The National tribune., 1892-07-21


n low. easy-chairs; a
0I buffet crowded with
massive silver; a huge
stove of tiles and
Dutch faience; beside
il a square table. COW
cred with cloth, upon which steams always
the inevitable samovar, surrounded by trans
parent Guns and crystal glasses in holders of
metal ilagree; the walls hung with draperles
of dark-red velvet faded pastels and photo
graphs and fox-hunt in oils.
One of the men, wearing a brown-velvet
Jacket and his feet in soft shoes, leans back IN
deep easy -chair reading newspaper HIS
hair has begun to Written, but his brows are as
black as his eyes, and his expression is one of
bored WEAKNESS. The other-a young Lieuten-
ant in undress uniform, his opened coat show
ing beneath it a crmson-silk shirt-paces back
and forth with a step regular and firm. de is
tall and robust, with blonde hair and mustache,
and a frank smile OIL his somewhat full lips.
The lady-young also. and fair and delicate
her golden hair coiled in loose knot low On
her neck-reclines on the divan, laZiy smoking
cigaret. She is in dark blue, her waist
clasped by silver belt studded with turquoise,
her slim, white wrist circlea by narrow band
of plain, dull gold. Her eyes, bold and laugh
ing dilate from time to time with those fleet
ing CLEANS and shadows peculiar TO the eyes OF
the feline race. Indolent and languid in re-
pose, nervous and feverishly alive at the slight
est movement, she is singular mixture OF
vivacity and indifference. of softness and hard
ness, the scarlet curve of her rose-red lips an
nouncing clearly an indomitable WILL
Out of doors il is night of clear metallic
whiteness, the hoar frost tracing even the
Window anes with fantastic flowers. Within,
all is warm and snug-a balmy atmosphere I'M
pregnaied with tea fumes, tobacco, and that
subtle door of tanned Gkins, the perfume OF
Russian leather.
The silence of the room for the moment is
broken only by the rustic Of the paper and the
Lieutenant's measured tread. Presently the
lady yawns, rearranges her cushions, and begins
TO sip from frail Japanese cup the smoking
amber fluid. She is awake az last. The Lieu
tenant turns fame like ray of sunlight in
q dark place in his brown eyes, and throws
himself at her feet. She answers the gay,
carressing glance with acoquettish pout and
movement of the arm that makes the bracelet
at her wrist ring like a bell.
prince" she says. suddenly, addressing the
reader In the chair by the smoking samovar.
"what are we going TO do tomorrow? What
are your plans for us, Prince, tell us?"
TO beat the oak plantation" he answers,
tossing aside his paper The wolves, the
peasants tell me- make nightly ravages there.
Two nights ago it WAS q horse; yesterday,
cow, killed SO near Daylight, too, that its body
was still warm when they found it by the
roadside"
We shall really hunt, them" said Mime.
Novar. with sparkling eyes.
Yes, the dogs are in good shape. the hounds
well trained, and they ask nothing better than
TO sharpen their teeth on the wolves hides"
But it will freeze by tomorrow" the young
officer objects" freeze hard at that; the moon
has haze around it"
"And what if it does freeze?" asked the
lady. with my habit, toque, and seal gloves
/ can face any weather. Don't forget the
81 pr1n -
"Bave no fear, madame; all will be done as
you desire"
Another long silence.
Nine Novar suddenly springs from her cush-
ions Throwing back her head with a bird
like motion, Der loosened hair lies half uncoiled
now on her beautiful neck, her half-closed eyes
open wide and eagerly.
"Listen-listen," says she; at have an
ideal"
what is it?" the Lieutenant demands, adj
miration OF her beauty sending the blood to his
good natured face in an ardent glow.
81 wish, absolutely, without delay, that we
20 10 hunt now, at once, TO hunt in seigh-in
o troika. Quick, Prince, quick! Give the
order. What snow! What moonlight! What
life! Everything calls US! Quick-Quick
say, Prince; let the horses be harnessed while
20 10 dress myself"
My dear madame" the Prince responds,
hesitatingly, and rising stifiy from his chair,
But whatf What excuse are you seeking
70 find TO keep us here In this downy nest,
drinking tea, and tea and tea? We shall turn
into dried mummies. But see-see for yourself,
Prince" flying TO the window and pulling back
with feverIsh haste the heavy curtains, so that
wave of silVery moonlight foods the chamber,
only hall-lighted by the shaded lamps; "a
perfect apotheoss of fiery brillisncy. How is
ii possible 10 remain at home night like
this?"
Ny dear madame demurred the Prince
sgain, a note of GOODNESS, if not of displeasure,
in his voice, :" / must be frank il is my duty
30 warn you that am not sure Of my team.
The orders OF pretty woman absolute; j
have passed lifetime submitting TO them but
in case like this all depends on the training
and experience Of the horses. If they run. or
upset US no earthly power can save us from the
teeth Of the wolves. if they chance to be
numerous. Ny middle horse is periect-a wise
old trotter; nothing could harm him-but the
other borsest They are young-too young,
madame; they arrived from the Don only last
Spring, and are not yet sufficiently broken.
They have hunted. il is true. but have hunted
mounted; ii is not the same thing, and then,
only in daylight. Wolves are thick these
freezing nights, half starved, and not at all
timid. Take the word OF an old hunter, mad
ame, and do not expose yourself"-
J" You are jestIng my dear Prince" Mime
Novar interrupts, with little. dry laugh, or,
perhaps, now / think of it, maybe you are
afraid? BE careful, or you will compel me 10
believe that you are growing old-which would
be truly pity"
Size speaks with such an accent of mingled
prov"caiion, sarcasm, and defiance, and in her
eyes thcre is such knocking light, that the
Prince responds by ringing the bell.
A servant in Cossack dress answers the sum-
mons.
Tell Timothy to harness Foust. Arab, and
Arcs TO ,he big hunting troka; Faust in the
middle Let Andre prepare the guns and the
pig, and be ready in half an hour"
] ne little Cossack, with his shining buttons
snf rosy face, bows ard goes out; the Prince
tollows him. Left alone with her, the Lieuten-