The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-01
But Just Then there came a slrance an

| 'H''iiH
a vast black shadow fell athwart The
> moonlight, and towering figure in the
gorgeous uniform Of Russian cuirassic
came striding toward them along the ter
race.
There were few men who would moi
have recognized nc a glance that massive
head and gigantic form, and those cold
piercing eyes which no touch of human
feeling had ever softcncd.
Daughter" said he. in cold, meas
ured tone, moro ominous of evil than the
noisicst anger. "they are looking for you
ia TIE ball room; go qucklyw
At the word daughter the young
gnardsman started as il he had beon
shot. lie had no difficulty now in guess.
ing who bis mysterious lady love was.
when her father stood before him in the
person Of Nicholas. emperor Of Russia,
The car waited till the young grand
duchess had disappeared. and then. turn
ing TO her lover asked in the deepest
tones Of his commanding voice:
"Wbo are YOU"
In clear. unfatcring tone the doomed
man told his name and rank Nicholas
started slightly, as If that name were ia
miliar to him, and then he said coldly:
"Follow me-.
So saying he led the young subaltcm
/ (who followed with as firm step as il
he were going TO q court ball instead Of
to apparently certain DEATH away from
the main front of the palace through al
low side door and up winding stair
into % small room which seemed 10 have
mo- furniture beyond a chair. writing
table and lamp suspended above it.
The ear seated himself. and. looking
kconlyat the young Russian. sail. in the
deepest tones of h.s commanding voice:
"Now, what have You O. say:'
"N thing answered the gulrd,man. |
with the reckless courage Of despair. 81 |
might say, iniccd-and truly -that ] /
knew not who her imperial highncs-
was, bat viii not plead even that ox-
cuse. ply life is in yonr majostys hands
do with il al You Will"
Their eyes met. aaI for moment Che
two men gazcd iiScdly at each other in
silence. Then tho car turned round 10
the table and began % write.
Was IL death .utcncc that was being
written $50 quickly aud cooily:
Suddenly Nicholas rose and handed
hima scaled letter, allre. "a 10 the vice.
roy e the Caucasus.
"Iahe this letter, sid hc. "aul stop
not by day or night rll you dciivcriL"
Tho young officer bowed and departed
without word upon q ioune, Of sov-
cral thousand miles, which might very
possibly have violent ami shameful
death at thc end of It,
Meanwhile Nicholas went back 10 tine
ball room, with thetory ghost Of % smile
playing over his marble features. like
moonlight upon % statue. lie thought
that DE had merely got rl Of a pro-
sumptuors Dad, and was doubtless we'll
pleased % have done $50 What he bad
really done thoueh ho himself never
knew iD WAS TO decide tie event of q
mighty war and 10 open ncw chapter ]
in the history of Russia 4
Twenty years had passed since thatI ,
night and an ST. Petersburg. was in a. O.
fcrorof JOY and triumph. The lone war .
with the Circasaa mountainous of n,e Pa
Caucasus wa. ended go ll.t and tho t.r- ?
-iblc mountain chief, Schamyl. tine Gfcl G
ana soul of that desperate sfr,io le. va. y.
'ntcring the Russian capital as "a prisoner. s.
side tv side with his c3nqucror the GREAT II
Prince imiaiinshi And Prince naria. "
iusEi was 40 other chan the grand Il
duchess former lover. thc YOUNG o0i.o. ii
IF the Imperial guard.
MANY chance, had oc.srr.l .i..... T.. ,,
on So. Petersburg on that memorable. a.,
.ieht. oypcctine - SEQ IL no moro I'm, IS,
.zlr Nicholas had died bv hiso,.n bonl +,
With lis iron heart broken hv the di.ss. n
ars f. the Crimoan war. Ills dau,lt.r e.,
VAS far AWAY. rai.rin., over ~ l.,.i..' n
.,,, ami o. cr,uoili,., i..n.1,..,' ...,'1. -.
-. ,,...-i.