The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-01

~ SFo sfo > Bbv
ron wee that confidence l have in YOU"
nave given you 10 many proofs of de-
voIion that your confidence neither sur
prises nor touches me; l know Of your OK
istenco and have revealed it to no one.
were elected president under an MS
sumed name-l. president Mt your election,
slttlnR IN the mystery in your name as our
proxy, merging my identity in yours. This
very day / brayed death TO obey you. Did
you not ten me, III you ever pronounce my
name MI is lost"
Yes. yes,' murmnred Sche,m, 'you are
intelligent Il devoted. That is why l am
.aston'shed that you should wish for the re-
version OK my oftice-the Office Of a corpse.''
What il that to your"
Dictate" said Schelm. taking the pen in
his trembling hand. I'VE must make an
end Of this; l don't want TO lose this oppor-
tunity.'
Darine dictated:
=, Baron de Schelmberg, president Of the
mystery, supreme chief of the nihiiists of
81. petersburg, engage to use all my iniu-
ence next year to have the Procurator An
drew Darlne elected president, since /
recognize III him the member of the asso-
Citation who is most capable OF governing
in my stead. Sign"
"Haye you finished?"
Yes" said Schelm, making a violent eff
fort to keep from laughing outright.
Then give 1t to me!''
uoHG Understand what you moan to do
with this bit of paper. l cannot see how it
can be useful to you"
Darine trembled wife impatiencs.
DO you distrust meY"
no, great heaven. no! Besides, this pa
Per}ls SO ridiculous that il is of no conse
qnence. Here! take it,"
Darine, upon seeing it, could not sup
press a sigh of satisfaction; his eye emitted
a'transitory CLEAN. Schelm saw this CLEAN
II felt LIGHTLY uneasv.
nihilist?"
yes"
but you are young and intelligent. That
l, IN my afflicted state, should find some
amusement in this absurd authority is COM
~prehensible, but t'sat you, who know all the
secrets, all the"
SWELL" cried Darine, with a burst of
laughter, NOV that you nave made the
again?"
Scheim's confidence was soon restored.
Darine was an old acquaintance and his
title OF procurator was for Schelm itself q
guarantee. An imperial, %procurator has in
no instance figured among people con-
nected with the police.
S you are ready to obey me, are you?'
he asked. Then act promptly. Let. us
have it over. l want to clear my mind of
it. Until / have ruined these people. l feel
incapable of doing anything else. To main
tain my authority. to become a leader, l
shall have to labor necessarily. Hasten to
this doctor! No more hesitation!"
Il was SO convinced we should agree, that
l brought him with me. He is waiting in
the hall"
Schelm gave a start.
what! are you mad? Why, then he
knows my name. Why
mot at all!' interrupted Darine, she
knows not where he is; he ia stupefied by
iteraNas." g%
.'fsut that IS treaci,ery, Da,rine," cried
Schelm, Ito reveal my identity to this
man."
II have revealed nothing, and even if he
knew anything he would not be dangerous.
He is bound to me by far stronger ties than
those that unite the nihilists. together. He
is my slave, my property. my dog he has
committed a crime and i hold the proof of
it IN my hands!"
"a orime?"
"Yes, after aiding a woman to kill her
child, he poisoned the woman"
"Oh very we'll. But. nevertheless, Da-
rine, don't tell him who l ann
BE easy about that"
1T will be done tomorrow, will it?"
"lpromise you"
He will consent to commit a second
crime for fear of the penalty he has in
W SAO AAous III AOR
Il. the procurator, have promised him
immunity"
And you will keep your promise? There
is no doubt about your keeping it, is there?
Vladimir must be found guilty!'
Darine smiled mysteriously. "Rely on
my word" he said. Then he went out.
Schelm pulled a string.
my daughter he cried to the servant
who appeared at the grating; 'have her
come immediately! If she is not in the
house let her be told the instant she re-
A few minutes later Louise entered the
room. She appeared, as usual, cool,
almost like an automaton. Go,
ing mp to her father she kissed his forehead
and sat down beside him.
There was something like hatred in the
look with which Schelm surveyed her.
LOUISE" he said, 81 am getting better.
you see. You did not quite succeed in
me-"
Father, why will you talk 80? regret
you were 30 easily overcome" She
added: II told you nothing that l am not
ready to repeat"
very well, l shall be kinder than YOU
were and shall give, you a warning. If you
love Vandine, watch over him, for to-mor-
he will be iii great peril"
Louise trembled.
II am like some old magician" he add
ed, with his harsh. rafting chuckle, land l
am going to talk as if my name were Mer-
lin. If tomorrow Nandiue escapes the
danger that threatens him he shall be your
husband. ! swear it by Solomon's ring"
And 1t is you who threatened him, ia
she cried. beware! ! will defend
him against the whole world, even against
Good! that is what l want. Defend him.
daughter, and watch we'll over lin To-
morrow, repeat. his fate will be decided"
But he was getting we'll; his wound was
closed. What danger can threaten
him? Yesterday. when ] vent to see Alex
andra, the report was excellent. l expect to |
see him to-morrow; it has even been agreed
that it shall be ut five o'clock"
go there in the morning, daughter"
,aid Schelm ironically, land do not leave
he Lanines all day long, if you will take
my advice"
You frighten me, father. What do you
snow?"
Nothing" he said. 81 give you excel.
advice. Beware of Count Vladimir, |
above all"
She arose; her movements were resolute,
Ter look threatening.
IL shall watch" said she, land whoever
he man be who threatens him, let him be-
Do you understand. fathery"
"Yes, yes, that is all right. Go now and
end me your mother. l want to go to bed:
am very weak since the attack you brought
lpon me. How we love one another in this
amily!' he added. grinding his teeth saw
why! believe I am the best of
he lot, after all.'
II repeat ono more, beware" repeated
60, my sweet angel! threaten your
Why don't you go?' he cried sud