Evening star., 1901-11-09

Aoa Will Pdfu0n me, ufaudHle. IOI Ell
.erng uneeremoRiously. I had expected
to be OBLIGED to explain this unfortunate
SITUATION, put your sons perspicacity'-
mere ne bowed Ironically to the count
mas saved me the trouble"
1t Is true. then said the count, trem-
bhng with rage. that you are in the SER
vice of the secret police, and that you have
arrested onr " friend, the young American
Polinsh bowed without speaking
10 the surprise of every one. Elena flung
and buried her face in her mothers lap.
less sobs. sol
Instantly the eyes of the countess met
sion, and she softly stroked her daughters S
bowed head in silent sympathy.
Where have they taken him?" asked the
count, turning to Polinsk.
OF what is he accused?" asked the
countess sternly
OF bearing dispatches to your-son, Count
JOSEF, said Polinski, with terrible mean
ing.
AT these words the young counts breast
neayed and he clenched his hands to keep
from flying at Polinski's throat. Elena half
raised her head from her mothers lap, but
pe1ore she could speak the count tore off
out:
'Tt is false, as YOU see. M. Owen has
no dispatches, for here am I, Josef Sysz-
kiewicz, at your service!''
The servants began to weep, although
nreS rneS uaoerstood no French. for they com
pfehended the calamity of seeing their mas
ter cast aside his disguise. Josef turned
ana dismissed them with gesture.
An, said Polinsk, that was just what
hoped to cause you to admit Now, you
also are my prisoner!'
Upon what charger" asked the countess
Win sternness which was only a mask
TO GO; conceal her grief from the Russian.
That he will be told soon enough" an
swered Polinski.
Josef bit hts lip at the insoence, but 1t
would only make matters worse if he
struck hlIn, so he kept silent.
VIII you have the goodness to tell me-
SAID Elena, haughtily, how the American
gentleman is travelling? He was in no con-
d1tlon to be moved!'
able L purposely bandaged his arm tightly
to cause him to suffer so that his weak
ness would permit of his capture
AND l, cried Elena, with flashing eyes,
Il suspected it and loesened them each day
as soon as you were gone! Stupid! Did
you think could be deceived-I, who have
studied medicine?'
And practice in Polish?" said Polinski
omlnousiy. Have you not Polish patients
and two Polish nurses, and have you not
the law?''
Il do admit" began Elena proudly.
Dut her sister-in-law clasped her hand over
Eiena's mouth. while Josef cried out:
rested a1So?'
THAT I do"' cried the little countess.
breaking away from her brothers wife. 81
wish to be near Garret Owen, for 1 love
him, and If have to search the world over
for him, shall find him! 1t is through us
that he has come into this misfortune and
1t is for us to rescue him.
josef stopped and kissed her, and she hid
her face on his breast Then he tenderely
embraced his mother and Sister-in-law and
going back once more to kiss Elena, he left
wit oil pclyi
".
Although Elena had obtained her
mothers permission to attempt a recon-
cilfatfon with her aunt Elena the Princess
Ermoloff, in order to continue the search
for Garret Owen, it was with some trepi-
dation that she descended from her sledge
and obtained admittance to the magnificent
mousse OF the princess in st. Petersburg.
Two months had elapsed since Garret
Owens mysterious arrest, and even the
American ambassador had been unable to
find him. They had obtained news of him
three times, but each time he had been
secretly removed and all trace lost
Elena shivered a little even in her sables
as she waited in the glorious room, where
everything spokeSof riches and power and
the protection of the mighty. She won
dered how she would begin if the princess
received her oofdiy.
Her doubts 2were soon put at rest, for
lin a rustic 3of Silks her aunt entered and
olasping Elena close in her arms the prin-
cess began to weep softly, her tears drop
ping over the girls cheeks.
20. my little Elena! My pretty god
daughter! What happy chance brings you
under my roof and into arms which have,
ached these many years to clasp you? o,
my child-the baby of the dearest sister in
the world! Have you ever known how ten
derly we have always loved you? We knew
that you would come to US some day, Via
m an ch lrv,nr Il
husband, Elena! He is such fine man
and so fond Of your
Elena was so touched by this kindness
that she flung her arms around her aunt's
neck and burst into tears.
How ungrateful we have been, and how
we have misunderstood you," she sobbed,
ooh. how can you forgive the return of all
your lovely present to me and NV mothers
coldness?"
Il have nothing to forgive, my darling"
cried the princess, gayly, though tears
stood on her eyelashes MY sister has the
best heart in the world and it was ONLY
because she loves our dear Poland so in
tensely that she could not pardon my hus-
bands honor from the tZar. But tell me-
did none Of you ever suspect that a true
hearted Pole, so close to our noble tar
might influence his great heart to be even
more generous to our people? Did you
never suspect when a ukase was proclaim
ed removing taxes and remitting cruel re-
strictions that they might have been some
claim any credit for placing our national
trials before our beautiful and tender
hearted tzarina, and through her to the
tzar. Their kindness will go on long after
l am dead and buried, for they are noble
rulers. But, tell me, what kind Provi-
dence brings you here! My precious Ele-
nat"
Still holding her hand, the princess list
ened in silence to Elena's story. Occasion
ally she frowned, and once passed her hand
across her brow.
TT is very difficult" she murmured "It
seems grave, because they have removed
him so many times. 1t almost suggests
spite. They have released josef yet hold
NJ. Owen. 1 have met him. A handsome
man, with brave eyes and a true heart NV
husband only last week spoke to me about
selecting an American for the engineering
problems Of the Volga, and the name Of
Garret Owen was on the list he made out
Think carefully now. Could this PeIinski
have any secret reason for wishing to pre-
vent M. Owen from being tried? Does he
wish him kept out of the way?''
Elena bent her head in deep thought
mo, I cannot think that he does" she
said at last.
He was not In love with you, was hep"
'In love with me? That spyr' cried
Elena, with whitening 'nostrils
Her aunt laughed gently, and continued
ma fling hep ha nd tTVpIl5 ry, ,,,,,.4 -.t