The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-13

THE LOVERS OF NATAIIA-
BY H. SUTHERLAND EDWARDS.
Copyright, 1892, by he author,


uca;ed than most of the regimentsl officers.
Bot he succeeded In feigning ignorance
with so much success that. as the liberal
aspirations of his chiefs became more and
more pronounced. very compromising
things were sometimes said in his presence,
and generally by Colonel MlliutIn. These
were always repeated by Borodin to the
official of the Third section" whom IL had
now become his appointed task periodi-
cally 20 visit.
AT last it seemed possible to accuse Col
Miiiutin OF a serious offense. A retrograde
movement had set in. and 1t was rumored
that By order of the highest military au-
thorities the officers Sunday schools were
all 10 be closed. so enraged was Colonel
Miliutin on this news being repeated to
him that he confounded bis military chiefs,
cursed the Governor-general0 OF st. Peters
burg. and went SO far as to say that tho
time was then arriving when force would
have to be met " force and tyranny by In
surrection.
This was quite enough. and on the de-
nunciation of Borodin an order was now
made out for Colonel Miliutin's arrest.
A fortnight afterward he was to be
brought Co trial, and he had, first of all 70
determine what counsel he should employ.
Why not Gorskif An undoubtedly clever
fellow, though Miliutin did not altogether
like him. They had not at one time been
particularly good friends. But rivals In
love might surely forget their animositles
when the lady had made n CHOICE and the
question which had divided them was set
tied once and forever. Colonel Miliutin was
walking up and down his little room In the
fortress. hesitating what to DO. when sud
denly visitor was announced. Ii was
Gorski, who had come 70 place himself at
the coloneps service. Miliutin. ii has been
seen. had quito forgiven G0rski for wish
ing 10 deprive him of Natalia: but Gorski
had not in the least forgiven Miliusln for
depriving him of one whom he loved with
an unholy sort of passion. but with deep
devotion. The case. however. of the gov
eminent against Millutin was very im-
portant one. This would be the first political
trial heard in open court. with counsel for
the prosecution and counsel for the de-
Tense; and whatever might he Gorskis own
personal feelings toward Miliutin, the case
was one which might well appeal to his
ambition. TO win il would be triumph,
indeed: and in the actual state of feeling
among the st. Petersburg public it was far
from impossible that the Jury. elcQueDTly
aud forcibiy addressed. might acQuit the
accused. Thus argued Miliutin with him.
self; and Gorski had scarcely made his pro-
posal when it was of once accepted.
When the day of trial arrived: the court
was crowded with generals, high officials
and all the most distinguished people in
ST. Petersburg. The government prosecu-
case against Colonel Millutin. Instead.
however. of doing his best for the defend
ant Gorskl seemed anxious only to make
brilliant and patriotic, not to say reyolu-
tionary speech. on his own account. Col
ly legal sense. done things which. under an
arbitrary government could scarcely, per-
haps, be regarded as quite lusti able. Bat
the colonel was a man Of heart and con-
science. who wished to rise above the ex-
isting order of things. and to raise his sol
diers with him. He had undou btedly de-
sired to inspire them with free ideas. and
If these ideas did not suit the ruling DOW
ers. then all he could say was: so much
the worse for tho powers that ruleW
These sentiments. expressed with the ut
most feryor. carried away the jury and
provoked the applause of the general pub
lie. Even the prisoner, q sensitive and inn
pulsive man, seemed touched by the eIo-
Quence of his own advocate.
The judges. however, could not give their
approx 81 to such subversive IDEAS which.
set forth as If in exculpation of Colonel
MiintIn went really to agsIaSate his
end threatened to clear the court should
any fresh demonstration be INDUCED in.
They then at once charged the jury. and in
such manner that there was no alterna-
tive for the jurymen but to return ver-
dict of guilty.
Gorski hsd betrayed his client-had be-
trayed him deliberately that the unhappy
man might be sent to Siberia. far away
from his young and beautiful wife.
Private BorOdin was, of course, in court,
though by previous arrangement with the
police authorities he was not called upon
to give evidence against his commanding
officer. The examining magistrate had,
indeed, Mt the preliminary inquiry, OBJ
tanned full avowal of the facts from
Miliutin himself, who. however. repudi-
ated the extreme inforenees drawn from
them. Borodin would not have missed
the trial even IL bis absence from the bar
him the severest punishment. But he had
finished his duty early In the morning, and
had received permission to 60 ont for few
hours.
When Borodin heard the verdict-exils
for twenty years to Siberia-he was
listed In the army with any idea of becom-
ing spy. but simply In the hope of getting
rapid promotion and n commission so that
he might not be deemed altogether IN
worthy of aspiring to the hand of NatalIa
Gontscbaroft. In q moment OF spite, en-
ragged at the idea of Colonel Milintin's mar
ryinR the girl on whom he. Borodin. bad
set his heart, he had turned infOrmer; and
though he deeply regretted his baseness
the moment afterward. he had then al
ready placed himself, az we'll as MiliutIn
beneath the power of the dreaded Third
Section" He was filled with reInorse when
he thought Of the mean. dastardly part he
had played.
How did you like my spcech'" asked
Gorski. as. just outside the tribunal, he
met the indignant Borodin.
That IS how i liked it." replied the
young soldier. giving the traitor advocate
at the same time violent blow In the face.
Gorski could. had be pleased. have COM
planned to the commander-in-chef of
Borodin'e regiment. But the man W no had
just been condemned to twenty years exile
was much liked by his brother officers;
and Gorski knew we'll that it would be
vain 10 look TO any of these for redress.
Beside, he hated Borodin personally, and
now more than ever; and TO hate man
thoroughly is to desire his death. He de-
tsrmned, therefore. that BOrodin should
die. He resolved. that is to say. To kill
him. This it would be impossible to do OK
cept in n duel. He accordingly. after re-
turning Borodin's blow, chalien ged han: to
fight that evening in lonely corner of the
island of Basil. Each was TO be accom-.
panied by n second. Gorski took with him
military officer of his acquaintance, B0rO-
din was attended by q aenior student of
tho ST. Petersburg University.
The antagonists. after what had occurred,
could not but cordially derest one another
While, however, apart from all question of
wounds or death Gorski was only mourning
the danger to which every one fighting a
duel OK poses himself before the law, Borod-
in was in addition, setting mt naught the
discipline of the severe service to which he
belonged.
But Borodin was not destined to be pun
ished by his officers. The com batants were
To ire at the samo moment; and at the first
discharge Borodin fell dead with bullet
In his brain. The student who had acted
as his second was In despair. lie at once
gave himself mp 10 the police and this lee,
naturally. to the arrest of Gorski, and of
the officer who had attended him.
q DoQr Nafalfa VI hrok n ha arta1 xuhap