The morning call., 1892-11-11
his LAST ACT.

There was excitement ali over Russia
when it became known that Count Polotsk
had made an attempt upon the Emperor's
life and had escaped.
The Count was young, handsome aud
wealthy, as well as favoriie IN high
society.
Moreover, he had been especially noticed
and honored by the ruler whom he had
sought 10 kill.
IL secured. he would have been sent to
the Siberian mines, and forgotten in
week; but he had escaped, and the excite
ment increased daily.
1t was intense in the border town Of
Kovno, which, being on the direct road from
81. Petersburg, was filed with Government
detectives.
In one of the tenement-houses young
girl was reading the latest news aloud one
Her lover had just brought in the paper
and stood in M cody silence, his back against
the wall,
The girPs father and mother listened
eagerly. while the children kept on with
their play.
the fugitive aud an additional sum had been
offered as a reward.
IF We could fnd bin, Peterr' said the
girl wlstfufiy as she finished, ana no one
but her lover heard the low " orGs. we
might marry then. The reward would be
fortune 70 u.s."
"Wouldst take p" and a dull red stained
his brown cheek. Its blood money, girl.
They would send him TO the mines and kill
him by INCHES. He is young. Perchance he
loves as | dc. I'd not give him to those
human wolves; no. not ii we never marry,
sweetheart"
bravo, ladp and they started in sur
prise 70 see bent old woman in the door
way beside them. Thou hast spoken well.
but let me see the paper.
Clutching 1t eagerly. she fastened away
with ou!ckness beyond her years.
TITS cur neighbor, poor old ladyF said
the girl. 'She came only last week, and
she is a little cut. think"
"Out or not, she might leave the news
until we're done with It, gfumbled Hans,
as he lit his pipe and went on with his work,
leaving The young folks TO talk OF the future
SO beyond their hopes.
He cannot escape" muttered Peter. the
conversation drifting TO the unhappy Count
again. Every place Is we'll guarded, and
it would be impossible for him TO leave the
town. Then they are going to search every
house and person in kovno;sl heard them
say so on the street."
whats that. young man?
And the cid neighbor stood again in the
doorway.
she's a witchp thought Peter. with
shudder
But be ans wered, with respect to her age:
They'll search every house in town,
good mother. and every way is douby
Guarded. They have news that the Count is
In hiding here. II ne Is, GOD help him! lie
cannot escape.
The old woman held the paper out ST.
Ientlv, though her face was c0nvulsed and
her vide cap-border trembled violently.
1--WE a box 10 move. Wilt help me?"
she said to Peter, as she turned to go.
"a p7Od-uaturpHlN fniiOURd
her, with silent good-by TO his wondering
sweetheart.
Once within the poor room which the old
woman called home, there was a startling
change in her.
Peter stared in amazement as she deliber-
stely removed her huge cap and made a
few dexterous changes in her toilet which
transformed her into ine-looking man.
81 am Count Polotsk," the stranger SAID,
quietly. "0nce / had dreams of love Ike
yours; they are past. There is way for
you TO be happy with your sweetheart, and
| would like 10 do one good deed before
die. Give the information of my where
ab3uts and claim the promised reward. Nay,
hear me out. must be discovered when
the search Is made; cannot escape. What
matter il the end comes sooner or later?
want you to have the reward, not those
who have hunted me to death. Here is a
bag of gold; DO longer need it. No gold is
wanted in the Siberian mines. Now go. and
lit is blood money! / cannot do ity'
falteTed Peter.
But he extended his hand for the gold,
with his troubled eyes searching The young
Counts face.
II Will absolve you from crime" returned
the Count, quietly; your information will
prove your loyalty and win you favor.
Whati hestatiDg still? Then i must tell
you more. Your name is already upon the
suspected list You may be sent to Siberia
any moment and your pretty sweetheart
left 10 the mercy of others less kind than
yourself. Go, now! Do as l tell you The
officers may find me berew
With low cry OF horror Peter grasped
the bag Of gold, thrust it into his bosom
and left tho room, after q hasty handclasE
and muttered blessing for the man whom
he was about to give 10 worse than death.
That's the way with them all; butt il
well" the Count breathed. as the door closed
behind him.
The pompous Government officers came
triumphantly, with chains and weapons, e
take him.
They found him, but they recoiled an6
talked in awed whispers.
Count POlotsk lay upon a rude bed, clad
in all bis habiliInents of honor.
But there was a scornful smile OF triumph
upon his ashen face, and the room was filled
with sweet, deadly odor. as of bruised
aim onds.
he was safe from the deadly mines oil
Siberia, and his last act had givea the means
OF happiness to Peter aud his sweetheart.
TUE ccuTfyrpm nsr,rYr 11n