Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-16
rude hand tore away her garments

A rude hand tore away her garments
| to the waist.
Now, then, old bag" said Jansl.y,
understand l have come for the truth
and will have it. If you do not give
it to me, will kill you. will get tho
truth from Paulpoff, who has more
tense than you. Now. what was the
business that brought the American
hcref"
81 know notr' whispered the woman,
with a great sob.
"The lash." roared 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 Jansky.
either you or some one must tell.
What brought the American here? Was
it concerning a picture?"
81 know notw said the woman.
"The lash, Twice" ordered Jansky.
A white line and a red one marked
the blows Of the whip. Mamma Paul
pof screamed in her awful torture.
3
by the cords tied to her thumbs. The
thumbs wee black.
you will learn said Jansky. 1.-THE
officers of the car must take these
steps to protect his empire. With tho
lesson you have had, tell the truth.
What brought the American here?'
Il know not" answered the woman.
"Helrs furies upon her" said Jan.
sky, almost beside himself 1.-THE lash!
Three times"'
Your arm is weak" said the police
officer who had done no whipping.
LET me try"
smile Of horrible cruelty crossed
his face as he stepped by the side of
the woman. His whip whistled in the
air. 1t ell-once-twice-thric and
with a 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 painm
she murmured
'She feels again" said Jansky In
savage glee. String her up"
Again she was raised and the cords
were fastened TO her thumbs.
Now, bag tell me why the Ameri-
harA0 XNn. 70 L. ha
governor or 10 kill the czar"
mo. 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
will save them and YOU"
Il know nothing" said the old wom-
an. remembering her husbands warn
ings.
The lash, both of you! XII the old
beast" yelled Jansky.
1T was but pcture-to take pic
ture" cried Mamma Paulpof in tones
that pierced the air.
Her weakness had come too late.
Both whips coiled round her shrunken
breasts. The withered skin was cut ~
with knife. Cue scream came from
her writing II ' and She was still.
"Cut her dawn. Leave her" was
Jansky's curt remark. He watched
them lay the stil form upon the floor
and then led the way to their horses
1T was a picture" he muttered.
Then Noslecev was right, and the
American is On the trail 4oth he and
Vladimir N Isl sic"
hat L ght ''jadimir came meme from
the mine with Papa Paulpof. He was
the first to step across ihe threshold.
"My Cod" ae said. Who mas been
here?"
Papa Paulpoff stood stupefed look.
ing at the upturnod face Of his wife.
dead-bruised-her breast covered with
blood
THE police" walled the old man,
wringing his hands pitfully. They
have killed Mamma Paulpoff! They
will kill you-and me-"
Vladinrs gentle. placid face became
distorted with leonine sGe, He stoop-
ed over the dead body Of his mother,
touched her blood with the tips of his
fingers and wiped them on his own
brow.
III this is Neslerov or the order OF
the car" he Numbered into the ears
of the terror stricken old man. Il will
rend them all! From this moment I
live for vengeance"
He brought his clinched fist down ON
wooden table and wrecked it COM
pletely.
$50 will crush them who have done
this thing! he cried. 80 will l smash
their hearts,
While he ragged Papa Paulpoh sank
by the side Of Mamma Paulpof and
wept
TO BE CONTINUED.
The First Telegram.