The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-10


out laugh which taxed the capacity
of his great chest.
Besides" added owen, do you think
me so unappreciative that l would not
willingly have a broken bone or two
for the pleasure of knowing your sister
-and-your mother" he added, hastily
as he saw the counts keen eyes bent
suddenly upon him.
my sister," repeated the Count, still
with his penetrating gaze bent upon
Owens pale, high-bred face.
owen turned cold for fear he had
been precipitate in mentioning the
young girls name, but he was so eager
to know if any traditions or family
prejudice would prevent his marriage
with her, provided he could win her
love that he plunged ahead.
Count Alexis he said, WAS I too
abrupt in speaking of your sister"
do you love herr" cried the Count.
eagerly.
with all my SOUL" answered owen
fervently. II would dare anything for
her sake. Prove me! Suggest some
thing difficult"
And dangerous?" demanded Josef.
and dangerous" cried Owen with
flashing eyes.
Good! / trust you! I suspected a
love affair from my sisters manner,
DAl ny illOlISl SuopC(to nOlhiAASs AAaNAAN
has dashed her hopes too often
Dashed her hopes!" repeated Owen.
Does your mother desire her daugh
ter's marriage?"
Does she mott" cried Josef. Therein
lies the whole of the dispute. Elena
has a will of iron, and has fatty re-
fused to be 'hawked about the country,
as she terms it. My mother and all my
aunts go every year to Berlin, Paris
and Rome to secure husbands for their
daughters. but Elena, the youngest, the
baby, would never go! She VOWS she
will never marry, but will devote all
her life to charity. This enrages my
mother so much that the only time she
has been induced to set her foot inside
this little pavilion is since you have
been our guest"
do you think-has your sister said
-" stammered owen.
Have you not spoken to her?" ask
ed the count. Then / will not arouse
| any false hopes. l will only say that
l see a great change in her manner
she was always too cold-and I attrib-
ute it to you"
Then if l could win her, would 1
have your sanction?" demanded Owen
breathlessly.
Stop" said the Pole, coming to the
bedside and speaking in low tone
IF you will enter our family by shar-
ing its dangers, you may count not
only on me. but upon the whole fam
lily. But my sister must know nothing
of the affair Promise that you will
not reveal one word without my sane
tion and l will even now salute you
as my brother"
IT promise!" said Owen solemnly.
The tall Pole stopped and kissed the
American on both cheeks.
III.
Three days later the Countess Sysz-
KEW, surrounded by her family, had
just been summoned to dinner, when
Henryk, the driver of the troika which
had rescued Garrett Owen, entered,
and bowling low, approached and whis
pered a few words in the countess
ear.
Instantly she turned so pale that the
others knew that something terrible
had happened. They crowded around
her and her tall son knelt at her side
gently stroking her hand.
What is it Henryk? What is it, dear
mammal" cried Elena.
THE American, our friend, our guest.
has been arrested by the Russian Sc
cret police and taken away. God knows
where!" said the countess in French.
Arrested" cried her son. This is
the work of that spy, Polinski! He
At that moment Polinski entered the
| room unannounced.
You will pardon me, madam, for
entering unceremoniously. / had ex-
pected to be obliged to explain this
unfortunate situation, but your sons
perspicacity' he bowed ironical-
| ly to the count-"has saved me the
trouble"
at is true, then" said the count,
trembling with rage, that you are in
/ the service of the secret police, and
that you have arrested our friend, the
young American gentlemen"
Polinski bowed without speaking.
To the surprise of everyone, Elena
| flung herself on her knees beside the
| Countess and buried her face in her
mothers lap, her whole slender frame
shaking with fearless sobs.
Instantly the eyes of the Countess
met those of her son in a sudden
comprehension, and she softly stroked
her daughters bowed head in silent
| sympathy
Where have they taken him?" ask
ed the Count, turning to Polinski.
Il do not know. Probably to Wilma"
'Of what is he accused?' asked the
! Countess sternly.
'Of bearing dispatches to your son.
| rIble meaning.
At these words the young Counts
breast heaved and he clenched his
hands to keep from flying at Polinsk's
| throat. Elena half raised her head
| from her mothers lap, but before she
could speak the Count tore off his false
beard before their eyes and cried out.
"ii is false, as you seei M. owen has
no dispatches, for here am l. Josef
| Syszkiewcz at your service!"
The servants began to weep, al
though they understood no French, for
they comprehended the calamity of
seeing their master cast aside his dis
guise. Josef turned and dismissed them
with a gesture.
"Ah." said Polinski, that was just
what I hoped to cause you to admit
Now YOU also, are my prisoner!"
Upon what charger" asked the
Countess with a sternness which was
only a mask to conceal her grief from
the Russ ian.