The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-18

WEAVI Ivanowna Popoff and
Vfxx. KNEM. DR.. Dakouss, who had
.MSS4nEEM. tut recently been in
'GMsAEks.. stalled at the house
'Ss1S1AA and whom ana had in
S1@ vited to dinner.
Z The meal was short
and dull. Vladimir and lana were preoc-
cupied; Akoulina Ivanowna, angry with
Louise Schelmburg, and perhaps somewhat
ashamed Of her anger, thought of nothing
but the misfortune Of which her son WAS
the direct cause; DIR. Dakouss, on account
of his wounded self esteem, kept All ag-
grieved silence. 1t was quite different with
Alexandra Lanine; her brilliant eyes. her
slightly flushed cheeks, showed feverish ex-
element.
Dakouss sat at the table beside her. The
handsome doctor did not open his lips. ex-
cept to make a few brief and favorable re-
marks about the condition Of the wounded
man. But from time to time. when he sup
posed that a n WAS not watching him, he
darted q discreet glance at his pretty
%neighbor.
The meal ended. Dakouss retired to his
patient. The others departed to their sew
eraI occupations and Vladimi n the
Countess were left alone.
A foo.man entered, saiver in hand. and
your exceIlency." Vladimir, remembering
the nabob's words, quickly seized the letter.
broke the seal and exclaimed:
"Ah! that is too much. This Hindoo
prince was right. His majesty sends me on
a mission to Riazan. 1t has recently come
have formed a secret society and | am
charged with the investigation. Was it an
imperial courier Who brought this letter."
Yes your excellency."
"See that he has his dinner That Is all.
You may CO."
"What else is there!' asked vladimir,
somewhat impatiently.
1.-THE Mediator Arsenief and the I'M
perial Procurator Darine are in the parlor
and ask to speak with your excellency."
lana turned gale. Vladimir showed his
vexation.
did you not tell them that / do not at
tend to business in the morning."
II beg yOur excellency's pardon, but they
insisted; they said that there was urgency"
VERY we'll" murmured Vladimir; "show
them into my study. / shall see them"
iii 10 servant went ont.
vladimir said lana, ''the nabob was
right. This is the fulflment of the second
part of his prediction
Vladimir burst out laughing.
healIy, lana, you HaNe grown tiInlu.
These two gentlemen are government off =
Gals. How do you think they could come
to the house of an aide-de-camp of the en-
peror as emiSsaries of g revolutionary So
ciety? No, it is some lawsuit: you know
we have a great many of them; or rather,
SEES concerning the examination OF some
criminal"
lana shook her head.
II have n presentlment."
ut is folly. l repeat to you these are
government officials"
He sat down his cup of coffee and rose.
well, / shall be back directly. / shall
send them away promptly and then We will
90 and visit oar wounded cousin"
Vladimir. you have very soon forgotten
our days of adversely"
bah. they are past, never to return"
He went out. lana came up to her dauQh-
ter and kissed her.
Mamma, what ils you!"
lana passed her hand over her brow.
II shall have n serious talk with you later
on" said she: now leave me. Go up to
your room."
And when Alexandra was disposed to in
sist. ''Go," said the countess in a tone
that was almost severe, II want to be
Alone"
The young girl obeyed. lana bnried her
head in her hands and meditated a long
time.
'.There is trouble brewing.'
She arose resolved to act.
'In days gone by / have protected my
husband, n / have saved him too she
added with becoming pride. II shall not
now give up the struggle. In spite of all he
says, the proceedings of these officials
frighten me. If Vladimir has forgotten, I
have not forgotten Schelmr'
She slowly opened the door.
When Vladimir entered his study he
found there two men, who rose carelessly
rs he came in, slightly nodded to him and
almost Immediately reseated themselves.
de-camp. a very high digEitary. He was
not used to such coolness. bordering on i'm
pertinence. He frowned.
Gentlemen, You asked to see me,' he
said in icy tones. II ought to call your at
tention to the fact that your time is ill
chosen. Notwithstanding / have hastened
TO meet you. What is the business that
brings you here!'
Darine, the procurator, stepped to the
door and closed it securely. Arsenief. the
mediator, rose in his turn. Vladimir, as
tonished, eyed them curIously.
Sir" said the mediator. I'VE have to
speak to You on very serious matters"
NiadiInia gave a start. Russian usage re-
quires that every general should be called
excellency and the word sir is almost on
impertinence. Darine smiled sarcnstically.
at is disagreeable to you to be called
simply sir, is it? Eh?''
Vladimir flushed with indignation.
Did you come to me To insult me!" he
exclaimed, ''or are you mad?'
After closing the door the procurator had
returned TO the sofa. He took it upon him
self to answer.
lit is not to insult you tina. We came. but
TO inform you of our wishes"
"Your wishes!"
''Or rather the orders of our Chiefs
Vladimir was astounded. The naughty
and insolent tone of his visitors amazed
him. The nabob's words came back to
his mind.
And yet-no. it il not possible" thought
he. "His majestv's servants cannot be the
emissaries of a ban of outlaws. What
chiefs can they mean?'
Sir" the procurator went on in n firm
voice, You have received or will receive
this evening orders to 90 TO Kiazan to pro-
coed against a secret society. 1t has been
made our duty to forbid you TO accept this
mission"
On hearing these words Vladimir was
obliged to admit that the nabob's proph-
ecy was being literally fulfilled. He could
not restrain his indignation.
How could you, who serve our govern
Mediator and Pfocurator were off GERS OF the
government connected with tho reforms begun
by Alexander n. lie duties of the ln,t IF ure
those OF our public prosecutor and still continue
to exist. The duties Of the medinior exist no
longer He was a kind of umpire b. tween the