Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-11
CHAPTER XII.

The Emperor Nicholas had appeared al
the ball at about 10 O'Clock, and few mo-
ments later put on his cap, thus intimating
that now, by the favor of the Gar, all eti.
uuette was set aside. From this moment
the monarch's presence was ignored. He
actually got more than once into crowd
and received many a slight push, but these
little accidents amused him greatly, and he
could thus come down from the altitude oi
his position. Moreover, every mask was al
liberty to address him, and even to indulge
in pleasantries if he assented-the one con-
dition being that no business matter must
be introduced. The Emperor was thus
walking up and down in the ballroom, and
seemed to be highly amused by the merry
company of black domino with a white
camelia. She seemed to entertain him so
well that be showed no desire to leave the
room with its motley crowd of merry masks.
Alone in the joyful assembly and hidden
behind pillar stood Jana, wrapped in the
wide folds of a dark domino, her father
standing by her in simple ball cos
tune, The Emperor had not noticed Wer-
~ min, who kept his place near the principal
entrance, while Jana followed in feverish
excitement every gesture of the Car and
the elegant mask.
1t struck 1890. Jana whispered to her
father with a sigh:
mo sign OF him! And yet he promised
be would be here before TO-"
"What is it, Jana?" said low voice close
to her ear. The black domino with the
cameIia had left the Emperor and was now
at her side.
Nothing" replied the Countess, "as yet
we know nothing. And vet it is time he
should be here. The Emperor has promised
me he will not leave the ball before II 80. 1
have promised then to take off my mask and
let him know who 1 am. But at midnight
be will be gone, and we shall never find a
better opportunity"
''Can he also be traitor?" whispered
Jana.
rJanaT" said her father. "Stay here, I'll
drive to the Ministry, perhaps 1 can hear
something therei"
"Quick, dearest fatherl shall wait here
patiently"
''Are you afraid of remaining here alone?"
How could be afraid, when we work
for my husband?'
81 must also go. When you see me again
on the Emperor's arm and you hsve any
papers to hand him, do not fear, but step
up boldly before him?'
She disappeared in the crowd and Jana
remained alone, anxiously watching the
staircase where she expected every moment
to see POpof appear. She saw nothing.
She did not even notice small crowd of
merry young officers OF the guard who came
down from the galleries rather noisily.
They had all of them been drinking heavily,
especially Prince Max, who led them. His
eyes fell upon Jana. The wonderful grace
with which her whole presence was impreg-
mated; her delicate, beautifully shaped foot
excited his curiosity. He stopped to look
at her and then said: "She must be wonder
fully fair"
Then be pointed out the solitary domino
to his friends; Jana said nothing, until the
Prince slightly touched her arm. She
turned round quickly and at the sight of
these young men, who had evidently had
too much wine, she uttered little cry of
terror.
Fear not, fair mask" said the Prince.
"we are ali admirers of yours. Choose from
among us a partner. So fair a mask must
not be left alone!'
''Gentlemenl" said Jana, in a low tone of
voice, Il beseecn you to leave me.'
''Oh, you cruel one, you wait Tor someone,
and we are all in love with your'
"Your Highness is mistaken" said Jana.
"Have pity on me!'
"Ah! You know mer' laughed the Prince.
snow / shall not think of leaving you.
Come, let us take a walk into the room, and |
will bring you back in time for the happy |
one
The Countess trembled in all her limbs.
81 must remain here. You. do not know |
pray you will leave me alone-such per- |
sistence is rudeness."
"What? You mean to scold us?" said |
the Prince. "Pray, your armr' And once |
more he touched her arm. Jana, in her in
dignation, struck him with her fan, saving: |
Has no one here respect for ladies?"
The officers drew back, but the Prince.
half angry and half amused by the scene,
was about to repeat his appeal, when a
strong hand moved the officers aside, and
Wernin, pale and out of breath, offered Jana
his arm.
"Come child, let us leave this place as
soon as possible. All is lost. Popoff has
been arrested. l saw him in a droschke be-
tween two gendarmes.
sit is his daughter" said several voices.
ut is the Countess Lanin. And here at a
ball. When her husband is suffering in
prison, she goes to ballr'
Jana was almost fainting. Her father
her, measuring the CROW around
him, as il increased, with proud, angry
ooks.
All of sudden the crowd stepped aside,
full OF awe. All heads bowed. Animperious
Foice asked:
What is this noise?'
The Emperor Nicholas appeared in the
center of the curious crowd. He faced poor,
trembling Jana and her father, who had
oeen carried away by his indignation. The
sudden stiffness startled Jana. When she
-aised her eyes she saw the Gar.
At sight of him she pulled off her mask,
md cried, falling at the mouarch's feet:
Your Majesty, l am the wife of Count
Ianin, and beg to ask for one favor only"
What is it?''
''They tell me my husband has sinned
Igaipst the empire, but that does not make
lin cease to be my husband. Your Ma
esty's justice has sentenced him to exile.
Will Your Majesty's high favor grant me
cave to follow him to Siberia?"
The Emperor's eyes grew milder and a
expression appeared in his fea-
ures.
Poor woman, your wish shall be full
iIledp'
He raised her and offered her his arm,
"And, now, allow me to see you to your
arriage. This is 10 place for youI'
Casting a stern look at the bystanders, the
Emperor left the ball, poor Jana hanging on
lis arm.
CHAPTER XIII.
The snow was frozen hard and glittered ON ]
be fields, rejecting every ray of the sun, in
II the colors Of the rainbow.
Not a cloud on the sky, not a breath of
ir stirring. The sun shines in full splendor,
ut the rays are pale and cold. A coach put
non a sledpe pushing on diligently along |