The morning call., 1893-09-10
I beg of YOU OF to do it now. l caupO, do

beg of you not to do it now. cannot do
it; l cannotP'
Fool ~ be Missed at her; 'vou little
know your power. With your beauty you
can DO anything"
"And would you sell ?" she asked. He
hesitated, then said:
Yes; for the-eause.'
You are strange father" she added,
slowly, looking at him with no spark of
love In her ewes; ''but l NAV prove a
traitor too. What then, father?"
de bent his head and whispered in her
ear: II will shoot you, my beautiful
queen, so take care. For the first time TO-
night doubt you, but it's an insane idea
Go into the ballroom and dance an hour,
then return to the 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 was
so tragic.
1t was about the next night after the
bail when the courier of the Gar arrived
at the first posthouse and asked for change
of horses.
stop little ?' 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 admira-
ton on this tall courier, and speedily went
for them. With a clap Of the whip the
tarantass was off and the little Russian
was alone. but not for long. Down the
road be saw another tarantass coming at
breakneck speed. "Ah, perhaps they
will STOP" he said to himself. The little
man bad to flee for his life. for the horses
dashed on. and he only caught Sight of a
very beautiful face in a red hood.
dreadful storm broke upon the night.
and in the darkness a flying tarautass
dashed bv the one occupied by the courier.
''Some one else in this dreadful storm"
thought he. God help them" When the
first dawn of day came the rain had
ceased and they were almost past the dan
gers. In the middle of the road lay the
figure of woman, and the horses almost
ran over her.
''She is dead" cried the courier, as he
laid his hand upon her heart. mo, she
lives. | cannot see 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 wondr0us
beauty captivated him, and he forgot to
ask her if she was hurt. BE only gazed
and said nothing.
you are courier?" she asked at
length.
NO; am captain of the Fourteenth
Guards. And you?"
Lam going to meet my father at Isham."
she answered. Her voice was wonderfully
low and sweet and lie believed all she told
him.
They journeyed on together, and the
time sped rapidly away.
At last they reached Isham and the girl
looked for her father. but of course he was
not there. She burst into tears and would
not be cOnsoled. An officer had taken the
last horses an hour before, and the courier
had to wait for his own TO rest.
In the meantime Nodine, for it was she.
wove subtle charm around the courier
lie was not proof against the glances from
her splendid, half-veIled eyes. Her red
lips seemed to say, Come and kiss me-"
Her voice, her smile seemed to make the
air he oreathed delightful, and his nerves
thrilled with Joy. How could he help low
ing her? Seeing her in all the glory of
her youth and beauty, he forgot the Car
and all Russia.
They were standing beside high rock.
and with an impulse prompted by his
great passion he kDelt at her feet, kissing
her hands madly and begging her to tell
| him her name.
Her poor heart beat wildly. For the
| first time she loved, and at the cost of ber
| life she resolved to be true. not to her
oath, hut to the man who knslt before her.
go! Flee for your lifel" she cried.
| "My name is Nhiist."
| He started to his feet and turned to
| leave her In a dazed manner. A sharp re-
| port of pistol sounded on the air. and the
courier of the Gar fell wounded With
lightning quickness Nodine knelt beside
/ her lover. and while smoothing back his
hair with one hand with the Other she
stole the imperial letter and slipped 1t In to
her breast. Then she left him, for she
| had made up her mind that she would
carry the important message to the Gar
| herself.
After travelling day and night without