The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-19

Stransky and the commit ee with smile,
took his usual part in the business that fol-
lowed and escorted his fiance home in the
gayest of moods. Then he went to his own
home and locked himself up for twelve
hours alone. And when he was again seen
by his friends he was buoyant and light
hearted as ever. But he had spent twelve
hours in close communion with death and
hell.
One thing only was to be done. He must
marry her at once and return TO England.
The committee had given him a week in
which to do his work. Before that week
was ended he and Olga must leave Russia
forever. When he told her his desire she
looked on with amazement, then with JOY.
"Yes, yes" abe exclaimed. 1T will be
best 90. You will have done your work for
liberty, and then
my work." he echoed.
"Yes. your-your work." she whispered,
looking around fearfully to see that none
could hear. You Observation-Disclosures cir
clel Within week you must do it. And
then we will gol An, l shall be your re-
ward"
"Olgal My God But cannot Don't
you understand! l cannot"
Then be stopped. He had caught her eye.
All tue majesty of her heroic nature, all the
fire of her untamed heart, shone ID it. She
seemed to tower to colossal proportions, aud
her voice was like that of the Accusing
angel
''Are you afraidl Is this how you keep
your oathg Is safety dearer to you than
honor! Then hear me, sir. l love you
God only knows how much. But | swear
it. upon my mothers memory, that if you
fail to fulfill your oath to humanity, and
to me, will never so much as look upon
you again. So choose. No, not q word.
You have no right even to speak of your
duty here. 1t is violation of your oath.
Go, doit! In that very hour l shall be-
come your bride; but until then, never"
She passed from the room with the air OF
queen. and he saw her no more Ten
times within the week he called on her.
! But she would not see him. "When your
work is done" was all the message she
| would send.
Thus far, the record OF George Thorn
toms diary. The closing scene Of the
drama is tod by Russian refugee.
| The week was gone, and toe deed not done.
| For the first time Thornton went to the
circle alone. She was already there. Stran-
sky was there All were there, gathered in
| groups, discussing in under tones-he knew
| too well what subject. AS he entered the
hall not one greeted him with a word or
look or gesture, but all shrank from him
| averted faces; all save S5rensky, who re-
garded him with a smile OF triumph. The
| Englishman returned it with the defiance of
desperation. Then Stransky took his place
| as president and called the circle to order.
| 'Friends,a he said, I'VE meet tonight in
| sadness, to mourn wrong to freedom. We
| have among us traitor and coward. One
| week ago, you will remember, a solemn lot
| fell upon one of our number to do a great
work for the cause of humanity. There was
not one of us who did not envy him in his
mission. He swore to accomplish it within
| the week. He received his Instructions and
his preparations. And now the week is
passed. His work has not been performed.
Il has not even been attempted. And yet
be lives; he enters this hall tonight
| Friends, behold the coward and the traitor"
AS Stransky uttered these words and
pointed to Thornton, low but ominous
murmur arose from the circle. The En-
glshman stood alone, erect. defiant. Then
| Stransky continued:
| "Another will do the work, but what
shall he the lot Of this one who has proved
false to his oathp
From every member of the circle came
the fierce sentence, "DeathW And clear
above them all be heard her voice pronounce
the fatal world
Then" said Stransky, let the execu-
| toner be chosen"
The names of all the members of the circle
were placed in the urn, and Stransky drew
one forth, as if by lot.
This is indeed most strangely justm be
said, as he looked at the card. ut is a
fitting decree that the very hand that
equipped the traitor for his task should now
deal out his doom, Olga Ozoterof, to you
the grateful task is given to rid the world Of
a foe to liberty. Strike the first blow, and
all our blades shall follow yoursw
At the word all drew their knives. Even
Olga drew hers, though moving as one in a
dream.
"But first" said Stransky, "let him re-
| turn the tools that more faithful work
man is to use"
Without a word Thornton drew from his
pockets aud placed upon the table the pistol,
| knife and bomb. Then he drew forth the
| poison capsule also, hesitated looked on il
| with smile, and laid 1t by the Others.
Then she stepped forward, very close, aud
looked him fully in the eyes, and smote
him a mortal blow. And when he felt her
dagger 10 his bosom he reeled, and caught
against pillar. and cried aloud in such a
tone that all the circle, who were rushing
forward to redden their knives with his
| blood, stopped short.
Zone wordn he said, land them die !
broke my oath, but through cowardice.
Olga Ozoteroff, it was for love of thee; for
the man was to slay1 vas thy-fat ler!"
And she stood still, transfixed with double
horror. But then one of the committee on
action spoke aloud
What does this mean? We did not doom
Ozoteroffl His was not the name We gavem
And the others of the committee also said
at was not he!" And one CRIED "Loris
Stransky 1t is thou who has played false %
Then the dying man staggered three PAGES
forward to whe an ancient battle-ax was
| hanging upon the wall. And with the last
| ebbiug effort of his ended life he tore it
down and swung it in the air, and with one
mighty stroke be shore the traitor Stransky
from collarbone to hip. And as they both
fell dead the fairest woman 10 all Russia
fell down between them, and her lifeles5
head lay on her lovers lifeless heart.
And great silence reigped throughout
the ball.
"Do YOU wish proofs Of my love?"
| no." she answered. MY negative makes
| than, r,ppaaassarv - Wnsbi1i0fO,l Sfnr