The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-06-15
THE COUNTESS RE|FSKY,

IHE CUUH IESS REHSKY.
An ugly, muggy, chilly evening, in
! spite Of the fact that it was midsum-
mer; but then | found that weather in
! st. Petersburg was not to be depended
! on. The streets were deserted, save
when the death-carts ratified along un-
| mindful of their ghastlv burdens The
| city clocks had struck-1O. and / was
| hurrying hOme-or rather to my den
| TO write my special" to an American
| daily. Correspondents letters are
! generally built upon q frail foundation
OF truth, but now, in these cholera
times, | could hardly find time or
words strong enough to depict the hor-
rorS / saw on every side. | had de-
layed writing Il little longer than
usual 50 that ! might 90 more deeply
into details. for the benefit of nv hor-
ror-loying coutrymen, and | was in
haste. | was obliged to 90 through
part Of the city most infected with the
awful plague, where the air seemed
rccking with infection, but being pret-
ty well seasoned did not mind it very
much. As | hurried along / saw,
Standing undera lamp. whose dim rays
she'd light but few feet around it, a
woman dressed in white. "Ah." |
muttered, beneath my breath. some
haplcss one OF the dcmi-monde. driven
out in despair"
AS l passed her she stepped forward
and said, with a tone of recognition:
81 have been waiting for YOU"
paused, and To my surprise recom-
nized my beautiful friend the Coun-
tess Reifslly, the toast of hundred
bathrooms. who had been flirting with
me fast and furiously for some weeks
why | could not imagine.
With reproof in every accent | ex-
claimed:
Madam, what are you doing here
IN this deadly atmosphere, and alone,
al this hour?"
Il have been waiting for you" she
repeated simply.
How in the name of wonder did she
know | was coming this way hen
did not know it MYSELF" | asked my
self.
lassumed severe air.
~ on must not stay hero"
No; | mean TO take YOU with me to
the final meeting of society TO which
/ belong. Tonight we diSband, and
| want You 10 be there to describe the
affair with your versatile pen TO your
great American people. You know
we nihiiists are so misrepresented.
NO. You need not shrink away. YOU
vii! come to no harm. Perhaps YOU
do not enjoy being with suspect.
Tonight the far-reaching grasp of the
ear himself would Find it hard to
reach me, and | shall place YOU be-
yond his power, too. But we must
hurry"
Half reluctant and wholly fascinated
| allowed her TO lead me alonm through
the deserted streets until we came to a
small, low building, which showed not
a ray Of light. Here She tapped soft
~. The door swung back on noiseless
hinges. Along Il dimly lighted hall
we went 10 another door. which OPEN
ed in the same quiet fashion. and we
stood in The dazzle and glitter of a
ballroom.
In my business suit | ought to have
fell embarrassed. but ! did not, for |
was too much impressed by the scene
before me.
It reminded me of what had known
in my Younger days as "Dhantom par
ties" at which youth and maiden
iraped themselves i'll sheets. Yet that
memory should not have given me a
feeling of rcpugnance, for of those
happy days | had the pleaSantest rec
objections. As looked closer ! recog-
nized the fact that these people were
masquerading in grave-clothes-- mock
inc the DESTROYER which held the city
in It's grasp; and a great horror filled
me.
| heard n low, musical laugh from
the woman at my side.
Monsieur does not approve of our
masquerade? We laugh at death.
Come in whatever fashion it may, by
pcstiIence on in Siberian mines, we do
not fear it. Swift or slow, it matters
not to US"
Yes, madame; | have heard that
Won nihilists, if ! must class YOU
among them. care not how swift be
the death to which you consign your
victims
Il see you do not approve of our
methods but YOU see we know of no
other way more honorable. With us
the end iustilics the means, but when
We must send death it is always
quick"
Not always Bombs don't always
work surely"
\ CLEAN in my fair companions eyes
warned me WAS on dangerous ground,
but it was gone almost instantly, and
she continued:
Now. in the case Of the late prime
ministcr-when his fate was sealed we
decided-'
| caught her arm. not knowing
what damaging revelation she might
make.
Countess. you are insane. In your
country walls have ears"
"Monsiea. these walls are safely
guarded. But we miss the music and
! the dance"
Never, so long rs memory lasts,
/ shall forget that evening. Noble and
artisan met on equal ground. Social
| distinctions seemed for the time being
I obliterated. Brain, Wit and 4 COM
I mon cause were the pa sports to this
/ brilliant society. Words were spoken
/ which would condemn Il man TO ST.
/ IBERIA for lifetime. The irSts and
! epimrams flowed freely, like the spark
| ling wine my friend pressed upon me.
| and which. strange TO say. | refused
/ not from conscientious scruples, but ne
/ cause when | saw its eNhiiar"ijng cf-
/ fecls feared my cIc.tthie American
| temperament could not stand il; aud |
felt fbaj needed a cool head i'm such