Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-07-07
siberia. The mines.

On. no.
But there Is no capital punishment,
In Russia"
She laughted a hard, pitiless laugh.
NO one Is ever condemned to death
OF course" she admitted. But there Is
the knout and the bio Of grace. which
which is sometimes purchased by rela-
tives Of the prisoner on the understand
ing that II is the first blow to be adj
ministered. sometimes given as final
coup on a hint from the presiding Off
eial 1t falls on the body below the
ribs. curls around it. and lays open the
viscera."
Osborne uttered hollow groan and
buried his face in his hand.
At sight OF his distress her ladyship's
manner sottened again. 1T is useless
to indulge in false hopes" she said.
III this person was on the spot at the
time OF the crime. or II by communica-
ton after the event with any person d.
rectly concerned she obtained knowl-
edge OF that state secret of which We
have spoken, II is absolutely certain
that she has been silenced already.
she would not have been allowed TO take
her knowledge even to Siberia; but in
Russia for every political crime OF
which one man is convicted. half
score are sent to Siberia on suspicion.
Sometimes their fault is called one
thing and sometimes another, but 1t
matters very little so long as they are
removed; and they are not as harshly
dealt with as the others. This may have
been your friends fate Describe her TO
me-"
Osborne did not answer at once, he
was striving to master himeslf.
your hesitation is not very fatter-
ing, Mr.. Osborne" she said. you ask
me to induce man to risk his life by
giving me certain information; yet you
hesitate to place this woman in my
power"
NJ hos it ain VSiNhs ah oefp
you will be careful for II not yet ar
rested a description OF her would be a
dangerous weapon but 1t was not that;
IL was not that. ! was only struck by
the fact that | myself know so little
Her name. the very name by which she
was known to me,may have been false
one."
Names are OF no consequence, con-
spirators have so many. What Is she
like?"
"She is tall and dark, Lady Emilia
Osborne said, hoarsely. Her face is
beautiful; her figure very like your
own; and she is little more than a
year my senior"
rs she of the peasant class--a woman
from the gymnasiums?"
mo! Oh. no! She has moved In the
society OF half-a-dozen capitals.
think
Her birth. parentage and condition
in life? What do you know Of them, or
rather what did she tell your"
by birth she is Pole, Of good fam
fly. believe. She was married In st
Petersburg to a Russian"
us the husband living?"
THAT | do not know. I have no In
formation about him except that he was
a sot and a debauchee. who prosecuted
her for resenting his vileness."
And II | do what you ask, II ! sue
coed in the task you would set me. what
then, Mr.. Osborne?"
ANY certainty is better than doubt
You would have earned my lifelong
gratitude"
But should discover that this per-
son has been drafted to Siberia
Il should endeavor to follow her
there"
You would carry your devotion as
far as that"
Osborne's brow flushed There ia
not the personal element you suggest in
this affair" he said, in low voice
but there are responsibilities which do
not cease with the mere waning Of SEN
timent. Such a responsibility is mine. y
Lady Emilia's eyes were cast down,
her foot was softly tapping the carpet.
For the first time since her early girl
hood this worldly woman, this cynical
beauty. was in the grip OF a genuine
emotion.
Leave me now, Mr.. Osborne" she
said, in a voice strangely subdued. II
will do what you ask; at least, pledge
you my word to attempt TO gain the in
formation you require. and my sincere
prayer for you is that may fall"
He bowed over her hand. too much
moved even to attempt to formulate his
thanks, and left her.
She droppei her cheek into her palm
and sat there motionless as a statue.
ITO Hiber!a!" she unused. ITO ST.
IBERIA. Over the snow, and the noun
tains, and the desolate places. for the
sake Of deal passion. Is it possible?
But to go, to 90 at all, to suffer, to exile
oneself. That woman, whoever exc ii,