The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-01-22
CHAPTER XXI.
AN INTERRUPTED INTERVIEW.


the cell of Neva prison, Lola Pulaski
was so anxious and nervous about his
fate that she could give but little
thought to her own strangely changed
condition.
From long acquaintance with Ivan,
she we'll knew his resources, and his
wonderful skill at disguise, but she
could not see how these talents could
avail in the position in which she left
him, inside the gloomy and impregna'
BILE Neva Jail.
AS he took off his hat and wig, and
brought his expressive features to
their natural shape, she was as much
astounded as if she had seen the dead
rising up before her.
"Ivan! Ivan!" she exclaimed. what
brings YOU here into this danger?"
"You do" he replied, as lie replaced
his wig, drew back his LETT arm, and
again became the rough, crippled
soldier.
She we'll knew that he loved her.
and this fact had been to her source
of frequent sorrow and constant
anxiety.
Now, she could not help feeling a
thrill of admiration for the sublime au-
dacity OF this talented youth, who val
ued lis life so little and her love so
much.
"Sit down." she said. II do not think
we shall be disturbed. Sit down, and
tell me all that has happened since we
parted" ,.,,
Ivan obeyed her, though he was still
the old soldier, so that even if his own
mother or sister had seen and heard
him they would have been deceived as
to his identity.
He told her of his wonderful escape
from the prison. and how he had
brought off Lance and Maux, whose re-
cent troubles grew out of their anxiety
to help himself. -
"You are brave, noble fellow, Ivan" !"
she said. But what are you to do
now9'
II can give no thought to myself"
he replied. "If could see my mother
and Elizabeth it would lift great load
from my heart. AS it is. 1 have sent
them newspapers, so that they know I
am in the city. But have been unable
to hear from them, and that has been a
great torment"
"I heard from Elizabeth this even
ing" said Lola, and she rose and
brought Ivan the note.
1t was evidently written under great
excitement, and was even franker in its
expressions than if she had been writ
ing to her brother.
Elizabeth wrote:
The house is still closely guarded. and
the effect on myself and mother is so great
that We cannot work; and il We do not work
| you know what tho consequence will be;
| for in our present straits every kopeck is
| OF Importance.
Last night DR.. Mulck called.
He was bold. and rude to the verge Of
| tnSolencc and had Ivan been home trouble to
| Mulck would have followed; but the fellow
| did not escape as it WAS.
He urged me to become his wife. and with
| an ardOc that must have been born OF wine
| he tried to cmbraccImc.
| WAS on the point Of calling for help when
| Count Orioff. who had entered by another
door without being heard. sprang forward
and punished the wretch to the extent Of
kicking him into the street.
| was in hopes that the matter would end
| hSiS' uuI lllIS IEtClNCu ll
nous noto. in which l am charged with
| being the mistress OF Count Orloff. and the
writer swcars he will publish tho fact to all
| st. Petersburg.
The writing is not DR.. Mulek's. I send 1t
to you. hoping you may he able to tell whose
tits.
Mother and are in constant agony about
| Ivan.
Poor boy. he is hunted down like a noun
tain wolf, and if he turns and bites his pur-
| suing hounds can we blame him?
have just been talking to mother about
leaving Russia and going to that great. free
| Western land. America.
| Russia is under Il curse.
The pail Of death is over the land. and
from beneath it comes the rattle of chains
| and the groans Of tho crushed and cnSlaved
Mother and 1 send you much love. and We
pray that you and your noble father may
! have q happy deliverance cut Of all your
trials and tribulations.
Write me when you can. and believe me
with increasing affection. your friend.
ELIZABETH.
Ivan read the note through to the
end, and then asked Lola for the letter
which Elizabeth mentioned.
"There is no need to show YOU that, "
said Lola. II know who wrote it,"
"Who?"
"Peter the student"
"You are sure, Lola?"
u am certain"
"Curse him." Kissed Ivan. "If he
and DR.. Nlulek think they can insult
my sister with impuuity, because am
fugitive with price set on my head
they are mistaken. ALI the troops OF
the Gar cannot save the dogs from
my vengeance"
Hush, Ivan, they are brother Nihi-
lists, and We are sworn to uphold them
and stand by them. said Lola, with
mocking little laugh. ..
II am still a Nihilist, 30 far rs it
faims at the freedom Of the country and
the liberty of the ensluved masses; !;
but the men who have joined its ranks
are, as rule, the unprincipled adven-
turers, who would be dissatisfied even
if they were in the United States, and
who could not be happy unless they
were plotting against the Government
or their fellow men,"
Ivan was of that inpulsive nature