Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-03-28

| do something. pix O'Clock stfGck. and
still no rlan was made by which she
could help him. Sinking on her knees
she prayed for help. Tho servant. enter.
ing an hour later, found her asleep. Sht
seemed dazed when awakened. Then
abe said:
"Tell my maid wish to SEQ her"
When the maid came. shs ordered her
wraps brought.
"But your ladyship win change her
dress7"
No, there was no time to lose. Already
much had been wasted. Hastily slip
ping the fur mantle over her ball dress,
which she had not yet removed. Alba
filled her purse with money. and bidding
the maid tell no one where she had gone
she left the house. Making her way
alone to st. Petersburg. regardless OF
impudent glances from travellers, she
thought only Of Ivan. who was going
farther from her every moment.
II was dull, cold morning when she
reached the city. Snow was falling In
great fakes. 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 aim.
lessly through the streets. attracting
much attention by her rich attire. Al
last, weary and heartsick. she entered q
church to say prayer for her haples
lover. As she left the edifice she was
startled by the tramp of soldiers. II wa
the emperor's escort. They were pass
ing up the street Ia the direction of Oh,
palace. the emperor bowling ri;:ht and
left to the crowds Of rcople on the side
walks.
Pushing through the crowd she reached
his carriage aud imp!orcd him To saw,
her lover. lie scarcely hoari her. and
turning to the soldiers demanded the
cause Of the disturbance. They rudely |
forced her back. and the carriage moved
on slowly. But she was not to be "
pulsed without another effort, end again |
making her way TO the side Of tho car.
riage she repeated her earnest appeal. |
The emperor requested the soldiers to
bring the maiden closer. With down.
cast eyes and cheeks flushing liotly she |
told Of her love for the exilcl nobleman,
and again implored his excellency to par.
don him.
"Never will pardon that rash boy. |
Go to your lover and siarve with him in
the mines"
The royal party moved on. the soldiers
L.. lar Ix-a hnt tana Az
stood but moment gazing after them
with horror stricken eyes. DO TO linn!
Yes, she would and stay by his sile.
The train seemed to drag along, hui
at last she reached Moscow. Determined
not to leave stone untnrncd. she called
on the metropolitan Of Moscow. AS hi'
eminence appeared. attired In brown
moire antique robe giittering with jcs
els and wearing the white Grape hat of |
metropolitan. with diamond cross ir
front. sho forgot her rank. AMI fallin.
on her knees at his feet shc kissed ~ |
hem of his robe. In passionate toLe.
she begged him To us, lis irfinencc wit.
the emperor 10 have her lover par,l0b,1
"My child, II Is utterly impossible.
II were any one but Slioloif. there migh
be hope, but I can give you none. Til
emperor will never par.lon aim."
He could but pity llcr ~ sac left III,
room with dazel lopi oa her swo,
face. She must go to her lover. Tbs
kind old man procured passport ioi |
her, and she was enabled to croSs th' |
border. How slowly ths train crcl.
She sat with pale face presssl again
the window. watching the snow calIet
mountains.
After crossing the Obi at daybrcaa 81
was compelled to walk for miles taroai,.
the binding snow. often falling oa e..
rough stones, but brayoly trying Ia kee.
up her courage for lvans sake. Gus;s O,
snow blew In her face. singing lise lash |
~, and sometimes the wind force,l he |
back, and she stood still. Her clothc |
were tattered and soile,l when sherrach |
ed Tobolsk. Here she inquired how loh9
It had been since the convicts had passed. |
Three days ago." the station is'iar'l
answered.
"was-lvan SmoloT with them" shc |
asked.
"No, no died inst before he reached
there. He was shot" "S.iot" How the |
word rang In her cars! How strangocv'
erything looked! The gloomy station.
the grinning. evil faces Of the guards Is
they leered ut her. She noticed even the
cut Of their whiskers and the dirty bul.
letin on the wall announcing the mum.
Der of convicts that had passed there tia,
year. One Of the guards attempted To
kiss her, but with iorcely cleaning eyes |
she pushed him roughly aside and bound
ed like deer out of the door. She for-
got her sufferings. Only 10 get away
from those cruel inon, to get beyond
reach Of their jeers and cruel words.
..He Ii dead" she murmurel to herself
again and again.
For days she retraced her steps, scarce
ly knowing where she was going. Some
times rough men stared at her. hut the
look Of absolute mi,ery In her face
served as an arnor 10 protect her. for
they only stared and passed on. Once
a Tartar man who locked at her with
his kindly black eyes. thinking she wa
but child. picked her up In his arms
and carried her long distance. They
are very strong. those Tartars. who In.
habit this part Of Siberia. Sho could
not understand his language. hut XIV
he was trying to speak kindly to- her
His swarthy akin. black lair AMI hlg'
cheek bones contrnstod oddly with J."
pale face and sun ki.rcd hair.
dofred his small embroidered fl:rll a.
cs he left her at tho door of lis cab!
and shook his heal wien she slipIs
some rubles into liis hand.
Il was night whun ,hc rachsi Tin
men and found shol.cr la niserabl
inn. As she sat near the Lrc in th
smoky room she attracted the r,.entio.
Of an old man. who addrcs1ed h,s !
Polish.
"Are you In troubley' hc askni. Eh
vas such q child In u lie of the care u
her face!
"Yes,- she replied wcarily.
II am par,lonei exile from Obdorsk
was sent there for ,lrankenn'-ss. baw
suffered too"
His worn, attenuatc,l frame end sunk
en- eyes seemed 10 echo his words.
"Did you ever see amy of tie po!iliea
sxilesy' she asked easrly.
eyes. met some at Tobolsk. Froa
thar. thev vo IN the Trans- i,si..al dis