The Portland daily press., 1894-09-19
A hIHILIST MANDATE.

The crimson shade of the lamp cast a
warm glow over the room in which a
young man sat smoking and thinking 1t
was early in the evening, not long after z,
and he was wondering where to spend the
hours till bedtime. A knock at the outer
door of his chambers disturbed his reverie
Being alone, he went himself to answer
the summons. A lady, tall and thickly
veiled, stood in the passage without.
Mr.. Austen Grey?"
s'That is my name, madam"
May speak with you in private?"
Her accent was foreign.
Certainly. Will you come in?'
The lady entered, Austen puzzling his
brain as to who his visitor might be. She
declined the seat offered to her and glanc-
ed around the room.
''Are we quite alone?" she asked.
'sQuite'
The lady lifted her veil.
''Olga Dobrouloff!'' cried the young
man in a tone of CONSERVATION.
II have not altered.so much in six years
that you fail to recognize me, then, Cecil
Austen?" said she, faint smile at his start
of surprise and sudden pallor crossing her
darkly beautiful face. Cecil Austen! All,
but you are known more by your nom de
theatre now are you not?"
Austen forced himself to appear calm.
''What is your business with me, mad
amp he inquired.
$50 austere! Your manner toward me
was so different six years ago in Russia.
Well, well, my businesss To give you
this
She handed him letter, which he hesi-
tated at first to open.
Breaking the seal at length, he cast his
eyes over the communication which he
drew from the envelope. One glance was
sufficient to cause his hand to tremble so
violently as to rustic the paper it held.
His pallor deepened for moment. Then
his face flushed and disdainful look
came into his eyes.
'tTake this back to those who sent you
to me- he said, land say have not held
my self subject to their orders since left
Russia
Remember your oath"
ssSuch as it was, I took it in moment
of youthful might say boyish-enthu-
siasm over things did not rightly under
stand. saw my folly in time and aban-
doned the society into the membership Of
which / was beguiled by your father, who
traded on my infatuation for you.
''Infatuation! You swore you could
never love another woman and taught me
to love you, Cecil
Her voice softened: her face grew less
stern.
II am sorry for that episode in my life, .
he answered II was learning to forget
it and hoped you had also. ="
IT? Never! I shall love you to my dy-
ing hour. Oh, my darling" she cried,
I clasping her hands passionately and tax
ing step toward him, shave you really
-truly-ceased to love me?'
1.-THE topic is an unpleasant one, Olga
one have no wish to discuss. 1t was
not love had for you. have discovered
that
sYou have discovered-ah!"
Her swift, flashing eyes fixed themselves
on photograph standing upon the man
telpiece. 1t was the picture of a young
girl whose face was the embodiment Of
beauty, tenderness and trust
"You have discovered it, have you? Did
she help you to make the discovery?'
''That is the lady I hope soon to make
my wife. y
The words were spoken coldly, haughti-
ly. For moment Olga Dobrouloff' IS fea-
lures burned with the fierce fire of pas
sionate hate Her fingers gripped the pic
ture tightly-gripped it as though they
would crush it. Suddenly they relaxed.