingly open to admit
them, one by one: when throwing aside their
damp garments they advanced TO the hot por-
celain stove in the well-lighted room back of
the shop. Tables were here and there, chairs, a
piano, books a large portrait OF Prince Krapot-
kline, draped with two crossed red flags, and a
secretary open with many writing materials
scattered on IL.
The owner of the shop, Serge Prost, was a
large, heavy man, who nodded under his shaggy
brOws 10 each newcomer; and presently, about
twenty persons. men and women, being GATH
cred about the room, Prost-whose air and man.
ner Indicated rather a leading spirit nOtwith-
standing the workman's striped apron which
ne still had on-sat down at the secretary, and
began to read aloud, in a monotonOus tome va
rious dispatches, letters and injunCtiOns, some
In cipher which appeared comprehensive TO
This was a meeting of Nihilists
Nihfllsts, sHcalled by the orders who per-
naps know very little OF the true aims, amoi-
tions, lives of the men and women they so
"Nihilism"-it is indeed misnomer.
Those who pass into its ranks with heads and
hearts. bodies and souls, ready To embrace at a
moments warning the baptism of blood or fire,
might better be called Omniists, for to them the
good OF all is the sole good, and for the good of
all, there Is no one-however powerful, despotic,
magnificent, protected. favored-but he shall
perish in his time, If necessary.
"A lew papers OF unimpOrtance having been
discussed, Prost resigned his seat TO the man
who was evidently the acknowledged leader of
sentences conveyed to his hearers the intelli.
gence that the agent of the order in London
TOO sc 1alss no ane eSd
him? 1t was too soon; he possessed much
valuable Information obtained through bis con-
nections With the fashionable and diplomatic
world, 10 be summarily disposed of.
1t was needed,-some one, ,adroit,-treacher-
called the "reformation OF Liof Mourariei~
TO extract from him all he knew; to trace his
detection; to measure out to him the expiation
found wanting, by the very nature OF the oath
each one took when he joined 1t.
What that oath is, 1t is not my privilege to
here disclose.
The "expiation" for its violation-is simply
death.
On the inquiry of the chief, several men rose
from their seats, began an animated discussion,
pro and con, but saying nothing OF a quite
Presently young woman stood up and
came Forwards young man following her
with Q provoked and misgiving air.
IA a no mis- TZOf
said quietly To the chief.
at is better that i co." hastily added Con-
stantine Iricoupis, her Greek lover and affi-
The chief glanced from man to woman, whilst
the others clustered eagerly about
"Well," he said, with dubious shrug, "Fin-
esse Is what is needed. One of you is Greek,
something else also is required, and that is, the
,masinatiss lima power and the will to ascinate, to
The very core of his heart" cries Felia Tzof,
on! let me go! and what these two eyes, these
two lips, this voice will not win from the
ualtor-weil-let TricoupiS come after me and
gather up tine fragments, he is welcome to
Her lover frowned and drew back warming
his hands at the stove.
"Felis Tzof. you will go; what now do you re-
mature :heir plans like the lightning. and take
what Tune they like to put them in exucu-
tion."
Give me money and i will return to Geneva
IN iSo days, with the traitors bond of expia-
ton in my hand. On, Russia, my country!
bleeding, sweating at every pore with the red
thin blood OF starved men and women and chill
dren; groaning with million breaths that
freeze upon your lips in the forests OF siberia;
sinking, falling back into your mother earth,
with broken knees and backs bent under the
burden of chains and manacles-undert the sting
of the lash that bids you toll because you have
dared utter one word against the tyranny of
despots the fnIamy of power. Shrieking with
million voices TO us to save, to rescue-to
aNenge you-Russia, my countryi for You /
would urge every nerve of my body, every fiber
of my brain To help enmesh, crush, kill the
one who has proved unfaithful TO your causei"
Like some priestest OF old, the beautiful Felia
TzOi stood, her fair hair fallen little over the
dingy garment she Wore; her large white hands
upilited, the tears streaming down her pale
cheeks.
IL would be difficult to describe the tum ult
Oi enthusiasm which the Outburst of this young
woman produced upon her companions. All
the sentimental morbidness, all the horrible
mental despondeney OF these people, rose for a
moment out OF their own depth, and, carried
away oy the spirit OF patriotism and loyalty
they. for a while, forgot what each of their lives
pinches.
A month later London was in its June glory
The season was indeed most brilliant one
ana on sunsnlny sunday afternoon like this
the LOO was filled by throng OF elegantly at
tired people belonging to the class of high rank
There were indeed beautiful women By the
scores; and yet, as Is often the case, there was
one woman sauntering just now, with haf-
side The lhree.sland pond, who irresistibly at
tracted the attention of a number of persons,
Perhaps 1t was her solitude and the fact that
inquiring of fone another, no one seemed to know
VINO she was.
she appears to me like a foreigner LADY
EAmouth said, dropping her glass gracefully
ana turning To her husband and a friend.
Tnose small feet perhaps are American" Ex-
mootn answered "Do you think SO, Moura-
rteff You have been in the States; is the
stranger like the American women?"
Yes aod-no,' the man addressed answers
DIS nne eyes following with dreamy admiration
the lines q the young woman's figure. "Not
rs aiert-and more So"
Clever manP her ladyship saws "Now
diplomat scientist, delightful fellow that you
are! tell US what you mean"
Moufar1ef smiles, turning his gaze full upon
mis- iateraocutor. as they GROSS the path and as
ceno the steps leading 10 the terrace.
eae 10 not apparently, self-conscious enough
30 a. 70 play at indifference with a perfection
eQuallnG reality"
Ah-you ongtnal-Mourarief! I sometimes
wonder What you really are. with your avowed
Rristocr3uc, Autocratic ienels. 1 sometimes
fancy you Light your lamp dark nights Tor
socialism. vandalism"
"Nihitsm, en?' the Russian laughs, "Ah.
your ladysbtp natters me. With my own peo-
pie have not communicated save by way of
Ietter for seven years, you know, i sure
that Lave been IN London almost always since
ii. But why?''
'-iOCrariei's further speech Is suddenly cut
s;4ost W "A sharp, low cry, fall, suppressed ex-
Ci.t!a2 lions UOln dozen voices, ana Lord Ex-
1nOuiA and lac 10th dart forward To raise the
lady they have had 50 lately under discussion.
Ascending The steps, she has caush her foot