The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-12

clslsn. folloWlnR my advice in this,
he. has denied himself the pleasure
of asking for your pardon. but it
hhas been difficult, of curse. for him as for
myself not to speak of your sublime de-
votion, not to defend you where you
were assaulted-in fine, not to tell your
history. Your deposition in court, my
husbands trial and yours, have stirred up
all st. Petersburg. His majesty the emper-
or naturally could not remain ignorant.
You know that his justice is equal to his
goodness. Az soon as our monarch learned
the facts no power on earth would have
prevented him from signing your pardon.
No one has intercsded for you, + assure you.
1t is the emperor who, of his own free will,
has given You your freedom.
"You have always trusted my sentiments,
Muller, and their sincerity. I know tina
and am proud of it. Well, then, believe
me, the expiation ia sufficient. Invincible,
you have declared yourself conquered; an
unbeliever, you have become a believer; the
hopes cherished in your mind and your heart
have not been realized; you have suffered
and these sufferings have been the expia-
tion of your faults. Th Justice of men has
declared itself satisfied; the Justice of God
will be SO likewise. Live In peace. Muller,
and your old age may still be happy"
Muller's lips ~involuntarily murmured:
''She thinks SO! Happy I"'
Now" continued lana, 'permit me to
speak to you of us, for I flatter myself that
You still feel an interest in my husband and
myself. Thanks to you, Muller, my hus-
band is covered with honors. His acauit-
tai was q perfect triumph. But vladimir
is tired of active life. He has not yet sent
in his resignation. for aides-de-camp to
the emperor do not do that, but he has re-
fused active missions. He has no longer
any cases and pretends he is happy. But
is he really happy? think not. He has
aged greatly; 80 have ]: ! have become
ugly and 1 think of death? I should like to
die, not because ! am no longer handsome,
but because our life has no longer a pur-
pose; We enjoy a monotonous tranquility
which rocks me to sleep.
MY daughter last winter married a
worthy young man, q Prince Molotoff.
The emperor has made my son-in-law his
aide-de-camp. The prince worships Alex
andra. | hope they will be happy. They
live in st. Petersburg. Vladimir and I, we
live in the country.
/ do not know what has become of
Louise; it interests me very little. Akou-
lima Popoff died last winter without seeing
will be the last letter I shall have written
to you. ! have nothing more to tell you
here on earth. We shall meet again IN
eternity. FAREWELL! lana"
Muller let the letter fall on his knees,
and reflected some minutes, then he re- |
spectfully touched the governors arm and !
said:
Your excellency, will you permit me to |
live in my cabin. although %pardoned, and
to lead the same life as heretofore?'
"Oh! What folly!" broke in the COVER
What would you have me do, alone, old
and poor? Let me-
"You have not read the Who'll of your |
correspondence yet?'' said the governor,
again in%terrupting MIN and pointing, at the
package of letters which Muller had never
yet opened. Il will give you my answer
when you have read it all!n'
"What news can it bring me? ] no longer
know anybody. But since you insist upon
it, Ill do it,"
Muller opened the package. A large :
bundle of bonds and securities of every
kind appeared to his eyes; he shrugged his
shoulders.
"Ah!" he said. 'the generosity of the
government is really grand! They restore
my fortunes not that it, your excel
l~ency?"
The governor, nstonished and rather IN
pleasantly impressed by this Indifference,
replied:
His majesty the emperor has deigned to
order that all should be returned to YOU"
VI l. bhh Mo hiuiCSbJ llOsb utttTItlV l
for his exalted and magnani1nous elem
ency, but this large fortune, how can it in
any way serve me now and what can | do
with it?"
d good; that is a noble USE
do good!' Muller said bitterly, that is
difficult, and to give aims often turns out
a bad action. l have been too badly de-
ceived, but yet ] cannot begin now and
study man once more. lack the courage
and the strong will. But nevet mind. l
unanimous monarch my humble thanks
and
Muller paused suddenly; while speaking
he had mechanically opened another letter
which accompanied the moneys and came
from the minister of the interior. He held
it eagerly close to his eyes and murmured.
as he perused it:
:'Ivan! My last friend! Dead! All, death! ,
Death! When will you come and call me?"
The governor, respecting Muller's grief,
He died on the day when the CONVOY
that brought me here was attacked in the
forest. He died for me!'' :
And he asked the governor in an almost :
imperious tone: "How did this happen?" {
''The report which was sent to me stated :
that whilst you were showing such i
great nobility of heart and such wonderful
for the law that had condemned =,
you, by refusing to escape, the Cossacks =,
the escort, on their return to the wood in !
which they had been attacked. promptly i
found the traces of the fugitives. Ivan i
was killed in the skirmish, Dakouss retaken,
and sentenced to hard labor in the
mines for life. 1t was by means of the
papers found on the body of your old COM /
that they were able to restore to you !
your fortune" 9
Brave Ivan! Yes, she il right; when we /
old and live isolated we become torpid !
and think of nothing but death! He was
MI honest man, assuredly." Z
Suddenly Muller trembled. .
ION! The nabob! Tho nnbob, whom | 1
had forgotten. and who il suffering for my
sake!''
The governor continued: r
1.-THE papers which were found on Ivan
kolok wore sent, in the legal way, to the v
bureau of the ministry OF the interior" 4
OF a sudden, however, Muller interrupted v
"Then, / am free now?" d
Certainly" replied the great official, b
'sther astonished at the question.