Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-01-11

might have expected from him, came in to
see me Just after had finished basin of
broth
Come" said he, after congrstulating me
on my recovery, 1--WE are beginning the
week we'll After cropping our way up this
execrabe river at a snaifs pace, here we
are at last in the open sea, with bright
sun and Il clear sky overhead. | thought
mademoiselle was going to give us the slim
after all: but now" he added rubbing his
hands as if the prospect were the cheerful
est in the world--"now we can count upon
reaching st. Petersburg withouta any further
hitch, all safe and sound.
Seeing that this promise failed TO cxhil-
arate me- he asked me if would like to 20
upon deck for Il little while. | accented the
offer eagerly.
The old gentleman placed seat for mo
in sheltered corner and nude me com.
Portable with rugs, trying his utmost to
charm away the deep detection which my
wretched face betrayed. Rudersdorf came
up and spoke courteouslyto me. but could
bot bear them--their presence irritated me.
] wanted to be alone that | might loosen
my grief and cry and cry without restraint.
A white bird skinned over the calm blue
water.
"raras would tell me its name" | said to
myself, and this simple rcilecton-th emcrc
want Of a single word from hm--so over
came me that was fain to cover my bowed
face with my hands to conceal my lack of
courage.
Rudersdorf and the old gentleman with
drew in silence. Then. ashamed of myself.
dried my eyes, resolving nat they should
not see such an exhibition again.
IL orI n nl- 81
ing, aud looking up with choking eagerness
| saw Gordon coming toward me with
anxiety in his Kind face. I dropped my
head with leaden disappointment, for in
that one moment | had conceived it possible
that Taras had come to satisfy my yearn-
ing
My dear mademoiselle," he said with
tender solicitude rs he held my hand, II
hear you have been awfully i'll. | can see
it."
That's all over--Im all right now,'
replied.
'Begad, week down below in an atmos-
phere of pea soup! It's enough to knock any
one out. But this will soon bring YOU
around, Ell? BY Jover he added, throw
ing up his head and drawing Il deep breath
of the pure air. this is like rising from the
dead"
He seated himself on coil OF rope by my
side and with cheerful encouragement in
his voice continued
Don't you take it to heart. mademoi-
selle. It'll all come right, you'll see If
they only let us come up on deck now and
then-and there no reason to keep us down
below, now werer re out Of the river and
may scream ourselves hoarse without get
ing an echo for reply-this police outrage
will simply give us Il Jolly, nice little holt
day at the expense of the Russian govern
ment. I've thought it all out while I've
been stewing down below, and it 5 Just the
certainty of turning the tables on these
muddle headed, meddliug officials that has
kept me from knocking down my jaiers-
or trying to at any rate-and making a dash
for freedom
I've thought the whole thing out, and
see exactly what will happen. When we
get to st. Petersburg. Wa shall be received
like princes-not Russian princes, you
know. The minister viii wait upon us
with a thousand and one apologies, for Of
course he has learned already by telegraph
Of the blunder these fellows have made.
Naturally he will try to eNoncrate himself,
but he'll take pains to concliate US to the
utmost of his ubility-no fear of that.
And he will afford H. every means to yet
out OF Russia as soon as ible--that' :
equally certain. And home we will 90 by
the way of Berlin and Paris, with ii day or
tWO's rest here and there to make the Jour
ncy pleasant Then one fine morning we
will wake up old Taras by marching into
Lambeth to the tune of See the Conquer
ing EIero-and lIeroine-Come Ehy'
NO" said |, shaking my head; that
will never be-"