Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-01

chief, SO that even among us the idea
rank and authority may be preserved. Las
year our chief was old Count F., man whc
was completely crushed by his misfortunes
and had lost his courage. He dared not say
a word. He lived in a suburb of Irkutsk, 6
village to which was likewise consigned
Our inspector was an old army officer, who
was entirely dependent on his wife, when he
was not drunk. This man is now captain Of
gendarmes in the city"
''I know him." said Lauin. "What
else?"
"At that time there came new exile to
us, man of rare energy and superior intel
lect, whc was sent here on account of his
share in a great conspiracy, together with
IL others. He never spoke of this con-
spiracy; he was melancholy and reserved.
After a while we learned to appreciate his
rare merit: he managed to help everybody
and soon won favor with all of us. Several
weeks after his arrival this happened. The
inspectors wife had a grudge against a
Young man of high rank who was sent to
Siberia because he had written some verses
against one OF the Ministers. One day we
missed him-and the next day we found his
corpse. The Inspector, drunk and urged on
BY his wife, had ordered him to receive 800
blows. The poor man had been unable to
bear the punishment and had died. A few
days later the Governor came to that dis
trict. In consequence of happy event in
the Emperor's family, q partial amnesty
had been proclaimed which included
the young poet. We were beside our
selves ana all of us urged Count f. to re-
port the simple facts. We dared not say
word. We all knew the benevolent nature
of the Governor, and yet the letter Of the
law did not allow us to open our lips. Then
this man, OF whom l spoke, the chief Of the
unknown conspiracy, stepped forth from
the ranks OF the exiles drawn up before the
Governor and approached the latter. The
Inspector was just stating that the young
poet was no longer alive. Our comrade in
terrupted him and related what had actually
happened. We listened in amazement.
His language sounded superhuman. 1t
was full OF deep emotion, sorrow and
threats. The Inspector was in q terrible
fury, but the Governor allowed the speaker
10 conclude his narrative. When our COM
rade had spoken quarter OF an hour, he
ended by saying: I have done. His Majesty,
the Emperor, decides that we have deserved
death. We give up our lives, but we de-
mand TO be judged. Here, however, is no
Judgment, but murder. In the name of all
Of us / venture to beg Your Excellency, to let
pIOCttu dRdlubb VIC Ludb
was certainly more than courage, that was
high daring. The Governor made no reply,
but went frowning into the Inspectors
house. That same evening the officer was
retired, but we lost also our comrade, who
was sent to another district"
THAT man retired. Why, is he not cap
tain of gendarmes in 1rkutsk?"
"Those people are like cats and always
fall upon their ieet. We have another Gov
ernor now who does not know the past of
his scoundrel. But must end my story.
lust at that time the Count f. died. The
superiority of the new exile, OF whom 1
poke, had in the meantime become gen
.rally known and after six months be was
chosen to succeed poor Count F. The past
At this moment they noticed two men
who entered the cave. One of them was
[enar-Kus, the other his European COM
oanIon. When the latter came in he threw
back his hood, and by the light of the torches
his manly, strongly marked features became
Visible.
''Millerl' exclaimed Vladimir.
The huntsman trembled.
"VIadimirl" he groaned indistinctly.
AT the same time he raised his hand, and,
urning to the assembled exiles, he said:
lIuQIaW9 al Ol you! Leave me
moment alone with this mani"
The gesture with his hand was so per-
.mptory, and the tone of his voice so COM
that the exiles silently withdrew.
Wrath, contempt, surprise, ali filled
Vladimir's soul at once and nearly robbed
lin of his presence of mind. There they
tood, the former friends, in this cave of
ce. illumined by the lurid light of torches,
which cast a fiickerlng sheen on Vladimir's
pale face and on Miller's, who looked still
,aler.
The man from Courland bent his knee,
md slowly, imploringly said, "Forgive"
Vladimir could not answer
81 may not ask for pardon" Miller con-
inued, "and you may not grant it. do not
,eseech you-on my knees-now to pardon
ne, but only to listen to me. You may kill
ne if you ehoose!'
Lanin shook his head and answered in a
'oice full of the most consummate con-
empt:
mo, shall not kill you. Speak, 1 am
lmost anxious TO know what you can say to
xcuse yourself"
Il do not mean to excuse myself" said
1iller, rising. my guilt is so great that
hall find no excuse even when stand be-
ore the Supreme Judge"
what, then, do you want of me?"
81 want you to pardon thosel The matter
TODD thus: I was dying from starvation |
nd despair. Schelm tempted me BY prom |
ing me life and fortune. He wanted to |
ny me and make me his tool. 1 struggled |
ing and hard. I was in the midst of the |
onspiracy before mad made up nv mind. |
hen came the Intoxication of successl 1 |
lw the project succeed beyond all expecta- |
on. 1 no longer knew good or evil. 1 saw
My one thing, the endi worked hard for |
To months, day and night. 1 came finally |
, the conviction that had no longer any |
hoice. Schelm held me in his power. 1 |
as his tool before knew it. 1 became his |
gent provocateur. as he had wanted me TO |
e from the beginning. I stopped so lowl I |
len forgot everything, honor, God, the |
hole worldl At last 1 triumphed-I, sur |
,unded by men of mediocre capacity, I |
1eir head and master! At once 1 COM |
landed them all. Good fortune intoxicated |
le. 1 advanced blindly. 1 was proud of |
Iy work, and in an attack of INSANITY I |
ven forgot that was committing crimep'
Vladimir shuddered. Miller had become
.rribly excited. His laundering voice re-
'unded from the walls of the cave. Lanin's
entle temper shrank from the wild tale.
"You terrify me, Miller" he said. I'm
le place OF contempt ana bitterness which
at first felt 1 now tremble."
A glow of self-consciousness flashed over
-iller's face, but vanished at once. "It is
ue betrayed you" he continued. 81
Id become a worthless, contemplate crea-
ire. At that time 1 was so exultant in nv
iumph that would have answered you had
~ complained. Butyou must confess the in
igue was beautifully carried out. Later,
VIZ + o1nna NTH / ,
ience, suffered agony. The signing of
e Neva, the waves of which broke against
y prison walls, sounded to me like your
,ice. My cell adjoined yours, and 1
ncied ever heard your voice. When the
ind arose in the Siberian steppes,i seemed
bring me the sound OF youI sorrow; when
saw a woman at distance saw your wifeI