The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-01-01

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1 have a suspicion"
II am GLAD to hear that-glad to hear
that" she said.
Then, aftera pause:
"Lanc ce told me tonight the General
was dead; what have you heard?"
81 have heard the crowd on the street
saying he was dead, but that cannot be
true"
"Why not. Ivan?"
because there are guards stationed
on the streets leading to the hotel
where he lives, and they forbid all
sleighs passing that way. I heard two
soldiers talking, and one of them said
1T was the picture of that woman that
he wore over his heart that prevented
the bullet from going deeper
"Did the soldiers say what woman's
picture it was? ?" she asked, eagerly.
"No; that was all heard"
"But you heard people speak about
me?"
"Yes; the people are convinced that
you fired the shot, 80 that whether the
General dies or gets we'll it will go
hard with you if the real culprit is not
found; even then I can see but one
way to save you
aWhat is that. Ivan?"
"It is a way that is in my power
alone"
"Then you will tell me?"
II cannot; wait till the time for ac-
tion comes," said Ivan, with resolute
ring in his voice.
She half understood him, and was in
the act of reaching out her hand to i'm
plore him to do nothing rash, when her
purpose was changed on hearing the
tramping of approaching men and the
iingling of bells, while Lance's coarse
voice could be heard calling out:
aShe is in cell three"
"Some one coming to see me" said
Lola, quickly. "You must not be found
here. Lance is helpless at present. Get
under the bed"
The steps stopped before the door,
and the CLEAN of lantern flashed
through the grating.
Ivan was as quick to act as Lola was
to comprehend the situation.
He darted under the little cot and
Lola rose and stood in position so as
to screen him, for the key was grating
| in the lock.
The door was thrown open and Lola
saw the night turnkey standing beside
! Count Linwold.
"Miss Pulaski" said the Count, with
a frigid bow, II have come to talk with
you"
@And I am ready to hear you," she
replied, with manner quite as naughty
as his own.
"These are not pleasant quarters for
lady" said the Count, glancing about
the dim cell.
"They are not of my choosing"
"People vino plan crime should ex-
pect such q residence. But it is not of
this I would talk. I hear that you
deny being the assailant of General
| Paul?"
"I do, most emphatically."
aDo you know who the assailant is %
"If 1 did," she replied, II would not
tell at this time"
Il have given you my answer, sir.
What more have you to say, or have
you come to feast your eyes on another
! of your helpless victims?"
mo, I am here by order OF the
) Gar"
"Did he send you to see if my quarters
were sufficiently wretched to suit the
: taste of his serene mightiness?
"He sent me to take you to General
! Paul. 1t is said that gallant young
soldier is dying, and his last request
is to see the woman who dealt the fatal
: blow"
! General Paul may have requested
to see me, but it is false, and you know
it to be false, when you say that he in
Inmates that am his slayer"
"lt is the privilege of the desperate
to say what they please" said the
Count, showing his teeth.
Ard the privilege of towards, she
retorted, "to attack where there is nc
danger of defense" :"
You are not helping your case,
young woman"
1T is folly to mend shattered mir.
ror or o broken egg. My case is as
bad as falsehood, treason, and treach.
cry can make it. What more eau
you do than take the n1e you nave
done 80 much to curse?" she asked
with a glow in her dark eyes thai
alarmed the Count.
"Come with me-" he said, stepping
back from the door. 81 am foolish tc
handy words with you"
Lola asked to be left alone while she
put on her hat and cloak, anu the
Count and the night turnkey withdrew
q few PAGES and talked in low tones.
Hastily throwing on her hat and
cloak she stopped and whispered:
Patience Ivan; I must go. Lance
Will come back and release YOU"
She reached him her hanI and IL
pressed it to his lips, but did not utte'
word.
She went out; the turnkey locked
the door behind her, and Ivan coult
hear the steps of the three recedinl
down the corridor IN the direction o.
the prison reception-room.
1T is very uncomfortable here" ht
thought, but Lola stood it and so cal
I, till Lance gets an opportunity to re
lease me-"
He sat on the bed, and as it was yer.
cold, lie wrapped blanket about him
and he listened eagerly for the foot
step of the bearded giant.
He could hear the hollow coughing
of prisoners in the cells near by, AM