The morning call., 1890-05-05
XIIT.--CoNTINUEp.

though through an enormous, narrow pass.
Everywhere all things were white with golden
stars. The road, which here faithfully follows
the river, looks like another narrow deflle, sur
passing lie Former In depth. To the left the
horizon is bOundiess, 10 the right a dark line of
evergreen forests contne the view. This black
edge gives 10 the landscape the appearance OF a
mourning dress, made for a gigantic woman.
Black aud white meet contrasting violently.
Not a cloud on the sky, not breath of air
stirring. The sun shines in full splendor, but the
rays are pale and cold. A coach. put upon
sledge pushing on diligently along the highrOad
beside the Ilyer. looked. at distance. like
lille black insect, creeping busily along upon
the snow The ringing Of the horses bells leave
a mournful sadness IN the vast solitude.
Far away dark spot became gradually visible
kaSan, which the fasttraveling coach soon
reached. Here the snow, trOd under foot by men
and horses, had changed into mud; and all
around an unwonled activity became perceD-
ube. Many seighS, covered with furs, another
coach. many open. and a crowd of men were
awaiting the raising Of the huge BEAM which,
ike colossal latch. closed the road to kasan.
Men rubbed their hands TO warm them. and ami
mails tIembled with frost.
Every five minutes the tOll-bar rose and every
time sleigh was passed through but was
stopped Immediately again before a small house
which stood close by the tollgate. This was
dirty, damp hut, with very small window that
gave ii the appearance OF prison, and whenever
Tie door opened vile odors came steaming forth.
In spite OF that the nut seemed to be clothed
with d certain importance, because every one
seemed 10 enler il with q feeling OF anxiety.
The driver, who, on the road, had sung so
V
low took of his fur cap. scratched himself be-
liud The ears and looked around snyly. The
wealthy merchant who, during the journey, had
Win smile oil satisfaction calculated his daily
prCtils, here made deep and owly bow, and even
lie 5ojar. who had few minutes before baught-
lily looked through the windows Of his comfort
able coach at his humber fe!lOw-tTayelers, here
too of his sable tOlpac with i certain respect.
Only after closing the door OF The little hut be.
hind them did the driver recover his usual good
humOr The merchant began once more TO cal
cuiate and The bOjar 10 settle his t0lpac. ana all
mounted their sleighs In better frame Of mind.
his little house was the residence OF The POI
lice official who inspected the passports and
established the identity OF the travellers.
Near by stood picket Of CosSacks, ready to
be at hand upon sign OF the officer.
lie coach upon tie sledge stopped at the toll
gate; Inc lostilion got down ana walked about
10 warm his feet. One window of the coach was
lowered, aud man Of fifty with pleasant aud
gentle features asked:
IS Is this the tolhouse?"
Yes" replied the position, ave are near
kasan"
Tie man who had put his head out Of the WIN
COW drew back and said TO the ladies within:
e We are stop. ing at the dollhouse and will
have 10 show our passports"
In the coach there were four travelers-three
ladies' and one man. The person whom the lat
ter addressed was a woman in the bloom OF
youth and of extraordinary beauty. The splen-
did furs in which she was wrapped from head to
foot spoke of princey wealth. An old woman
who sat by her was decenty but mod-sly
dressed. On the other seat, by the gentleman,
sal girl, the very type OF maid. A snub nose.
lively eyes AID sharp look gave TO her features
an expression of gayety, which cOntrasted
strangely with the sadness impressed upon The
faces Of the travellers as upon the landscape
without. TINS young lady who looked like a
queen among her subjects asked In a meodlous
voice:
Dear doctor. Kasan is surely the last half
European city which we shall have TO visit"
Certainly, Countess; but we have still 500
VeIsJs 10 the Siberian frontier and we leave only
Tie easiest part Of our journey behind US"
"Ah, my dear friend. how anxious L am to
reach The endl You cannot imagine what have
suffered since thai cataslrophei Poor Vladimir.
