The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-04


himself. Vladimir, not seeing him. said;
~ have examined the mans face and Ok
name l nave forgotten, / could see nothing
distinguished bearing"
Jana darted ut her husband a look that
stopped him short. Vladimir turned md
perceived the Hindno. The countess took
the nabob's arm.
The nabob bowed md led them to the re-
freShmcnt room.
The vast apartment was decorated with n
luxury that WAS extraordinary and some
what eccentric. The East Indian probably !
desired to transfer to ~. Petersburg sometl
Of the customs of his court.
His buffet was not arranged according ton
the invariable rules for all balls. They
apartment was divided into two by q CURL
tain Of red brOcade extending to the ceilAl
ing; the folds of the drapery held back byyi
bands with golden tasseis formed q large
portiere ana gave access to n table on1 IN
the background. bending under the weight
Of gold and silver plate, bottles Of cham.
payne and glasses. This WAS the buffet re- \
served for men. Il
The other half Of the room, destined fol-
ladies', WAS one immense conservatory; thfsi
rarest flowers with tropical plants anil
shrubs OF the temperate zone, concealed tn 0
walls. Branches Of roses and cameIIias N Il
ou tuc ubtk HIceu VI DhbJHB hnG BtOeS, IOpU j.
ing several bowers. In the centre Of en- III
of these bowers WAS a little table with Z e.
freshInents and q card in Il gold France on
which was the menu for supper.
An army of servants, resplendant " nh
gold beneath the ~liyeriss of red, blue I nd
yellow satin, were ranged IN rows OH q a ich
side of the drapery, under the yigilant dye
of the chief stewards. When q tablet tas
occupied one Of the chief steward I'd 10 n
sign and Immediately a waiter from ,ne
Of the rows came forth to receive ord Sra.
This was East Indian luxury, wi Atch
consists in having many servants. Not.
withstand1nR the annoyance which the
presence OF such an army OF walters in the
ballroom might cause to persons not used
to ii. the sight WAS grand and imposing k.
just before entering the refresfi jment
room the young Alexandria excIaimed;
"Ah! there are Louise and Vadiner
lana turned and smiling led the ! aabob
toward n sofa where sat a young 81 u, be
side a young man in the uniform of t be in
fantry Of the guard. The girls face form
cd Il striking contrast to that OF a pexan-
drla. Inc oval countenance In ltS frame
of almost faxen hair, had a look 'bf deep
melancholy, Of a vague and almost painful
WEAKNESS.
"Will your highness permit me to, present
a friend OF my daughter" asked IL ID count
ess. .blile. Louise De Scneln tberg, a
daughter of Baron de schelmberg."R
The countess seemed to be earnestly
watching the nabob's face as shs } uttered
the name. Perhaps she noticed 80 tme slight
change in it's expression as he list ened, for
she continued as the nabob bow I'D to the
young lady:
Baron de schelmberg, who bs fore mar
rying Louise's mother WAS M. * ;helm.'
One might have noticed just n le slightest
shiver in the limbs of the mystey ious nabob,
but he only said:
"Will not your friends accom- .pany US to
our table in the refreshment 70 omsI"
The nabob entered the refres hment room
with lana on his arm and made his way to-
ward one of the bowers. Then the Hindoo's
mysterious companion appearf d.
On entering this room sp arkling with
lights, reflected in silvery glef ms from the
foliage and in diamond scin t~illation from
the silver vases; at the sight Of this army OF
servants dressed in Hveries OF bright colored
satin and Of this tent like fdYapery lana
could not help uttering an 81 clamation If
surprise.
''This is actually fairylandt r. she said.
The Indian smiled modestl y and without
replying to the compliment Ted the coun-
tess toward one of the boy vers. lana sat
down, Louise and Alexandr i followed her
example. Vladimir and VI .dine remained
standing.
will your excellency Ideign to take
something's asked the Hint loo.
u Will take 2 cup OF t. 10. As for these
yOuuR lhulE-S
I'VE will take tea. too" said Alexandra,
won't we Louiss?'
The nabob's companion l%atttending to the
desires expressed by the p ersons whom his
master accompanied, we ut away. A few
seconds later q servant Ii fitted the curtain
and after receiving orde 10 from the chief
and the ladies, raising hi b eyes in order to
see where he might pI 1T down what he
brought, the salver slipp ed from his hands.
'Great heavens. She. cried the lackey.
ON And he fell faint ing IN the carpet.
Louise de Schelmberg, for her part, had
turned pale as a sheet ar i'd had risen. Al
exandra, surprised at her friends move
ment. ~laughingly said:
why, Louise; are yo' a beside yourself to
be SO frightened by q tr ivial ACCIDENT"
The nabob's compani on, the chief stew
ard and the other ser, rants rushed to pick
up the cups and to WHY b the ladies' dresses.
The nabob said coldly:f
Ladies, pray excuse this mans awkward
ness"
Then only he observ ed Mile. de Schelm-
berg's paIlor.
"Mademoiseile, whs III is the matter?' he
asked.
Louise did not III Iswer. Her eyes were
fixed upon the faintir lg lackey.
II have recognized him, too said lana.
~ is Andrew Popoff . a recent dependent of
ours, your %highness. You see what revo-
lutionarv ideas lead TO. Louise, my child.
compose yourself. liou are too sensitive"
Occupied with the v Dung girl, lana did not
see the smile that CT irled the nabob's lips,
She added:
Fl WAS ashamed to see us. Come, Louise,
be calm. Prince she said, .let US have
some water"
The Indian said a few words In a for
eign tongue aside to his MYSTERIOUS COM
panion, pointing : to the still PROSTATE
lackey.
This incident, caused by the awkward
ness of n Europes IN servant. has annoyed
your excellencv," said the nabob. ~ re-
greet 1t and hope u nat my steward will not
i'll future engage 6 ervants who faint while
serving
In the confnsio II occasioned by thiRi Incl
dent lana had lei aned towards her husband
and whispered:
Can you not { lee it? Look Mt his face.
Do you not RENE mber it in Siberia?"
vladimir start ed ana examined the nabob
closely.
MY God"' he muttered. els il Mullerl''
'Hush!' whie ipered the countess. Gould
there be such II likeness between two men?
IL must be MuE Ter. and he has not forgotten
ScEelm."
Without fnrt her incident the bail passed
over.
At four o'clo ok i'll the morning the palace
had relapsed 4 nto silence. the windows no
longer shone ' fi.h lights, the crowd had left
the approache s To the magnificent dwelling
and nothing ' ias To be heard in the darkness
but tine measr red step of the squad of po-
lice NJ they re Iturned to their quarters.
TO M p~oSTISUEu