St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-11-21
sye, then wrapped his wrist in a hand

eye, then wrapped bis wrist in hand
kerchief.
The poor woman felt faint with fright.
This man must have seen her counting
her money, and had come to kill her and
steal it.
He still fixed his gaze upon her, breath
less, his face drawn, evidently waiting
to spring upon her.
He said brusquely-
Madame, have no fear"
She answered nothing, she was iaeap-
able Of opening her lips, she heard her
heart beating and buzzing il her ears.
81 am no malefactor, madame he
continued.
Still she said nothing, but in sudden
movement she made her knees knocked
together and the money poured on to the
carpet like water from spout.
The man stared in surprise at this flow
OF gold, and at once stopped to gather 1t
up.
She, terrified, rose, casting all her gold
on the carpet, and rushed to the door to
throw herself on to the line. But heper-
ceived her intention, sprang up, seized
her in his arms, and forced her on to the
seat, holding her by the wrists.
''Listen to me, madame. l am no
thief. As a proof | am going to gather
up this money and restore it to you. But
I am lost man, a dead man, unless you
help me to pass the frontier. can tell
you no more. In one hour we shall be
at the last Russian station, in one hour
and twenty minutes we shall be on the
other side Of the boundaries Of the en-
pire. Unless you aid me | am lost. And
vet, madame, have neither killed nor
stolen, nor done anything dishonorable.
That I swear to you. I can tell you no
more"
And, going down on his knees, he col
lected the money, feeling under the
seats, and looking into the furthest cor
ners.
Then, when the little leather bag was
once more full, he handed it to his neigh
Dor without word and returned to his
seat in another corner of the carriage.
Neither moved She sat motionless
and mute, still faint with fright, but re-
covering little by little.
AS to him, he moved no muscle, he sat
erect, his eyes fxedly looking straight
before him, very pale, as though he were
dead. Every now and then she threw
him glance, which was quickly averted.
He was q man Of about thirty, very
handsome, with every appearance of be-
ing a gentleman.
The train tore through the darkness,
throwing it's ear-piercing whistles into
the night, now slackening speed, now of
again at its fastest. Then it Gained it's
flight, whistled several times, and stopped
altogether.
Ivan appeared at the door to take
orders. The Countess Marie looked for
the last time at her strange companion.
Then in voice brusque and trembling,
said to her servant:
"Ivan, you will return to the Count. |
have no further need Of your services"
Amazed, the ran opened his enormous
eyes. He stammered-
"But-but-"
She continued:
"No, you need not come. I have
changed my mind. I wish you to stay in
Russia. Here, here is money for the
Journey. Give me your cap and mantle. y
The old servant, bewildered, took off
his cap and mantle, with unquestioning
obedience, accustomed to the sudden
whims and strange caprice Of his mis-
tress. He walked away with the tears
in his eyes.
The train started again, racing to the
frontier.
Then the Countess Marie said to her
companion:
"These things are for you, monsieur;
you arc Ivan, my servant. make but
one condition; it is that you will never
speak to me, that you will say no word
to thank me on any pretext whatever.
The stranger bowed without word.
Soon fresh halt was made, and the
officials in uniform entered the train.
The Countess handed them the papers,
and pointing to the man seated in the
far end Of the carriage:
"My servant, Ivan, here is the pass
port
The train started again.
During the whole Of the night they
remained tete-a-tete, dumb both.
In the morning, on stopping ct Ger
man station, the stranger alighted. Then
standing by the door, he said
pardon me, madame, that / break my
promise, but l have deprived you Of
your servant; it is only fair that l
should replace him. Is there anything
you requires'
She replied coldly-
$50 and send my maid"
He went. Then disappeared. When
ever she alighted at a refreshment-room
she saw him watching her from dis
lance. In due course they arrived at
Mentone.
One day, as I was receiving my pa
tents in my study, | saw tall man
enter. Doctor" he said, II come to
ask news Of the Countess Marie Bara-
now"
"she is beyond hope" replied. "she
will never return to Russia
And this man fell to sobbing; then
he arose and went out staggering
like drunken man. That same even
ing / told the Countess that a stranger
had been to me to ask after her health.
She seemed touched, and told me the
tale I have just told you. She added
"This man, whom | do not know, fol-
lows me like my shadow. I meet him
every time | 60 out. He looks at me
very strangely, but he has never spoken
to me-"
| She reflected, and then added
."Look, there her is, below my win
| doww
She rose from the sofa, drew the cur
tains aside, and showed me the man who
had called upon me, sitting on a bench
on the promenade, his eyes raised to
the hotel. He saw us, rose and walked
away without once turning his head.
He loved with fha laEntion of a res