Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-03-16

was allowed to take walking exer-
else, or to breathe a breath Of fresh
air. Never was I allowed to exchange
word with anyone, save the two com
spirators who were in the secret Of my
presence on board. The danger Of dis
covery was, in reality, trifling SO long
as remained shut up in the pantry,
and If ever felt inclined to rebel
against the confinement, the remem-
brance Of my probable fate If were
discovered was enough to reconcile me
to the restraint. 1t would not have
: been SO bad if had not been always
more or less seasick; but, no matter
what my state of health might be,
could not have the luxury of bed, or
even chair, but had to be always
ready to be bending over some piece Of
work, with my back to the door, when
ever a step was heard in the passage
outside.
When some days had passed Oristo-
witch became alarmed at my appear
ance. I looked SO pale and pulled
down, he told me, that, unless 1 inn
proved in looks it would be madness
for me to attempt to personate the
Gar. who was Drowned by exposure to
the weather. But the only remedies
the head steward could think of was to
let me stand at the end Of the passage,
opposite an open port hole, when it
was unlikel ythat anyone would enter
the passage, to give me a warning OF
anybody's approach. If anyone came,
l was to be occupied in closing the
port hole.
This plan did great deal to restore
my health, but 1 still looked so pale
that Oristovitch thought it necessary
to stain my face Slightly with Il brown.
isll dye, which he said was great i'm.
proyement.
At length the head steward told me
that we were on our way back to st.
Petersburg, and would probably ar.
rive there next day.
That night could not sleep: and the
confinement had told upon my nerves
So much. that I could not subdue the
excitement that seethed in my brain
and trembled in every fiber of my
body.
Slowly the day wore itself away;
and about 5 in the afternoon Oristo-
witch came into the pantry and told me
that the Car had decided to dine on
board.
''That will suit us admirably" said
the steward. at will be dark when
you go ashore-the very thing have
been hoping for all along. Your part
be on the table early tonight. Be
ready at o'clock. At that hour, or a
little later, Beltoff will bring you a
parcel containing captains uniform,
such as the Gar is wearing. Put it on
at once, and leave the clothes you are
now wearing in that corner"
"When that is done put out the light
and wait until come to you. When l
make my appearance follow me boldly
and in perfect silence. 1 will take you
to the Cars sleeping cabin. You can
either wait there or in the private sa-
loon until it is time to go ashore.
Please understand that from the mo-
ment when you are introduced to the
Cars private state rooms my part OF
the work is done. You will be your
own master and must trust to your
own mother wit.
''You need not speak to anyone I'M
less you choose; and, as it is not Ell
quette to address the Sovereign unless
he speaks first, you will be practically
safe, especially as the Gar has slight
cold. No one will be surprised at
hearing you speak in a hoarse voice,
and 1 will give you something to take
that will make your voice sound rather
hoarse. In this way the difference be-
tween your tone and that of the Gar
will not be noticed.
sDon't forget to thank the captain for
his care and attention to your comfort.
He will expect it. But except on that
occasion, and when you give orders
that the yacht is to be taken to Peter
hoff, there will be no necessity for
your uttering q word, or, at most a
mere Yes or No. Only keep your
nerve, and all will be WELL"
Having said this, Oristovitch left me.
and 1 waited with what patience
could until the time he had named.
At s o'clock the hustle Of dinner pre-
parations was over. Fffe great yacht
was so still that the only sound to be
heard was the throbbing OF the en-
gines and the rumbling of the propeller
as it churned it's way through the wa
ter.
AS 1 sat waiting, with the light
turned down, the door of the cabin was
silently thrust open, and Beltoff, the
under-steward, whose name and place
1 had assumed, stepped in. He laid a
large bundle on the floor, grasped my
hand in silence, and went out. The
time had come.
Though my heart, so to speak, was
in my mouth, had better command Of
myself than I had expected, and
dressed myself hastily, but with care
full attention to detail. In ten minutes
was ready and the light went out.
Not five minutes later a rapid step
that recognized as the stewards, was
heard in the outside passage. I moved
to the door, and he laid his hand ON my
arm.
Without word we proceeded to the
end of the passage. Oristovitch
peered around the corner, to make sure
that the coast was clear, and then mo-
+:opo1 fo,s mo IN r,ronQo6