The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-11
LOLA PULASKI;
The Victim of Circumstan'
tial Evidence.
Story of KihiIistic PlottIngs and Grimes,
By LEON EDWARDS.
CHAPTER Xl.
4 n-rTn.,

BY LEON EDWARDS.
CHAPTER XL
THRILLING MEETING.
bunt Pulaski was conducted to q
X in a large gloomy room, where a
&arthy, bearded giant sat with pom
ierous book before him, in which he
entered the names and records of the
lsoners.
Your name?" said the man, shoot
y glance at the Count.
;hn Pulaski, Count of Warsaw,
h6w old?"
"Fifty-one, responded Jhe Count.
@Fifty-one!' repeated the swarthy
liant, with skeptical glance at the
prisoner.
@That is my age"
"You look older than tha.," said the
IAN. preparing to write.
"Twenty years in the quarries OF
Siberia" said the Count, grimly,
would age the youngest if it did not
him."
Where were yoN born?"
In Warsaw"
Married or single?"
The Counts voice became husky as
tried to answer, but controlling the
elings called up by the question he
i'd:
@Siberia did not kill me, but it killed
be wife l left behind me-"
>! "You are widower, tE~,T .
"I am"
what is the charge against John
Pulaski?" asked the man at the desk,
turning to the officer who had brought
the prisoner in.
4 IT do not know the charges" said
athe officer. II was directed to make
the arrest by General Paul"
"And General Paul" said the young
soldier, coming forward, and taking of
his hat when Count Pulaskis eyes fell
on him, simply carried out the orders
of the Gar"
"And you are Prince Paul of Mos
keva?" asked the Count, his form
Strengthening up, and burning light
coming into his eyes.
Il am so called" said the General,
respectfully.
"And twenty-five years ago your
father was Governor of Warsaw"
@He was," stammered the young
General.
"It is fitting" said the old man, with
indescribable bitterness, shat the son
should strike the last blow at life
= which the perjured father cursed"
"If in my power" said General Paul,
with marked humanity and respect, II
would undo the deeds of my father,
for they have cursed my life as well as
yours
"This looks like it," said the Count,
with bitter smile.
II am not to blame. Curse me, if
you will, for it is said that the sins of
the fathers shall be visited on the chill
dren, but permit me to show my sim
cerity by doing all can to make your
stay here comfortable at least"
"Why am I brought here at all?"
asked the old man, somewhat softened,
for in the young soldier before him he
saw true man, if all his experience of
men were not at fault.
"That I do not know"
"Have you no suspicion?"
-. "None that can utter here. have
the best apartment in the pris-
on to be prepared for your use. Let
4 us go there, where we can talk further, "
said the General.
A dirty-looking, low-browed fellow,
VINO had all the appearance of deputy
hangman, appeared at this juncture,
- and rattling bunch of keys, that was
fastened to his belt, to attract attention
ITO himself, he bowed very low before
= General Paul, and asked:
"Excellency, the apartment you or
dered for the prisoner is ready; shall
conduct him thither?"
General Paul nodded, and the man
with the keys, taking up Count Pulaski's
sachel which one of the soldiers had
brought in from the sleigh, led the
way through great oaken door that
was half covered over with rusty iron
knobs.
Along gloomy corridors, up cold
massive stone steps, down into hollows
made by the feet of dead prisoners, an6
bast cells that looked like death vaults
The turnkey led Count Pulaski and the
General.
Near the top and front of the build
ing he opened door with one of th'
many keys carried at his belt, ant
they entered large, well-furnishe(
apartment, heated by large stove:
"This, excellency," said the turnkey,
waving his hand about the room, witt
manner that indicated great admira
ton for his sumptuous surroundings
sis one Of the private rooms OF tn
governor OF the prison, and never bu
once before was it set aside for the US
of prisoner"
"Go outside, and there await me,
said the General, motioning to tn
- door; %i., +h.v uera .7oDs the Genera
turned to Count Pulaski, and said:
"Under the circumstances, I canno
= ask the charity of your judgment
Everything is against me, and yet, Coz
knows, that I would this day max
amends for the wrong my father di'
you, by changing places with you, if il
nv Dower,n