The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-11
CHAPTER w.

DAAtA
DowGALL-sAHIB.
Next morning lana Alexandra, Louise de
Schlemberg and Andrew Popof's mother,
Akouline Ivanowa Popof, we're assembled
in the parIor after breakfast. They were
awaiting the return of Coant Vladimir, who,
a. We know, had accompanied his nephew
to the duel. lana looked anxious and ey-
cry moment looked at the door; as to Alex
andra Lanine, she was chatting quite, I'M
concernedly with Akoulina Ivanowa. Sud
denly Louise said:
"This young mans ~swooning was a very
unlucky accident. YOU must confess; it mag
cost a brave mans life.''
Akouline Ivanowa gave a start and
looked at Louise. Her eyes had a fierce ex-
preston.
do You mean my son, mademoiselle?' p
she asked.
Certainly. madame. Your son, after
funning away from Count Lanine, his bene-
faGsJs, fell Into poverty, and was Obliged TO
become a mental lackey: that was no reason
why he should compromise his former mas
ters."
Akoulina 1vanowa turned liyid.
"hhL WIND ! Y Vi CkelIu III
masters:'
YES" answered Lonise, looking the old
woman in the lace; "your sons conduct il
blameworthy. es you yourself know. What
you do not know, / dare say, is the length
to which he has gone. Forgetting his subaI-
tern position, he dared
Countess lana in~terposed and said severe
ly: lyon are wrong. Louise: Akouiine
lvanowa is my friend. not my servant: her
son has never been treated here as "a subaI-
tern, and if he wouId return"
Il her &c on. madame" interrupted
Mime. Popof, advancing t~hreateningiy;
you are really too kind. am your ser
want, but you did not allow Mile. de Schelm-
berg to finish her thought; I am curious to
know what she WAS about to tell us. MY
son dared did you saw"
There was evidently u misunderstanding
between Louise and Tie old lady. Mile. de
SchelmberR rose in her turn md without
noticing Alexandra's b%eseeching gestures
lackey-"
It'd he tell you that he loved you?'
gasped Akouline Ivanowa.
That would have capped the climax.
No. but he paid his addresses with signs
and o~bsequious attentions. In one word.
he prosecuted me. Nevertheless, / treated
him kindly, like a valet, as he was.,
At this moment the door opened and
vladimir appeared: he was 80 pale md
gloomy looking that lana OWNED the worst
and Louise rushed up to him exclaimipg:
well, this duel!'
Alas answered Vladimir. "he is
mortally wounded"
Louise turned aside; her eyes we're dry
but they biazed with An ominous fire. She
looked fixedly Mt Akouline Iyanowa and
said: This is the work of your son.
AkOuline lvanowa repressed the anger
hat ragged in her heart and unwilling 10
break in upon the nournful silence of her
masters contented herself with applying in
q grave voice. rs she went ont, MAY God
forgive yon."
Then drying her eyes trimming over with
tears. she walked slowly toward the door.
Louise" murmured Alexander. you
have hurt the poor old lady's feelings"
We'll. and what do | cars for that crea-
ture? You don't know. Alexandra. how /
suffer-"
Louise was really horribly pale. She
kissed her friend, bowed to the general and
left the room.
But" lana ask.d her husband, how did
IL all hnppenr'
why, like every duel with pistols: Bello
fired and hit Nadine beneath the shoulder.
Tha: man hates me-. He said to one of his
seconds: The general ai1e-le-camp hns
come to prevent a legal trial: that il prudent.
/ had rs soon fight him, and forgive this
madcap.' was not informed OF these words
till after the duel. otherwise
''Vadines' murmured lana.
What would you have? All these up
starts of the last ten years lave n furious
against me-: For my part, l remem-
Der the good old times. Well, poor Nadine
is severely wounded; / have oruered him to
he brought here. you will consent. won't
you. luna! He will be better cared for
here-'
Certainly"
Fortunately the socialists are long
headed people: since dueling IL against the
law We should have found 1t difficult to BE-
n trustworthy physician-f. especially,
| cOnld not do il. l.. the emperor's aide-de-
camp, was committing an illegal act. Bello
had solved the problem. One of his seconds
was a doctor: he took care of Nadine and
did it very we'll. upon my word. Proposed
to him To como and stay here with the
NAN; he seemed to accept my
offer. ] still hope that GrOmoif will not die.
Alas! my poor Alexandria" he said to his
daughter. "your marriage is rendered very
uncertain"
But Alexandra appeared by no means TO
She looked sad but calm AZ she
answered:
II hope Nadine will get WELL"
The door opened and n man appeared.
This man WINS mRrvelously handsome; his
hair. wavy, silky. fell in careless
rurls about hIs temples, his deep blue eyes
had an expression of feminine ianguor. His
nose. straight and veil formed, with auiv.
n~ostrils, wss slightly archsd: a deli.
cate blonde mustacha blended with the
beard that auprnnuNed h,a nafa foatusGa.