The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-02-19
LOLA PULASKI.
The Victim of C;rcunlstan.
tial Evidence.
4 Story Of Rlhllistie PIottlngs and Crimes
BY LEON EDWARDS.
CHAPTER xxx.

Ok x4xN%N NO " &~s
CHAPTER XXX.
IN CONFUSION.
sWhat! You back again ?" exclaimed
General Paul, startled for all his cour-
age and self-control. :. -,
Back again. Exactly" replied
Ivan, with profound bow that was IN
perfect keeping with his assumed char
scter. :.
"You seem Indifferent to danger"
because, General, I am indifferent
TO life when the fate of others very
dear to me is involved, said Ivan.
"But I begged you not to come here
unless you had something important
to communicate.
aNor should T have disoleyed your
riders without good reason"
And the reasonT
"The Gar is doomed to death.
@Whatp cried the astounded officer.
T said the Gear is doomed to death, !"
repeated Ivan. -,
aNonsense!" said the General, with
q hooking laugh. "You Nihilists have
been booming him to death ever since
he ascended the throne. You speak
about the wishes of your people as If
they could bs easily consummated.
But am guilty of treason in discuss
ing this question with IN outlaw, who,
if I had strength of character to do
my full duty, would be at once handed
over to the authorities who have set
price on his head"
"Excellency, do not treat this matter
slightly" protested Ivan. u am, it is
true, fugitive from justice, but to
those to whom I owe allegiance I am,
trust, q true and loyal man. The
Gear, I repeat, is doomed to death, and
I can stop it"
"Then, in the name of Heaven, stop
It, and full pardon shall be yours,
said the General, now excited by the
intense earnestness of the others man
"ner.
II care not for myself" replied Ivan,
"Henceforth I must live for others. Ii
I save the Gar, he must save those who
are dear to me, and against whom ne
has issued his cruel ukase.
"You talk like madman!"
"Yet, General Paul, you will see
before forty-eight hours go past that
there is reason in my madness.
disclose your awful secret at once,
and on my word as a prince will
pledge that the royal pardon is given
II do not care for pardon for my.
SELL" said Ivan, with spirit. If I had
only myself to think Of, the empire OF
Russia should soon be at my back, and
my face would be turned to the great
esnd free republic of America, beyond
the sea. Let the Car do justice to
Lola Pulaski and her father, to my
mother and sister, and I pledge my life
to save his"
@And do you think I or any one else
dare enter the presence of his Majesty
and make this offer to him? Can't
you see that such an act would taunt
me with the treason with which I am
already suspected? No, no, Ivan Ber.
ger. Your people have wrongs, but
they cannot be redressed by perpetrat
ing greater wrongs. Liberty can never
ally herself with MURDER" said the
General, pacing back and forth.
"But power can sustain itself by
legalizing murder for its own defense.
Vengeance rather than liberty arms
the foes of the Czsr, and gives them .
7msddenlng thirst 1or ms pIood. lie
would Danish General Pulaski, to whom
at this time it is certain death. If he
would have mercy shown him, he must
show mercy. If you will not see the
Car and tell him of this, then others
must" said Ivan, with unmistakable
decision.
@Who would dare to see the Gear and
make this bargain with him?"
Il dare" replied Ivan.
1You?"
d sYes, L"
:! sand on the instant you would be
seized by the royal guards and on the
way to a convict cell"
sBut should have done my duty
@Come, tell me all about this con-
spirscy," said the General, calming
down.
81 cannot"
1T is your own secret them"
mo, I can tell Lola Pulaski. Let
her Judge of the value of my secret and
tho way it should be disposed of" said
Ivan.
3Let it be as you say. Wait here and
will see if the Countess Pulaski can
Zee you tonight"
General Paul waved his hand and
Ivan sat down In the seat, from which
he had arisen, muttering: "The Coun.
tess Pulaski, Ell? Well, she is entitled
to that rank, but the man who would
apply it to her in the presence of the
Gar would be guilty of treason, and
might lose his liberty if not his Life"
Nearly half an hour elapsed since
General Paul left the room, and Ivan.
though man of steel, was very weary,
was beginning to doze-as exhausted
soldiers do even in positions of great
est danger-when he was aroused by
the fall CT quick step, and looking
up, he saw o man in the livery of Ger
eral Paul's household before him
Il have come TO, Sou," said the man,
"follow me-" With this he turned and
led the way into the little sitting-room
before described, in which Ivan met
Lola Pulaski.
Remain here" said the man, who.
of course, was ignorant of the visitors
true character, "the lady will come to
IEnn."
: The man went out and Ivan sat down,
but he had not long to wait.
In few minutes the door through
which the man had vanished opened