Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-11-20


on no account must she breathe WORD
to any person concerning the visit Of
which Jaushy spoke.
Come out with itr' stormcd Jansky.
"IIe came-I do not know why he
came" murmured the old woman in de-
spair.
Il will tell you. He came to conspire
against the life of Neslerov, governor
of Tomsk."
''No, no! l swear he did not"
Good! Then if you know he did not,
you must know why he did come here.
Out with it, now, if you value your
life"
"AIy life. All, you would not harm n
helpless old womanw
For answer Jansky brought his whip
down on her bony shoulders.
"Uave mercy cried the unfortunate.
'Will you tell why the American Wis
tied this houseT
81 know not"
"Take her; tie her thumbs - there,
over the door, he commanded savage
ly.
His two gallant men needed no fur.
ther bidding. The aged woman was
seized, cords were fastened to her
thumbs, ana she was placed standing
in the doorway JanSky had indicated,
with her thumbs hung above her head.
Tear the rags from her back
A rude hand tore away her garments
to the waist
"Now. then. old hag." said Janslly,
understand | have come for the truth
and will have it, If you do not give
it to me, | will kill you. | will get the
truth from Paulpoff, who has more
than you. Now, what was the
business that brought the American
here?"
81 know notr' whispered the woman,
with great sob.
"Thc LASH roarcd Jansky.
One of his police swung his heavy
whip, and the lash came down across
the naked shoulders. A livid mark
told the course, and Mamma Paulpoff
cried out in agony.
This must be known" said JansEy.
Y
What brought the American here? Was
it concerning IA picturc|
Il know not" said tho. woman.
"Thc lash. Twice. offered Jansky.
A white line anL red one marked
the blows of the whip. Mamma Paul
poff screamed in her awful torture.
Her limbs grew weaker, and she hung
by the cords tied to her thumbs. The
thumbs were black.
"YOu will learn" said Jansky. THE
officers of the ear must take these
steps to protect his empire. With the
lesson you have had, tell the truth.
What brought the American hcreE'
Il know not answered the woman.
"Hclrs furics upon herr said jan
sky, almost beside himself. The lash!
Three tines
Your arm is weak" said the police
officer who had done no whipping.
LET me try"
a smile of horrible cruelty crossed
his face as he stepped by the side of
the woman. His whip whiStlcd in the
air 1t fell -Once-twicc-th thrice, and
with Il scream, her head fell back. Her
eyes glazed.
Hold. Quick Release her and re-
store her to consciousness" ordered
Jansky she is unconscious and can
not feel our punishment"
They cut her down, laid her on the
floor and poured liquor down her
throat.
Groans came from her as they work
ed
"God, take me from this awful pain"
she murmurcd.
"She feels again. said Jansky in
savage glcc. String her up!'
Again she was raised and the cords
We're fastened to her thumbs.
Now, hag, tell me why the Ameri-
can came here? Was it to kill the
governor or to kill the czar?"
"No, do not know"
"You lie The charge against him
and Vladimir is that they are conspir
ing to Kill both The American and
Vladimir will be taken to the prison at
Tomsk and shot. Tell the truth. 1t
win save them and you"
81 know nothngr' said the old wom-
an, remembering her husbands warn
ings.
"The lash. both of you Kill the old
bcastw yelled Jansky.
1T was but picture-to take Il pic
ture" cried Mamma Paulpon in tones
that DiprcCd the air
Her weakness had come too late
breasts. The withered skin was cut as
with knife. one scream came from
her writhing lips, and she was still.
"Cut her down. Leave her" was
JGnsky's curt remark. He watched
them lay the still form upon the floor
and then led the way to their horses.
1T was a picture" he muttcred.
! Then Neslerov was right, and the
American is on the trail. Both he and
| Vladimir must die!
That night Vladimir came home from
the mine with Papa Paulpolf. He was
the first to step across the threshold.
"My GOdr' he said. "Who has been
| here?"
Papa Paulpoff stood stupefed, look
ing the upturned face of his wife
| dead bruised-her breast covered with
L.aol.
THE poIicew walled the old man,
wringing his hands pitifully. They
have killed Mamma Paulpoff! They
will kill you-and me"
Vladimir's gentle, placid face became
distorted with leonine rage. lie stoop-
! ed over the dead body Of his mother,
! ----,---ts5, - x. isa.,:. 80;
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