The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1897-04-17

demanded, low at her car, while still bend
ing over her. "Will you be my wife?"
'Never,' she answered so cmphatically
that those near by turned to look at her.
"We go the same way" he said. with a
ferocious smile, and placed himself at her
side. 81 have business with the governor. &"
They walked together, he threatening as
usual, she in silence, wondering why Fec
dor did not appear and fearing he would
When they reached the governors study
he entered, and she, ltttle TO his appre-
hensive annoyance, followed him in.
General Gedeonoff loomed up at his
official desk. Maria sat near him
"Christ Is risen' declaimcd Boris.
"He Is risen - echoed the general, con-
forming to the universal custom of the
day, but growing as an appendix. And
Judas troubles are about to begin.
Here, your excellence, is the envelope
intrusted to my care" Boris reported,
drawing 1t and folded paper together
from his pocket. "And here is q warrant
for your excellency's signature authoriz.
ing the arrest of a nihilist conspirator. ="
"His names"
"Feodor Danilov"
"No, no, your excellency! 1t is false
charged cried Natalia In terror clasping
her hands imploringly
The old governor waved her aside, and
looking picrcingly at the accuser said in n
tone of curious and surprised interest:
$50 you have had the courage to attempt
winding me about your fngery ! am not
aware that any one has done that yet and
fancy would not like it, particularly to
be wound around finger so dirty as yours
always Is. -
81 never said anything of the sort. |
swear that did not. She has been lying
about me" And he pointed at Natalia
She has not until just now said IA
word.
81 heard you" interpolated Maria.
"Your excellency is mistaken, =" STAN
mered Boris, beginning to feel frightened
"No. She Is not, miscreant" thundercd
the general. 81 myself heard you. Your
words were written down as you III cred
them Open that envelope which you 81 "
sealed minute after You left Natalia and
have had ever since. Read. -
Boris was so terrified that he did not
even notice several persons entering the
room behind him. His trembling fingers
tore open the envelope, and he hastily
scanned the sheet 1t inclosed. at Is witch
craftP' he shrieked. Mercy Have
mercy" and dropped upon his knees.
"Oh, yes! The merciful deserve mercy, y
doomed the general deliberately. 81 shall
not have you knouted, and that is conced-
ing more than you deserve. But | think
you will go TO Siberia Search him.
Two men sprang forward and seized
Boris. He hOwled, but ventured no resist
ance From one of his pockets they drag
ged tract.
General Gedeonof looked il over and
rumbled: "'Hail, Brutusr A fine title;
nihilistic literature II there ever was any
caught with it in possession. Now, Boris,
I'm sure you'll go to Siberia.
The wretched schemer was overwhelmed.
1t would do him no good to explain that
he meant to slip that damning little sheet
into Feodor's pocket to insure his convic-
ton. The question would still remain
where he got it, and he feared his pur-
pose would not be approved. Then that
witchcraft recurred to his memory and
crushed him. He wept in despair, for he
knew himself doomed
| But one pleaded for him. Natalia knelt
before the governor and prayed. "Oh,
your excellencyl He will repent and sin
no morel Pardon him this time!"
no" answered the old man sternly.
'He who betrays justice and plots to ruin
another by perjury is even more infa
nous wretch than nihilist. This time
shall be sure of sending to Siberia one who
belongs there Take him away. There
Now he is gone, don't talk about him any
more. Let me get the taste of him out oi
my mind. Come in, Vladimir, and stand
there beside Maria. And you. Natalia
put yourself by your lover, Feodor, on this
side, that / may have you all paired before
me. And now, my children, as governor
friend and father, / give to your union
/ official sanction, earnest congratulations
and paternal blessing"