Middletown transcript., 1891-05-21
Ludmilla's crimson cheeks and a

restrainedly, while the young officer
regarded her in gloomy silence. At
length she lifted her head, pushed
back the ringlets from her cheeks
still burning with her shame, and
asked to be heard in her own defence.
She owned that she had deceived
her lover, that she had given her
picture TO the Emperor, when he came
to WOO her. But she hail not en-
couraeed his passion from coquetry.
When she saw how ardently he loved
her, when he continually met her in
the street, when he came to visit her
and declare his love, she was afraid Of
him. The least suspicion that she
might have given her heart to another,
filled him with ungovernable rage.
The wrath of a monarch was so
terrible In his flashing eyes she
read sentence of death for any
rival. How could she own her love
for Vladimir! She dissembled, in
her terror for him She allowed the
royal suitor to think he had gained
her affections. She gave him the
miniature. "But I have been true to
YOU, vladimir" she sobbed.
The young officer felt her arms
clasped around his neck, her tear.wet
cheek pressed to his, and her lips
uttered broken and passionate words
of love. He forgave her while she
protested that she would never have
stopped in dissimulation to save her
own life.
While the reconciIed lovers talked,
another man had silently entered the
dwelling. The old servant had tried
to stop him but when he threw of
hat and caftan. she saw it was the
Emperor and dare not oppose him.
He strobe in TO the apartment where
LudmiIla sat clasped in Vladimir s
arms. At sight Of the Gar, she start.
ed up with terrified shrek, and fell
upon her knees. The officer half
drew his sword but, recognizing his
sovereign and superior officer, stood
with his head bent, his eyes on the
ground. -
Peters flashing eyes CLEANED from
one to the other, muttering, ga double
treachery!" The young girl implored
pardon in piteous entreaty.
But the monarch could not pardon
such a crime. After a struggle with
violent emotion, he became calm and
cold, as he ordered the Major
Vladimir to go and surrender him
self prisoner at the fortress.
He was soon restored to liberty, as
the Emperor could not imprison for
such cause one of his bravest and
best officers. But he gave orders
that he should preside at the head Of
his regiment, at the public punish
ment of Ludmilla, who was accused
of having betrayed certain political
secrets to the Swedish agents, and
was condemned by the Senate to re-
ceive twenty blows with the knout al
the Pace de la Moika. Peter him.
self had preferred tie false accusation
The regiment of Preobajinski
ranged in two lines, extended along
the banks of the Moika canal to the
bridge terminating at the Opera
House. That termination was The
place appointed for executions. The
executioners were armed with the
long plated leather, strap called The
knout, few blows Of which had some
times caused the death of culprits.
The officers were in uniform, and
Major vladimir was pale and hag.
gard, but full of infexible resolution
He had spent hours in prayer by hi
fathers grave in the cemetery o
Smolank, and was determined tt
meet his bstapshed. ard save her from
shame and torture sRlanging hi
dagger in her breast. Thea hSats4 \
immediate himself!
The Emperor had spent the nigh
in anguish, remorse and alternatiob
of fierce passion. He had traverset
his chamber foaming like chafec
lion, beating his breast, and dashine
the furniture to pieces. At dawn b
called his attendants and dressed him
self in his uniform as Colonel of the
Hreobajinski, passing around bis necl
the band Of the Chevaliers of tn
Order ofSt. Andre.
He went to the house of Menzikof
| overlooking the Moika canal. Their
he could seefrom window all tha
passed. Bdthis imagination drew
picture that drove him. fwell-nigh t.
frenzy. He seemed to see the beauti
tul, timid young creature he haf
loved, dragged as spectacle befofl
the curious, insulting crowd he
bare feet covered with blood, he
white shoulders torn by the hatefu
lash of the executioner
Unable to remain still, the Czar de
scended, entered boat, and convoy
ed to the opposite shore Of the cana
i where he stood with the surging, tu
hultuous crowd.
=. The horrible procession advanced
Ludmilla walked with a firm steE
leaning On the arm of a sergeant O
the regiment. Her blue eyes wer
distended with terror. and waudere
wildly over the crowd her white liz
moved with inarticulate sounds. He
golden curls foated over neck {
marble whiteness. The sight of sue
beauty and youth, exposed to insu
and degradation, was enough to NOV
the hardest heart.
They passed slowly across the brids
towards the fatal spot. Her love
waited to receive her and deal Il
mortal blow.
just at that moment, when she WI
, about to step from the Bridge de
Moika, the Emperor burst throue
! the crowd into the open space befo
her, threw off his mantle, and advan
; ing alone towards the young gil
f placed his hands on both sides of b
: head, drew her towards him, and il
(. pressed kiss upon her forehea