The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-22

| was now, for the first time in the history of
Russia, entrusted to them, for a few years
| ago they were not permitted to fill the
smallest public office.
The socialists were implacabls; the noble
/ men indulgent; the merchants would Judge
vita conscientious equity. This was writ
ten in their faces.
Darlne, seated III a capaciOus armchair,
! was slightly pale: he was evidently nervous
and necessarily searched the depths of the
vast room as if exnecting to meet some I'M
f%oreseen attack. 1t looked as if he were
anxious about some mysterious commune
cation that might reach him, he knew not
when nor whence.
| AS his eyes wandered beyond the empty
bench of the witnesses to the intelligent
face of Counsellor S., Vladimir's advocate,
his face became hard, resolute and defiant.
The lawyer, aware of the attention be-
slowed upon him, in his turn looked fixed
ly at the great man. Thus these two men
seemed anxious to read in their faces the
nature of their coming pleading. A visible
drama was played by these men. 1t lasted
but a few minutes-the time between the
opening of tho case and the entrance of the
accused. A nervous tremor pervaded the
whole assembly and the jury as Vladimir
took his seat on the bench of the accused.
The two months imprisonment before
trial had added ten years to Count Lhnin's
visible age. Before his time he had borne
Ills Ioiby-uVo years T6IudfhaDly WE'LL, LOOK
ing still a young man. o his hair had
turned gray and his shoulders were round.
His features, however, showed calm conf
dence. He cast a rapid glance at the
crowd, smiled bitterly as he saw the witness
bench, turned and fixed his eyes upon tho
president, from whom he never o them
off again.
The president said in a deeply moved and
trembling voice: Accused, stand up"
ladimir obeyed.
Your name?"
"Vlaeimir, son of Alexander, Count
Lanin, general of cavalry, aide-de-camp of
his majesty the emperor. grand cross of all
Russian orders, ETC., etc"
The mention of all his title, took n long
time and the socialists in the crowd made
such loud and insulting remarks that the
president. indignant, threatened to expe
the misbshaving. Vladimir added haught-
ily:.
"rhesa titles and diRnities, which my an
cestors have handed down to me, or which
l have won on the battlefield or in his mai
esty's service, belong to mo / trust, as long
as you have not declared me guilty, and
that has not vet been done, as far as |
know
He sat down. Vladimir was weak only
in face of an nknow danger. This np-
pearance in public and all the incidents
connected with it had been long discussed
by him in his mind and found him firm and
ulGflueu.
The accused is bound to answer standing.
The president made n gesture that looked
like a timid request, and Vladimir
instantly understood and obeyed. The in
.terrogatory commenced. After his rela-
ions to Princ Gromotf. the duel with Bello
and the carrying of vandine to his house
had been duly established, he was asked:
You hoped for n match between your
daughter and Prince Gromoffp"
"Yes. my wife and !, we desired this
match.''
Had you long formed such plans?"
"No, Tor a year only"
"Since Prince Groinoff had become rich?"
YES" Vladimir replied calmly. "Tho
idea of doing violence To our daughters
feelings mud never occurred to my wife or
myself, but we thought il "a reasonable wish
to see two large fortunes thus united. Van |
dine aud Alexandra had been playfellows 1
in their childhood. We thought they loved |
each other. As long us Vaudino was poor !