Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1893-05-26

HIM. Sinking on her knees, she
prayed for help. The servant, enter
ing an hour later, found her asleep. She
seemed dazci when awakened; then she
said:
"Tell my maid wish to see her."
When the maid came, she ordered her
wraps brought.
"But your iudyship will change her
dress2"
No, there was no time to lose. AL
ready much had been wasted. Hastily
| slipping the fur mantle over her ball
dress, which she had not yet removed,
Alba filled her purse with money, aud !,
bidding the maid tell no one where she
had gone, she left the house. Making
her way alone to st. Petersburg, regard
less of impudcnt glances from travellers,
she thought only of Ivan, who was going
farther from her every moment.
1t was dull, cold morning when she
reached the city. Snow was falling in
great flakes. The Princess drove to the
palace, but was refused admission when
she told her errand, as they compelled
her to do. For hours she wandered
aimlcssly through the streets, attracting
much attention by her rich attire.
At last, weary and heartsick,
she entered church to say u
prayer for her helpless lover. AS she
left tine edilice, she was startled by the
tramp of soldiers. 1t was the Emperor's
escort. They were passing up the street
in the direction of tue palace, the EN-
peror bowling right and left to the
crowds of people on the sidewalks.
Pushing through the crowd, she reached
his carriage, and lmplored him to save
her lover. He scarcely heard her, and,
turning to the soldiers, demanded the
cause of the disturbance. They rudely
forced her back, and tho carriage moved
on slowly. But she was not going to be
repulsed without another effort, and
again making her way to the side of the
carriage, she repeated her earnest ap-
peal. The Emperor requested the SOL
diers to bring the maiden closer. With
dowEcast eyes, and checks flushing
hotly, she told of her love for the exiled
nobleman, and again implorcd His Ex-
cellency to pardon him.
"Never will pardon that rash boy
Go to your lover, and starve with him
III the mines"
The royal party moved on, the soldiers
jostling her roughly as they passed. She
stood but moment gazing after them
with horror stricken eyes. Go to him2
Yes, she would, and stay by his side.
The train seemed to drag along, but at
last she reached Moscow. Determined
not to leave stone unturned, she called
on the Metropolitan of Moscow. AS His
| Erpinouca onnnnro1 afttrn6 IN n hr0,u,,
moirc antique robe glittcring with jewels,
and wearing the white Grape hat of n
Metropolitan, with diamond cross in
front, she forgot her rank, and, falling
on her knees at his feet, she kissed the
hem of his robe. In passionate tones
she begged him to use his influence with
the Emperor to have her lover pardoned.
my child, it is utterly impossible. If
it were any one but Smoloff, there might
be hope, but can give you none. Tho
EmEer will never pardon him."
He could but pity her as she left the
room with i dazed look on her swce
face. She must go to her lover. The
kind old man procured passport fo
her, aud she was enabled to cross tn,
border. How slowly the train crept
She sat with pale face pressed agains
the window, watching the snow-cappcd
mountains. After crossing the Obi n
daybreak, she was compelled to wall
for miles through the binding snow
often falling on the rough stones, blu
bravcy trying to keep up her courage
for VANS sake. Gusts of snow blew in
her face, singing like lashes, and some.
times the wind forced her back, and sh,
stood still. Her clothes were tatterec
and soiled when she reached Tobolsk
, Here she inquired how long it had been
& since the convicts had passed.
"Three days ago." the station guart
answered.
"Was-Ivan SmoloG with them2" sh,
asked.
3 "No, ne died just before they reached
here. He was shot" "Shot!" HOY
l the word rang in her ears! How strang
everything looked The gloomy sta
8 ton, the grinning, evil faces of tn
l guards, as they leered at her. Sh
noticed even the cut of their whiskers
d and the dirty bulletin on the wall, an
!, nouncing the number of convlcts tina
D had passed there that year. One of thu
ii guards attempted to kiss her, but will
&c fiercely cleaning eyes she pushed hin
:. roughly aside, and bounded like dee
t, out of the door. She forgot her suffer
ings. Only to get away from those cruc
r men, to get beyond reach of their jeer!
1t and cruel words! "He is dead," sh
it murmured to herself again and again.
1t For days she retraced her steps, scarccl
y knowing where she was going. Some
l. times rough men stared at her, but tn
to look of absolute misery in her face serve
es as an armor TO protect her, for they onl
~ stared and passed on. Once a Tarta
man, who looked at her with his kindi
"a black eyes, thinking she was but child
II. picked her up in his arms and carrie,
as her long distance. They are YER
a strong, those Tartars, who inhabit thi
n part OF Siberia. She could not under
ID stand his language, but knew he wa
lis trying to speak kindly to her. HI
ne swarthy skin, black hair. and hin