The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-10-12

were conducted to their cells for the
last time.
Some of the prisoners slept soundly
as though entirely unooncerned in the
grim tragedy to be enacted on the NOR
row. Not SO Radovitch. From side to
side of his narrow cell, like some Gagged
wild animal, he paced, listening the
while intently for the footstep of the
messenger that was to recall him to
freedom and to the joys of life. The
long night passed, all too quickly for
him, for whom the messenger so unac-
countably delayed. He had seen Gen.
eral Garashinin in court from day to
day, and once glance of intelligence,
he persuaded himself, had passed be-
tween them. Vainly the two warders,
whose duty it was to watch him, sought
to induce him to take rest.
"He may come at any moment" no
kept saying to himself, land had bet
ter keep awake in case of any misun-
derstanding.
His throat was parched, and his
tongue Glove to the roof Of his mouth,
but he refused every offer of water OF
wine overcome as he was with the ter
rible anxiety Of impending doom, an
anxiety rendered all the greater by the
conviction that such doom was not in
tended for him.
At last faint grayness began to man.
ifest itself through the close bars bf his
cell. 1t was the light, the herald of a
new day, the last for the condemned
men. And now Radovitch began to ex-
plain, in husky tones, that his oonvic.
ton was all blunder. The two men
looked intelligently at each other and
pityingly upon the wretched prisoner,
but said not a word.
In few minutes all the ten We're as.
sembled in the courtyard of the prison,
nine Of them calm and collected, for the
bitterness Of death was already past
one prey to mortal fear and sickening
terror and evidencing it all too plainly
in his trembling limbs and livid coun.
tenance. In the hurried goodbys they
exchanged with each other Radovitch
came in for more than his share of at.
tention.
"Come, Dimtri," said one, 1--WE all
owe nature death. AS we'll pay it now
as later. 4"
"Cheer up, comrade." whispered an.
other. SIT makes these hirelings rejoice
to sec you afraid
cts all mistake" mumbled the
wretched man. "Where is General Gar
ashinin?'
'He is never present at executions, 1"
replied the soldier he addressed. HE
issued his final orders last night.
And then melancholy procession be-
gan to move toward the glacis of the
fortress prison. A priest led the way,
holding aloft large cross before the
eyes of the doomed men, who followed
in single file, their ordinary dress COW
cred with long robe of white linen,
at once covering for the living and a
shroud for the dead. The morning sun
had not yet risen as the procession wend-
ed it's way slowly to the place of execu-
ton, their life's span narrowed to q
few minutes and narrowing with fear
full rapidity at every step they took.
At last they reached the place ap.
pointed. Five stakes had been driven
into the ground near the summit of the
long, even slope Of the rampant. To
these they were bound in couples, fac
ing the east, now kindling with the
warm flush Of the rising sun, whose
coming was to be the signal for their
death. Ranged in front Of them, at a
distance Of 10 yards, was company of
soldiers with loaded rifles, whose cap
tain, standing little way apart, held
in his hand white handkerchief, at
whose fall 60 tongues of fire would leap
forth and 60 bullets seek the hearts Of
the unhappy men.
There was still time for the last scene
but one in tho tragedy before the sun
should rise The cross was held before
the lips of each man for a final kiss in
turn. Then dagger was broken over
their heads by soldier detailed from
the thousands drawn up to witness the
vengeance Of the car. At that moment
the sun seemed to bound into space, and
every heart almost stopped.
But the officer has not let the signal
handkerchief fall. Instead the retreat
is sounded ON a SCORE Of bugles, and the
troops march off the ground. The kneel-
ing men were informed that the emper-
or had been graoiously pleased to grant
them their lives. They were unbound,
and, as If in dream, tried to realize
ell that had happened and to congratu-
late one another ere the last couple had
been reached. One Of these had fallen
forward on his face as far as his bonds
permitted. 1t was Radovitch.
HE has tainted" said a soldier.
Bring me some water, sharp"
"No need to trouble" said the doc
tor, who had rapidly examined him.
"He is dead. The fright has killed
him. +"
It was too true. The chief of the Sc
cret police had carried out his promise