The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-15
XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
ANA's
Two months had passed since the events
last narrated. The family OF Lanin WAS
still in deep distress. The nabob had not
sent the slightest reassuring message.
Vladimir was still in prison and
no one WAS allowed to see him.
Akoulina Iyanowa had been released
after being kept in confinement three days.
On her return she had only confirmed
Iana's apprehension. She had been sub
jected to q most minute interrogatory and
had to confess that her answers had not a
favorable effect upon the counts fate.
Vandine Gromoff's sudden death was a fact
that could not pe denied.
Although the faithful old servant strong
ly suspected Schelm's daughter, she had
absolutely no proof. The imperial
procurator had questioned her on the
subject of her daily habits, the mode
of life and the fortune Of her master
She had answered truthfully and prote sted
that Vladimir was innocent, but had been
unable to give any positive evidence. She
had then been released with the warning
that she was still liable to be tried fol-
contempt of court" Tn procurato- IS 8
bitter enemy she told lana. Her mistfes.
smiled sadly and. turning to her daughter,
suddenly asked her:
Are you still ready to sicrifcs yourself
for your father!'
II told you ] was ready. mamma" she
re Lied. after having looked anxiously into
her mothers face, but l do not under
stand you.'
lana was SO little able to suppress. a sob
that she moved away, to the great stonish
ment of both Alexandra and Akoulina, who
looked ut each other in abatement.
what is the matter with mammal,
asked the young lady. 'Why is she 80 ret
icentY" Akoulina made no reply, but with
out exactly knowing why. burst INTO tears.
In the meantime day followed day and
brought not the slightest alienation to the
suffering inmates OF Count Lanin's house.
The continued. anxious uncertainty weighed
them down. The remains OF the unfortun-
ate young prince had been removed after
the autopsy, for the purpose Of ascertain
ing the cause of his death, had been held.
Gradually the report of a cause celebre had
spread over st. Petersburg. The newspn-
per, told the story, each Iii its own way,
but all agreed in using the initials V. J..
When lana saw them she remembered their
appearance on Schelm's portefeuille and
compared her present situation with the
sorrows of those days. Now, as then, she
saw herself forgotten and forsaken by
friends and relatives alike. This saddened
her unspeakabiy. But il also recalled to her
mind that friend whom she had never seen
except in the hour of deadly combat: that
proud outlaw whose whole life was u COM
bat, and the comparison between Vladimir,
the kind. gentle and ever loyal man. and
that energetic. cruel and ambitious rebel,
to her horror. did not result i'll favor Of her
husband: she felt all her %sympathies enlist
ed on behalf Of tho strong but rebellions
spirit and found he! self unable to
admire the meek. obodient servan,
of the state. Frightened ut he,
own thoughts, she determined to
keep her heart from INDUCING Ill such
sinful %fancies. TO suppress as long as TIL.
trial should continue all doubts and fears
to walk about with head OH high and e
show to the world that naughty assuranc,
which enlists public opinion on the side OF
the bold. Still, as she looked at herself In
u mirror. sic found that her altered feature.
would make it difficult to assume II conf
dence which she did net really feel.
My husbands life is a series OF unde
served misfortunes: men are wild who at.
tack the timid ana prosecute the good.
have bad to sacrifice my youth to my hus
band: shall / be called upon row to sacrifice
my child FOR him? He IL unable to defend
| himself. To be too good IL n vice. II
Muller were A~lcxandra's father 1t would not
be so,'
Mortified Mt her sinful thoughts, abe
rushed into the antechamber and called for
her carriage. c~xclaiming: why AIN | not
told when 1t is ready?'
She went to call upon all with whom she
exchanged visits, encouraging herself with
the thought: II shall have Vladimir once
more. Only. all suffering will have to be
held in suspense till the sacrifice is com
pleted.'
No one dared refuse her. With head ON
high and proud looks she paid no attention
TO the murmurs she excited and the cold
ness of her reception. She continued this
several days ana her noble bearing became
tho subject of all conversations.
The Countess Ianin Is sure of her hus-
bands innocence" said one.
"And yet the emperor has handed him
over TO the ordinary tribunals" replied an
other. :
The trial will DO interesting added "A
third.
His wife seems to be quite easy"'
These rumors reached lana's ears and she
only said, very sadly: Yes, | shall save
him. but ut wnst pricey'
One day when she came home from her
round, pale. exhausted and trembling. she
cried ont in her anguish: 'Oh, God. can
not this cup pass from me? 10 this really
the only hope left ms?' Then ashamed OF
not come. Can he have forgotten mes
While lana Wss visiting all 81. Peters
burg. smiles ON her lips bat death in her
heart. Alexandra vas left at home alone
aud saw her mother only at meals. Then
the assumed confidence left lana: she
threw herself, sobbinR into her daughters
arms, and the two women mingled their