The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-18

nnu Sufhclent reasons tor all we 40.
II dare not doubt your Majesty, yet
you are surely misinformed, for Count
Pulaski is physically unable to do a
wrong, even if he thought it,"
pardon me, General Paul." said
Count Linwold, again bowling to the
Car, who mo:ioned for him to pro-
ceed, "but it is trained brains, not mere
brutal muscles, that the empire has to
contend against. This woman. like her
father, ana like All his race, is natural
born conspirator.
81 shall believe your charge with re-
cret," said the General, proudly, "when
I have proof enough to convince my
reason"
General Paul, you anger me-" said
the Gar. when we placed you near
our royal person, it was that you might
obey our orders implicitly, not that you
should presume to dictate to us the
wisdom or injustice of our conduct"
"Then, your Majesty, send me back
to my command, and let one more
suited to the uncongenial duties take
my place; do not want it. But | beg
to assure you. sire. that I had no
thought to dictate. Yet in the matter
of the Pulaskis, I have had better
opportunity of knowing the truth than
any other man in the city-and I will
not except the noble Count Linwold,
whose knowledge seems to be Of the
occult kind"
"Sir!" thundered the Czar, lit is
your duty to obey. I command you to
arrest this woman at once; disobey at
your peril"
cat 'thy peril, sire"
! "Yes, at your peril"
"I cannot talk as equal to your Ma
iiesty, for you are the Emperor; but
were We man to man, standing face to
face, I would tell you that the word
peril has no alarms for me. Having
faced death for the honor of Russia, I
dare to meet my fate without murmur,
if it comes by order of the Czar," said
the General, proudly.
"Go, sir; you have your orders. See
that they are at once carried out"
The Czar waved his hand, and Cen
eral Paul, with volcano in his heart,
withdrew from the royal presence.
"By the Kremlini" exclaimed the
Czar, when the General had gone out
of hearing, "that fellow has the most
gallant and, I fear, the most rebellious
spirit in all our empire"
II fear, sire, he is most dangerous
man." said Count Linwold, rubbing
his hands and shaking his head.
"He has Cossack blood in his veins,
the blood of the hetman Mazeppa. He
is too valuable man to put out of the
way; but We shall tame him, Count;
we shall tame him and drive him to
our liking"
General Paul left the palace, and
went at once to the most aristocratic
club in the city, where he had an en-
gagement to drive with Count Orloff.
The moment he entered the palatial
building swarm of officers, old and
young, gathered about him, and with
merry laughter congratulated him on
his engagement to "the beautiful
daughter Of Count Linwold."
AS the congratulations were well
meant, he received them in q proper
spirit, but ne took occasion to get q
private. apartment with his friend as
soon as possible.
During dinner the General told Count
Orlof of his meeting that evening with
the Car. and said in conclusion:
"Tbis arrest must not be made"
"How can it be avoided?" asked the
Count.
"Lola must be warned so that she
can fly from st. Petersburg"
"But who is to warn her9"
"You, and you must do it tonight.
It will not do to trust messenger"
The Count said he had an engage
ment Immediately after dinner which
he could not break. -,
"Then," said the General, II shall
see her myself and warn her."
From this purpose he could not be
diverted, so as soon as the dinner was
over they parted.
Tie Generals sleigh was at the club
house door, but ordering it home he
started on foot for Lola's house.
He knew the road very we'll, for he
had often walked there with her from
the palace.
He walked with a long military
stride, but muffied figure with soft
quick step kept close behind him.
When he reached the house he acted
as if he would knock anI so in at once,
but there was someth lag in the gloomy
aspect of the place that deferred him.
He stood hesitating, then walked
ahead, and, turning suddenly, came
back.
He was too much absorbed in his
own thoughts to notice the figure that
crowded into the doorway he was ap-
preaching,
He was about to ascend the two
steps, when pistol was fired close to
his left breast, and he fell with q cry
of alarm.
CHAPTER XIII.
IN THE ACT.
So unprepared was General Paul for
the assassin's act that he could not
raise his arm in time to ward off the
pistol which was pointed against his
heart.
He could not even make out the form
of the assailant.
A binding flash, crash, and the
tall form of the young soldier reeled
from the step and fell heavily across
the SNOWY pavement.
The Generals involuntary cry rang
through the dreary house and went
echoing along the deserted street.
The mounted patroI and the police,
l,aarS Tho nl,at e