The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1891-04-30

1911 1ocSA w W " OAoJ 6Sly
populated Russian city. The appear
ance of the room was as wretched as
the external aspect of the house itself.
The solitary window was totally con-
ceaIed by heavy faded curtain, de-
pending from the roof, and as the
wind moaned dismally through the
broken panes of glass its somber folds
swayed to and fro. The inmates OF
this mournful den were seated around
the table, smoking their pipes and
talking, as if furtively, in whispers.
AS the feeble rays of the candle fell
itfully upon the company they re-
vealed the youthful faces of four stu
dents. The chief spokesman, however,
was much older man, apparently
about so, with a short point ed beard,
shaggy brow, and keen, penetrating
eyes of the darkest hue The others
deferentially addressed the speaker
as professor, and such, indeed, he
was, at that time, at a wellknOWn
school of medicine i'll Russia.
On the present occasion, however,
he was speaking, not of science, but Of
the terrible doctrine of assasaina-
ton.
Prof. v was a nihilist, a reputed
Colossus of craft in the dissemination
of revolutionary doctrines, and on
the particular evening i'll question he
was engaged in advocating with fiery
eloquence the assassination of a GER
tain colonel who had lately been pro-
NOTED to the rank OF chief commits
sioner of the secret police. AS the
night wore on their whispered CONVEX
sation was suddenly interrupted by q
low knO cking at the outer door. In a
moment the conspiratOrs sprang
noiselessl Y to their feet and listened
with bated breath. The sound was
repeated-a peculiar whistle was heard
from without, and the listeners ex-
changed significant glances, and
quietly resumed their seats. Presently
cautious footsteps were heard III an
outer room, the door was opened, and
a young man hastily entered. His
face was pale, his manner agitated,
and as he returned his companions
salutations he regarded them with q
fixed and angry stare.
"You have kept us waiting, COM
rade" exclaimed the professor, putting
calmly at his pipe. ugh! we are al
most frozen, for the air of this wretch
ed apartment is quite Siberian. But
selves with talk, and fire our minds
with the prospect of revenge"
There was q murmur ofapproval. 1t
was noticed, however, that the young
man who had just appeared upon the
scene took his seat in silence, and,
resting his elbows upon the table,
slowly scrutinized thefaces of his COM
rades.
"My dear professor. He said at
length, we cannot possibly proceed at
present with this business.
"Why not?" was unanimously ask
ed.
Because" replied the latest conner,
as he quietly snuffed the candle-"be-
cause one of us is a traitor"
ga traitor!" exclaimed the men,
starting to their feet.
Eyes comrades, we are betrayed;
and no one knows of tn is plot of
ours except ourselves, it is PLAIN, /
think, that one of us has turned in
fOrmant."
"You are mad to say So" hoarse-
ly exclaimed the professor; "but in
heavens name, what has happened!
Come tell us quickly. This is no jest
ing matter"
ictor tbop On INV WOW bithop
comrades, l entered cafe de Paris
to sip cup of tea and smoke a cigar
cite. | happened to sit beside two
officers of the secret police, and as one
of them was somewhat tipsy, could
distinctly hear his conversation. |
found it rather interesting. He told his
companion that he was under orders to
surround this old, deserted house at
mid night-it was near now-and
to arrest all persons found within.
He mentioned, moreover, all our
names, and added, with maudlin
laugh, that a certain person, to whom
the administration is eternally in
debted, would be found in our midst
playing, the part ofconspirator. Now,
| comrades, | have done. What shall
we dor" -~@s -.~e'
The men looked at each other in
dismay A dead silence filled the
room, for the mere suspicion OF
| treachery among the men who had
| solemnly dedicated their lives to the
sacred cause of liberty seemed to
hold them dumb. Such villainy In
| their very midst-among men banded
together in SACRED observation-disclosures
greater crime than themerciless acts
of despot and his minions. ~.
eff this is true" said the professor,
in a voice of suppressed rage, "then
will no longer believe in human fidelity
or the future of cur cause. But
death! If the story Ia true. Which OF
us is the informer" added the speak
err, staring tiercely at the pale faces oil
his companions.
bah! it is useless to ask that, my
| dear professor" exclaimed Ivan
such was the name of the youth who
had brought the strange intelligence
as he advanced to the door of the
room, locked it, and placed the key in
his pocket. Every one will assert his
innocence-of course. But, comrades,
suppose we endeavor to find him outY
Let us search each other. Thetraitor
whoever he may be, must doubtless
have in his possession some proof OF
his guilt. At least, the experiment is
worth trying. What say your y
Agreed agreed" exclaimed the nj
hilists, as with one accord they sprana
convulsively to their feet. One OF the
students-a tall, lank you'll, with a
somewhat fnppish appearance-ob.
jected, however, TO the proposal.
''But why?" holly demanded the
professor, who seemed all eagerness to
begin the investigation.
Because" was the hesltating re.
] joiner, "honor ought to be enough
Besides there is something degrading
in the idea Of Searching one another,
as II, indeed, we acre O lot OF pick