Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-10
CHAPTER III.

Every year in September curious fete takes
place at Beriozi-a sort Of fishing festival
Seines are drawn in the river, and portion of
the fish taken is sent to the archbishop Of the
diocese and the rest Is sold and the proceeds
paid over to the crown an imperial per-
quisite. The river swarms with boats and the
people crowd the banks to witness this drawing
Of the seines, and an officer of the crown reve-
nue. comes expressly to Beriozi to be present at
the catch. This year he lodged with Rouskine
and the two men left the house together, but
after the first cast had been made the army Off
Ger suddenly turned his back ON the JOYOUS
spectacle and returned home
why, my dear, what's the matter?' asked
Iatiana, amazed to see her husband enter the
dining room.
"Come and see the seines drawn" said he,
without looking her in the face.
II? What can you be thinking Of? What for?''
asked Tatiana with perplexed air.
Rouskine colored up and stsmmered out:
''Why-ah-the commissioner invites you'll
don't see how you can refuse"
Tatiana glanced at her gown. It was only too
evident to Rouskine that she didn't want to CO.
I'm really not well enough dressed" she
urged.
But her husband pretended not to hear.
''Come. come" he said impatiently, as the
shadows deepened around his cold, gray eyes,
you'll not keep the commissioner waiting, 1
hope"
Tatiana trembled as she glanced at the speak,
er's face; Strange caprice this" she thought
really thinks that it's his duty to pay me this
compliment. and then Kirill Kirilluitch has
been so much kinder a few days past. must
not run the risk of displeasing him"
But still she Eesitated. She did not feel pbys-
ically equal to the task.
Its rather far, she murmured, 'and hs re
not my strength yet. 1 can't walk it,
Il have the boat ready for you," said Rous-
kline. in a voice that rang with a peculiar me-
tall ia har th.x .
there in few moments. Gomez
The gentle Tatiana shuddered, for this was
the third or fourth time that Rouskine had
spoken to her without calling her by name.
She rose and attempted to cross the room for
her shawl; but her body swayed and she would
have fallen had not her husband passed his arm
around her.
1t required great exertion of will power to
keep from swooning, go did her heart sink
within her. And yet she knew not why for her
place in life was beside her husband His arm
was the one for her to lean upon, his wishes
were the only ones she needed to respect.
Not until Rouskine had lifted her into the
boat and placed the tillcr ropes into her hands
did Tatiana come to full consciousness. The
river breeze revived her, and ss her thoughts
went back to the happy days of their early love
when life seemed SO bright and promising, and
their boat Slided hither and thither over that
beautiful stream, he at the oars and she at the
tiller, even as at that moment she felt her
heart giving its old-time beat, and she tried to
catch RousSine's eye 30 as TO smile upon him.
But it was impossible. His face was con-
stantly averted. His dark and lowering glances
seemed riveted upon the river bank as If he
were in earnest search for some one or some
thing. Nearer and nearer their boat approached
the spot where the seines had been cast and the
river banks were black with people. Tatiana
saw that her husband was rowing wildly His
face was now completely turned away from her.
"Kirill kirilluitch" she murmured.
But the mans ears were closed to the world.
Had she shrieked his name he would not have
heard it The demons Of hell were narrowing
their circle about him. His soul was in awful
peril.
Tatiana followed the direction Of his eyes
and she saw that the tall, singularly graceful
form Of the schoolmistress was there on the
river bank. Her beauty marked her among
the hundreds. She lowered above them like Q
goddess among mortals- She seemed divinely
beautiful to Tatiana.
'.Kirill Kirilluitch!" cried the wife implor-
ingly, a. she saw her husband spellbound ct
sight Of the schoolmistress.
At that instant chorus Of cries arose on the
river bank.
Take care. Look ont there for that liner
These wild cries bewildered Tatians, and,
dropping the tillcr ropes she sprang up and
turned = look Of pitiful entreaty toward the
excited crowd of men, women and children.
Rouskine, too, was on his feet and pretending
TO make wild reach to catch the line with his
oar ne le: i slip. and, striking his wife IN the
cry Of horror went mp on al sides.
Miserable wretchr r. screamed Sophie, che
has killed her" and without stopping TO think
that from being unable to swim she would be
powerless TO aid In the rescue, the young
woman ruahed down to the waters edge and
began vading out toward the spot where TAH-
ana had disappeared.
.Youu drown; come back, Sophie 6avichna,"
cried shrin but clear and ringing child's
voice. =
Il wss Mscha and souhie haltsd.