Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-10-31
DAILY SHORT STORY
Two Valuable Kisses.
IOriginal.l

Kobolef, was pacing his room, pausing
now and again to pick up telegram
lying on the table. Presently one of
his staff who had been summoned en-
tered.
Captain said the general. Il have
received n message from the st. Peters
burg police that member of the
Golden Circle, a nihilist club, has set
out from the capital for the purpose of
killing the car, who is journeying in
his carriage between the town of !
ly there is no telegraph line along the
route over which he moves, and one can
only reach him by courier. Ride to
him and warn him of the danger
threatening him.
Yes, general
IF you fail-Siberia. II you succeed
anything you wish."'r
The young man hurried out, while
KObolef, who had overheard the con-
versation, fastened to the room of his
daughter.
Vera" he taid, Captain Alexis
Nronsky is about TO set out to warn the
car of an attempt TO assassinate him.
l shall contrive TO send you with him
that you may delay him."
Vera paled and caught at a chair for
support.
Kobolef glanced uneasily at the girl
and hurried away to the stables, where
he found Vronsky in the act, of mount
ing.
Where go you. captain:'
How do l proceed in order to strike
the road from NJ to Moscow"
Il cannot direct you, but L can send
some one with you to show you. No
one here knows the route except my
daughter"
And he ordered Vera's horse to be
saddled.
'Oh, Vera" said Vronsky as they
We're riding side by side, what happi-
ness 70 have you with me. l must reach
my goal in time or spend my life a
prisoner in Siberia
An expression of agony passed over
Vera's face.
DO you know why L am with you?
Father sent me to delay you
"A nihilist?" exclaimed the young
man.
ALAS, in me principle is weaker than
y
Of delaying you
kObOlef, not content with sending his
daughter to thwart Vronskys effort,
sent one of his tenants, Ivanovich, a
devoted nihiIist. to follow and shoot
| him if possible. AS Vera spoke the last
word they heard Ivanovich'S horses
hoofs beating the road behind them.
Ride on" said Vera; for your life"
l,Ar ION al
him, pressed a kiss on her lips and
met Iyanovich. .-- --,...
The courier she said. ''Who sent
you. What were you to do?"
Kill the courier if possible"
MY father directed me to delay
him.
Yes. and for fear you would not sue
coed L was to shoot him. l know you
have been trying to decoy him. for l
| just saw him kiss you. That kiss saved
him. l could not shoot without hitting
you"
How unfortunate! 1 tell you what
to do. Remain here while ride on. BY
promising him another kiss L may be
able to delay him. When use this dog
whistle, ride forward, and 1 will take
care not to be in the way.
The man was persuaded, and Vera
rode on. Vronsky had meanwhile
pressed his horse to his utmost, and
Vera did not overtake him till she had
ridden for mere than n mile. and then
only because he had met with an acct
dent She found him standing in the
road beside his horse, who had gone
lame Meanwhile Ivanoyich, instead OF
waiting, was riding forward. Indeed.
they could hear the sound of his horses
hoofs.
Take my horse" said Vera.
zone more kiss
MAY it save your life as the last
did"
With quick embrace Vronsky
sprang to Vera's horse. mounted and
dashed away. In another moment the
man following rode up.
There it is again. he said. Il just
came in sight of him and was about to
shoot him when he kissed you"
"Give me your horse quick and take
| mine. 1t is f1eeter than yours. Catch
him."
Ivanovich jumped from his horse.
Hold my foot while mount"
In another moment Vera was riding
| away on Ivanovich's horse. while he
ran to Vro4Sky's and, having mounted.
discovered that the horse was lame.
Vera Joined Vronsky, and they met
with no more delay till they reached
village where fresh horses had been
ordered for the car, and soon after he
appeared with his suit. Vronsky gave
the warning, and measures were taken
for thwarting the assassin.
And now, your majesty" said
Vronsky, 81 wish to commend to your
notice this girl, who was sent out to
delay me and instead delayed a man
who followed to shoot me-"
What can I do for you?" asked the