The morning call., 1890-04-06
FRANCISCO SUNDAY. APRIL 1s-TWEy

wedding, giving him carefully all the titles
on his ridiculous card
Did she really do that ?" asked Councillor
Wernin.
Certainly. Councillor" replied Lanin,
smiling, ''and we have actually committed
that crime"
Old Wernin turned very pale.
Foolish, impudent children!" he ex-
claimed. ''Do you know who that man
Sehelm is? Do you know that from his
Office in the Ministry Of the Interior he dis
poses OF our fortunes and our lives? Doyou
know that he decides questions which we
dare not allude to in conversation? You ali
tremble when you hear the head of the
geDdarmes mentioned. Well, Schelm is a
hundred times more dangerous than Count
Orion. DO your duty to the Gar and to
Russia, ana you need not fear the high
officials. But tremble when those subor-
dinate people approach you who have such
formidable powers in their hands: tremble
when you hear their names mentioned
This man Sehelm dlsposes of an equal
power with the head of the gendarmes, but
1t IS hidden, mysterious, and he is capable
OF using his power readily to crafty his
ambition and his revenge. You have
offended Schelm, and you laugh! l tell
you, if You have wounded his self-oye, we
are lost! No money, no influence, can save
US from ruin!'
Jana did not mind her fathers ominous
forebodings in the least
He must be Chamberlain" she said.
ironically, ''or you would not esteem him
so highly. How is it that this title is net
on his card?"
Perhaps for the first time in his life the
old man cast stern look at his daughter.
My chlld, he SAID very seriously, your
jests are out OF place here No, Schelm is
not Chamberlain; he does not even hold
high place, but his power is great. | am
not Liberal, and | do not despIse the men
who are necessary to watch over the life of
his Majesty and who henorahly do their
duty. know Schelm too little to say what
sort OF man he is, but his hatred fills me
Win apprehension Tor you, my child, my
dearest Jana" here the Door old mans ewes
hlled with tears and he pressed his daugh-
ter to his breast. II tremble for you, Vladi
mir, and for my own child"
The young diplomatic, who had silently
listened to the old mans words, looked
proudly up and said:
Fear not. Councillor, for u.s. Ny life is
bamelesS. / am loyal to my Emperor and
always shall be. fear nothing, but against
vie calumny the influence OF my uncle, the
protect me-"
AND Ii he were the Adjutant of st. Mich
olas himself he could not protect you against
Schlems denunciatiOnl DO you hear that,
young Hotspur ?'
Never had the Councillor shown such ex-
OF the Emperor and 81. Nicholas in such a
way. Jana became aware at last that Der
ill-timed jest might find result in evil cOnse-
quences and as III the depths of her heart
she ioVed her 1ather dearly, she stepped up
10 him, kissed him tenderiy and said.
r'Be calm, l beseech you, dear fatheri IF
THIS MI SeheIm holds such high position
he cannot be fool. He must see the real
meaning OF our invitation and look upon IT
as poor joke"
49,, "Sc 3 mis- is vain. ugly and malicious
he had just said. He makes all the
greater preIensions because he feels how
little 4e deserves them. Perhaps it would
be better for you if you had conspired
against Tue Gar than to indulge in such a
dangerous Jest. But this is no time for com
plalnts-we must see what can be done.
Tel me quickly where lie lives
laq!mlr, do you remember his adj
dresST asked jana.
No! But it was near the Newski Per-
spectives in one of the side streets"
His card must be here somewhere. ex-
claimed Nernln. Look for it quickly: il
Will soon be o'clock and there is no time
to be lost"
At the sight of the old mans visible anx-
lety jana and Vladimir lost their heads en-
tlTely and became confused
Father" said Jana, folding her hands
II have burned the cards and cannot re-,
member the address,"
What chain of mishaps! p said the old
man. Jana, my angel, what is to become
oil us? VIII hasten to see the Minister.
and II they cannot tell me there shall have
to call at every house near the Perspective
and inquire" He left the room hastily.
My father is so easily disquieted," said
Jana. cannot see anything in this that
We should be so frightened
Unfortunately, said Lanin. 81, also,
have become anxious. / never saw your
father in such state of excitement"
Count lyon, the owner of the house in
which Schelm lived, had arranged it after
French fashion. The PORTER Inhabited a
small room, from which all the staircases
of the tenants. As in Paris, be also re-
ceiyed all that came by post for the inhabit
ants of the vast building.
1t might have been 1880 when Schelm
came home and passed the portier's lodge.
Here is letter for youI' cried the
latter.
"Give it to me at once" said Sehelm, stop
ping moment
As seon as he had received the letter he
stepped under the lamp that lighted up the
nan. al the sight OF the imposing address
he began to frOwn; quickly he tore open
the envelope and found this letter:
The Priyy Councillor, A. A. wernn has the homer
10 INFORM you OF the engagement of his daughter
time to invite you to be present AT the weddin,
ceremony in the Cathedral OF our Dear Lady Of
For moment Schelm stood as if struck
by. lightning; he grew fiery red, the per
SEPARATION covered his forehead and his
knees trembled. With one hand he took off
his speclacleS, with the other he sought his
yellow silk handkerchief, wiped his brow.
looked blankly at the PORTER, who smiled
stupidity, and crushed the letter wrathfully
ana threw 1t down. then he rushed out into
the street without his hat and spectacles.
Nv hat look that wasW said the porter
TO himself; "he must have gotten bad
news" Wv"
Faithfully following the example of his
i,arlS colleagues, he picked up the letter on
the floor and tried to read the contents.
Sehlem could not have gone far when a
carriage drove up, and a gentleman, COW
cred with decorations, called the PORTER
and inquired for Schelm.
lie has Just left" answered the porter.
carefully concealing the crumpled letter in
his hand.
ibid he get any letters? ?"
The porter looked very much surprised
but did not answer the indscreet question
Wernln aid not like to wait any longer and
mis- question in a voice of thun-
der
The frightened portier's conscience smote
him. The letter was beginning to burn his
fingers, and he thought the impetuous
stranger might punish him for his curiosity.
He stammered, therefore:
Yes. Your Excellency; he had Just re-
pied, to the floor y so L thought = ~
"Quickl Hand it herel You Assn cried
Wernln, tearing the ball of paper from the
portier's hand Too later he whispered
after ne had read the fatal invitation.
Then he returned the letter to the porter
and stepped into his carriage, saying TO
himself, :" was not mistaken! We shall
IN t1frhf Enr 4.