The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-11-06
that had an added beauty from their

willing to call wife"
With this, Lola Pulaski turned ant
vanished behind the curtains, neal
which they had been standing.
The Grand Duke made as If NJ
would follow her, but changing III!
mind, he bit his tawny mustache ano
mingled with the throng of surglne
dancers.
With light, quick step, Lola Pulas
ki went to the room in which. for few
hours each day, she taught the roya
pupils singing and dancing. She was
qualified to teach them, in addition
the leading European languages, bu
other teachers were employed for thai
purpose.
Putting on q fur cloak and hood,
she went down to the great square OF
court of the palace, where q thousano
grooms we're watching as many Sayly
caparisoned sleighs and teams, ano
where the royal sentinels, mutfied tc
the ears, for the night was cold
walked guard at their posts, as mat,
ter of form, for surely no harm could
come to the royal master of the palace
Seemingly unobserved by the throne
OF men, Lola was about to make he1
way to the street when she felt on hel
arm light, restraining hand, anC
turning quickly, she saw beside her
tall man, the insignia on whose collar
and fur helmet bespoke him prince o!
the royal house and o general of cavalry
@Prince PAUL" gasped Lola, as she
looked up at the handsome, intellectual
face,
"Tut, tut, Lola" said the young
soldier, with light laugh, "my sol,
diers call me General Paul. why
should my friends give me a higher
name? You were going to walk home
through the snow"
"I am going home" she INTERRUPTED
1ye," said General Paul, With the
manner of man accustomed to issue
commands and to have them obeyed.
$50 you are, New Years eve of all
nights in the year, is the worst for a
woman to travel the streets OF st.
Petersburg without an escort. I'll call
my sleigh"
"No, no, your highness!"
@If you would rather walk, we'll and
good. Here, take my arm. What,
you refuse? then I shall call SER
geant and dozen guards to see that
you reach home in safety"
With military promptness, General
Paul turned, and would have issued
his Srder in another moment, had not
Lola taken his arm and said:
"You can escort me home"
"Ah, I thought SO; yet, Lola, I
would rather lead another charge OF
the guards at Plevna than Try to direct
q woman. In the name of all the
saints in the Greek calendar, why can't
you be reasonable?"
AS the General asked the question
he drew her arm closer within his, and,
suiting his long strides to her shorter
steps, he went on by her side.
because" said Lola, eve take after
our fathers, therefore reason is not to
be expected from us"
"By Saint Peter, the retort's deserv-
ed; but, though not expected, should
have looked for it from one OF your
lex who has so much influence over
nine"
"Your highness, I do not understand" :"
The said, with dignity, and making as
f she would withdraw her hand from
his arm.
Without seeming to be at all surpris-
ed, he drew her closer to him, and Ii
more serious tones said:
"Lola, I have to-day received Iom
the Emperor commission.
"a commission ?" she repeated.
ayes; I am appointed Chief of the
Secret Service"
II congratulate you, General"
ut is not O pleasant duty, but SOL
der must obey"
"Of course"
aAnd the Nihilists threaten to make
my work more unpleasant"
"But surely you are not afraid OF
them?"
81 cannot say, Lola, that I am very
much afraid of any one," laughed the
General; "if I we're, I have no doubt
that T could do my duty better"
perhaps not"
"Lola?"
II hear you, General"
@Your people give us most trouble.
"My people?"
eyes; the Poles, and Ehe best blood
of that noble race flowh in your veins
I can hardly blame them, and yet their
methods repel me-"
II do not understand you, General
Paul"
"Then shall be palmer: for, as a
soldier, I like to be frank. The Poles
are Nihilists."
eAll of them?"
II wouldn't swear to that, though
the orders I received to-day so repre-
sent them, and I wanted to talk to you
about one Pole in particular"
"Who is he?"
Faith, Lola, this particular Pole is
q woman"
"A woman"
EYES,"
"What is her name? asked Lola,
firmly.
II wish I knew, but 80 far she is
known to the authorities only as 'The
Queen of the Nihilists.
"A mere fancy name," said Lola,
quietly.
II only wish she we're ON imaginary
being. Now, Lola?"
"Go on, General"
Il love you"
GYou have so told me-"
sand did not lie."
@Do I doubt you?"
"No. but"
"But what; why change the subject.
II want YOU to help me-"