The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-02-12

they counted their own lives as nCGn-
ing, provided they could strike the
tyrant down.
Colonel Orloff was the head of this
society.
He sat in the presiding officers chair,
masked as were the scores OF men and
equally desperate women about him.
George Nevskl and the men from the
Neva prison, Lance and Maux, were
there also.
In only few cases did the disguises
actually conceal, for only a skilled
actor can change form, voice, and man
Brothers and sisters" began Colonel
Crloff-he was known as Number
Five" tonight cit pains me to tell you
that one of our number, one in whom
we have hitherto placed the sub
limest faith, has turned traitor to our
Cause"
"Traitor!" gasped the people, and
more than one hand dropped to the
belt where either knife or pistol (or
BOTH was carried.
"Aye, traitor!" he responded.
II demand his name" said George
Nevski, the old costumer.
"He is known to the world as Ivan
Berger" was the reply.
"lvan Berge," came like the echo Of
a death gasp from the excited people.
aye, Ivan Berger
In an instsnt number of men were
on their feet, but above them all tow
cred the giant form of Maux, late re.
corder of the Neva prison, and his
deep, bass voice rang out like trum-
pet as he smote the table before MIN
and said:
II know Ivan Berger to be true as
steel, and assuming all responsibility
for my words, denounce as liar and
o slanderer the man, or the woman, for
the matter of that, who dares to charge
Ivan Berger with being traitor!"
These bold words met the approval
of many and the disapproval OF few.
There was danger of an encounter
between Maux and Colonel Orloff, but
the excitement was allayed by George
Nevski, who sprang to his feet and with
arms outstretched, said in soothing
tones:
"Peace, brothers, peace! We have
foes enough outside! Let US deliberate;
let us hear why Number Five thinks
Ivan Berger traitor"
Because I saw Ivan Berger not two
hours ago talking with Count Linwold; +;
followed him and 1 saw him enter
General Paul's hotel, where the woman
we once called our queen now finds an
unenviable protection. True, Ivan
Berger was disguised, but I am salts
fed that his identity is known to those
he serves"
@Appoint committee to Investigate
Ivan Berger's case and the case of Lola
Pulaski" said one, "and then let us on
with the all important business that
has brought us together"
This suggestion was promptly adopt
ed; committee, with power to act"
was appointed, and then a painful
hush fell upon the people.
"The time to strike at higher game
than has heretofore been our target
has come" said Number Five, Colonel
OrloA, breaking in on the silence;
within forty y-eight hours, if we but DO
our duty, there will be vacant throne
in Russia"
"May God curse it and ever keep it
vacant" interrupted George Nevski.
"The engines of death are pre-
pared" continued the Nihilist leader,
as he laid bis hands on pile Of bombs
that covered the table behind which he
stood. "Who shall work them?"
1--WE are all ready to work them"
cried Maux.
"Shall we draw by lot, or call volun-
teers?"
"Let us volunteer" was the re-
sponse.
"Who will volunteer" asked the
leader.
AS if moved by one impulse, every
man and woman present stood up, and
q cry, all the more intense for it's being
suppressed, burst from their lips:
al" "In "I!"
"Too many will be worse than none.
Will you let ME select, if I promise to
lead ?" asked Colonel Orlofl.
eve will, was the response.
The leader looked over the crowd,
and called out the numbers.
"Let Nineteen approach.
Nineteen, who was Lance, late turn.
key at Neva prison, went up and stood
beside the table.
"Twenty-three."
II am here" replied Maux, as he
strobe forward.
And 50 the numbers were called, till
fourteen men and two women stood
about the table covered with bombs.
"Martyrs of liberty" said Orlotf, i'm
pressively, as he looked over the group
about him; "ye are the angels of death !
What We deal to him will also be dealt
to you; but what matters that so that
the tyrant fall, and the cursed house
of Romanotf is forced to flee the weak
tenure by which it holds the throne Of
all the Russias. When our meeting
ad;ourns the volunteers will remain
back with me-"
Within a very short time the meet.
ing did adjourn, and the people chosen
to assassinata the Gar of Russia re.
NAMED back with their desperate
leader.
"Well, what do you think?" asked
DR.. Mulek, of Peter the student, as the
two walked side BY side along cheer
less, deserted road.
II think Orlof will perfect the job
said Peter; "but he will take no direct
part in it. He will not need to throw
o bomb when there are such desperate
men as Maux and Lance behind him. y
"You believe, then, Peter, that the