The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-12-07

partment reception. | wish to apol
! ogize for an unintentional rudenesi
on my part. / thank you for restor
ing my fan to me"
Wallace, in the blaze of her beauty
realizing the oddity ofthe adventure
stammered a few words and knew
that he had never been more awk
ward. His confusion appeared mo-
to displease the lady-it wasevident
ly complimentary to her.
"Pray be seated" said she, "ant
let me give you some tea"
'"The went to the samover and re
turned with two smoking Sevre:
cups.
She placed herself beside the Amer
lean upon the sofa and began to tall
as though she had long known him
He never rightfully knew what she
said to him at first, but after awhile
his wits cleared and he found that
she was familiar with his country and
institutions, glancing every now and
then toward the door leading into
the hall, as though she expected
some one.
Then all at once she said:
"You evidently consider my send
ing for you a rather bold proceed,
ing" She smiled. Timid souls here
in Petersburg have said that / am
the boldest woman this side of Sibe-
ria. Siberians may yet call me a
not unbrave dweiler in their midst. "
"Political, thought Wallace.
"But now we will be conventional, y
she went on. ave will be namby-
pamby and speak about music. Dc
you know Mosowskyl"
In five minutes Wallace was capti-
vated-he had never come across
such a woman. In ten minutes she
had bewitched him; that the same
subtle perfume he had smelled last
night had something to do with it.
That the diamond eyes of her snake
like bracelet charmed him as those OF
q natural ophidian might have done.
Her tea cup was empty; he arose to
relieve her of it, when she started to
her feet, and the porcelain fell to the
ground with a crash. She swept her
train over the fragments.
II will tell you more later on" she
said hastily, "and then you will al
low me to ask your pardon for the
use / will have made of you. Surely,
you will, will you not?"
Her eyes upon him, her lips appeal
ing to him, Wallace, although he
thought of the little fiancee over in
America, felt like throwing himself at
her feet and telling her to command
him, make use of him in any way her
within suggested.
She noted the effect she made on
him, and laughed q low sweet laugh
that was like music.
"Thank you," she said, as though
he had granted her a request in SO
many words. FAnd now, quick! L
hear someone on the hall pavement
pray obey my caprice-go into the
room, there beyond the room | came
from, and from a little window there,
almost concealed by the curtain,
look on the comedy you will witness
in this room. You will understand
then. Do | ask too much?"
Did he obey her, though he knew
not to what he went? Her beauty,
her voice, the aroma of the strange
perfume rendered him helpless. The
room into which he made his way
was dark. He found little window
of which she had spoken, nearly COW
cred with the amber portieres of the
entrance. He wiped his forehead,
and with a sigh of relief to be out of
her presence, looked more calmly in
to the apal tment he had just quit
ted.
She stood with smile on her per-
feet lips watching the door that led
to the hall.
That door was pushed open, and
Wallace recognized in the man who
entered, him who had been her COM
panion the evening before, and who
had roughly grapsed the fan from
the hand OF the American. He was
his face ablaze.
"Serge, my dove" said the beauti-
full creature, standing in the middle
OF the room, "You have come to take
me to the ball where | shall see all
the tyrants at their best"
"Anna Ivanovna," he said whereas
the MANI"
"The man, sudarina moja," she
cried innocently, "the man, my
hearts soul?"
"The man you made eyes at last
night. The American-tell me where
he is?"
Again shelaughed her pretty laugh.
do you see him, beloved" she
said. "And now for the ball. Will
you ring tor my cloak?"
He strobe up to her.
"Who has druEk tea with you"
he demanded, pointing to the cup
Wallace had used.
81 have drank a cup OF tea, to be
sure. Should | have had itin a glass?"
she returned merrily. "Now, dear
one, ring Tor my cloak. The lions
will be uncaged when we reach the
ball"
Whose cup is that broken be-
meath your train?" he asked.
She had moved little, and the
splinters Of the cup were quite plain
ly exposed.
ooh, little father" she cried, clasp
ing her hands in simulated distress,
"if so jealous before marriage, what
will it be aiterl"
Gamma Ivanovna," he said, "the
has been here. / have
stood much for year. stand no
more. Your secrets are safe with me,
your political intrigues. Adieur'
Serge" she laughed, "poor Serge!
my white slave Sergep'
"Adieu!" he said:
"Serge. Serge" she went on, as
though she were charming him, her
hands locked before her, the eyes Of
her bracelet quivering. "Serge!"
The man looked at her. He grit
ted his teeth. He ran from her, only
to rush back, to clasp her in his
arms and press u hot kiss on her
lips.
Thpn he turped to the door