The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-30

the extreme AS matter Of course, they
pitched their tent one on the outskirts of
Batchi Serai, and here they counted upon
coming across Hugh Fleming and bringing
him back TO dine with them at least. even
if they didn't bring him back altogether.
They soon found that the Russians were al
ready Withdrawing their troops fro n the
Crimea. Many regiments were on their
way b. cross the Steppes, indeed several of
the officers who had entertained Byng and
Brydon fortnight ago were already gone,
so they we're informed by a gray-headed
old colonel, who told them he had fought
against them at Inksrmsnn. and had served
in Sc bastopol from that day to its fall
From him they learnt that MademoisellG
Ivanhoff and the English officer were also
amongst those who had left the plaza
Where they had gone TO he didn't know.
I'VE have collected men," be said, ''ir
the Chersonese from all parts Of the en-
pire, there was no keeping count of where
they came from, any more than there is OF
where they came from, and more than
there Is OF were they are going TO. Ny
corps came from Moscow. They are on thell
way back to st. Petersburg, and | follow
them tomorrow. Half of them we have
left round Sebastopol, and, though the
weather in fine, the rest have a weary
march across the Steppes before them. You
are fortunate, gentlemen, your ships vii
carry you home"
"Its a rum go,n said Brydon, after they
had said farewell to the Russian colonel
but can't believe but what Hugh Elem
ing might have rejoined us at any time In
the past month if he had wished tor
Byng assented shortly. He as quite OF
Brydon's opinion, but did not dare to dis
cuss what ne considered Hugh's weakness.
IL all mattered nothing to him. II Hugh
chose to jilt his fiancee and marry this Rus
= lie IL
thought b S old chum was making a griev-
Gus mistake, and that though Medemoselle
might be extremely charming to philan~
der with, Hugh would find she didn'G do as
a wife.
"Of course. she's tremendous pull, " he
murmured. "S1e nursed him through
feuced bad bout Of it. saved his life, and all
that which gives her claim upon him, and
she struck me ss just the sort of woman to
| rlvet such manacles tight. they are all
| condeming Hugh and calling him fool,
but very likely none of us would have come
| out of the thing q bit better. Men often
! find it difficult to escape an entanglement
of this sort, when the lady holds nothing
like such cards as chance dealt Mademoiselle
Ivanhof."
With such reflections Byng beguiled the
way back to their small encampment, he
would say nothing to his companions. who,
would probably for the present dismiss him
from their memories. but would take every
opportunity that afforded itself of ascer-
tanning whether Hugh had vertically left
the Crimea Mademoselle ivanhoff was
apparently a lady of some note, and when
they got up to Simpheropol ne would posi-
bly, learn something definite about her
movements, at all events.
They whole party were all in the highest
> IL ri
foresaw, the strange conduct of Hugh Flem-
ing had already faded from his companions
minds. Had they not camped on the banks
of the Alma and consoled themselves for
not being present at that brilliant victory
by bathing in the famed streaml At length
they pitched their tent in the environs of
SimpherOpol; though not nearly so pretty,
this as much more of town than Batchi
Serai. The semi Oriental appearance which
marked the capital of the Khans was alb
sent here. Simpheropol was emphatically
a Russian town, and just now thronged
with Russian officers and all that multitude
of followers that an army, if stationed ever
so short time, rapidly collects round it
self The hotels, by no means numerous,
were crowded, and the party rather con-
graduated themselves upon their own can
vas habitations that made them indepen-
dent. Easter was in full swing. the
seemed to peal continually, both day and
night. Easter eggs were much in vogue,
and more than one gaily painted and berib
boned was presented to Tom and his friends.
They attracted some little attention in the
town, not that the British uniform had
been an uncommon sight there for tho last
but they were rather strong
party, and when they first rode into the
place many of the passers by turned to stare
at them.
They had 10 plunged into one Of the churches
the evening after their arrival, and were
list ming to the solemn swell of the organ in
the celebration of midnight mass, when
Byng suddenly felt his arm touched, and
turning round saw neat-looking peasant
girl at his elbow, throwing him a meaning
glance, who slipped an Easter egg into his
hand, then breaking another in her own,
nodded to him to do likewise, put her finger
for a second on her lip, and vanished Tom
quietly made his way out of the church
after his mysterious messenger, but at the
door she looked back at him, frowned,
shook her head, and siSnified Enthusiastically
that he was not to follow her. Then, once
more making motion with her hand as il
breaking something, she darted down the
street and left Byng standing in the bril-
liantly lighted doorway Of the building.
Tom crushed the egg in his hand, as it had
been clearly intimated that he should do.
and found, as he expected, that it contained
a note, and marveling considerably who his
unknown correspondent could be, Byng
proceeded to run MS eye over it.
IF you have little more strength of
mind than most of your sex, take away
your friend. There is no keeping flies from
the honey, and once cloyed with its sweets
they are powerless to help themselves.
You know what | mean; your friend has
fallen into the tolls and is but wax in the
hands of Marie Ivanhoff. | would wish no
enemy of mine worse fate than this. Who
am |. and why do | interferel A woman, a
woman on whom in her insolence Marie
Ivanhoff has dared to intiict bitter wrong
she stole my lover from me, and though IL
is not year since, he died gloriously for
Russia in Sebastopol, already this English
man takes his place. Do you know what
these Ivanhoffs area Inscriptions advent
urers destitute Of ell sense Of honor and
principle The brother a gambler and
duellist, the sister an intriguante, who
plays with mems hearts as a conjuror with
balls. What Marie may purpose to do with
the Englishmnn 10 not kpow-Inarry him
perhaps if he is wealthy. To save your
friend would net stir finger, 10 thwart
Marie Ivsnhoff / would spend the last
rouole l possess. Capt. Fleming is a free
man at this moment. although he does not
know 1t. The Jezebel. whose Save he is,
has contrived to keep back the order for re-
leasing him from his parole II you wish
to see him, be in the same place. at the
same time, tomorrow night.
"VAsHTA."
"Well," thought Tom, after he had read
1t, i've always known women to pick each
other 70 pieces q tit, but for command of
polished Billingsgate, it strikes me 'Vashta's'
about top form. However, whether all she