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

very small window that gave it the appear
ance of a prison, and whenever the doc
opened vile odors came steaming forth.
Only alter closing the door of the littl,
hut behind them did the driver recover hi
usual good humor The merchant begar
once more to calculate and the bojar to set
tie his tolpac, and all mounted their sleigh
In a better frame of mind.
This little house was the residence of tn,
police official, who inspected the passport,
and established the identity OF the travellers
Nearby stood picket of Cossacks. read,
to be at hand upon a sign of the officer.
The coach upon the sledge stopped at the
tollgate; the position got down and walked
about to warm his feet. One window of the
coach was lowered and a man of 80 with
pleasant and gentle features asked:
SIS this the tollhouse?"
"Yes," replied the position, I've are near
Kasan."
The man who had put his head out of the
window drew back and said to the ladies
within:
I'VE are stopping at the rollgate and will
have to show our passports"
In the coach there were four travellers.
three ladies and one man. The person whom
the latter addressed was a woman in the
bloom of youth and of extraordinary beauty.
The splendid iurs in which she was wrapped
from head to foot spoke of princely wealth.
An old woman who sat by her was decently
but modestly dressed. On the other seat. by
the gentleman, sat a girl the very type of a
maid. A snub nose, lively eyes and a sharp
look gave to her features an expression of
gayety, which contrasted strangely with the
sadness impressed upon the faces of the trav-
elers as upon the landscape without The
Young lady who looked like queen among
her subjects asked in a melodious voice:
Dear doctor, Kasan is surely the last
halt European city which we shall have to
visit"
Certainly, Countess; but we have still
800 wersts to the Siberian frontier and we
leave only the easiest part of our journey be-
hind u.s."
"Ah. nv dear friend, how anxious L am
to reach the endl You cannot imagine " hat
1 have suffered since that catastrophe!
Poor Vladimir. How unhappy he must be.
Every werst brings me nearer to him, and 1
count each one impatiently, knowing how
he waits and longs for me. This exile has
cut him off entirely from the world. He re-
ceives no news from home, and yet know
he expects me and this hope keep him alive.
Since that fearful night have not heard
word about his fate. Is not such uncer-
tainty agonIzing?"
81 suffer the same pain for my son." said
the old woman. He also has disappeared,
and do not know what has become of him,
and yet hope certainly to meet with him
in Siberia! Ii in our empire a man disap-
pears, there is nothing for it but to start on
ones way eastward; every unfortunate man
is to be found somewhere there. 1t is this
hope, Countess, which has made me and this
poor girl join you on your journey. Perhaps
we shall there find our poor Nichoasr'
"Mv dear Lima" said the young lady, 81
cannot tell you how grateful am to you
hat you have not left me. All the little in
Auecce 1 may still possess shall be em-
ployed to help you. This is my sacred
luty."
"As il is our duty to serve you with self
sacrifice and devout respect, 1 ALWAYS tell
Helen we must devote every moment of our
ives to the happiness of the Countess, an
icipating every wish of hers, serve her on
,ur knees, weep when she weeps. and as
never a smile plays around her lips, we also
must never smile. Is it not so. doctor?"
you are perfectly right, Lima" said the
loctor. "Have not also laid my old ex-
,erience at the feet of our Countess and de-
,oted myself body and soul to her cause?
Since you have been kind enough to engage
Nv sCINlCCo, SOuhbCoes GIL OuAN luC AEob vi
our servants and agree with Lima that we
ught to do you homage on our knees
Jana offered him her hand.
Just then the coach moved forward. They
assed the tollgated and stopped before the
hut.
Two Cossacks came up to open the door.
Doctor" said Jana, Twill you have the
indness to get out and show our pass
orts?''
One of the Cossacks said:
"All must get out"
Jana obeyed, and on the doctors arm en- |
cred the lowly hut.
The official, who was throwing about some |
apers on dirty table, rose, filled with sur
rise and admiration. The unwonted ap- |
earance Of such beautiful and noble |
,oking being in this dark and dirty hut i'm
ressed him deeply. He actually removed |
is cap, and said in a milder tone than
sual:
"May ask for your passports?"
The doctor handed him the papers, which
e perused, shaking his head.
"This is not enough" he said at last,
the passport says merely, 'Dr. Haas is
'aveling with three persons, and has the
ght to demand four horses at every station
hat was enough till Kasan, but at the gates
this city we demand more detailed state
ents. Have your companions passports?
raw, let us see Them"
Jana approached him proudly, saving:
81 am the Counties Lanin, and am going
Irkutsk to share my husbands exile l
i've the special permission Of His Majesty
e Emperor"
The officer bowed low.
1--WE have expected your arrival for some
ne, having been notified. The Governor
shes to see you. Please so to him." And
thout waiting for her answer he beckoned
one of the gendarmes.
"What does this mean?" asked Jana,
oubled.
1--WE have strict ORDERS" was the only
ply.
II think" said the doctor, fas the Count
s has the express permission of the EN-
ror, she ought not to be delayed on her
'sNor do detain her; only obey orders.
ou can discuss that with the Governor"
hen turning to the soldier he added: You
i'll go with these travellers to the Cover
,r's palace"
The Governor of Kasan was engaged in
conversation with our old friend, Col.
akin.
"You have but few prisoners" he said,
Is see here
"Only IL, but there is one among them
ho is dangerous.
"And who is that?"
"Popoff. former clerk in the Ministry of
e Interior. He is pointed out to US by the
mister, Count Perowski. himself, as a
ry dangerous character. He is to be got
D out O the way. In the meantime be lies
solitary confinement"
Ii the Governor had watched his trends
ce he would have seen how the Colonel's
es flashed out when he heard this. Still,
asked very quietly:
''Could see the man, perhaps?"
'Of course" replied the Governor "the
ssion in which you are engaged opens you
e doors of all prisons"