The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-11-07
serving that there was no sound OF engine
or movement.
She laughed and told me we were still In

or movement.
She laughed and told me we were still In
the river, having peen compelled to drop
anchor again because of the fog.
tried to move; but, overcome by deadly
feeling of nausea and giddiness, fell to
the ground. That was the beginning of an
fllnesswhich lasted nearly week. For half
that time ! was unconscious, and think
this was natures means of obtaining rest
for my overtaxed faculties.
The first day that was strong enough to
rise and dress myself, the old gentleman,
who had visited me frequently and shown
greater kindness and consideration than l
might have expected from him, came in to
see me just after had finished basin of
broth.
.'Come, said he, after congratulating me
on my recovery, I'VE are beginning the
week we'll After cropping our way up this
execrable river ut snaiPs pace, here we
are at last in the open sea, with bright
sun and n clear sky overhead. l thought
mademoisele was going to give us the slip
after all; but now," he added, rubbing his
hands as II the prospect were the cheerful
est in the world-"now we can count upon
reaching ST. Petersburg without any further
hitch, all safe and sound.
Seeing that this promise failed to exhil-
arate me, he asked me II | would like to go
upon deck for little while. accepted the
offer eagerly.
The old gentleman placed seat for me
in sheltered corner and made me COM
Portable with rugs, trying his utmost to
charm away the deep detection which my
wretched face betrayed. Rudersdorf came
up and spoke courteouslyto me, but could
not bear them-their presence irritated me.
l. II Al a.
my grief and cry and cry without restraint.
Awhite bird SKINNED over the calm blue
water.
''Taras would tell me its name," I said to
myself, and this simple reflection-them mere
want Of u single word from him-so over
came me that was fain to cover my bowed
face with my hands to conceal my lack of
courage.
Rudersdorf and the old gentleman with
drew in silence. Then, ashamed of myself,
dried my eyes, resolving that they should
not see such an exhibition again.
Presently heard quick step approach
ing, and looking up with choking eagerness
i saw Gordon coming toward me with
anxiety in his kind face. dropped my
head with leaden disappointment, for in
that one moment | had conceived it possible
that Taras had come to satisfy my yearn-
ing.
''My dear mademoiselle," he said with
tender solicitude as he held my hand, II
hear you have been awfully ill. l can see
it."
"That's all over-Tm all right now," 1
replied. .-.......
"Begad, week down below in an atmos-
phere Of pea soupl 'senough to knock any
one out. But this will soon bring you
around, eh2 By Jovel'' he added, throw
ing up his head and drawing n deep breath
of the pure air, this is like rising from the
dead"
He seated himself on n coil of rope by my
side and with cheerful announcement in
his voice continued:
"Dont you take it to heart, mademoi-
selle. It'll all come right, you'll see. If
they only let US come up on deck now and
then-and there's no reason to keep us down
below, now were're out of the river and
may scream ourselves hoarse without get
ing an echo for reply-this police outrage
will simply give us jolly. nice little holi-
day at the expense of the Russian govern
ment. I've thought it all out while I've
been stewing down below, and it's Just the
certainty Of turning the tables on these
muddle headed, meddlinR officials that has
kept me from knocking down my jailers-
or trying to at any rate-and making a dash
for freedom"
1--WE thought the whole thing out and 1
see exactly what will happen. When we
get to st. Petersburg, we shall be received
like princes-not Russian princes, you
know The minister will wait upon us
with thousand and one apologies, for OF
course he has learned already by telegraph
of the blunder these fellows have made,
Naturally he will try to exonerate himself,
blt he'll take Mains to cOnciliate us to the
utmost of his ability-no fear of that.
And he will afford us every means to get
out of Russia as soon as possible-that's
equally certain. And home we will go by
the way Of Berlin and Paris with day or
twos rest here and there to make the jour.
ney pleasant. Then one fine morning we
will wake up old Taras by marching into
Lambeth to the tune of See the Conquer,
ing Hero-and Heroine-Come.' Eh?"
mo" said l, shaking my head; that
will never be-