The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-10-15

esting Of towns. should sooner or
later in any case journey thither. Why
not sooner? | stood meditativeiy on the
landing where Ellen had involuntarily
run into my arms.
"A letter, NJ. lie Baron" said Louis
breathless voice near me. He handed
me a letter in strange handwriting.
1t was from Geneva.
Full of dire forebvdings of sickbed
with sister watching by it, | opened the
letter, and to my delight saw Lapotin's
bold handwriting.
took a seat on a sunny bench and
read the following:
GENEVA. Dec. 30 49,
my DEAR BARON: As you see. ! am alive
and in safety; but that is all that can be said
one can scarcely call this existence in q sick
room. without employment and without friends
life nature Is taking her revenge for the strain
that was put upon her.
"Still complaining is the comfort Of the
weak May hope that you take friendly
interest in the fugitive Nihilist who Is being
pursued by the police, Or do you rather try to
Danish every recollection Of him from your
loyal hearth
NO, know 1t would be hard for you to think
evil Of me- and therefore I will tell you, but
only you and my old friend that l am no
Nihilist
There is IN my country where those fanatics
commit their unholy ravagcs, q secret society
among the young mobiles which tries to work
against the Nihilistic intrigues II is like
Sisyphus' task: the stone rolls and rolls, and
threatens to crush US, but we try on.
I'VE do not do battle with poniard and
dynamite, like oar infatuated brethren but
only with the weapons OF the mind In spite
OF that. we naturally run the same risks
Our power lies in this. that, we maintain
secrecy and every secret Is in Russia sus-
/ picious.
| 1--WE stand united for the cause with our
possessions and blood, and do not fear any evil
! in the consciousness OF our inward purity.
THAT try to justify myself to you. is my
latest caprice II Is . great weakness and not
j In accordance with our statutes but your
thoughts shall not couple Sergius Lapotin
with rcgicsde; the papers which you once car
ried next your breast did rot leave any stigma,
and am sure you will guard my secret What
matters II to me what Count Dcgenfeld and
others think of me.
"Tet one more disclosure have to make,
ard regret that cannot see your face at the
same time.
THE famous blue-spectaclcd n. lie Mar.
qns dc Villebofsnct the gambler and ad
yenturer, is-a secret Partisan spy! What
have you to say to that? His pinched visagc.
probably strengthened In its effect by means
Of art made him safe against suspicion
Every swinder every dishonest gamestcr.
naturally placed confidence in him
i For greater safety he had always with him
o striking beauty, whose task II was to entrau
prominent young foreigners. In order to learn
things from them, which could be converted
into money in Paris
In his choice Of this last companion the
| Marquis was for once short sighted, the girl
| was not bad enough; she had In her heart o real
md
the money earned thus | succeeded In gain
| Ing her confidence, and she served me. II not
| altogether without benefit to herself faithfully
| and successfully. and hope that long ere this
she has met her Henry, and viii make him q
good little wife. Thus q thoroughbred Partisan
acconplishes all thingsl Do you wish to know
something more Of Sergius Lapo,in as q man,
He has become an old chatterbcx and would
gladly tell you Of a spendthrift youth and dis,
appointed life. as warning example. but he 10
too weary to do So!
III your journey home takes you through,
Geneva, ask At the Hotel de Ia Couronne for
NO. l5.' and IL poor sufferer still Is there or
II he has already taken his last, ionged for
journey.
still enc thing more. I have made my will
and deposited Il here.
MY fortune belongs to my relatives; but q
small part Of It, eighty thousand francs have
bequeathed TO Miss Ellen. providing she be not
LioiEica peiJFe ueF twenty urSt year. cheap
generosity. which will cost my relations nothing,
for II Is more than probable that some one will
learn her true worth sooner What do you
think. Remember me to Miss Rennert.
'Au reyoir In this world or the next
| "SERCIUs LAPoTIS."
fastened to Miss Rennert with this
letter. She met me, beaming with de.
light, an open letter in her hand.
ELLEN has written" cried She And
she is SO happy; do you want to read
it,"
I'VE will exchange" answered |,
taking the letter. Here is long letter
from Lapotin."
When had read Ellcns letter, / sat a
long time thinking looked at Miss
Rennert; she was just drying the tears
which Lapotin's lines had called forth.
What would You say, dear lady,"
said l, slowly, IF were to leave you
too9 Florence must be very pleasant
just now" She looked at me a second
inquiringly, then smile passed over
her face.
go, go; God be with yon" cried she
heartily.
Ipressed her hand warmly.
That same afternoon | packed nv
trunk, took Lapotin's ring and left Nice
by the evening train.
1.-THE END.