Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-01

Oh: Go directly to the Kara river and
follow its channel up to this very spot,
so that it will be impossible to track
your footsteps. Two miles along this
ridge is cave among the rocks. 1t lies
in among seven pine trees and is diff
cult to find. No one but myself knows
it, and I discovered it by accident two
years ago, when my father first came
here from Moscow. In this cave have
already hidden clothes and money. To-
day or tomorrow shall find way to
convey food there, and tsworrow night
you must attempt to escape. If you can
reach the cave, you are safe for awhile.
Remain there for week or two, and
then, when the pursuit has abated or is
being conducted fur from here, it will
be time to start for the distant Pacific.
If your friend is q clever man, ho may
guide you there in safety. You will
find clothes for three in the cave. Now
you had better 90. Don't attempt to get
the package at present. Wait until yon
start back to the prison at night "
"But you"-cricd Maurice, quite for
getting himself-"you have placed your
self in peril fer my sake. How con I
ever thank you? How can l ever hope
to repay such debt of gratitude?"
"Hush," said Lora; mot so loud.
You will betray yourself" Her voice
had touch of haughtiness, of offended
pride, that showed Maurice instantly
the gulf between himself, a degraded
convict, wearing the prison stripes, and
this aristocratic young Russian, the
daughter of famous Colonel Melikoff.
Forgive me-" he said humbly. II
forgot was so grateful-that was all.
did not Think
"It is q debt" she interrupted cold
"; "a sacred obligation on me, an
obligation that is doubly binding since
my father refuses to acknowledge it.
But do not think that regard you as
those men yonder, those thieves, assas-
SINS robbers. / have heard something
Of your history. You are Englishmen.
you and your friend. You are very
young, and l prefer to believe that you
have fallen into bad company and sin.
ned through ignorance. Don't think
that sympathize with your views, for
those who plot against our czar are
wicked men. If through any aid Of
mine you can reach your own country
again, please try to think better of Rus
sia.
81 shall never forget you," said
Maurice, "but your opinion of me is
wrong, assure you. am neither a
revolutionist nor hihilist, and have
never plotted against Russia. I am an
American, Miss Melikof, and my story,
could you but hear it, would give you
some different ideas of your own land.
My mother was''-
"Hushl" said Lora suddenly. "The
guards are coming. must slip away at
once. will never see yoa again, but l
shall pray for your escape. Goodby:"
"Goodby," exclaimed Maurice fer
vently, and as he rose to his feet the
harsh voice of the overseer summoned
the men to work. and he went slowly
and sadly down the slope.
Through the long hours of that after
noon he worked as though in dream,
and more than one sharp reprimand was
hurled at him by the angry overseer.
Little did he care for that. A wild hope
of freedom was senthing through his
brain, vision of !aroff America and
friends he had never expected to see
again, yet there was bitterness mingled
with his joy.
This Russian girl believed him guilty
of the crimes with which he was
charged. She believed that he had plot
ted against her native land, against the
czar, whom she honored and revered.
Carried away by his feelings, Mau.
rice even began to find some excuse for
the tyrannical and despotic means that
had placed him in his terrible situation.
If only he could have chance to tell
her his story, he thought, she would be
convinced and believe him. And now
he would never see her again, never
have chance to explain, and she would
always be ignorant of the truth.
The agitated expression of his face
was noticed by his companions. They
regarded him curiously, wondering evil