How unhappy lie must be. Every verst brings
lie nearer 10 him and count each one impa-
tenty, knowing how he waits and longs for me-
1ns exile has cut him of entirely from the
world. he receives no news from home and yet
l knew he expects me aud this hope keeps him
alive. Since that fearful night have not heard
word about bis fate. Is not such uncertainty
agOnIzlDg?"
q suffer the same pain for my son." said the
old woman. % He also has disappeared and do
not know what has become OF him and yet l hope
certainly To meet with him In Siberia! II In our
empire a man disappears there is nothing for 1t
but TO start on ones way eastward; every un-
fortunate man is to be found somewhere there,
Ii IS this hope, Countess, which has MADE me
aud this poor girl join you on your journey. Per-
haDs we shall theie hnd our poor Methodist"
My dear Lima" said the young lady, 8" can
not tell you how grateful l am TO you that you
have not left me. All the little Influence / may
stun possess shall be employed 10 help YOU That
Is my sacred duty"
sacrifice and devout respect always tell Helen
We must devote every moment Of our lives TO the
EdppllCSS VI tlc OUuUttSS, anticipating every
wish of hers, serve her on our knees weep when
she weeps, as never smile plays around her
lips, we also must never smile. Is il not 50,
docIor?"
s. You are perfectly right, Lima" said the doc
Tor. Have not also laid my old experience at
the feet OF our Countess and devoted myself
body and soul, TO her cause? Since you have
been KIND enough to engage my services. Coun-
tess, am Only The first of your servants and
agree with LIMA that We ought TO do you homage
On our knees"
Jana offered him her hand.
"Alasl II is my ratei All who surround me
spoil mel l have sometimes actually TO fight
against such warm attachments. Would you be-
iieve ii, that my dear father, who al first would
not lei me 60 at all, afterward insisted on ac-
c0mpanyIug me? Ii was only when / solemnly
promised to be back in TWO years that he let ne
90. II you do not return, he said, shall follow
you'll"
''Why would you not let him accompany your"
"H0w would that have been possible at his
age? He has TO remain moreover, In order to
cUniioTt my husband by sharing his exile, 1t Is
my fathers duty 10 watch over our fate at st.
just Inen the coach moved forward They
passed The tollgate and stopped before the police
mans hut.
Two Cossacks came up to open the door.
" Doctor" said Jana, will you have the kind
ness 10 get out and show our passports? ?"
On OF the Cossacks said:
=" All must get out"
Jana obeyed, aud on the Doctors arm entered
the lowly hut.
The Official, who was throwing about some
papers on dirty table, rose hlIed with surprise
and admiration. The unwonted appearance OF
such beautiful and noDle-loo4 ing being in this
dark and dirty hut Impressed him deeply. He
actually removed his cap, and said in mider
tone than usual:
'May l ask for your passports?"
The doctor handed him the papers, which he
peruSed, shaking his head.
This is not enough" he said at last "the
passport says merely, DIR. Hass Is travelling
with three persons, and has The right to demand
four horses at every station That was enough
I'm Kasan, but at the gates OF this city we de-
detailed Statpmpnfs
companions passports? Pray, let US see them"
Jaua approached him, proudly, saying:
as | am The Countess Lanin, and am going to
1rkutsk 10 share my husbands exile. / have
The special permission of his Majesty the EN-
peroT."
The officer bowed
I'VE expected your arrival for some time, hav-
ing been notified. The Governor wishes to see
you. Please 90 10 him." aud without waiting for
her answer lie beck oned 10 one oil The gendarmes
''M hat does this mean" asked Jana, troubled.
1--WE have strict orders" was the only reply.
81 think" said the DOCTOR ''as the Countess
has the express permission OF the Emperor she
ought not be delayed oa her journey"
Nor DO deIain her; only obey orders. You
can discuss that with The Governor Then
turning TO the soldier he added: "You Will 20
HLh these travellers TO the Governors palace
The Governor OF Kasan was engaged in a con-
veisaiion with our old friend, Colonel Palkin.
You have but few prisoners" he SAID, "as
see here"
"Only twelve, but there Is one among them who
Is dangerous"
And VINO is that?"
" fop0u, former clerk IN the Ministry OF the
Interior. He is pointed out to US by the Minis
ter, Count Psrowski himself, as very danger.
Gus character. He Is to be gotten out OF the
way. In the meantime he lies 10 solitary con.
fnement."
Ii the Governor had watched his friends face
: he would have seen how The ColonePs eyes
flashed out when lie heard this Still, he a sked
very quietly:
"Could see the man, perhaps?"
"Of course" replied the Governor, " the mis-
sion III which you are engaged opens you the
. doors Of all prisons"
-'Yes. in Siberia, but here / am vuiitally only
guest. But / know the whole affair
OF this man PopOff, whom consider very dam
gerous man, should Ike to see him aud to take
him with me SO to maze sure OF his dlsap-
bearing"
Tie Governor understood that Paikin begged
where lie might have commanded aud al once
bowed saying:
GAS you DESIRE"
AT the same moment the officer on duty en-
tered and whispered few words to the Gov
ernor.
a. pray they WILL" was the reply
As the man left he said to Palkn:
amin rfaa