The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-09-06
A NIHILIST MANDATE.

4AC SliiuoOi VI bIlS tuIlp CtiSU u
warm glow over the room In which a
young man sat smoking and thinking It
was early In tho evening, not long after 2,
and he was wondering where to spend tho
hours till bedtime. A knock ut tho outer
door Of his chambers disturbed his reveric.
Being alone, no went himself to answer
tho summons. A lady, tall and thickly
yelled, stood in tho passage without
Mr.. Austen Greys'
''That is my name, madam"
MAY speak with you In priute'''
Her accent was foreign.
Certainly. VIII you CONC in'"
The lady entered, Austen puzzling his
brain as to who his visitor might be She
declined the scat offered to her and glanc-
oil around the room.
''Arc we quite alone5'' she asked
quite"
The lady lifted her veil
"Olga Dobrouloff!" cried tho young
man in u tone of CONSERVATION.
II have not altered so much in six years
that you fail TO recognize me, then, Cecil
Austcn?" said she, a faint smile at his start
of surprise and sudden pallor crossing her
darkly beautiful face Cecil Austcnl All,
but you arc known moro by your nom dc
theatre now, arc you not?''
Austen forced himself to appear calm
what is your business with INC, nlS<l-
amp he inquired.
so austcrc! Your manner toward plc
WAS SO different six years ago In Russia
Well, well. my businoess TO give you
this
She handed him letter, which he icsi-
tntcd at first to open.
Breaking the seal at length, he cast his
eyes over the communication which he
drew from the envelope. Ono glance WAS
sufficient to cause his hand to trcmblo 20
violently as TO rustic the paper it hold
His pallor dccpencd for moment. Then
his face flushed, and Il disdainful look
caInc into his Dyes.
Take this back to those who sent you
to me, " he said, and say have not held
my self subject to their orders since left
Russia"
Remember your OATH
such as it was, l took it In u moment
of youthful might say boyish-cnthu-
siasm over things did not rightly under
stand. I saw my folly In time and il,,an-
doncd the society into the membership of
which WAS beguilcd by your father, who
traded on my infatuation for you"
Inflammation! You sworo you could
never love another woman and taught me
to love you, Cccil.'
Her voice softenod; her faoo grew lcss
storm.
II am sorry for that episode in my life, :"
he answered II was learning TO forget
1t and hoped you had Also"
II? Nevcr I shall love you to my dy-
ing hour. Oh, my darling" she cried,
olasping her hands passionately and tax
ing q step toward him, 'have you really
truly-ceased to love me'''
Tho topic is an unpleaeAnt one, Olga
ONO have no wish to discuss. It was
not love had for you. have discovered
that"
you have discovcrcd-ahl'
Her swift, flashing eyes fixed themselves
on photograph standing upon tho man
tclpiece. 1t was tho picture of young
girl whose face was the cmbodimcnt of
beauty, tenderness and trust.
"You havo discovered 1t, have you, Did
she help you to mako the discovery"
That is the lady hope soon to mako
my wife"
Tho words were spoken oddly haughti-
~. For moment Olga Dobrouloff's fcn-
turcs burned with the fierce fire of pas
sionatc hate Her fingers grippcd tho pic
turc tightly-grippcd it Us though they
would crush 1t. Suddenly they relaxed,
and with "a pitcous moan she sank upon
her knees and bowed her head.
'Oh, Cecil, - she cried in bitter anguish,
then l must not hope-I, who have car
ricd your Image in my heart these long,
long years? In what II fools paradise I
have lived. And yet 1t has been so sweet. "
Undoubtedly. I will NOT commit mur.
der"
Ivan Bronski is u traitor-a dog unfit
to breathe Gods pure air 1t Is not muir
der to take the life of such as no. He rc-
vealcd plot which would have struck a
gigantic blow for Russian freedom and be-
trayed my father, who is sentenced to Il
living death In tho Siberian mines-ho
and his fcllow martyrs. BY good fortune
/ succeeded In Escaping arrest. 1t was
known that Bronski had fed to England.
He had mcritcd death, and the lot fell to
you among our brothers In this country
to wrcak vengeance upon the traitor.
begged to be allowed to carry the decision
Of the chiefs to you, but OH my arrival in
London none of our fraternity could tell
me where to find Cecil Austen. BY chance
/ was present at the first performance Of
your play, recognized you when you were
called before tho curtain and followed you
to this place. have kept your identity Il
secret from our friends, because my In
stnct told me 1t would be for your good.
Your population of mo Is not uncxpcct.
ed, Cecil. Your six years silence could
only mean that you were tired OF me- New
orthclcss It was n shock to hear the truth
from your lips. And you still refuse to bc
truo to your oath rs u nihilsts"
II am no longer nihilst, however
much may sympathize with the nihilistic
aims. TO ask me TO commit murder Is re
voting"
Tho chiefs punish with death those who
do as you arc doing"
II have no fear of them"
She said nothing for some minutes, but,
looking steadily at him, extended her hand.
II am afraid my coming has brought n