Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-29

SAT A COUPLE OF wRINKLED OLD MAIDS.
esting of towns. I should sooner or
later in any case journey thither. Why
not sooner? l stood meditatively on the
landing where Ellen had involuntarily
run into my arms.
"a letter, Nj. lie Baron" said Louis
breathless voice near me. He handed
me letter in strange handwriting.
1t was from Geneva.
Full of dire forebvdings Of a sickbed
with a sister watching by it. opened the
letter, and to my delight saw Lapotin's
bold handwriting.
took seat on sunny bench and
read the following:
GENEVA. Dec. 80 49,
my DEAR BARON: AS you see am alive
and in safety; but that is all that can be said
one can scarcely call this existence in sick
room, without employment and without friends.
life nature is taking her revenge for the strain
that was put upon her.
still complaining Is the comfort of the
weak May hope that you take a friendly
interest in the fugitive Nihiliyt who is being
pursued by the polices Or do you rather try to
Danish every recollection OF him from your
loyal heart!
No. know it would be hard for you to think
evil OF me. and therefore 1 will tell you but
only you AID my old friend. that l am no
Nihilist
There is in my country where those fanatics
commit their unholy ravages, a secret society
among the young mobiles. which tries to work
against the Nihilistic intrigues. 1t is like
Sisyphus' task: the stone rolls and rolls, and
threatens to crush us but we try on.
I'VE do not do battle with poniard and
dynamite, like our infatuated brethren, but
only with the weapons of the mind In spite
OF that VIC naturally run the same risks.
Our power lies in this. that maintain
secrecy, and every secret is in Russia sus-
picious.
1--WE stand united for the cause with our
possessions and blood and do not fear any evil
in the consciousness OF our inward purity.
THAT try to justify myself to you. Is my
in accordance with our statutes. but your
thoughts shall not couple Sergius Lapottn
with regicide: the papers which you once car.
ried next your breast did not leave any stigma,
and am sure you will guard my secret. What
matters 1t to me what Count Degenfeld and
others think OF met
"Yet one more disclosure have I to make.
and regret that cannot see your face At the
same time.
THE famous blue-spec.acled M. lie Mar.
quis de Villeboisnet the gambler and i'd
venturer. is-a secret Parisian spyi What
have you to say to thati His pinched vtsage.
probably strengthened in its effect by means
OF art, made him safe against suspicion.
Every swindler. every dishonest gamester.
naturally placed confidence in him
For greater safety he had always with him
o striking beauty, whose task IL was entrap
prominent young foreigners. in order to learn
things from them, which could be converted
into money in Paris.
In his choice of this last companion the
Marquis was for once rtsighte1: the girl
was not bad enough; she had in her heart real
love. and hoped to marry her lusty Henry with
the money earned thus I succeeded in gain.
ing her confidence. and she served me. If not
altogether without benefit to herself faithfully
and successfully, and hope that long ere this
she has net her Henry, and will make him
good little wife, Thus o thoroughbred Partisan
accoElplishes all thingsl Do you wish to know
something more OF Sergius Lapotfn as q mann
He has become an old chatterbox. and would
gladly tell you OF q spendthrift youth and dis
appointed life Us q warning example. but he is
too weary to do SO!
III your journey horne takes you through
Geneva. ask at the Hotel de la Couronne for
NO. 15 and If q poor sufferer still is there.
If he has already taken his last. longed-for
journey.
still one thing norei have made my will
and deposited it here.
my fortune belongs to my relatives; but q
small part OF it. eighty thousand francs. have
bequeathed to Miss Ellen providing she be not
L,arried before her twenty first year. Cheap
generosity. which will cost my relations nothing.
for it is more than probable that some one will
learn her true worth sooner. What do you
Think Remember me to Miss Rennert.
'Au revoir in this world or the next
"SERGaUs LAPorTN."
fastened to Miss Rennert with this
letter. She met me. beaming with de-
light. an open letter in her hand
ELLEN has writtenr" cried she. And
she is SO happy; do you want to read
it?"
I'VE will exchange" answered l.
taking the letter. Here is a long letter
from Lapotin-"
When had read Ellen's letter. sat
long time thinking. looked at Mis-
Rennert; she was just drying the tear
which Lapotin's lines had called fortL
what would you say, dear lady.
said l, slowly. III l were to leave you
too? Florence must be very pleasant
just now" She looked at me a second
inquiringly, then smile passed over
her face.
''Go. go; God be with your cried she
heartily.
pressed her hand warmly.
That same afternoon I packed my
trunk. took Lapotin's ring and left Nice
| by the evening train
IrHE EzD.1