The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-11-13

right for the grip and bent his head to
catch the secret word.
Lola, in Difference to her sex, was
the first to face the ordeal.
She ungloved, linked the fingers OF
her right hand about the mans, and
whispered:
Il am Number Seven
"a magic number" replied the man;
abut it is powerless without the pass
word of our noble order"
lie bent his head lower, and she ut
tered, with a chilling whisper, the
awful word:
"Death!"
Death to whom?"
::To the oppressors of the people,"
"Who are the oppressors?"
"The race of Romanoff."
"Number Seven, the answer is right;
advance to the robing-room, assume
the attire of secrecy, and be ready with
hand, heart, and life to aid u.s."
II am ready" replied Lola, and she
passed the sentinel and entered room
behind him.
This room was dimly lit, yet she
could see scores of black garments
hanging from pegs, and small table
was piled with black masks.
Laying aside her hood and cloak,
Lola Pulaski put on black gown and
mask: and, as she was fastening the
crimson cord at her waist, her three
companions entered, having passed the
ordeal of the outside sentinel.
They were challenged by another
guard in much the same way, after
leaving the dressing-room, and then
were admitted into hall, in which
were seated several score Of somber
figures about long tables, while man,
evidently the presiding officer of the
meeting, occupied higher chair at the
further end of the room.
As Lola and her companions en-
tered, each drew from bag suspended
near the door, piece of square paste
board, containing number.
Lola drew the figure 49," and, as
she held it up, she called out:
II am three"
In the same way, the others gave
their numbers.
On entering this place. the Nihilists,
for such they were, not only disguised
themselves, but every night they
changed the figures by which they
were designated, their real names be-
ing concealed, 80 as to guard against
treason.
But though masked, and known for
the night as Number Three" it was
evident that Lola Pulaski was rec
ognized by the men and women pres
enS.
Every black face was turned toward
her as she advanced, and subdued
murmur that sounded like applause
went round the room.
When all were seated, the presiding
officer rose and said:
"For the information of those who
have just come in, I will say that o
vital matter is before US, and we shall
be glad to hear the voices OF all.
"What is the question:" asked Lola.
"You must all be aware" SAID the
presiding officer, "that the secret SER
vice of the Gear is now being reor-
ganized."
eve are," was the response.
"You also know that new and more
vigorous chief has been placed at the
head of the secret service; need not
name him."
General Paul, the Prince of Mos
cow" came the response, in voices OF
every key. ,
"You have named him, so I need
not"
"But what of General Paul?" asked
Lola, rising, and speaking in low,
thrilling accents.
"If he is permitted to live, then the
sons of freedom must perish or dis
band" said the man.
"It is one life or thousands" said
Peter, the student, whose voice Lola
recognized,
ave care not for lives; we are work
ing for liberty, and this man comes in
our way. We have just voted that he
must die"
"Have you decided how it is to be
done?" asked Lola.
"We have"
"How?"
@The work must be done by one
hand"
"Whose hand is thss to be-"
"For every psmber announced at
the entrance I have placed CORE
spending number in this bag" said the
presiding officer. holding up the ar
ticle in question. "Let one OF our
comrades advance and draw: and the
one whose number is irst drawn must
do the deed"
Let number tweuty-seven draw, {"
said Peter. holding up his own num-
Der, which was thirteen.
"It matters not who draws; if there
is no objection number twenty-seyen
will advance" said the chief.
Number twenty-seven was Ivan
Berger.
Holding up his own number, he ap-
preached the man with the bag.
The opening was just large enough
for the young mans hand and arm.
a painful silence followed. The
hand was inserted, and the face of
twenty-seven was averted.
A few seconds that seemed like min
utes in length, and then the young
man drew out number, and held it
up to the sight of all.
It was blood-red figure three.
"The person holding the correspond
ing number will ADVANCE" said the
chief.
Lola Pulaski left her seat; it was