The morning call., 1893-08-13
"Back, there. iupudent hussy! Traitors

Let me go. Let me go. cried DOTS
franticallv. II must see them"
with cry Doris fell; but as she fell she
caught sight of tall figure draped in
black. rope round his neck, and bare
bruised feet.
Felix! she called, and again she
stretched ont her arms and then remem-
bered no more. for she tainted dead away.
A long time after some one fell over her
and she opened her eyes.
whats this? Get up, girl. What, drunk
at midday? For shameV
For heavens sake. tell me, is 1t over ?
Am l too latsoo'
"Too late! Over! Why, yes. an hour
ago. The brave men never fiinched; they
mounted the steps OF the scatfold without
a word"
"AII of them?"
"Ay Count Kaplins ski was the last and
the proudest. lie gazed round as if look
ing for"
Doris stared hard at the speaker
go on" she said
HE wanted to speak. but the executioner
seized him."
How dared lie touch him?''
Doris lips were deadly pale.
1.-The hangman gave the sign"
Doris rose to her feet and proudly raised
her head as she said:
i
he never made one struggle. You lie if
you say the contrary"
That's true, never a word. but at the
moment of death"
HE called for his wife and she was not
there On. heaven!"
II couldn't hear what he asked for. but
suddenly the Russian Prince AlvaZowsky
rode up and waved letter to stop the
execution. The Gar had reprievpd the
mr. h1t
Faith. l wouldn't have changed"
Not death! Not DEATH" cried Doris.
throwing back her hood. Say it again. )"
Yes, not death; but they say the Count
murmured, 1t was easier to come here tn an
to go there'-but, merciful heavens, what
is the matter?"
Not death! not death! but-but-'
Doris fell back. still muttering. mot death,
but"
Siberia" muttered the stranger.
Happily, Nicotine. who had been look
ing every where for her mistress, ran up t
this moment CRYING out:
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 d?
What is exile when man has a wife? He
knows that, Nicotine. Say it again."
CHAPTER III.
1t was bitterly cold. and the chain of
prisoners was loag. AS they walked their
chains ratified and clanked against each
other. Occasionally there was long track
of blood fallen from wounded hands and
feet. They were well guarded by soldiers,
who bounded them on with blows and
curses when they themselves were feeling
chilly. Sometimes the living chain had to
Iro do in lot % 4
next station was reached. AT each post
the soldiers were changed for fear OF trea.
son, or in case one of them possessed a
human heart. The escape of any prisoner
was death to the chief guard, so an escape
was very rare. From Varsovie to Va
kutsh the track is long, a trail of horror,
pathway OF disgrace 10 common human
ity. But in that very pathway, few
hours behind the prisoners. Doris, dis
guised as peasant and accompanied by
the faithful Nicotine, followed her hus-
band. They did not dare approach near
er, and they would not lose sight of the
path. At each dreary station or fortress
Doris said:
Felix has been here; he has seen these
walls. Does he guess l am following
him?"
Doris had sold her jewels, and brought
with her all the ready money she cou d
procure at moments notice Her for
tune and his were conliscated; she was a
Deggar now, following a beggar. but that
dld not trouble her very much. Felix was
alive. AT times the two women found the
inn guarded by soldier. for somewhere
within was a prisoner who could not be
dragged forward Sometimes TINS iaggard
had become fdving iunatic, but the end
was never far Oft when they were thus
left behind. The first time Doris found
this laggard she had to face another hor-
ror. AT the next station she might hear
that it was Felix who could not proceed.
or rather not Felix, but No. SO. for by dint
of bribing she had discovered this mum Der.
At length the journey was over. Doris
never remembered how long it lasted. but
all the weary time she had kept few
hours behind the trail OF the prisoners.
Never once bad she given in. and now she
had come to staHdstill and could look at
the gloomy fortress where the political
prisoners were to be incarceratcd, and
from which. by and by. they were daily
to DE driven out like cattle To work in the
mines or in the forest.
The first night Doris ard 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 allowed in the place
unless they had some occupation. The
officials would soon ind 1t out and make
inquiries
'.We are looking for work; but. indeed.
little father. we must rest short while,
and then Doris gave him one OF her
smiles. Tell me what hour the prisoners
come out of the fortress?"
The man looked at her from under MS
small brows and understood.
That is easily known. for when they
come out lodge soldier here for fear of
any escape on this side. 1t is not safe for
you to lodge here. but my cousin wants
two helpers in the bakehouse. She bakes
the bread for the prisoners. II you like l
will speak to her.
Doris had way of winning hearts, and
now she pressed small diamond earring
into his hand.
"Holv Mother" he murmured, turning
pale with fear. "What good is this to me- !?
We must take no bribes." But Doris ill.,
sisted, and the man earned 1t well this
time.
His cousin took the two strangers into
her service and asked no questions.
One day the kwass-seller ran into the
bakehouse.
Lend me the services OF your girl,
Sacha. | cannot get any help to-day"
And Doris went.
To-day the prisoners are coming out.
lady." he whispered. You must stand at
the d DOR and help 10 wash glasses. You
must use your eyes, not your tongue. That
is all can do tor you. BY and by they
will be less strict, and this governor Is not
n hard man, as governors 60"
Doris washed glass after glass as If in a