San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-07

| ewes In another instant they would
have seized her roughly, but just then
clatter of hoofs was heard, and a
young Cossack officer, mounted on a
black horse, galloped up to the party.
He surveyed the scene for a moment.
Then, fiinging the lines to a 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 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 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 bands 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. ''Sudc-
kin, who is that girl?" be asked in a
husky voice. II thought she belonged
to the free command yonder.
"She is the daughter of Colonel Mel
ikoff, the governor of the mines" re-
piled the officer. "She went out for a
walk this morning and wandered up
here from the lower diggings. / was
! sent in search of her. 1t looks as though
you were in pretty bad scrape this
time, Daroman.
The commandment 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 ooldly. "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 yO1 dare speak to me, D." she
said angriIy, release that brave man
| there"
The commandment gave the necessary
orders, and then, while the soldiers
were unbinding Maurice, he made an
abject apology, and in the most piteous
tones 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 in
the presence of his own soldiers and of
the cOnvicts who had felt so often his
iron rule.
The girl listened calmly to his APP
peal, and when lie had finished she
walked proudly away like an offended
princess, not deigning to give him so
much as a glance.
"Take me home, Lieutenant Sude-
kim" she said. 81 have heard quite
enough.
The lieutenant pointed across the
plain. "a sleigh was ordered to follow
me-" be replied. 81 see it coming
now" The conveyance quickly reach
ed the spot, with a merry ringing OF
bells.
Miss Lora darted a grateful glance at
Maurice and stepped in among the furs.
The driver whipped up the horses, and
the sleigh sped rapidly off, attended
closely by Lieutenant Sudekin on his
black charger.
Captain DarOman watched it until it
was dim in the distance. Then, turning
on Maurice one glance so venomous and
malignant that the lad shuddered, h1
put spurs to his pony and galloped off
without a word
"Get in line there" cried the sub
officer harshly. The convicts instantly
Obeyed, the Gossacks surrounded them
with shouldered rifles, and the inter
/ 4uDttu uldItu "dN IGbuLlGu dS Calmly
and monotonOusly rs though the event
! just witnessed had never occurred.
Maurice, assisted by his two oompan-
ions, staggered forward With the ut
most difficulty. He was suffering from
a violent reaction. He had bravely at
tackled the Commandant and faced the
certainty of death without a tremor,
but the sudden restoration to hope was
too much for him.
The officer in command perceived his
enfeebled condition, and feeling doubt
full as to the bearing which the recent
incident would have on the young con-
vict he wisely concluded to be 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 th,
officer refused to extend his leniency
any further. He was kept vigorously
| apart from Phil and PlatOff however