The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-05

uII0cLlOH from WHICH Inc NOISE came ana,
after having put his hands over his eyes 10
shade them from the rays OF the sun, he
exclaimed.
."The governor-generalv'
He rose and when he saw that the car
riage was approaching towards him he took
OIL his cap. as all the other colonists did,
and assumed the position of an inferior
who finds himself in the presence of q su-
perior.
The high functionary, the present gov
e~rnor-Reneral of eastern Siberia, was sitting
alone in his carriage. He had neither an
aide-de-camp nor secretary at his side.
The carriage stopped near the bench on
which the old man had been sitting. The
governor opened the door himself, Jumped
out and with outstretched hand approached
the amazed c~olonist.
Permit me, SIR" he said, ito be the
bearer of a piece OF good news. / have this
morning received orders from st. Peters
you how deeply / am interested in you by
coming to bring you at once your free and
full pardon"
But at this news which would have made
every other colonist mad with JOY the face
OF the exile that was Just now so calm,
turned deadly pale and in q low voice he
said:
my pardon! Oh, great God!''
The governor did not notice the painfal
expression in the old mans face and CON
tinued:
His majesty restores to You your liberty.
Mr.. Muller. ! have Just heard your his
tory, which l did not know before-the his
tory of your sublime devotion. Your great
heart was we'll known to as before. Long
since you had won my sincere esteem; that
esteem has turned into admirationw
Muller murmured: His majesty, the
| thank his majesty, your excellency."
And then he added, speaking to himself:
"Oh, Vladimir! simple, kind-hearted soul!
IT yea knew how you distress me! Why
does the expiation here on earth end
here? Will not the expiation in heaven
be all the harder for it?"
The governor did not hear him.
What did you say, Mr.. Muller?" he
Muller replied humbly: II do not de-
serve the kindness Of your excellency.r
7! take you with me now, Mr.. Muller,'
at the government house. You will do me
the honor to come with me in my carriage.
II you wish to go in and change your dress
l will wait for you."
Muller replied with his usual sad smile:
II have NJ other clothes. This is my
lists. have no right to wear any other. If
your excellencv will excuse me I will walk
to town and"
mo, no." broke in the general; "the Co.'S
tune does not matter; you can go as you
are" He pointed at the carriage.
BE pleased to get in, Mr.. Muller,' he
said, courteously. Muller. after having
cast a glance at the silent cabin and the
edge of the forest that appeared on the no.
rlzon, got into the carriage. The two sat
silent as they drove to Irkutsk. The exiles
stood on the thresholds of their huts and
looked open-mouthed at the strange spec
tacle of a colonist seated by the side of the
sur rene head of the country. When they
had got beyond the last houses of Prokof,
the governor drew from his pocket a vol
luminous package and said:
Here are some letters and papers which
the minister has sent me for. you. You
have not had any new from home for some
time. 1t will take us an hour before we
reach the palace. Ipray o will treat ME
as a friend and read your correspondence
And as Muller, touched by 90 much cour-
tesy, wished to reply by a refusal, he added:
"This day will be a very busy day for
you. You will have to receive many people,
answer many questions. All the officials of
lrkutsk and the principal citizens wish to
do you honor. l pray, read. Here is a
letter from the Countess Lanin which the
the wife of the minister begs me to hand to
you"
From the Countess Lanin!" said Muller.
and his features frightened up for a mo-
ment. ooh! pray, your excellency, give it
to me and permit to avail myself Of your
permission"
TO BE CONTINUED.