The morning call., 1894-10-07
PRICE FIVE CENTS.

a lantern, preparatory to seeing the ami
mails fed for the night Vnlkonsky could
not forbear making one last effort. He
offered to buy the horses. looking into the
oiu fellows eyes with frank, winning
glance that was one of his greatest charms.
No." said the old fellow slowly. 81 am
the posting master. God and my duty re-
qaire that / shall let no man have my
horses If the Car wants them. / cannot
LET YOU have them.'
VolkOnsky remained silent, respecting
in his heart the simple LOYALTY of the
tavern-keeper. but he would have given
ten times the value OF the beasts to have
got them.
Reduced to the certainty that he could
not get away until morning Voikonsky be-
gan to look around him. His eyes fell up
on Elizabeth, as she stood over the stove,
with hot iron in her hand. Al his first
glance an electric shock ran through him,
such as lie had never felt for any of those
fine, dainty st. Petersburg girls. whom hA
danced with at court balls. He thought it
was the mere shock of surprse-for the
Russian women of the lower classes are
far from handsome, and to find dazzling
beauty among them is like finding gold in
mud bank. But there could be no ques-
ton about Elizabeth's beauty. She knew,
OF course, that she possessed it, and she
had evidently taken care of it. Nothing
about her except her finely formed but
coarse hands gave any indication of work
or exposure. Her ey es were OF a luminous
gray. that turned black when she was an
cry ana blue when she was pleased. Her
hair was dark, and curled little about
her white neck. Her mouth. perhaps, was
little wide Tor perfect loveliness, but the
exquisite redness of her lips, and her
white and regular teeth made this slight
defect seem beauty. She was above the
middle height. but slender. and her arms,
with her sleeves rolled up to the elbow.
were dream of perfection.
Elizabeth. conscious that the handsome
young officer was looking at her, turned
ner glowing eyes full upon him. The un-
Outstanding between the TWO was swifter
than the flight Of the swiftest bird. In IN
instant some strange and to Elizabeth
0verpowering attraction sprang into life.
Ivan Petrot had now gone out and Y OIL
konsky, his face tightening involuntarily.
spoke to Elizabeth He even raised his
two fingers to put them under her chin,
but at his first complimentary word about
her beauty she drew off and gave him such
a stare that the elegant the fascinating
Count Feodor Volkonsky looked posi-
lively sheepish. However, he was not
easilv Disconnected, aud cycling her with
great boldness said. 1T is a pity that |
cannot remain here longer than tonight"
but you can't go until you can get
horses. for our two are for the Cars mes
senger." replied Elizabeth in sweet tone.
already" answered Volkonsky, shut you
see [ have very serious reason Tor wish
ing to get TO the railway station. | must
be in st. Petersburg before midnight to-
morrow"
"To see your wife or your sweetheart"
asked Elizabeth, trifing with the irons on
the stove.
81 have no wife or sweetheart either"
answered V0lkonsky, taking his mothers
letter out Of his pocket.
II can read writing" said Elizabeth.
VolkOnsky gravely handed her the let
| ter, which Elizabeth as gravely read.
About ten minutes had passed and Eliza
| beth had fallen desperately in love with
| this man. who was the first gentleman she
| had ever spoken with in her life. He was
so beautifully neat; his hair was so daintily
| trimmed around bis white. strong neck |:
| his hands, although sinewy, were so re-
fined, and he had such captivating smile.
1t few inso Elizabeth's rash and sanguine
| mind that here was her fate. A Count for
husband! Such things had happened be-
fore.
"Perhaps," said she, in half whisper,
| leaning toward VoikoDsky, who had fixed
his laughing eloquent eyes upon her.
when my father and mother are asleep
there will be a moon Tonight have
often driven to the station" She paused,
but Volkonsky Immediately understood
| her.
gu m6au tudb you Will uTlV6 iue Lu6Tc,
so that can take the train nat passes at
| O'Clock in the morning? Oh. what an
angel! But will any harm come TO you
by it?"
mot on the road. In the darkness I
shall have you. and / will have daylight to
come back by. What my father will say
don't know. But would like so much to
Oblige-your mother. am sure she is as
good as she is grand" At which both of
them burst out laughing.
sat all events" cried Volkonsky de-
lighted. IL will see that you do not come
to any harm by obliging me-so, when shall
we start?"