The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-09-18

Have you heard. dear mistress, have
you heard?'
Doris actually laughed.
"Quick, Nicotine. give me your arm
Do you hear, girl-not death, but exile
What is exile when a man has n wife
He knows that, Nicotine, Say it again. :
-" CHAPTER III.
1t was bitterly cold, and the chain OF
prisoners was long. As they walked
their chains ratified and clauked against
each other. Occasionally there was d
long track of blood fallen from wounded
hands and feet. They were all guarded
by soldiers, who bounded them on witt
blows and curses when they themselves
were feeling chilly. Sometimes the liy
ing chain had to drag dead companion
in its midst till the next station wa.
reached. From Varsovie to Yakutsk the
track is Tonga trail of horror, path
way of disgrace to common humanity
But in that very pathway, few hours
behind the prisoners, Doris, disguised a;
peasant and accompanied by the faith
full Nicotine, followed her husband.
Doris had sold her jewels and brought
with her all the ready money she could
procure at u moments notice. Her for
tune and his were conhscated. She was q
beggar now, following beggar, hui
that didnot trouble her very much. Fell,
was alive.
AT length the journey was over. Dori.
never remembered how long it lasted
but all the weary time she had kent +
few hours behind the trail Of the prison
srs. Never once had she given in, an6
now she had come to standstill and
could look at the gloomy fortress where
the political prisoners were to be incar
cerated. and from which, by and by
they were daily to be driven out like cat
tie to work in the mines or in the forest
The first night Doris and Nicotine
found shelter in miserable kwass shop
The master of it gave them back room
which was dark and dirty. He even
warned them that women were not al
lowed in the place unless they had some
occupation.
I'VE are looking for work, but indS I
little father, we must rest short while, ;
and then Doris gave him ono of hel
smiles. Tell me what hour the prison
ers come out Of the fortress2"
The man looked at her from under hi,
small brows and understood.
THAT is easily known, for when the,
come out lodge soldier here for fea,
of any escape on this side. 1t is not saf,
for you to lodge here, but my cousin
wants two helpers in the bakehouse. Sh,
bakes the bread for the prisoners. If 20,
like, will speak to her."
His cousin took the two strangers int,
her service and asked no questions.
One day the kwass seller ran into tn,
bakehouse.
Lend me the services of your girl
Sacha. I cannot get any help today"
And Doris went.
To-day the prisoners are coming out
lady," he whispered. You must stan,
at the door and help to wash glasses
You must use your eyes, not your tongue
That is all can do for you"
Doris washed glass after glass as if il
dream, forming but one resolution
She must be brave. She must not rul
him into danger.
Suddenly the great gate of the fortres
swung back, there were sounds of chains
and as the prisoners passed out the,
struck up sad Polish national song, 70
as great privilege they might sing Of
the way to the mines.
Doris forced herself to look up. He
heart beat so wildly that the bloc
seemed to rush to her eyes and to blu
her sight, but in a moment she controIle
herself.
There he was, the second In the line
Felix. her husband, her hero!
She dropped glass, and he turned hi
head toward her. Their eyes met, tn
color suffused his pale face, his lip
moved, and Doris knew that he said
Doris, my wife," and she-she wante
to stretch ont her ar to him and [
fall at his feet, but she only went O.
washing glasses.
That day she went home quite besid
herself with joy.
For six months she had that occasiona
joy. She was not always spared, bu
when their eyes met she came boundin
back to her servitude with happy laugh
After time she found out her laug
made Felix smile, SO she laughed whe
they met, and she knew that Felix 70
1ne moment felt happy Then her ow,
happiness seemed almost too great TO
words.
Gradually things improved. Somehoy
the story of her devotion leaked out, an,
, it found favor with the governor. Sh
. obtained leave to rent tiny cabin on til
settlement, 1t was on the road to tn
, mines, so she could see Felix regularly
. She began to make soup to sell to tn
convicts as they passed by, for now an
then they were allowed to buy food, an
, in the wooden bowl she handed to Fell
, she sometimes dropped a tiny pellet @
! paper, which Felix kept in his mout
till he could read it unseen. These wer
red letter days, even though he woul
/ never answer her. He dared not for he
sake.
Life became quite exciting then, fo
+. Doris had many letters to write, pet
= tons to send for Felix-petitions whic
he would never have allowed her to sen
, had he known, Nicotine had gone HON
to her mother, who was i'll. She ha
been able to send her home in grande
! style than she came; dear, good Nice
line. Maya must look after her. Sh
was now alone in her cabin, but she sa'
Felix every day, and she lived on hope.
She had learned to make such mic
things, and the settlers were glad to b,
come her customers. Some of these Sc
, tiers were released convicts who W
might not go home. and Doris becan
, the angel of the place and as safe in I'll
Al ICoSIINuEa on THIRD PAoEl