Omaha daily bee., 1889-03-25

massive frame was awkward and
unwieldy. He had & neck like a bull,
flabby cheeks, thick csensual lips, broad
nose, black eyes, with beetling brows.
A shock Of black haifand coarse beard
OF the same color did not add beauty to
truly repulsive countenance. AS he
stood there looking at the girl, who was
still unconscious OF his presence, sar-
donic smile overspread his countenance,
which quickly disappeared, however,
when Valeska turned her head.
Miss Dolgopolof,' he began. "You
will excuse this Intrusion upon your
grief when you learn that only the
most kindly motives actuated it,"
AS Valeska only answered with n
contemptuous and half-incredulous
smile, he continued:
"Nifont is doomed. No one under
heaven can save him, except l. Re-
pulse me now, as you did three months
ago, and you are your brothers. MUIR
derer."
Dombrowski paused to note the effect
OF his words, gazing earnestly at Va
leska all the while. That mobile coun-
tenance did not betray the emotions
within her breast. In tone which she
in vain tried to control, and in which
offended womanhood, grief and indig-
nation were all concentrated, she said:
"Imri Dombrowski, your words would
be an insult to the lowliest maid in Rus
sia. You are not to be misunderstood,
nor is this time for evasion. You are
a married man and come to me with
professions OF love. Three months ago
you made the same insulting offer OF
your love, and l only refrained from
telling my brother because l did not
wish him to kill you and because you
promised never to repeat the insult.
Coward like, you see me now defense
less. The man who would have whipped
you like n cur in prison, you force your
vile proposals on me second time.
Leave this house, which your very
presence disgraces."
Like an enraged goddess the maiden
looked as with extended finger and
scorn upon her lips she pointed to the
door. The command was lost upon
Dombrowski.
"Valeska, you are charming in your
rage" he exclaimed with coarse
laugh. Listen before go. The tri
bunal meets tomorrow. / sit rs presid-
ing Judge, and you are sufficiently fa-
miliar with Russian justice to know
how swift its proceedings are. Your
brother will be condemned to death,
and you, by the very fact of that rela
ton, will be sent to Surgut or Bezerof
under administrative exile. Upon cer-
tain conditions l will furnish you the
release for your brother, a passport to
permit his leaving the city and trusty
row night. His disappearance
| can explain to my super
iors. AS for you, my love shall
guard and shield you, and your daily
life shall be one Of luxury and easy"
Valeska several times attempted to
interrupt this flow of words, every one
of which was knife thrust to the sem
sltive girl.
"Do not decide now," he said. "If
you accept my offer send Marie to my
Office tomorrow.
Without another word, and before
Valeska could reply, Dombrowski
stalked from the room.
Left alone Valeska's grief, shame and
Indignation knew no bounds. When
Marie entered few minutes later she
found her young mistress in stupor.
Her coaxing and caresses gradually
soothed the dis stressed girl. Nature at
last asserted her rights, the hours of
anxious Watching were succeeded by a
restless sleep, in which in dreams Va
leska lived over again the horrors of
the preceding days h,.. .
Meanwhile Nifont lay in his dungeon,
racked by pains of the body and agony
of the mind. Around h;m1ay his
wounded comrades, whose means struck
like reproach upon his ear. When
morning broke and the first CLEANS of
daylight flashed through the narrow
grating OF the prison window, it was a
relief to him. At 8 o'clock the prisoners
were assembled in the yard and
heavily manacled, they were marched
to the court room. Space will not per-
nit description of the trial. Suffice
to say that by IL o'clock the majority of
the prisoners were tried, condemned
and sentenced to be shot or exiled to
Siberia for life. Nifont, Dinitri and
Ivan, as the ring-leaders, remained to
the last. The latter soon heard their
sentence-it was death. Not a hope
now remained to Nifont when the crier
called:
''Nifont Dolhopolof, step forward"
With head erect. but without the fear
nor without the bravado that betokens