The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-03-07

jury TO your already accumulated
crimes, Hark We, some months
since knew there was conspiracy
in my capital, and ] knew there was
much of evil, too, which was never
reported TO me. i resolved to ferret
il out, and TO that end | meant to
mingle among my people without
their knowing me. So | had that
robe made and so stuffed and wad-
ded that / could even hide my chm
in the seeming fat. assumed the
garb, and my own master at arms
did not at first know me. Once in
awhile made my page assume the
garb and be seen in it about the
city, and thus all thought of sus-
pecting me was cut off. have been
at the work. Olga, and | have found
out all | sought. 1t was mere acct
dent that first threw me in the way
of this young gunmaker, and it was
by accident, too, that | overheard
the Count Damonoff and his COM
panion discussing the subject Of
their mission to the gunmaker's
shop. OF course l followed that
scheme up, and i should have
snatched our fair young countess
from your grasp ere this had ! not
been DESTROYS of arriving at another
point first. Perhaps you know that
the Princess Sophia and the Minis
ter Gallitzin have planned a grand
overturn of my throne? All! You
tremblei And now, my noble duke"
the emperor continued in a deeper
tone, II have learned of your own
guilt in that affair. Oh. you do love
me, do you? But | know you now.
Two of your tools are in my hands.
They are named Totma and Viska.
They have made full confession,
and | now know all your villainies. |
| know what you have planned |
against this noble countess and
against her noble lover. | know
what you planned against the Count
Damonoff, and | know, too, what
you have planned against your en-
peror. Not word, sir! You are
the Duke of lula no more. A more
worthy man wears the ducal coronet
from this hour. Ruric Newell shall
assume the station you have dis
graced, and l know he will ennoble
it once more"
As Peter ceased speaking he wav-
ed his hand to his officers, and they
bore the prisoners from the room.
The priest said not word, but.Olga
cursed loudly and bitterly.
When the dark villains had gone,
Peter stepped forward and took Ros
alind's hand. There was tear in his
Eye, and his neither lip trembled.
"Fair COUSIN" he said in a low,
soft tone, 81 could not promise thee
hat thou shouldst not wed with the
Duke of lula, for | had even then
planned that you should do that
hing. But it will not be very hard,
will it ?"
The countess gazed up, and a
nurmur of thanks was upon her
Ups, but the gushing flood started
orth anew, and she could only look
he joyful blessings she could not
peak. Peter imprinted IA kiss upon
er pure brow and then gave her
and to Ruric, and as he did so he
aid, with warm smile:
"You must be her guardian here
fter. and should you tire of the du-
y your emperor will be ever ready
D grant her the asylum she needs"
."
A week had passed away from the
me of the strange scene just re- :
orded. The former duke, Olga,
ad been convicted of treason and
as now on his way to the eternal tt
lids of Siberia. But let me say b
ere he never reached the land of hi
is Punishment. His proud heart nj
roke on the road, and he died, un-
nown and uncared for, in a peas M
IT'S cot among the rugged noun al
Iins of Uralia. He had begged of tn
lie officer who guided him not to sh
ii his station, and the peasants
opposed they were burying COM ar
on traveller when they laid away ed
lie mortal remains of Olga in the
I'D grave they had prepared. b!
Savotano. the humpba"ked priest, of
as executed as common murder or
+, while his companions in crime ro
ere punished as their various de- be
ees of guilt demanded.
And now comes the closing scene. ws
ws