New-York tribune., 1900-11-18

in the house brought into the front rooms Ths
eEeht proved the wisdom of his precaution: q
Poister In one OF the windows caught and burst
at once into a mass of flame Our united eff
Iorts eXtnsulshed the main conf1agration: but
hieanWhlle the outer woodwork had taken fire
ana the roof was in danger; without a moments
nssl5atloH the big corporal leaped upon the
WlhdoW Sill with I bucket of water and saved
further peril with a douche Before ne had
tlme to step back into the room bullet from
a thechen gun struck him in the chest With a
loud cry he flung up his arms and fell crash
ing to the floor, The noise Of his fall brought
me women to the door; Varvara Petr6vna
stepped stately into the room and Sonia ap-
peared behind her with a bandaged hand and
tear stained cheeks
Through the lungs" calculated the lieu
tenant as the corporal Coughed heavily and the
blood flowed over his lips
IT'S all over with him" rnurmured a soldier
his soul," 50
..,, Ivan, var: take his place" said the lieutenant
EphIIn must have his window himself
Let Ivan stay where he is" said Varvara
P@tr@lna. coming quietly forward and loosenins
the CorpOralS place.
She walked to tFr window. opening the hreech
with the air of an expert to see If the magazine
vas tuiI- The dying corporal lay groaninE
the floor, but could not stop to attend 10
him Sonia kne't down, took his head in her
zap, and Soothed him as ore might soothe a
sick child her tears rained has face as
she Kissed him and caresSed him and murmured
Water. water" groaned tho corporal
Ahuuna! Masla!' cried Sonia to the SER
quickIy,''
There IS nona Blryshnia" answered the
frightened Mdsha; the corporal threw the last
drop out of the window"
Sonia Slipped a cushion under the wounded
mans had and went 10 seek in the empty
cans with all her zeal she could collect no more
than thImhieful. which she administered to
her patient.
Narvara Petr6vna stood at her post in the
window. tall and terrible, leveIling her gun and
firing as if it We're the most natural thing in
~Ay ga varvara Fetr6yna.' said the soldiers
appr"vingly; mol"detz, she's heroine!'
The dying man soon renewed his piteous cries
for water.
-.Varvara, uncle lieutenant for Heavens sake
get some water" cried Sonia, going franticaIly
from to another.
'Hush' said Varvara, without turning round.
YOU disturb our aim"
There is no water but in the spring" said
the colonel.
Sonia disappeared from the room. A minute
later stupeed with horror. A little
slender figure in pink darted upon the lawn
from behind the corner OF the house and sped
toward the spring, it Sonia with bucket in
her hand, running fast as her legs could carry
her. bullet from the enemy pioughed up the
grass at her feet. but she ran on uRheedng.
We held our breath and waited The
Chechenjans had ceased firing. y tall form
arose and stood upon the garden wali-a hand
some young hiilman, dressed in a fez-shaped
lambskin cap aud q long Chechenian robe. with
a belt full Of silver hted knives
1t is Arak himself. the son of Feraz," said
the lieutenant.
Varvara Petr5vna slowly raised her gun and
covered him.
Down with YOUR gun, varvara?" cried the
colonel angriIy: 'thA CheChens have stopped FIR
ing Sh- lowered her Weapon
TIL" young chief jumped down and walked
changed a few words. Arak took the bucket
from hcr and filled it at the spring. As she put
/ out he hand - receive il FROM him ne per
ceived the handaSe on her finger He paused
( and questioned uer; question and answer
lost to US Instead Of handing her the bucket
h advanced side hy side with her up TO the
house She took the water from him and ran
. r. und t. III door ty " hiCh she had made her
exit Arak came ciose under the win lows and
VI 4 yl.tT,+- "a