The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-02-15
THE VOLTS FANGS.
A Wild Russian Tale.
st. James's Gazette.

st. James's Gazette.
Paul and l were twin brothers, gentlemen by
birth, since our father was a Polish count, who
had been deprived Of his estates in connection
with events of 1868, and Englishmen by breed
ing; after tho death of our father, when we
were quite children, we two had been brought
up out of charity by countryman, who taught
dancing and lived in shabby London street.
AS time went on earned my four guineas a
week as violinist; but my brother, Paul
Boiskoi, became the darling of society-frst,
perhaps, because he had the most beautiful
voice in all the world; next, because he was the
very handsomest man ever saw.
s'I've seen her at last, Louis,'' said my brother
one night to me; ''the woman I've been longing
for and dreaming of all my life; and I'm about
to become teacher of singing" he added, with
a laugh. 'sYou wouldn't wonder, Louis, if you
saw my pupil" and he took from his pocket
book photograph. 1t was the portrait of a
beautiful woman-a fair woman, with hard
mouth and cruel eyes. 'sShe thanked me for
singing for her, and then she said: Monsieur
want you to do me favor. l want you to
give me few lessons in singing I stared at
her in astonishment. 'Ah,' she said, Monsieur
Bolskoi, the singing-lessons are only pretext.
know your story; know that you are of noble
blood; know that your fathers property and
estates were confiscated long ago, and l would
help you to regain them. Perhaps Pm not alto
gether disinterested,' she said, and she gave me
one look from those SOFT languid eyes of hers
a look, Louis which sent the blood coursing
through my veins. For I love her, Louis ~ he
cried.
The love of the princess for my brother Paul
had become a matter of common talk among
our friends by the time that Prince Vlastof had
obtained leave to visit his estate in Southern
Russia. My brother Paul was to travel in his
suite, and it was arranged that in the winter,
when he proceeded to the capital the prince
should present him to the Gear and use his influ-
ence in his favor. They had been gone month
before l heard from my brother Paul. AT
length he wrote as follows:
have returned to the barbaric life, and en-
Joy it. The prince keeps almost regal state in his
great Castle of Samarof. 1 enjoy the free, wild
life, the riding, driving, and the hunting here,
and am happy ior am %sn I'll tne ,V woman love- d
has no doubt, SO he tells me, of his ultimate sue
cess.
Here the letter was continued in a shaky, hur-
ried writing totally unlike the commencement,
which was written in my brothers. beautifully
clear hand:
Louis, terrible misfortune has happened.
The princess and were wandering in the park
week ago, the very day when / commenced this
letter to you. when we heard loud shouts and
cries. Suddenly from tangled thicket close to
BILE here in solitary wolf in summer time; but
this was no ordinary wolf. The brute was mad;
huntsmen and torn by dogs; its tongue hung
from its mouth, and as it came toward us it Ut
yepng sSe efes ss
clutcbed my arm. Her voice attracted the atten-
ton of the nfuriated beast and it made for us at
once. Nadia fell faintlng TO the ground. AS the
brute made its spring clutched it by the throat
and we fell to the ground together. 1 got my
knee upon its chest, and tried to choke the life
out of it. felt its hot breath on my face, and
stared with terror at its red eyes, and wondered
whether my strength would hold out "FIy!''
shrieked TO the woman / loved; lily, Nadia, for
the love of Heaven !" But she never moved. for
she lay upon the turf in dead faint. The strug-
giles of the Wretched animal grew weaker and
weaker, but i never relaxed my grip upon its
throat, and slowly-ah, how slowly II strangled
the beast, choking il to death.
turned to Nadia, and raised her from the
ground, and, pressing impassioned kisses on her
fear, my darling" She seemed to wake as from 2n
dream; the great blue eyes opened and looked
at me with unutterable love, and my kisses were
returned. "You do love me. Nadia ?"I cried, and
her head still lay on my chest.
Love you, Paul ~ she answered; 'of course !
she said and she looked around her wildly. LET
us make the most of our time. Paul." and again
she kissed me. FOR the man / am betrothed to
will come to claim my hand in one short month"
''Nadia !" cried, ''and you talk of loving me?"
said, sis one of policy; but shall always love
you,' she added and then she looked at me in
sudden fear. paul, Paul Bolskoi" she said,
why do you look like thatf"
Princess Nadia" answered, II never loyed
you; loved the woman thought you were"
be mad the Prince Bakouline owes you deep
debt OF gratitude, - and then she rose and turned
her back on me. but let me thank you. M
Bolskoi"-she said. formally-"let me thank you
IN his name for saving my life," and then she
turned as pale as death and seized my hand.
,'Pau 70 she shrieked, as she fell upon her knees
at my feet, Paul. my love, my, life. you are
And then / saw three little bleeding points
upon the back of my hand. Madam" 1 said
coldly. sympathy for one below you in degree
Tba co,raot sbirt tor ,n,, dress reon,res .