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

Cossacks and convicts alike we're pet
rified at the lads daring deed, and for
a moment no one stirred.
Phil made motion to follow his COM
panion, but Platoff fiercely held him
back. Then Captain Daroman stagger-
ed dizzily to his feet. He drew his
sword and sprang with a savage cry at
Maurice, who was standing calmly in
front Of the girl he had rescued.
The lads fate appeared to be sealed,
but just when the weapon was within
a foot of his head the captain stopped
short and cried in voice hoarse with
passion, mo, no, my fine fellow; that's
too merciful for you" He sheathed his
weapon and turned to the soldiers.
"Bind him to that tree yonder," he
shouted, land shoot him instantly"
The Cossacks sprang forward, and
Maurice was speedily tied to large
tree that stood few yards distant near
the base of the hill.
The convicts huddled affrightedly to-
gether, and the girl, who seemed un-
able to comprehend the meaning of the
scene, edged away from the spot, look
ing with unutterable terror at Captain
Daroman.
The commandant gave several sharp,
quick orders, and a dozen Cossacks ad-
yanced from the line. They dropped
their rife butts with ringing clatter
to the frozen ground and then raised
them to their shoulders.
Maurice, pale and trembling, faced
the glaring muzzles
He knew that in another moment the
leaden volley would pierce his breast,
and yet he faced the prospect with q
calmness that surprised himself. All
his psf life was surging through his
mind, out still he saw distinctly every
detail Of the scene before him-the awe
struck convicts, the agitated faces of
Phil and Platoff, the firing squad Of
Cossacks and the ferocious countenance
of Captain Daroman.
"Why did they not fire?" he wonder
ed vaguely, and then he began to utter
silent prayer.
"Take aimp shouted the comman-
dant, and the l2 black muzzles centered
together. Maurice closed his eyes with
a shudder. A low sob burst from Phil,
and Platof ground his teeth.
"FireW was already trembling on
Captain Daroman's lips when star
tling interruption occurred.
The young girl sprang across the RI
fes and threw herself in front Of Mau-
rice.
IT 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. I"
The commandant 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 flushing
eyes In another Instant they would
have seized her roughly, but just then
q clatter of hoofs was heard, and q
young Cossack officer, mounted on a
black horse, galloped up to the party.
He surveyed the scene for u moment.
Then, finging the lines to soldier, he
leaped from the saddle and approached
tho girl, doffing his cap respectfully as
he did so.
Miss Lora," he said, your father,
the colonel, has sent me i'll search Of
you. He feared you had straycd off and
lost your way"
A revolving bombshell could not have
caused greater CONSERVATION than did
the quiet speech of this young officer.
The soldiers lowered their rifles instant
", and the convicts began to whisper
excitedly among themselves, and Cap
tain Daroman's face assumed an expires.
sion that none who saw it can ever for
get.
"You have come just III time, y re-
piled the m;sden. II have suffered In
suit at the hands of that man. point
ing to the trembling commandant,
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-