The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-09-09
THE COURIER.

81 intrust you with a sacred duty"
said the general as he handed his courier
a letter. Remember, you are to stop
for nothing. If you fail, you will be
shot, but if you succeed the Order of st.
George will adorn your breast. Now go,
and God be with you in all your perils."
The young courier knelt and swore to
protect the life of the car with his own,
and then he pushed the curtain aside,
leaving the general alone.
The evening was fair, cold and beau
tiful. AS the general leaned from the
balcony of the palace he thought what a
farce this bail was when his heart was
full of terror for the cZar and all Russia.
In the adjoining room, near a marble
pillar, stood a young girl covered with
magnificent satin and jewels. Looking
at her with flashing eyes was a man Of
about 40, with coal black hair and cruel
expression.
'Nodine. this must be your work"
She shivered as he spoke. but Otaroff,
the traitor, had n o mercy.
"And to it at once" he said.
What is my taskf' she asked him. and
again she shivered.
IAN easy one. my beautiful queen.
Merely to throw yourself in his way, and
this courier will forget the car and all
Russia"
II doubt it," she answered.
"You must not doubt it," he cried
fereely and held her wrist so tightly that
the pain made her face white to the very
lipss---
Our scheme must go through this
time, and the courier will arrive too late.
You hear. my beautiful daughter"
II hear you," she answered and
wrenched her wrist from his grasp.
But. father" she said pleadingly.
you have never used me as a decoy be.
fore. Oh, l beg of you not to do it nowl
| cannot do it. cannot"
"Fool!" he Kissed at her. You little
know your power. With your beauty
you can do anything"
"And would you sell it?' she asked.
He hesitated, then said:
Eyes. for the cause"
You are a strange father" she said
slowly, looking at him with no spark OF
love in her eyes. but | may prove traitor
too. What, then, father"
He bent his head and whispered in hen
ear. Il will shoot you. my beautiful
queen; SC take care. For the first time
tonight l doubt you. but It's an insane
idea. Go into the ballroom and dance
ar hour, then return to your house and
prepare for your journey"
She went from him down the marble
steps into the room beyond and never
once looked back. Her heart was sad
and heavy. Many noticed the beautiful
woman, but wondered why her face wa
so tragic.
1t was about s the next night after the
ball when the courier of the car arrived
at the first posthouse and asked for :;
change of horses.
"Stop a littlet' asked the worthy post.
master.
NO." answered the courier in a tone
which silenced all other questions.
Il want horses and nothing else"
The Russian looked with much admi
ration on this tall courier and speedily
went for them. With a clap of the whiG
the tarantass was off, and the little Rus.
sian was alone, but not for long. Down
the road he saw another ~tarantass com
ing at breakneck speed. All, perhar-
they will STOP" he said to himself. The
little man had to flee for his life, for the
horses dashed on, and he only caught
sight of a very beautiful face in a red
hood.
Adreadful storm broke upon the night,
and in the darkness a flying ~tarantas:
dashed blythe n occupied by the cou'
rier. "Some one else in this dreadful
storm" thought he. God help them.
When the first dawn of day came. til
rain had ceased. and they were almost
past the dangers. In the middle of the
road lay the figure of a m and
the horses almost ran over her.
"She is dead!" cried the courier as he
laid his hand upon her heart. No; she
lives. l cannot see a mortal die like
this" So, with the help of the driver,
he carried her to the ~tarantass and laid
her gently down. There he sat, looking
at the girls pale face and wondering
what he should do with her.
Suddenly she opened her large. dark
eyes and gazed into his face. Her won
drous beauty captivated him, and hi
forgot to ask her if she vas hurt. Eli
only gazed and said nothing.
"You are a courier she asked at
length.
mo: | am captain of the Fourteenth
guards. And your
II am going to meet my father al