Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-06-12

es? And what promises she read in the
eyes of Alexisl
The princess did not stop to analyze
, either her preferences or her aversions.
Sh1 loved Alexis that was enough
Love at 20 has a spark of divinity in it.
1t does not even care to understand it.
, self.
One day Alexis swore to the princess
that he would only put his lips to the
hem of her gown, but carried on by the
torrent of his youthful love he kissed
| her passionately She fed to her favor
ite blue salon, which she never allowed
/ any one to enter. There she permitted
the count to join her.
After that they sat there whenever
they were alone together.
So it was that, seated ON divan op-
posite the long window, the princess
saw kneeling before her MIN who was
not yet her lover, but to whom she felt
already that she entirely belonged
"Ah, my life, how love youl' he
was saying.
His arms were about her. Drawing
her closer to him, he sought her lips.
She was uneasy and made as if she
would release herself, when, suddenly
conquered by the convulsion which rent
her heart, she closed her eyes, and her
lips met his.
Yam Barsouck watched. Before those
swo young creatures rapt in an ecstasy
Of love he smiled
This love, what was it? A pit into
which man led woman, and she ran to
it blindly, careless of her fate.
Yam understood this love- No one
could initiate as he could the moaning
love lamentations of the otter to his
mate. How many had he shot, to save
them from their DOOM" as he ex-
pressed it.
Meanwhile, his eyes fixed ON the
count, Yam silently leveled his carbine.
Inflamed by the long, voluptuous en-
brace and moved by the strength of his
passion, Alexis arose. Little by little
he pressed closer against him the slight
form lying so unresistingly in his arms.
With his impatient fingers he tore aside
the silk folds of her gown.
But the princess stood erect. The
adorable modesty of her gesture, the
look of amazement in her eyes, accom-
panied by so much love, so much fear,
reminded Alexis of his promise. Fall
ing once more upon his knees, respect
fully, reverently, he laid his lips to the
hem of her gown.
Barsouck saw all, even the look of
mad passion with which the princess
thanked Alexis, unconsciously promis-
ing to repay him hundredfold for the
sacrifice she now imposed ON him.
A veil was suddenly torn away from
the soul OF the brute. His savage ma
ture was electrified by the ray of un
derstanding which penetrated his very
heart. 1t was new idea-exquisite, el-
evating-that. of woman's S modesty.
Now he understood pure love.
AS Alexis rose from his knees the
prince entered. Certain of satiatlng his
hatred, gloating over the horror into
which his unexpected entrance had
thrown them, the prince advanced de-
liberately toward the lovers, who stood
trembling before him. He went eau
tiously, like a caterpillar creeping un.
der the petals of flower.
Alexis threw himself in front of the
princess. But quickly disengaging her.
self the woman boldly confessed all.
Then, with superb audacity, she stood
staring in her husbands face.
Old Horostienko was beside himself
with rage. Grasping the handkerchief
which was to serve as signal to Bar
souck, he threw it with the force of
blow in his wife's face.
Surprised to see the count still erect,
he turned toward the window-and
fell, shot through the eye.
Like the offers rs!-Translated For San
Francisco Argonaut From the Russian.