The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-02-26

Die companions, III. "uAeh "nO '--S
student.
A little further on he caught 8
glimpse of an old one-armed soldier,
and he wondered where he had seer
| the man before.
This one-armed soldier was Ivan
Berger, who, secure in his wonderful
disguise, still walked the streets of the
city with immunity. if not without fear,
though as yet lie did not dare to ven
ture into the house in which his impov'
erished mother and sister resided.
After Colonel Orloff and his regi'
ment had passed on, Ivan crossed the
street and joined George Nevski and
the group of Nihilists who surrounded
him.
"Why do you wait here?" asked
Ivan.
ave are waiting for his-Majesty tc
" chuckled the WI
like Lance and some of the others, had
been effectually disguised by the old
costumer.
"Then you will have to wait long
time" said Ivan, who, it need not be
said, was we'll known to all those pres.
ent.
"Why do you say SOP" asked Mau1.
"The morning papers said the Czal
would 60 out this street to the review
ground" added George Nevski.
IF that were his purpose" said
Ivan, "for some reason, best known to
himself, he has changed his mind. Not
ten minutes ago tho royal cortege
passed out the Neva Prospekt. Hark
to the thunder of gunsl The artillery
is firing a royal salute, and that proves
that his Majesty has reached his desti
nation"
The men listened for some minutes
while the booming of cannon. went
laundering along the streets OF the
city. .
aThere'll be louder noise than that
If we but find the route by which the
Gear returns to his palace" said Lance.
"And we'll find it if we have to fol.
low him to the gates of his palace
said Maux, with on oath.
"Have you heard about Lola Pulas
ki?" asked George Nevski addressing
Ivan.
II have not" was the guarded reply,
"When did you see her"
"Last night, or rather very early thit
morning."
Did she tell you she was going te
the palacet"
II cannot recall, +" said Ivan. SIknoN
she was desperate at the thought o.
having to move her father, who is be-
ieved to be dying"
"Well," continued George Nevski.
"no matter what her object may have
been, it is certain that she went to the
Winter Palace this morning, and it is
equally certain that she was taken from
thence and immured within that living
grave, the Neva Prison.
"You are sure of this?"
II am certain; for with my own eyes
which are as good as the best when ]
have my glasses on, I saw those devils,
the police, carrying her off"
Ivan did not wait to hear more.
In joining the group of Nihilists. his
purpose was to try and dissuade then
from the awful deed they had come te
perpetrate.
But on hearing of the fresh trouble
that had come to the woman that be
had so hopelessly loved, every othel
thought but of her protection fled from
his mind
Before his companions could ask his
purpose, he started of, without having
any fixed object, or destination, in
view, but feeling that he must dc
something, for standing still was out
of the question.
"What has come over Ivan?" asked
Mau1, after the young man had van
ished.
Nothing" growled Lance; "iti
the same old sickness"
Sickness?"
eyes; love-"
Something that sounded like laugh
came from the group, but the next In
stant the stern, cruel light of death
glowed from under their scowline
brows.
"We must find out which way oul
game returns" said Maux, who seemed
to be the leader of the party.
GAS he did not 60 out by this street,
be will return by it" said a man who
had not spoken as yet.
"Why do you think SOP" asked
Maux.
Because the Gazette announced that
be would go to the review by this
route; he changed his mind for some
reason. But be assured he will come
back this way. He must do it, or the
people will say he sneaked to throw
the Nihilists off his track. He must
keep up an appearance of courage. It
will not do to leave here. At this point
the street bends and is narrow. From
CUR vantage ground a child could throw
~bomb into the middle of the roadway,
along which mis- MaJesty's sleigh must
pass"
This shrewd opinion met the ap-
proval of the others, and they decided
to keep near there, taking care not to
stand in one group OF to remain on one
spot, conduct which would be sure to
attract the attention of the ubiquitous
police.
If these men, who had doomed the
Czar to death, gave any thought of their
own lives it was not evident in voice or
manner.
They might fail or be successful in
their attempt, but no matter the issue
to the Gar, the first attempt made on
his life would be the signal for tL si1
own speedy destruction.
Every man in the group knew that