The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-01-22
LOLA PULASKI;
The Victim of Circumstan.
tial Evidence.
A Story Of NihiIistic PIottings and Crimes
BY LEON EDWARDS.
CHAPTER XXI.
LOLA IS ALARMED.


In Russia, as in all civilized countries,
crippled soldiers are privileged class.
They are free to enter even the palace
of the Gar unchallenged, and when
ever they pass sentry, the sentry
comes to Salute" an honor paid only
to superiors.
Ivan knew this when he assumed his
disguise.
With the audacity that characterized
all his recent actions, he was about to
enter the hotel-which, it must be re-
membered, was not o public house
when Count LinWold came out to his
waiting sleigh.
The Count held letter in his hand,
and looked about him as if to find q
messenger.
Ivan sprang forward at once, and
touching his hat, he asked:
"Excellency, can be of service?'
SAh, yes, my man." said the Count,
eying him over.
@Do you know me?"
"You are Count Linwold," replied
Ivan.
"Right. Do you know where I
ive?"
"As we'll as I know my own cot, ex-
cellency," and Ivan told him the place.
"Take this letter to my daughter,
and when you bring the answer back
to this place, to which I will return in
an hour from the Winter Palace, I will
reward you"
"My reward is sufficient if I can be
of service to your excellency," said
Ivan, taking the letter and darting
away.
: sAh," muttered the Count, as he got
a'.tte&o his sleigh, "there are true hearts
still in the empire. That brave fellow
gave an arm to his country, and now he
gives her his heart"
AS Ivan was ascending the steps OF
Count Linwold's palace he heard a
football behind him, and turning he
saw Colonel Orloff.
"What do you want here, my man,"
asked Colonel Orloff, as he returned
Ivsn's salute.
II want to see the Countess Elyira.
I have letter for her from her father"
replied Ivan.
Colonel Orloff led him into the warm
hall and gave him chair, saying:
II will take the letter to the Count
ess."
The Countess was expecting her
lover, for sho stood in the door of her
own little parlor and met him with an
ardor scarcely to be expected in one Of
her icy cast of character.
The letter stated that General Paul
was not only out OF danger but well
enough to walk about his quarters.
Further, that the General refused to
marry Elvira, arguing as his strong
reasons that neither the lady nor him
self were parties to the contract, and
that she had no desire for such
hnion.
The letter urged Elvira to write at
once, saying that she had always known
of the early contract, and that she
stood ready to fulfill it.
"This letter of yours" the Count
wrote in conclusion, II will show to
the Gar, who already suspects Gen
sral Paul's loyalty. The young man
is insane, for he is treating old Pulaski
~and his daughter as if they were his
guests. The game is in our hands,
Elvira, if we play it we'll. Answer at
once, and destroy this"
Elyira showed the letter to her lover,
and at once wrote q reply in accord
ance with her fathers wishes.
Count Orloff took the letter out to
Ivan, who was sitting, hat in hand, in
the hall, and said:
"Here is ruble for you, my friend
and take this letter back to Count Lin
void"
"Thanks, excellency," said Ivan,
turning to the door,
"And I say, my man, if you are not
otherwise employed, and you call to-
morrow at this address, I think I can
find you something to do"
Ivan thanked him. took the card,
and, promising to call on the ColoneI
the next dav, he vanished.
He hurried straight back to General
Paul's hotel, and waited outside till
Count Linwolds sleigh returned, when
he haudsd him the letter.
The Count took the letter, and said:
" Follow me, my man; I will pay YOU
inside.
Ivan followed him, and the Count
meeting at the d0er> an officer, with
whom he entered into earnest conversa-
ton as they walked on, he forgot about
Ivan, who kept respectfully oeh'nd
him.
Ipwas only after they reached . hall
on the upper floor that Count Lin
wold noticed the man, who had fol
lowed him from the street.
Then he handed him small gold
coin and said:
"Wait near by, my good fellow; I
may need you again"
4 Ivan saluted, and the Count and his
companion entered room, before which
stood a guard.
Addressing the guard, Ivan asked:
"Can you tell mo what that place is
behind you, comrade?"
THAT" replied the sentry, "is Gen
eral Paul's ante-roam."
aHow is the General"