Milford chronicle., 1888-07-27


which are necessary to enable the reader 70
understand the curious tale that we are ap-
preaching. That she was either pretty, or
handsome, or beautiful, in some sense or
other, the reader viii probably anticipate
from the fact Of the count having fallen in
love with her If mention that she was
tall, with dark hair and aquiline features, all
who are interested ia the matter can fill up
Z the rest Of her portrait TO suit their own
7 tastes In character she must have been Of a
7 rather trustful disposition, as viii, think,
appear from her conduct 70 Mr. Marston.
I He was her senior BY about two years. and
I had been practicing as a surgeon and physi-
clan for some time in a very poor district in
I the east end Of London. When he first came
to her house he did not intend to remain
many days in Paris, but his stay was pro-
longed for one reason or another over a
space Of about three weeks, during which
time he and the countess had contracted a
very sincere friendship for each other
Finally, on the night before be left, she told
him her story, and asked him If he could see
any way in which she could establish the
rights Of herself and childrcn.
"Not at present. said Mr. Marston, when
he Lad listened attentively to her story; 'sbut
I shall think the matter orer.n
The next day Mr. Marston left for London,
having bade the COUNTIES. a cordial farewell,
and promised TO write to her at once if any
idea should occur to him with regard to the
recovery OF her title ard estates
More than month passed away, during
which she did not hear from linn, and. con-
sequently, was beginning to think that he
had probably forgotten all about her, or he
would have written, when one evening the
servant came up stairs to say that Mr.. Mar
stcn was in the parlor on the ground floor,
and would like TO soc her.
Il have been thinking ever since / left
YOU he said, when they had greeted each
osher, 'of the extraordinary history you told
me. And / think now that / see my way to
overcome your difficulties But You viii
have u exercise great patience. It viii take
me probably y ar, perhaps more, to carry
out my plans. l shall have TO 20 to Russia
and live in the village of Narovel, and shall /
want at least goo at once, and probably an
other 900 in the course Of about six months. !
In the meantime you must be content not to =.
ask mo any questions, and to remain in per- I
feet ignorance of what am doing. My word I
is the only guarantee you can have that I .
shall be honestly doing my best on your 4
behalf
at is sufficient, said the countess, "You I
shall have the money. When can you startln .
Tomorrow was the answer.
Accordingly next day Ali. Marston started 4
for Narovel, winch is a village in the PROV
ince Of Minsk, in western Russia. Here he !
took up his abode in the gIise of a well 60 do
Englshman, who wished to make himself
acquainted with the language and institu-
tions of the country, and who had no obiec-
ton to spend his money pretty freely. He
was a good shot, was fond Of riding, and,
apart altogether from the necessity OF acting
tic was just tasting a new sauce, so deli
cious that he would willingly have had the
sauce tureen dccl,ed with ola lace and ostrich
feathers. when a servant handed him the let
ter. He had hardly taken it when be became
agitated.
"Why should any one send me this thing!n
he cried, trembling all over. No one under
stood what he meant, but they all felt that to
finish the meal was impossible. l viii not
describe the torments that Brjotski suffered
On this memorable day. 1 viii only mention
1ne thing, that this man, weak and feeble as
he seemed to be, bore like hero the most
.erri5-e tortures. but as to giving up the
smallest sum of money, nothing could make
lim do it.
"What 1 suffer does not matter he said
o his wife in the moments Of the most acute
agony. "Only hold me fast, and if the r.
everity Of the pain makes me ask for my
ash box, don't bring it, my love. Let me
lie tirstn However embarrassing a situa-
ion may be there is almost always some
way ont Of it, and one was found in this in
tance. Brjotski luckily remembered an Old
'romise he had made TO give something To n
institution OF which a certain gem
raj who was friend Of his had the manage
neut. Time had slipped by without his
.oing so, but now circumstances pointed out .
o him tho most convenient way Of fulfilling
us obligation Without delay he cautiously
pencd the envelope which he had received
y post, drew out the inclosed with pair of
incers, put it into another envelope with n
for hundred roubles, and sealing
up carefully, went to see tthe said general =
II wish TO help on this good work with a
your excellency,a said he plac-
lg his sealed packet upon the table before
DO general, whose face expressed lis salts
action
1T Is worthy act, sir" he repli d. "In-
eed, you'-- u
Here his excellency stopped in confusion.
"Oh, quite SO, your cxcellency-quite so,n
va BrJotsli hastily, happy to feel himself
sieved Of the heavy burden which had y
'oubled him 50 much; ''be assured that we
laliciers are animated BY the purest patri- d
isn and are Russians above all things -
Thanks. thanksw said the general, .'and
hem. heml However,
Yes - your excellency, Russians first,
ussians first"
"Eelli welll Good! goodl God be with
1u."
After this Brjotslzi few rather than walked
)me, and by evening had qnite forgotten
S past suGerinss and was himself again.
lie went back to business at once. and
ent the night in planning new banking
aEsactious on a colossal scale q:
The poor Conscience lived like this for a
ng timc and passed through many hands;
e was not wanted anywhere. Peoples only
ea was to get rid Of her. to pass her on at
" price, anda last, weary of.this wander
9 sew existence, she said sadly to her last -
ssossoTs certain small tradesman whose N
isiness never prospered:
why do you continually torment me and 10
Fad Inc mderfootl
What do you want me TO do with you,
y dear CoqscienceF' he answered; you arc A.
good at alLn
This is what 1 suggest,n replied Con-
ence "Iind me a little Russian baby and
ige me in his pure heart. Perhaps the in
cent would receive and cherish me; as he
ew up he might become attached to me, !
d take INC with him into the world. Per-
ps he would not hate me-
The tradesman- did Is she wished He
md little Russian child and slipped Con-
ence into his pure heart. As tho child
ows up Conscience win grow with him:
C day he viii be q great man with a great
nscience. In that day all falsehood, crime
d violence viii disappear, for Conscience,
own boldeT, viii speak and be obeyed.-
'anslated from the Russian of Chtchedrine
Edward OFareiLl-Naw York Press.
The Commercial Travellers.