Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-19

quer Russia. Your only chance was to
persuade her that the reconquest OF
Circassia at this time would cost too
much In men and treasure. What does
the government in st. Petersburg care
about the loss OF GredskoF as a mill
tary incident7 Nothing But as an
act demanding reprisals the taking OF
that city assumes Importance. II is
the same with Vladiksukas. and the
taking OF Stavropol would make your
cause hopeless"
prince Kilziar does not think So"
said Vera, pale with excitement
Prince Kilziar has never had any
other opinion" rejoined Darrell. HE
is soldier, man of long experience
In war, famiiisrly acquainted with Rus
sian governmental policy. Vera, when
such a man moved your army beyond
the boundary OF the country you were
fighting to free he proved that he was
not a patriot. The soldier OF freedom
resents aggression. He takes up arms
for the purpose OF expelling tyrants;
he defends his own land; he stands up
on his rights and strives to win the re-
spect Of the world. But to rush out of
his own country, leaving its strongest
fortified places still in the hands OF the
intruder. to invade the territory of a
monstrous power like Russia, with no
hope except to infiiet a certain amount
OF injury and then withdraw - this
could not be the act Of a trained sol
der who was also a patriot To Kill
ziar the military principles and the
policies involved were plain as one plus
one makes two. He did not organize
this campaign in the interests OF Cir
caSsia."
Gin whose, thep?" she cried.
''In his own, Vera" replied Darrell.
"for loot There was a rich treasure in
Gredskov, imperfectly guarded through
Russian oversight. Kilziar knew of it,
and now he has it absolutely In his
hands"
"Why notT' demanded Vera. "win
not money help oCr cause7"
my child" he rejoined, without
meaning 20 use the term which made
the princess red with wrath, els 1t con-
ceiyable that Russia will permit you to
hold this sum? 1t is a mere item in the
bill that You must settle Your whole
policy should have been to secure the
easiest terms. and this is the way TO get
the hardest. Your only problem was
this: How much can l make II cost Rus
STA to retake Circassia in proportion 20
the injury which she has suffered in the
loss Of it? The lighter the injury the
better for you"
81 have heard that the Americans
considered money above all things
Vera began. but Darrell interrupted her
with groan.
''Let me hasten to make an end Of
this" he cried. 81 have not forfeited
your regard and suffered the misery
that torments a gloomy prophet with
out a definite object You will send an
order 10 Prince Kilzlar. 1t is not too
late to change your plan. 1 would
have your force and his move west
ward, effecting n junction at the earli-
est possible moment The Russian force
south OF you il unprepared for such a
movement and is, besides. hampered
by its own anxieties. due TO failure OF
the cooperating force TO come down
from the north. You will have no Diff
Guilty. You can withdraw into Circas-
STA without loss. and then you can use
this really admirable army for defense
OF your country"
at is the policy OF cowardioep ex-
claimed Vera. why, you yourself ad-
NIT that these Russians south OF us
are caught In trap. By your own re
port they are scarcely equal in number
TO my command In this city. Shall 1
run away while they are quaking in
their boots. or shall | crush them be-
tween two millstones"
IF your sole thought Is for Circas-
STA" said Darrell, you viii avoid a
victory that cannot seriously weaken
but only imbitter your enemy"
Really" said the princess, 81 am
both ashamed and grieved. / hoped
for help and bold counsel from you,
and instead you
II have given you the best counsel l
had" answered Darrell sadly. "Now
give me gun and post me In the front
rank, and If the march is on to Stavro-
pol | viii cheer the order"
But Vera did not seem to hear him.
She raped upon the table with her
sword, and the orderly appeared.
'See who is there" said the princess
Several officers entered hastily, as IL
upon important errands. There was
with them a man, in the dress OF a
Russian peasant. who seemed, howev-
er, to be a soldier Of Circassia. He was
much the worse for hard travel and
tottered with WEAKNESS. Vera gave
him quick glance and acknowledged
salute. Then she turned to Oar.
rell, saying coldly:
1--WE will speak later Of your return
TO Paris"
Darrell bowed most respectfully and
retired from the room.