The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-01-08
81 will" replied the Doctor, with

emphasis.
After this they SPOKE in low tones
about Ivan Berger, and the Colonel
but little knew that his wish was al
ready complied with when he said:
L would give my left hand if that
fellow were dead or in prison.
Then followed discussion of their
plans for the assassination OF the Car
which Colonel Orloff had perfected,
but which he seemed reluctant to take
direct part in.
Colonel Or!oT hated the Gear, not
because he hated tyranny, for at heart
he was himself q tyraut, but because
the Emperor had decided that certain
Estates that were in litigation be-
longcd to Count Orlof, the Colonels
cousin.
But these p!otters we'll knew that
there were scores of desperate men IN
st. Petersburg ready to kill the Car,
if cooler men only provided them with
the certain means, and showed them
the opportunity.
DR.. Mulek and Peter left Colonel
Orlotf in the Cafe d'Amerique, and
walked together to Madame Berger's.
Peter had not yet given up the hope
OF securing the hand, if not the love, OF
Lola Pulaski; but if he failed he was
prepared to crush her through his as
eociaies. the Nihilists. in the event of
her escaping from the meshes Count
Linwo,d was carefully weaving about
her.
1t was the belief of these men that
Ivan Berger had fled from st. Pc ers-
burg after the last meeting of the
Nihilists, but they were certain that
even if he were in the city, he would
not or could not interfere with their
schemes.
Leeza, the patient attendant at the
house, was surprised when they asked
for Lola and her father.
She hal not heard of their release.
She believed they were still i'll the
Neva prison, and she wept at the
though.
Yes" she said, in reply to DR.. Mu-
lexis question, Madam Berger and Miss
Elizabeth are home-they are nlways
home. But, heaven help them, the fact
that Mr.. Ivan is fugitive Is crushing
them in'o the grave"
Il will seq them, and I think can
cheer them up" said the Doctor.
As neither Lola nor her father was in
the house, Peter declined to go up, so
his companion went alone.
Of late Dr.. Mulck had not attempt
ed to conceal his love for the fair Eliz-
abeth.
He made it a point to talk OF his
lonely life and tell of his own ability
to care for O wife every time he saw
her.
He found Madam Berger end Eliza
beth with red eyes, that spoke OF re-
cents tears, and pale faces that told OF
a deeper anguish, still bending over
their sewing. .,
Thy met the Doctor with what to
him seemed warmth, so eager were
they to learn if he knew anything OF
Ivan.
With a mysterious manner he told
them that Ivan was in secure hiding in
the city, and that his friends would
soon send him to q place of safety,
but before doing so the mother and
daughter would hive chance to sec
him.
This vague information had an ex-
hilarating effect on the madam and
Elizabeth, for they could imagine no
reason for the mans living.
Having placed them in better splr-
its, the Doctor, with consTmmate skill,
presented his own suit.
Elizabeth nervously parried him,
till at length he dropped all diplo-
macy and asked her boldly to become
his wife.
Il cannot, cannot" she replied.
"But WIZ not?"
ut is impossible!"
why should q thing so natural as
marriage be impossible?" asked DR..
Mulek, trying to take her hand.
Elizabeth drew back, but did not
answer.
From behind curtain a mans voice
thundered out:
Because, you dog, that lady is my
betrothed!"
With the words the man leaped out,
and DR.. Mulek was felled to the floor.
He looked up aud saw the heroic
form of Count Orlolf towering above
him.