The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-13

The soldier brought light Soon after the
head OF Bureau No. II entered also.
~ on have excellent subOrdinates,"
scplded Schelm, very loudly. AT o'clock
they have not come back from dinnerl l
shall remove your name from the list of
those who are TO receive special rewards,
and POpoff you will instantly dismiss"
The official tried to excuse himself and to
defend his subordinate, but Schelm did not
allow him to speak, and said:
u Will hear no morei And now get
away"
The fire soon danced merrily in the CRATE,
the lamp Illuminated the room brilliantly,
and yet Schelm was in very bad hum0i
and found it impossible to work.
u can't do il" he said at last. "What If
did as Miller does? If | were to go to the
lawyers supper. l have had no dinner
yetr
He rang the bell.
Get me drosehka at once" he said to
the soldier. This room is too cold to
work in"
The Restaurant Dusan was brilliantly
lighted and Illuminated the whole street for
some distance. The lawyers rented the
principal hall for their annual suppers. Ser
wants were seen hurrying to and fro with
dishes and plates, bottles and glasses. Some
forty men had taken seats at the long table
and carried on lively and loud converse
ton. Several chairs Nere still vacant. Mil
Ter had taken a seat next TO Vladimir TaDin
entered and cast side glance at the assem-
bly,, who looked at him in astonshment
HIS Insignificant figure cOntrasted with the
luxurious furniture and the elegant COM
pany. The younger and more fashionable
members cast one look at him and turned
away with cOntemptuous smile, not troub-
ling themselves any more about him.
Schelm soon became aware that he knew
no one in the assembly and took one of the
unoccupied chairs without looking around
q cd in not
ton with his neighbOr at table, and did not
become aware of Schelm'S presence till the
latter took his seat rather noisily. They
both looked at each other and started.
You have remembered after all tina t
you studied law?" Miller asked.
And you have managed to collect the
necessary means?'
"As you see" continued Miller. have
found assistance elsewhere after my school
mate and friend of my youth had refused
me. But no Otfense. To-day we'll eat aud
drink and leave care outside. Lanin. hand
me bottle of champagne"
Schelm trembled. " How did you call your
neighbour"
q he is the one who has lent me money!"
That is not the question. Tell me his
name"
- Vladimir Lanin."
Are you intimate friends ?"
:. lie IS my last friend and patron"
In still lower tone of voice Schelm con-
tInued:
Il behaved foolishlv when | treated Won
badly while ago, especially when | said
you could not do anything to serve HE. On
the contrary, find we can be very useful
to each other. You said you were willing
TO co anything providing you were well
paid. Dear Miller, want you to-day and
you can earn one. perhaps even two
thousand rableS for nothing" he added,
with pressure of his hand.
But Miller withdrew his hand.
-" said that under pressure-when cold
and hunger drove ME to DESPAIR. Now, |
am sitting IN warm, well-iighted hall at a
richly served table. Before | enter upon
your conditions [ must know what thew
are"
Come next Friday to the Ministry of
the Interior; there we can confer better
with each other" Schelm was THINKING IN
himself that by Friday his friend would be
penniless again and ready to do anything.
We'll" replied Miller, 'but how can /
get at you? There are so many officials in
the Ministry"
''Send your name up to the Head of the
Division of Political Affairs"
What! are you employed under so great
a MANI"
81 am the head of division myself"
"What. the deYilp' cried Miller. THAT
is another matter. / shan be there On Fri
day, certainly"
Now be SO kind as to introduce me to
your friend"
VERY we'll" said Miller, and lightly
touched his neighbor. Lanin turned around.
vladimir ii. OnOphri Schelm wishes to
be presented to you"
u know yoR very well, Count. said Schelm
with his most obligiag smile. 81 remember
our school days very we'll. We were school
mates for some time, and to-day received
the polite invitation to your wedding. An.
Count Vladimir! You young people are
ready to laugh at us old people. bockworms
or olnce rats, as we are. Fortunately. |
cannot be angry with anybody. You inlst
have had some work, writing the whole
long address, take it for granted II was
your handwriting"
Lanin blushed and could hardly stammer
few words.
u beg your pardon, sir. / confess the
jest was out of place"
ION, l ask for no excuse. am not an
CRY; 1t is all right. l remember you very
well; Vladimir Lanin, that handsome.
clever, witty young man. | was ugly and
everybody ran away from me, and / am
still the same. But that does not matter.
| am happy to renew our acquaintance,
Let US tura to the past"
REALLY, Mr.. Schelin, am ashamed''-
"Oh, never mind Let US drink yonr
health and that Of your fair one."
During the somewhat protraeted supper
Lanin, Schelm and Miller chatted like
three excellent friends. Vladimir repented
again and again that he had permitted
Jana to tempt him to commit such griey-