Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-04-16
THE SPUR OF FATE.

Copyright, 1901, by Charles B. Etheringt ton.

|
the girls face was clearly defined.
why not" he asked. My friends
have nothing to fear from the cars
spies. The fact that you are persecut-
ed and pursued will merely make them
the more anxious to befriend you.
They are not afraid of anything. and.
as for annoyance. heaven help the man
who tries to annoy Robert Gordon. ]
have known him a good many years.
Therefore say to you. Why not7"
There Is no reason whatever" she
said. looking him straight In the eyes.
IL am Vera Shevaloff. the daughter Of
a prince. | am OF the house Of Kon-
stantin Of Stavropol."
"Stavropolw exclaimed Darrell.
why are you surprisedT"
Because have recently met Ivan
Getchikoff. son Of the governor gen.
eral of the province" answered Dar-
rell. II saw him this afternoon in the
company of Ladlslov. the man whom
l believe to have been the coachman
of your prison Oh wheels. 1t cannot
be that Getchikoff assisted him In that
enterpriseT
"If 1t was be. did not recognize
him." she replied. IL doubt. indeed,
whether | should know Ivan In broad
daylight. and this man | scarcely saw
at ALL"
~ think be would be abo7e such
work." said Darrell.
THE Getchikoffs are proud" she
said. "but cruel as wolves. They are
all powerful in Stavropol today. both
In the city and the province. 1t ls
proba BILE that should have been taken
there for some form Of trial. though
as to that | am merely making guess.
] have no means Of knowing what
would have been done with me except
that | should eventually have been
sent back to Siberia"
"Sent back!" exclaimed Darrell.
"Have you been there?"
81 accompanied my father" she an
swered calmly. upon the downfall
Of my family four years ago he was
exiled, and my mother and myself
chose to share his fate. though we
might have avoided 1t. AS to what we
suffered. there are now many books
which describe the long journey and
the horrors that are reserved for those
who survive it. My mother lived more
than two years after we reached the
prison settlement to which we were as
signed; my father. some months Ion
ger. In Stavropol. my friend. there is
q cathedral which my father built, and
within 1t is a tomb of white marble.
The SHOWS of Siberia are whittier than
the marble. and perhaps my father and
my mother sleep rs we'll in one place as
another. Let us not think Of it."
But you" exclaimed Darrell. "You
escaped?"
81 was released"
"Then how can you be sent back?
Because" said Vera. extending a
white hand from the folds Of the cloak
into the light and holding it clinched in
q peculiar manner. "in order TO avoid
fate worse than Siberian exile |
drove knife into the heart Of Nicholas
Gorski. governor of the district"
"Thank Godv' gasped Darrell invol.
unfairly.
"The order for my release had al
ready arrived" Vera continued, land
Gorski dared not suppress or delay It.
knew what must happen the instant
that heard Of the arrival Of the order
and so l prepared the knife for myself
But circumstances made II possible fol
me to sheath it elsewhere than in my
own breast. 1t was all very fortunate
I am told that six months had elapsed
and was far from Siberia before the
suspicion arose that | had struck him
down. His death was mystery
Even now. If | were disposed to deny
it in O fair tribunal. the act could not
be proved. That is why | shall never
be openly arrested outside of Russia
"You came to Paris?"
Eventually. yes. But have been In
many parts Of Europe. even in Stavro'
pol. though that was great risk. fol
the Getchikoffs. who plotted and ac'
complished my fathers destruction
would make short work with me.
went to obtain funds that he had hid
den, and was successful. Since com
ing to Paris | have harbored with nj
hilists. and that is why am unable to
seek any refuge this night. If am an
object Of pursuit upon my own ac'
count, | must not attract the hounds
toward another quarry Now you have
my story. Shall you tell it to Mrs
Gordon"
'NIost certainly" answered Darrell
"and the sooner the better. l am only
sorry that you cannot 60 with me into
the ball, but unmasked it would not be
best. am afraid to leave you alone In
the carriage"
"1t is impossible that they should
have followed me-" she said. 81 shall
not be alarmed"
Darrell glanced out Of the cab win
dow.
ave are in the Rue Blanche ht
said. 1T Is the Church Of La Trinlt(
that we have just passed to the lef
there. 1t is a matter Of five minutes
now. BY heaven. wish 1t were no
necessary to leave your
"Istllink it would be best for you,
said she, Ito leave me forever. | an
a dangerous companion for you or FOL
your friends. 1t Is monstrous that
should permit you to interest them II