Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-01-11

And yet you would risk your life and all
that That's nonsense. You seem to be
thinking more OF yourself than of Taras
Why should you be ashamed OF anything
that might save himi should be proud of
it, Go ON"
at is true. am thinking more OF my
own feelings than Of his welfare"
He was silent for a minute. Then after
glancing 70 the right and left TO see that
we were alone he continued In a tentative
tone:
You have noticed the curious resem-
blance that exists between Taras and-and
| Gordonf"
Taras was such god to me, so far above
sll other men, that this intimation took me
by surprise.
Il mean in physical appearance, /" he pur-
med. Gordon would answer in almost ev-
sry particular to written description of
saras-tall, robust, deep chested, blue eyes,
fair complexion, light hair, about 80, care
less in dress -
but their features are not alike in form
or expression"
Pardon me, there is an expression of
amiability common to both For the rest,
then, no merely verbal description could
depict one mans face so exactly as to defy
error"
81 dare say you are right Never mind
| that. Go on"
LAS | told you, Rudersdorf has never
seen Taras He has only the written de
scription issued by the police TO lead him.
Besides that, he will be guided by me-"
what thens"
"Supposing / should nlisgude himi"
''Misguide hint How could you do
! thaty'
Nothing easier. have simply to point
! out Gordon aud say. That is Taras.' He
would believe it without question"
| My courage and resolution quailed before
the possibilities this hint revealed.
"rhen he would Kill poor Gordon"
faltered
God forbid Even TO save Taras would
not be Instrumental TO the death of Gordon.
Both are my friends No. The letter |
read 10 you shows that while Rudersdorf is
under my direction lie will be held respon-
sible for the life of his prisoner. He values
his own interest too keenly to disregard the
order of his chief"
"What would happen thenf"
"Gordon would be seized and taken to
Russia in the place of Taras."
but the moment he seizes Gordon he
viii discover his mistake"
How"
Gordon does not speak Russian. He
knows only little French. He would say
at once in English that he was not Taras."
"Rudersdorf would laugh in his face.
Nearly every prisoner tries to get of by
pretending he is not the real man, but
somebody else. They would ask him for
his papers to prove his identity. An Eng
lishman never carries papers, and Gordon's
inability to produce them would convict
him at once in the eyes of Russian official
unacquaiuted with our customs"
For a moment ceased to think of Taras,
and | saw only Gordon, my genial, kind
hearted friend, torn away from his friends
and the occupation which had given him
new zest for life
Poor Gordonln | murmured.
Seeing that opposition served better than
persuasion TO stimulate my resolution,
Kavanagh shifted his ground.
Poor Gortlon.' he echoed. "A man who
never injured any living creature"
What of that" | fired up. He has
done nothing for mankind that Others have
not done There are thousands of men as
good as he There is not another in the
world like Taras"
THAT is true. But it seems cruel, an
awful shame to make him suffer for no
fault Of his. It's vilainous thing to do.
No, hang It'll | can't bring myself to play
this treacherous part. must think of it.
r.
But you are certain that hi lie will not
be taken
"As certain as am that the sun will rise
tomorrow. But to him freedom
They will not Keep him prisoner for
ever interrupted again.
Mo- he said, with smile But" he
added gravely. "he may be kept prisoner
for months"
''Monthsr' exclaimed, astonished by the
lightness of the penalty.
Possibly" He seemed to misinterpret
my surprise ION the other hand, he may
be set at liberty in few weeks. 1t all de
ponds upon the length of time he has TO
wait tor official examination. The minister
of police of course knows Taras. and the
moment he sees Gordon the mistake will
be discovered.
"A few weeks-a few months-that is
nothingl"
10 you"
Or 10 him. man with half his kind
ness would undergo that cheerfully to save
his friend. Gordon will agree to it him
self, know"
Il believe he would if we could make /
him a party to the scheme Unfortunate /
ly we cannot. He Is the worst actor in the |
world The slightest evidence of compile I
ity on his part would arouse Rudersdorf's /
suspicious, and the thing would fall /
through"
nodded assent TO this, knowing howawk- 1
ward poor Gordon was But kavanaghs i
hesitation to act still nystified me.
"A short period of captivity seems to you I
a trife in comparison with the life of 4
friend, Z he observed.
YES, it is. and ] cannot understand why I
you hold hack"
There are good many things that wom- I
en- do not understand, and honor between /
friends is one of them. fear. And ii is
not only this breach Of honor which have /
to consider" he added in a less resentful I
tone, seeing that my perplexity had not /
been removed. you have lost sight OF /
the fact that this affair dooms me TO per 4
petual exile, if not to DEATH