The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-04

bling hell which had made meeting place for
mysterious purposes. BE had run out OF the
theaier ike madman in company with your
friend MILLER, whom have never trusted In spite
Of your friendship for him. Since then no one
has seen him."
d" v hat2'' cried Jana. excited. Vladimir
could doubt me ?"
-" hat could you expect, dearest? Think OF
his great love- his jealousy, the eccentricIties for
which people are KIND enough TO blame me, aud
especially your not coming. Il was evidently
-nyeegacered plan. Prince Max, who told me all
~.5-.S, san lew moments ago: i do not under
stand il all i5aniu Is accused of belonging to
conspiracy and was -2IIesfed in an unknown
house Then lie whispered iIte my ear: Tins
Is a sec et uf state; they have used your name
and nine Your husband, you must know, had
as ed the Prince to challenge that man in the
PIT. This i all / have been able to learn, but IL
Is enough They have made use OF my name also
and am determined to clear uD the whole affair.
! mean to support you With all my power, but 1t
VIII be difficult task. Everybody trenlbleS at
the mere mention OF your name"
Dear Rita, how vulgar the world Is; how
wicked at The same time. For myself, however,
l feel that love my husband thousand times
more since bis unhappiness."
What rascal and what formidable. adyer-
saTy that man Schelm is" said the French
woman.
How cuuningly he has devised the whole
plan" replied Jana. For now 1 doubt no
longer that he is the author Of all our msf0r
tunes. ] saw him. he came here on the pre-
tease OF having The house searched. He knew
beforehand that he would find nothing and
showed il by the haste with which lie went
do?''
Popoff said: MADAME. this evening at 7
Count Wernln and our dear Countess here VIII
call on Schelm. l shall walt for the result OF
their interview in the carriage. You, madame,
Will have the Kindness to appear at the masked
ball and 10 tell the Countess how she may recog
niZe you. Ii Scheim should refuse 10 listen to
our offers I'll 20 and see him and win warrant
that he Will not refuse me. The Countess will
then accompany the Count her father, to the ball
ana VIII have the kindness 10 wait for Inc al the
foot Of the staircase. ! shall be there at 10 at
the iatasr Then the Cnunfess will Tell what
Is next 10 be DONE"
- L shall appear tonight in black domino.
You shall recognize me by the camea | shall
wear, but 1 shall, of course, see your father, who
VII ..I be d At gSq u SIDE"
Remember, however. madame, that you must
speak to the Emperor at all hazards" said
PoDof. "ThIs will be your last opportunity, be-
cause from this time you will be looked upon as
connected with the family Of an exile"
Do not fear" replied Nine. de Dugarcy. "
am not RUSSIAN subject: 1 shall therefore
always be able TO approach the Emperor"
All" said jana, when 1t becomes clear that
Nladimlrs innocence cannot be established, Will
you then stlll be free 10 visit us? VIII not your
Nine. de Dugarcy hung her head, for that
morning she had been Informed al the embassy
tiat soon she would no longer be at liberty 10
enter the house OF a man who was accused OF
high treason.
Tonight, however," she said, leach one
must do his duty. promise shall do all in my
power. Your husband is, IN my eyes, perfectly
innocent. and shall spare no trouble TO estab-
llsh his innocence. At the ball We shall meet
. Madame" said Popod, declslTely. I" L
warrant the victory"
God grant it," sighed Jana.
AT O'clock Mr.. Schelm received the Count
and his daughter with that cold and stiff official
ar which lie assumed with his subordnates.
Inc CouncilO: offered him million rubles, then
ball OF bis whole fortune. Jana-prOud jana
humbled herself before him, ana with tears in
her eyes begged for mercy. 1t was all in vain.
Schelnl, whose eyes began 10 sparkle as he
cXulted in the offers of the old man and the
huml!lai lon OF Jana, who knelt before him, only
answered colby:
II am out Of the question now But calm your
selve+. The Gar is mefcful. The criminals
VIII be sent as coloDlsts to Siberia. That IS the
limit OF punishment"
But you know that Vladimir Is innocent" ex-
claimed Jana.
Schelm removed his spectacles and played the
part OF an astonshed mau TO perfection.
Innocent He? The ace OF Clubs, the head
OF The conspiracy"
Enough OF this farce this hypocrisy" cried
Jana, Indignantly. "You ayenge yourself for an
innocent jest and your revenge is terrible. You
alone have invented the whole conspiracy, or at
least with devlllsh cunning, managed 10 involve
my husband In this affairlp
Schelm piously folded MS hands.
81 appreciate your grief. madame, but can
not help you. Calm yourself; 60 home and send
He rang bell and clerk entered
Please accompany these visitors down. Par
4 don me, my time Is not my own"
'Be careful, Mr.. Scbelm." said Jana. ave
shall fight Till our last BREATH"
50 / shall move heaven and earth to discover
this infamous plot. Do you hear, wretch ~
cried Wernin, furious al the discouItesy shown
lis daughter.
schelm shrugged his shoulders and said to the
clerk:
accompany this poor old man and his daugh-
fall"
VERY WELL" said Jana. We will go, but be-
ware!"
at. lastl" said seheIm. 8" 1 have not humil-
fated this proud woman enough yet / must
tcrush her. Well, wonder how they viii enjoy
he separation? Sometimes these high persoii-
ages escape us after ALL"
After ten minutes profound meditation a
knock was heard at the door. In answer to his
" walk inn a clerk handed him a letter.
" There Is q man waiting downstairs who
wants 10 be announced at once. He has written
his name and says your Excellency viii no doubt
receive him."
"NchoIas Popoffi" exclaimed Sebelm. with a
glance at the card. "Let him come up at once
When he does come look well at him."
"very well, your Excelleney."
Gas soon as he is IN my bureau you will hasten
TO the nearest police station and ask for Two