Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-12-03
CHAPTER XVI.

palace Of the governor was still
.Jansky and Unsgethop had ridden
away to overtake Denton at Two
loffsky, Itzig was at his post In the
guardhouse and the new lieutenant of
the palace guard paced his measures
through the deserted corridors.
But Neslerov was not asleep. Fever
ish and impatient, he sat In his room,
awaiting the return Of his police with
the American. whose liberty was q
menace to the life of Neslerov. He
drank deeply from time to time from q
bottle that stood on his table. II ne
spoke, he did it with q loud voice, but
no one was near. His thoughts were
spoken thus, as with a man half mad
with fear.
"Heavensv' he said as he drank
again. IF he reaches Perm. and the
truth Is known. shall-what will be-
come of me?"
He started as light footstep sound
ed on the hard floor. and his haggard
face grew paler as Princess Olga en-
tered.
"Why are you awake?" he asked
harshly. He was too excited to think
Of phrases.
81 could not sleep. and knew you
were not In bed" she answered. II
came to talk"
He stared ut her. In his eyes she
was as beautiful even as Frances Cor
don. but his danger made him think
her a tigress seeking to devour him.
Yet he dared not show 1t.
"Why are you alone" asked Olga.
"You usually have Jansky, the super
intendent Of police, with you?"
"Jansky is away. A noted prisoner
has escaped and the superintendent
has gone to retake him."
81 heard q commotion. supposed 1t
was something Of that kind. Was 1t
a Russian%
"Yes-a nihilist."
II hope they will capture him."
"They will! They must!" said Ne
slerov 1ercely.
Olga's eyes were veiled-they did
not betray her thoughts.
There is much concerning this sys-
tenn that Is new to me. and it will take
long for me to learn It all. am al
ready weary with the little l have
done"
Better leave 1t alone. 1t is a busi-
ness for men. not prlncesses," said Ne
slerov.
"The study has made me wakefuL
Bring me some wine"
He opened bottle.
ut has puzzled me why you do not
marry" he said, trying to hide bis
fear Of her as he poured out glass OF
wine.
why should L" she asked. II have
not yet found among the mobiles of
Russia the man l would marry"
"What sort Of man must he be to
please you. couSin?
He was sparring for time. Any hour
might bring Jansky back with Denton.
Then he could play his part In safety.
But with Denton at liberty he dared
not act.
"Oh," said Olga, Ito please me man
must be honorable, strong and wise.
He must not be bound by custom, nor
vet must he scorn 1t. There are ways
In the world we live In there are ways
of being great without being eccentric
and without following the lead Of 9TH
ers. A man whom I love must be pa
tient and must not use his strength
against the weak"
A sarcastic smile crossed his lips.
"You must look outside Of Russia" "
he said.
"Perhaps," she answered. But you
have not pledged me. Must I drink
aloneT
His eyes snapped with the remem.
brance that Jansky and Itzig had been
drugged. But she was so handsome, so
smiling, that no sign Of evil intent was
in her face.
From your hand" he answered, with
a show Of gallantry.
She poured him glass Of wine. and
they drank. For q moment he waited,
as II half expecting to fall asleep. But
the wine had no Ill effect. and they
chatted on. But Neslerov grew more
impatient as the night wore on. Why
did this girl persist in staying up and
talking to him? What was In her
mind? Was there another plot? He
paced to and fro in the room as be
spoke. When his back was turned, she
made a quick movement and dropped
something-not into the wine bottle,
but into the bottle Of liquor from which
Neslerov drank.
'I think I will retire." said the prin.
cess. 1T Is late, and perhaps I can
sleep now"
II hope you will find rest" he said.
She went out. Neslerov watched her
with dark, saturnine face. What did
she mean? He poured out a liberal
dose Of liquor. The wine was too weak
for him. He needed something to
steady his shaken nerves. He drank
II. In FIVE minutes he was staring
blankly at himself in glass.
"What Is this-this feeling" he
muttered. "That she devil! I am poi.
soned! What trick is this? Help
Guard! Lieutenant Of the guard"
The young officer heard. and ran to
him.
"Your e1cellency called" he said.
"Yes-quick-I am poisoned-I am
drowsy-bring Princess Olga-quick!
The lieutenant, wild with apprehen.
sion, rushed to Olga's room.