Telegram-herald., 1891-02-02

officer Of constabulary. a sable cloak
enveloping his shoulders and the broad
brim of his official hat shading swarth
face that grew jet mustache and
beard An austere. dark figure. his
lustrous, black eyes cleaned sympa-
thetically with the shining scabbard at
his side.
"Your excellency viii go with mel"
said the gendarme, with great polite
ness.
why should I 60 with you. and
where must l go?" asked the unhappy
nooleman.
81 do not know, your excellency."
"Permit me, then. to take leave Of
the Countess. / shall return imme-
diately."
THAT is against my orders"
MAY not take leave Of my family?
must provide myself with clothing to
protect me against the cold!"
'Impossiblc! My instructions are
peremptory. I am to take you as 1
find you. You can not take leave of
your family. and you have not time TO
take any luggage"
AS he spoke the geadarme pointed to
the door, beyond which in the soft and
brilliant light that streamed from the
home of the doomed man, shone the
panels of the fatal coach-the Siberian
exiles' hearse.
For some moments DR.. CallSoen was
motionless with terror. He stood as a
statue beneath the Corinthian portico
gazing after the coach. Returning to
the hall he passed his hands over his
eyes to assure himself that he was
awake. The terrible tragedy had hap
pened so speedily and so noiselessly that
not one among the hundreds of guests
who thronged the salons knew of its &C.
currence- The appalling duty now
rested on the secretary Of breaking the
news 70 the Countess. No one will
doubt his declaration that it was the
most trying ordeal of his life. Sum-
moning all his strength he assembled the
stairs, physically benumbed, with
sitting sensations at his heart In
room, where she was the center of an
animated, laughing group. he beheld
Gus Of the throng. and perhaps the most
admired for her lustrous beauty. AS
DIR. Calkocn entered the apartment she
approached him and with gracious
smile-the warmth of which was sud-
denly chilled by his wan and dazed aP-
pearance-inquired of the Counts
whereabouts
Evasively. but truthfully. the secre-
tary replied that he did not know.
Then you will find him for me and re-
port 20 me where be is." she said. speak
ing blitheIy and as IL she would rally the
doctor from a somewhat habitusl alb
straction, for which she was wont TO
chfde him II should be pleased to
obey your commands. madam, but ! do
not know where the Count is The
Count has gone away" said the secre-
tary.
'~Gone away. gone away" she ex-
claimed. as the color fed from her face.
why should he so away. and with
whom has he gomez"
with four gendarmes," replied the
secretary.
II was enough Uttering piercing
scream, she fell 70 the floor before the
unnerved guests could render her as
sistance. For the moment she was be-
li.ved 20 be dead Medical aid was
summoned. however. and she gradually
regzined consciousness. But restoration
10 life was more cruel than death
When the sense Of her calamity re-
turned. the hspless ladys grief was
poured out in torrents 81 vailinr- He
is lost He is lost,~ she cried. II shall
never see him again. What has be done9
What has he done7 Ny darling. my
aescssnks (desr dove1, what has he
dcneS''
II was at length agreed that the Gov
ernor-Geuerzl should confer with the
Count Dolgorousi. The father Of TIE
Countess Tcl<toi. a. 20 the course
70 De pursued "A = resalt 81
their interview General Dozgorouki
called On ps.. Gaskosa. the fol