New-York tribune., 1900-11-18

picking the breadCrumhs from the grass at her
feet, others We're poised in the air waiting for
a norsel to be thrown them, and one was seated
On her helping himself from the plate which
she held in her hand. Her back was turned 10
US. and she did notice our approach, but
as We stepped to the planks which bridged
the stream the pigeons few up into the cedars
and she turned toward us-a bright oval face
with loose brown hair shading the soft eyes
Her lips Quivored in surprise at the sudden
apparitiOn of the armed band
Forgive intrusion, mademoiselle. said
the lieutenant. saluting her: Have / the honor
of addressing Mile. Orsha ??
No. that is my cousin: but what are
the soldiers come for?
To defend your house, mademOselle I re-
gret to say that the hillmen are in revolt. And
permit me 10 suggest that under the circum-
stances il viii be better for you to retire within
dCors-''
There was no need for the recommendation
Before the lieut-nant'S sentence ended the
Sttle pink figure was in full flight for the house
Another figure appeared in the open doorway as
the fugitive disappeared. tall handsome young
woman. with a high aquiIine nose and a com
Wandlng presence. came down the steps TO meet
She listened without any appearance of
surprise, While ths lieutenant stated his mis-
sion.
Pray send your men TO the Kitchen" she said
and follow me To the drawing room. My father
viii he glad II the opportunity OF putting his
house and goods at the service If his country >"
Tn evening passed without alarms. The
doors wer" harricaded, the windows lo"pholed
with mattresses and bags Of sand. and sentjnels
warr r.st-d N the hl!is;de and WatChman
on The roof A. supper the colonel regaled Us
with stories - his daughter and his family, The
c..an-- Vas descended IN direct line r. n
Teyar5u trsha f Ivan the Terrihles time. and
all l- fareh ars had been mighty men Of battle
E.r,.lrs. PetrI WAS great gran mother was the
famous Princess C~htenski. who had seen her
Two sons slaughtered before her eyes at
Swo1au~h rather than yield To NaroIaon's sol
G.-r- the keys Of the magazine. which her hus-
band, the c3nnanGart had left in her charge
When the ladies left US I ventured to question
cur h.st as 10 the young lady We had found in
the garden Sofia :. Iay6novra, or Sonia as she
was allied III the family circle, niece II
the colonel, daughter Of younger brother
no had disgraced himself by running
away With little Russian actress in
.h- seventies and had redeemed his
disgrace and achieved his wife's nisfortuncs by
tting shot the heights Of the Shipka two
E~4rs later The poor widow had returned 70
the stage and struggled gal!anty on for fifteen
years, then die0. leaving no fortune hut tender
recollection behind her. Colonel Orsha had
sought out his brothers child ana made her well
come TO his mountain home. There was = large
sd.ajXrure OF conlomTUous Pity in his tender
ness for her. she had OF the stern virtues Of
Varydra Petr6Vna. she is not OrSha" said
tn colonel. She seemed in the household like
tender Iarch budding among the pinetrees.
When We passed into the drawing room after
supper. the lieutenant went TO Narvara Petr5vna
Ike lamb 70 the sla lighter rtku ne minOvat.
: an artist without destiny I was abe 10 de-
vote myself To he less heroic charms u Sofia
Sem Oh oyna. She had soft and pretty voice,
and II the coloneIs request she sang two
three little Russian songs, sad little dUnki of
her native Ukraine. accompanying herself a
litter. She ended the evening in disgrace. FaS-
Htra-fC OE the S0unl OF the music, mouse
crept out from "a corner toward the musician.
Sonia the first to perceive il. dropping her
litter on the floor. she leaped upon a chair. hold
ing W her skirts and EtteriuC a series OF little
screams as nigh pitched almost as the mouse's
own squeak. She was not an Qrsha. Vary4ra
Petr6vna's cat rose at the sound and the mouse
fed fur refuge to the window curtains
silly Sonia" said the stately VarvAra rising
ana going to the window; its only & mouse
Here MiSha'"
She shook the curtains, the mouse fell to the