New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-26

calamity. +,
said Paul. when he found himself alone with the
strange lady, and permit me to escorS ySu "
my poor house: for you, must have neeo VI ie''
and refreshment, and" a...
Here Paul checked himself abruptly. anu . uafA
flush Of embarrassment passed over his lace.
And, said the lady. with the same IAN. sa,n
and you are dying with curiosity 10 Sn1M ~" q,
suddenly made my appearance from anT TnrJ - -
kostopchin; then You are Paul serssyitch and a.;
should surely know how the ruler OF Holy n da
takes upon himself to interfere with 'ne o'Ans'
OF his children p
You know me, then ?" exclaimed Paul, In some
surprise. ror ,.vs
i've heard your name offa BID YOU not
on !sola Menuu. the dancer, from hosv y, ro,i
petitors and, as a last instance OF my kmomi-
edge shall recall to your memory certain mol
ing, on q sandy shore, with two men 1aclHs eaca
other pistol in hand. the one young. far; and
t5oylsh-looking. hardly twenty-five years oi age
Hush exclaimed Paul, hoarsely: "you evil
IDENTIFY know me. but who in the iends nan'e 'ue
yOu?"
Simply woman who once moved in society.
and who is now hunted fugitive
A fugitive" returned Paul, hotly; who dares
to prosecute you?'
The lady moved a little closer to him, and then
Whispered adI IN his ear Tla Bolce ,.nrinr back
pace or two: the police!'
Yes Paul Sergevtch the police" 5etmsne "a
the lady. Yes. I have had the impruaenSGe CO 70
what women have TO dread who fall lnto ths
hands of the police in Holy Russia 10 avoid
such infamous degradations l fed, accompanied
ffoner but ' few versts from hS1' here body Of
mounted police rode up My poor old servant
bad the imprudence to resist and was shot DEAD;
wandered about until heard the noise your serfs
made in betting the woods. ] thought II was inc
police, who had organized a search for me, ana
crcpt into the thicket for the purpose OF eoni
ccament. The rest you know. And now, raul
Sergevitch, tell nc whether you dare give sheitef
to a prescribed fugitive such as | ann"
Madam, returned Paul, gazing into the ciea,
ton OF the recital Kostopchin is ever open to
misfortune-and beauty added he with how.
An" cried the lady, with laugh in which
fortune would knock at YOUR door for long time
if il were unaCcommnicd b. beauty. However,
thank you, and will accept your hospitality !:
hut if evil come upon you, remember, that am not
She placed her hand upon Pauls arm as she
spoke, and mechanically he led the way TO the
great solitary white house.
Alexis and Katrina had gone 10 bed, and Paul
and his guest sat down to a hastily lmproVlsed
meal.
Il am no great catcr," remarked the lady, as
she played with the food before her: ana raul
noticed with surprise that rccly morse passed
her lips, though she more than once filed ana
cmpticd a goblet of champagne
so il scrns," remarked he and ! do not
wonder for the food in this hcnightcd hole Is not
what either YOU or ! have been accustomed -;
oh. it does we'll enough. returned the lazy.
@ nnq d now %a nave fo s"S let heT
show me 10 my room, for ! am nearly dead Tor
want of sleep"
Paul struck hand-bcll that stood on the table
beside him, and the stranger rose from her seat,
and, with brief -" Good night was moving
toward the door, when tho old man, Michal made
his appearance on the threshold tn" aEed intend,
ant suddenly started backward, as though 10 avoid
a blow. and his fingers AT once sought the crnclfiN
suspended round his neck.
Blessed Virgin" he exclaimed: holy Saint
FORE"
The lady took no notice Of the old mans evil
dent terror, but passed away down the echoing
corridor.
The old man now timidly approached his master;
who, after swallowing q glass Of brandy. had
drawn his chair I'D 10 the stove, and was gazing
modify n its polished surface.
My lord" said Michal, venturing to touch his
masters shoulder, is that the lady whom you
found in the forest ~
Yes returned Paul. smile breaking out over
his face: she is very beautiful, is she not?
Beautiful repeated Miclal crossing himself
she may have beauty. but it is that OF a demon.
Where have seen her before ?-where have seen
those shining teeth and those cold eyes? She Is
versts from Kostopchin in my life. am utterly
hewildered. ALI | have it, the dying herdsman =
save the mari. Gospodn, have care. | tell
YOU that the strange Lady is the image of the white
wolf
You old fool, returned his master savagcly
let me ever hear you repeat such nonsense again
and will have YOU sklnned alive The lady Is hlgn
born and of good family: beware how you Insult
her Nay. ] give yon further commands see that
during her soiOurn here she is treated WIN The
utmost respect. And communicate this 10 all Tie
scrvants-that if any inquiries are made about
the lady. no one knows anything about her; that
N fact no has seen her nj all
Your lordship shall be obeyed," answered the
old ,-. $3.50.
Late into the nght Paul sat up, thinking, over
the occurrences of the daT. He had told Mlclal
hat his guest was of mobile family, but III reality
he knew nOthrc more OF her than she had con-
descended 10 tell him
WHY don't even know her name, mlittcre'l
he: and Vet somehow or other il seems as II Il
new feature OF my life was opening before me
However ] have made one step III advance ny
getting her here, and il she talks about leaNn5 al
that ! have 10 do is to threaten her WIN tlc
police. -
/ darc.ay," remarked the lady. as they were
seated al breakfast. the neXl morning, Tor which
she manifested the same Indifference mat sie mo
for the dinner of the previous evening, that you
would like TO know my name and VINO am
Well. | don't mind telling YOU my name IL !.
Ravina, but Us to my family and who am II
viii, perhaps, be best for you to remain IN Is
norance ( matter Of policy. my dear Paul serge
vitch-a mere matter of policy, you See. l leaNe
Won 10 indge from my manners and appearance
whether | am Of sufficiently high station 10 De
invited 10 the honor Of your table -
None more worthy" broke IN Paul, VINO "as
fast succumhing To the charms OF his guest ara
surely that is a question upon which may De
deemed competent Judge.
Il do not know about that, returned RaVlna
for, from all accounts, the company that you
nscd 10 keep was not of the most select character.
No bu, hear me- began Paul. Selling her hahu
and endeayoring 10 carry II TO his lips Du'' az
he did SO. an unpleasant chill passed over HIM. 1oi
these slender fingers were icy cold.
III. III nnt be foolish. said Ravira drawing away
her hand. after she had permitted 1t to rest Tor al
instant in Pauls grasp; do you rot hear some
one coming 49,. .,,ori,,, foo,
AS she spoke the sound OF tiny, patterlne ,re'
xras heard in the corridor, then the door was luh9
Violently open and. with ery Of delight, Katrina
rnsLed into the room followed more slowly pS
her brother Alexis go - Di
" And are these YOUR children - asked RaVlna,
&c paul took up the little girl and placed her
T"ndlv upon his knee, while the boy stood lew