The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-31

Simultaneously, also. she ceased playing.
There were heavy footsteps without.
| ''Mes amis,' exclaims the Princess, surveying
her statue with critical eyes, as she picks up a
modelling tool from the tray at hand, 'Marenski,
you are suresighted. Surely / am not wrong,
that drapery about the left hip is too scanty in
the foldsl"
| Fright, Princess
She mounts her little ladder step or two, and
her strong little hands make a gap in the drapery
of the Fame.
ITEMS! that goes better, does it not2"
| Valeria's back is turned to us all. She bends
| over her work, and with a movement of infinite
dexterty the packet is torn from its hiding place
and embedded in the yielding clay. The break
| is hidden, the last touch is given by those trem-
bling, noble little fingers symmetry is restored,
| as
| The police enter the salon.
'Messieurs, the Princess Lirmontoff bows with
| inquirng and naughty gravity to these officials
| from her height on the ladder. as she dips her
hands In bowl of water held by the agitated
| Petrof-'whatc can do for your
Princess, we are under orders to search your
house."
$40 night?'
| Tonight, Princess"
Petrol, hand these keys to monsieur and light
| him through the rooms"
THERE'S not mere nobility in her diction and her
| motives-there is majesty. Had not loved her
with love beyond words before this night
| would have doubled all my sum.
1t was not long before the small procession
| once again invaded the salon.
| well, monsieur have you aught to recon-
| mendF" the Princess inquiries.
| Nothing. madame" The fellow hesitates.
Then" Valeria's eyes glance toward the
Except, Princess, you have guest here this
evening-the Count Alexis Chaposky!"
| Istep forward
A white paper, bearing the imperial seal, fut-
| tiers from his pocket
II arrest you. Count Chaposky-resistance is
| useless" He summoned his half dozen aids.
There are twenty more below.
| For whatW Valeria asks in a low, suppressed
tone.
A shrug of the shoulders is the sole reply and
| a second flutter OF the white paper
l turn to her-I turn to her." In my I'M
happy country what did this mean through
which she and were now living!
| Eternal death-eternai separation. A prison
that was devised in hell-and afterl-Siberia!
| With one mad outburSt of all that was pent up
| within me caught her in my arms
1t was the last time-and then I-went with
| them.
Instead of being afforded the questionable ad-
vantages of an examination before the pro-
curator as is usual, / was at once cast into
prison.
| Having been permitted, semi officially, how
ever, to deny the charge brought against me- viz.
| Completely in fresh plot to take the life of
| the Carl was allowed what is technically
termed time for reflection" ''Refection!'
| "Time!"
Two factors that have driven many man,
in like circumstances to raving madness or
driveling idiocy.
For upwards of three months 1 remained in
my narrow cell. Though lofty aperture there
| pierced ray of light making of darkness more
| somber reality. had no book, no pen, no pen
! Gil. not scrap Of paper, nor could l have but
rarely seen to nse them had they been mine
| Twice in the twenty four hours my jaer brought
~my feod-black bread, water, and twice week
salt fish, He never spoke, save on his first Wis
itation, when he distinctly informed me that
speech with him was forbidden under penalty of
severer fate than that at present enjoyed.
Three months! oh, Valeria-what kept me a
| reasonable being during those hours Of unutter-
| able anguishs What, when my brain spun with
| the fantasies born Of its misery and reeled
| with false imaginations, and tottered at the
| thought of thy possible suferings for my sake in
my unhappy and unworthy cause-what kept
me sane?
| Beloved, thy one word whispered in nv ear
when last held thee to my heartily one fare
wel-"Hope."
So. nearly as l could calculate in the second
week of my fourth month, heard approaching
sheeteG iron outer door opened, the jaior's
lantern cast its gmmer through the gratings Of
my inner barrier. l glanced up-I rose with
outstretched arms. l uttered a cry Valeria
stood on the other side Of those bars--Valeria,
trying to smile through films of tears.
Five minutes, madame, and my orders are
strict-no speech on either side"
So after eternity of longing a cycle of sep
aration my love and could look at each other.
1t much. She clasped her hands together
and raised her streaming eyes heavepward. Her
gloves were off ! saw the sparkle of the jewel
| had placed there on her finger, and as she
swiftly turned her palm toward me l beheld
printed upon its rosiness in ink an anchor Our
eyes met had read her sign. With courage
and GOODNESS, not awaiting the summons, she
turned from me, drew on her furred mitteps,
with smile of angelic sweetness as the iron
door swung to. shutting this vision from me.
Black bread was sweet that night; water was
wine Valeria was free Valeria was not "sus-
pected," and what power, what witchery had she
employed to obtain so unprecedented favorl
My brain, stupefied with its unaccustomed hap
piness, refused to work. slept
A week passed away. l had attempted speech
with the iaier. but this was as summarily put a
stop to as previously. could but wait, seeing
ever before me that little rosy palm with the
anchor painted on its beauty.
On the tenth day she came again. Again
-unspeakable blessing-I could look at her.
Ave- feast my sight upon her, between whom
and my aching arms twelve iron bars stood up
impossible spikes. She seemed TO me to wear
more cheerful expression, although at the same
time 1 observed that Dimitri, the jailer. APP
peared if possible, more watchful than on her
first visit.
valeria did not remove her gloves, but she
contrived to call my attention to the fact that
she wore small golden anchor. l was then
still TO hope" and more tangibly than before.
With the superative diplomacy of some rare
women, she Quilted me two minutes before the
allotted five permitted to as, and she forbore to
glance back as she went.
! In seven days she returned again. was al
most happy. New draughts of life ] drank in
| from her presence.
Zone word is allowed to madame; one word is
allowed to the prisoner" and Dimitri put his
hand to his ear the better to comprehend this
remarkable conversation, likewise holding there
in pencil and note book
| Hope murmured Valeria.
Hope wrote Dimitri eagerly in his little