The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-05


shudder. A low sob burst from Phil,
and Platoff ground his teeth
"Flre" was already trembling on
Captain Daroman's lips when a star
thing interruption occurred.
The young girl sprang across the ri
fles and threw herself in front of Maui
rice.
Il forbid you to shoot!" she exclaim-
ed, facing the soldiers. Release this
man, or you shall all be punished! And
YOU" she added to Captain Daroman,
"you shall pay dearly for this insult.
The commandment swore frightful
oath. "Take her away!" he shouted to
his men. Drag her to one side and
finish this dog here"
Half a dozen Cossacks advanced to-
ward the courageous girl, but she held
her ground and met them with flashing
eyes. In another instant they would
have seized her roughly, but just then
clatter of hoofs was heard, and a
young Cossack officer, mounted on
black horse, galloped up to the party.
He surveyed the scene for moment.
Then, fiinging the lines to soldier, he
leaped from the saddle and approached
the girl, doffing his cap respectfully as
he did so.
miss Lora," he said, "your father,
the colonel, has sent me in search of
you. He feared you had strayed off and
lost your way"
A revolving bombshellcould not have
caused greater CONSERVATION than did
the quiet speech of this young officer.
The soldiers lowered their rifles instant
ly, and the convicts began to whisper
excitedly among themselves, and Cap
tain Daroman's face assumed an express
sion that none who saw it can ever for
get.
"You have come just in time, )" re-
piled the maiden. 81 have suffered in
suit at the hands of that man." point
ing to the trembling commandment,
land this convict here, who saved me
from the wretch, was about to be shot
for his noble deed.
The officer turned sternly and inquir-
ingly toward Captain Daroman, who
now came unsteadily forward. "Sude-
kin, who is that girl;" he asked in a
husky voice. II thought she belonged
to the free command yonder.
"She IL the daughter of Colonel Mel
ikoff, the governor of the mines, re-
piled the officer. "She went out for
walk this morning and wandered up
here from the lower diggings. l was
sent in search of her. 1t looks as though
you were in pretty bad scrape this
time, Daroman.
The commandant grew still paler.
"But tell me-" he whispered, 'can
nothing be done to smooth matters over?
Why, didn't even know that Colonel
Melikoff had daughter.
"She just came on visit from r.
kutsk," replied Sudekin coldly. "Ev-
erything rests with her, Daroman.
Don't talk to me"
The commandment hesitated second
or two, and then in cringing manner
that must have been bitter as gall to
his proud spirit approached the girl.
"Miss Melikoff," he began humbly,
but at the first word she Indignantly
moved to one side.
before you dare speak to me-" she
said angrily, "release that brave man
there"
The commandment gave the necessary
orders, and then, while the soldiers
were unbinding Maurice, he made an
abiect apology, and in the most piteous
tomas begged that his offense might be
overlooked and kept from reaching her
father.
1t was "a strange scene, the savage
Captain Daroman suing for mercy III
the presence of his own soldiers and oil
the conyicts who had felt so often his
iron rule.
The girl listened calmly to his -
neal. and when he had finishe 4 s.
walked proudly away like an of 'l'
princess, not deigning TO Civo HILL
much as a glance.
"Take me home, Lieutenant Suof
kim she said. 81 have heard qui.
enough"
The lieutenant pointed across the
plain. ga sleigh was ordered to follow
me-" he replied II see it coming
now" The conveyance quickly reach
ed the spot, with a merry ringing O.
bells.
Miss Lora darted a grateful glance a
Maurice and stepped in among the furs
The driver whipped up the horses, ant
the sleigh sped rapidly off, ATTENDED
closely by Lieutenant Sudekin on hi
black charger go,
Captain Daroman watched it until
was dim in the distance. Then, turning
ON Maurice one glance so venomous ant
malignant that the lad shuddered, b.
put spurs to his pony and galloped OIL
without q word.
"Get in line there" cried the sub
officer harshly. The convicts lnstanti.
obeyed, the Cossacks surrounded then
with shouldered rifles, and the inter
rupted march was resumed as calml.
and monotonously as though the even
inst witnessed had never occurred.
Maurice, assisted by his two compan
ions, staggered forward with the nj
most difficulty. He was suffering iron
1 -. L. M