New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-25
! I

In handsomely furnished study. rich in dark
oak, with books on the walls from moor TO cell
ing sat Count Dmitresky writing. One could not
see his face for he was bending diligently over
his work, but with his black velvet skull leap
and long white beard he might almost have been
taken for an old astrologer. single reading
lamp was all the light the room contained, and
it served only to give an appearance of darkness
to the surrounding bookcases OF oak and the dark
covers of the books. There was perfect silence
in the room. and except that the mans hand
travelled fast over the paper one would nave
thought it uninhabited and that the black SKULL
cap and gray beard belonged TO q waXen figure.
Presently the Count raised his head. Then
one could see his face, comfortable FACE, STOUT
and hearty, with rather fiat large nose ana
bright twinkling eyes, yet face that looked as
though it had known sorrow as well as happiness
For moment or two he sat gazing before him,
then took his manuscript up. carefully sortch the
numbered pages, and put them in order Rolling
them, he fastened the bundle with a piece OF
string and rose to his feet.
Then he walked across the room to one of the
bookcases drew out half dozen books, pushed
his hand in behind those that remained, and lad
his manuscript TO rest in the double back OF the
bookshelf. Once more he replaced the books nc
had removed, approached the stove, and, opening
its brass door, threw in couple of plnclogs from
basket The open stove-door cast its red renee
ton on the bOokshelves and rich paneled cell
The Count drew chair to the fire and sat
himself down in it, but he could not settle him
".
pocket a cigarette-case Of silver decorated in
black, with picture of sedge. took out tiny
cigarette, and lit it with match from small
gold matchbox which hung on his chain. =.
lie closed his eyes and leaned back in his
chair He might have been asleep, but that every
now and then whit of white smoke issued from
his mouth and circlcd INTO the gloom above
HIS cigarette burned out, but still he lay on.
Presently he rose and walked TO the window;
Drawing back the heavy velvet curtain he looked
without Snow falling fast, and beating
against the double glass window The wind
shreked and whisted in the bare trees.
He shivered, and walked back to the stove,
threw a few more logs in, and settled himself
Presently a servant entered,-a handsome,
bearded, fair man in Russian dress, black velvet
and red silk, with tall boots on. Tie brought
some cognac and two bottles of soda.
mo, / will take tea tonight" said the Count,
as the servant stood before him with the tray.
The man walked toward the door, heSltated 1or
a moment then spoke
"Yes"
"There has been a sledse accident near mere y
Indeed"
"A gentleman was in the sedge; it had been
overturned and ProweIy,, on his return from
ut would be like rrowsly to leave him there "
"No: he brought him here, sir. :"
That's all right-where is he =
HE is lying nearly insensible IN my room-we
have wrapped him up in blankets
When he is better come and tell me-. would
like to see him. Do all you can for him"
The man was leaving.
Give him some warm port wine" the Count
called after him.
Yes, sir.
Half an hour passed. Then the servant re-
turned. a.,
have thawed his clothes and dried them. lie is
dressed again" g,
The servant left.
Presently the door was opened, and n few
seconds later the benighted stranger entered. lie
| was tall young man, well built and handsome IN
eqt His eyes dark were ashe large w 1nG Ii:
eyebrows were of the same dark shade, and
slightly arched His forehead was white and
lhioh-whiter than usual, perhaps, for his expos
ure to cold Ills Blown hair curled loosely all
over his head His nose was what is known rs "a
Greek nose, straight and fine: His mouth was a
trife efeninatc, the lips wide and very pink
He was clean shaven. His clothes were evidently
of foreign make; loose double breasted jacket of
thick gray CLOTH trousers Of the same material, and
a silk shirt very open at the neck, were us prlh-
cpal characteristics
As he walked across the room, gloomy as it was
the Count read his face and liked it,
AS the young man approached, the elder rose
and held out his hand. lie was on the point Of
speaking when the young nan interrupted him.
81 must apologize he said, " for my intrusion,
and thank you for your hospitality. l owe my
lie to your kindness"
Tie words were simple. just what would have
been expected under the circumstances; yet there
was pleasant ring in the speakers voice that
made them sound more sincere.
"Norsense7 said the Count. "Sit down, my
friend. here before the stove, and Keep warm, or
you will he i'll tH.mOTrOw." Then, turning TO his
servant, who still fingered, lie said, Bring the
tea.
They spoke in Russian. tie young man very
fiuently. but with a slight foreign accent.
You are q Russian asked The Count.
Oh, no. he replied, am an Englishman; but
my mother was a Russian. and so speak the Ian
guage toerably well although / have seen but
LITTLE of the country yet.
And YOU are travelling TO see the country
your mothers land? Well, you have chosen the
worst season of the year Winter is not the
time to travel in these parts, where there are no
railways"
No; so I have discovered But people told
me in England that the winters were not severe
in Southern Russia"
All the winters are severe, this one more SO
than usual, and" he added by listening To
what people who know nothing about il saw you
have nearly lost your life"
And you have saved it," replied the other
with a ring OF thanks in his voice
Another word and / will put Won out in the
snow again." laughed the elder man
servant entered and wheeled n table before
them, on which he set large samovar two tum-
blers, some sugar, and n lemon.
We out-Of-date Russians in the country still
IL love the samovar," replied the other. at
REMINDS me OF my childhood. My mother was
enough Of q Russian always 10 use hers. even I'm
England; and it brings back old associations OF