Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-05-17

> NToN sTRADEsKI sat at the


SS his hand, lost in thought. He
was wondering why he had not heard
from the society, for he well knew
what his disobedience of their COM
mands would cost him-probably his
life. Presently little boy clambered
down from his high chair and toddled
round the corner of the table towards
him.
will unkie please tate off my nap
tin?'
Anton turned and mechanically united
the serviette from the child's neck; then,
as the little one put up his face for the
usual morning kiss, rush OF tender
ness came over the man, and he lifted
the boy on to his knee, pressing the
curly head to his bosom.
Poor little Bobby" he said, as he
stroked his face; ''you do love unkie,
do your
.'Ess, do answered the child, as
his big blue eyes sought those of his
friend.
"And what would you do If unkie
had to leave you-had to go on long
jOurney?"
You're not going to go. l won't let
you, or you must tate me, too"
But suppose some bad men were to
take me away and not let you come" ;"
said Anton. with something like a sob
in his voice.
Then l would kill them," said the
youngster, and he clenched his little
fist.
Dear little chap" murmured the
man, you have all your mothers
spirit in you. Well, Bobby" he con-
tinued. 81 must be off to work now; you
run along down to Mrs. Boston, and be
good boy, and perhaps I'll bring you
home some sweeties."
''All right" said the little fellow, as
he got down and marched off.
Dear little boy: it is for your sake
I dread what is coming more than for
my own. l have no wife nor child, and
you have only me to look after you. 1t
was your face that came before me
when / was about to kill Marinsky, as
they had ordered. Perhaps, l said, he
has boy like Bobby, and for your
sake spared him; and now it is to be
my turn"
Rising from the table, he hurriedly
looked at himself in the mirror over
the mantelpiece, then turned and went
out of the home. He walked in the di-
rection of the warehouse where he
worked. AS he reached the corner of
Oxford street peddler stopped him.
and drew his attention to the various
small articles displayed for sale upon
his tray, Anton shook his head and
was about to pass the man, when the
latter picked up one of the articles
wrapped in tissue paper and handed II
to him, saying as he did SO: Monsieur
has not seen anything like this before
and will surely buy it."
Anton opened the paper and found
Inside a small medallion portrait of 9
man whose face he remembered well
Turning 1t over, he saw the fatefu
sign, written in French, upon the back
when we meet, thou wilt remember
to obeyr'
''Ah! it's come at lastr' he calculated
turning to look for the peddler, who
had, however, suddenly disappeared
He thought he caught glimpse of the
foreign, bearded face looking at him
from the window of cab that was
going up Oxford street, but nowhere
else was there any trace of the mar
who had handed him his death war
RAM.
His first impulse was to call a cal
and hurry after the one containing the
messenger, but he said to himself
Where is the use? Suppose caught
him, it would avail nothing, and would
net save me from the avenger"
Crossing the street, he went dowr
Charing Cross road, looking about hin
In all directions for the original of the
portrait, for he knew the ways of the
society, and that their warnings wer,
followed by fulfillment
When his days work was done ant
he hurried homeward. he kept his eyes
moving from side to side, occasional,
turning round to see if his tracker.
were near him, for he did not doub
that the man was already in London
AS he reached the corner of Oxfor,
street again, he remembered that b,
had promised to bring Bobby hom,
some sweets. He accordingly wen
into shop in Oxford street, and, hay
Ing made his purchases, resumed hi.
journey homewards. He was yer,
much surprised at reaching the door o
the house where he lodged withou
having been aceosted by any one.
Bobby was overjoyed at seeing hin
and his burden, and the child kept hi
thoughts from brooding upon the mes
sage ne had received in the morning
by the laughter he made as he explod
ed the crackers in the bonbons, an,
by his making ''Unkie" decipher th
notices he found therein, as well a
by dancing round the room with color
ed caps upon his head and Anton
stick In his hand, playing SOLDIER
After supper and more rompine
Bobby was put to bed in a little rooI
adjoining the. one that served Anto
as bed and sitting room, and the latte
was left alone to his gloomy reflection.
He dared not go out, for his foe Nigh
be lurking for him around the frs
turning, but sat revolving in his min
some plan Of his escape from his pu
suer. He even contemplated inform
Ing the police of his message, and til
danger that threatened him.
He was no coward, but he knew we
the daring of the men to whom the s.
ciety entrusted the accomplishment (
their revenge, and that they woul
stop at nothing to carry out their o
der, for their own lives depended upo
their doing.