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

AAN'uNho Wouiu haNo vi tut yOuuB CIVIL
vict he wisely concluded to bo ON the
safe side and act with leniency.
he gave Maurice few drops of vod-
ka from his own flask and mounted him
on pony until the mines were reach.
ed. This treatment was speedily effect
i've, and Maurice was able TO work as
usual with his fellow prisoners, for the
officer refused to extend his leniency
any further. He was kept vigorously
apart from Phil and Platoff, however,
and put to work some distances away.
The rest of the day was not destined
to pass uneventfully. During the noon
period OF rest an ominous incident &C.
CURED, and one from which Maurice
drew an inference favorable to himself.
Twenty mounted Cossacks RODE up to
the mines, headed by middle aged Of
ficer with dignified bearing, who stern
ly asked for Captain Daroman.
When told that the commandment had
not accompanied the convicts to the
mines, he appeared much concerned.
and presently the whole party rode
away at full speed.
Trudging home at sunset, three diff
ferent squads of soldiers were encounter
ed, and on reaching the settlement sup
pressed excitement was visible on the
faces of all whom they met. Within the
prison much whispering was going on
among the convicts, and the new arriv-
ais were speedily acquainted with
dozen different versions of what was
indeed startling tale.
The facts of the case, as CLEANED from
these different stories, which had enter
ed the prison in some unaccouI,tahle
manner, appeared to be as follows:
Captain Daroman, on leaving the
convict gangs that morning, had return
ed in haste to the prison, changed his
clothes in his own apartment, armed
himself heavily and then galloped
away on fresh horse, in what direction
none observed.
Shortly after his departure troop of
soldiers arrived from the lower dig
| gings with warrant for his arrest. 1t
was no secret that the commandment had
sought safety in fight, and now half
| the force in barracks was securing the
country in pursuit.
Maurice was jubilant as he sat on
| the bare platform, eating his frugal sup
per, with Phil and Platoff by his side.
| Their fellow convicts had been crowd
ing about them, eagerly discussing the
momentous affair." and now at last they
were comparatively by themselves.
"And how do you think this will af-
] feet me, Platoif?" asked Maurice will
! it Tighten my sentence, or is it even
possible that | shall obtain a fair hear
ing from the governor and be permitted
to tell him our story? l feel sure that l
should convince him of the truth. y
Platoff gravely shook his head.
Don't be too hopeful, my friend, I"
he replied. "There are complications in
] this affair that you are unable to see.
| To me, with my knowledge and expert
ence. they are only too plain. You have
performed brave deed it is true, and
protected from insult the daughter of
Colonel Melikoff, but at the same time
you have broken the severest Of prison
rules and committed fragrant crime,
for which the penalty is death. !"
"And would not the one offset the
other?" demanded Maurice with indig-
nation. would the circumstances count
for nothing?"
Colonel Mclikoff is known as the
most stern and rigid disciplinarian in
| all Siberia" answered Platoff soberly.
II fear that he may insist on making
your case an example to the other pris-
oners. You assaulted an officer-an I'M
pardonable crime"
eyes, and saved his daughter, as
serted Maurice holly. "Can he overlook
that?'
"He can overlook anything" said
Platoff grimly. Listen! can tell you
what kind of man Colonel Melikoff il
in few words. Do you remember in
one of Victor Hugo's romances the gun
ner who allowed huge cannon to teal
loose from its fastenings on shipboard
during a storm, and then, after ter
rife combat in which his life was jeop
ardized hundred times, overturned the
monster and saved his comrades?"
eyes, i have read that" said Mau
rice.
every WE'LL" resumed Platoff. "Tht
commander Of that vessel first rewarded
that man for his bravery, then sho
him for his negligence Colonel Nell
koff is second Marquis de Lautenac. ,
"But you don't think I'm in any
danger of being shot?" asked Maurice
in Mortified whisper.
"No," said Platoff; cts not tina
bad. You may know all tomorrow, ant
then it is possible that l shall hav'
something to say to you"
Platoff refused to explain himsel
any further, and presently, in spite o
his troubles, Maurice was sleeping
soundly..
The morning verification was presided
over by Lieutenant Sudekin, who, i
seemed, had been appointed temporar.
commandment of the prison. Before start
ing for the mines it was Whispered
among the convicts that Captain Daro
man had not been caught, and this ru
| NOR was presently verified, for tn
| working gangs started out that morn
, ing in sux.cly of less than half tn