Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-11-26

sense than you. Now. what was the
business that brought the American
here:'
II know not!' whispered the woman,
with great sob.
"rhe lashr roared Jansky.
One of his police swung his heavy
whip, and the lash came down across
the naked shoulders. A liyid mark
told the course, and Mamma Paulpoff
cried out in agony.
This must be knownn said Jansky.
Either you or some one must tell.
What brought the American here? Was
1t concerning picturef"
II know not!' said the woman.
THE lash! Twice. ordered Jansky.
\ white line and u red one marked
the blows OF the whip Mamma Paul
pon screamed in her awful torture.
Her limbs grew wcal.Sa. ana she hung
by HE cords tied 10 her thumbs. The
thumbs were BLACK
"You Will learn, said Iansky. 1.-THE
officers OF the ca. aust take these
steps TO project his empire. With the
lesson You have had tell the truth.
What brought the American here?"
~ know mott answered the woman.
"Hcll's 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
.Eet me try
a smile of horrible cruelty crossed
his face as lie stepped by the side Of
the woman. His whip whistled in the
air. 1t fell-once-twice-t and
with 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 paint"
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-
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. It
will save them and you.'
II know nothing!' said the old wom-
an, remembering her husbands warn
ings.
THE lash, both of you! Kill the old
beast"' yelled Jansky.
1T was but picture-to take pic
ture." cried Mamma Paulpoff in tones
that pierced the air.
| Her weakness had come too late.
Both whips coiled round her shrunken
breasts. The withered skin was cut as
with knife. One scream came from
her writing lips, and she was still.
"Cut her down. Leave her." was
Jansky's curt remark. He watched
them lay the still form upon the floor
and then led the way to their horses.
1T was picture" he muttered.
'srhen 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 Paulpoif. he was
the first to step across the threshold.
My God" he said. "Who has been
here?'
Papa Paulpoff stood stupefied, look
ing at the upturned face Of his wife
Observation-Disclosures breast covered with
| blood.
1.-THE policew walled the old man,
wringing his hands pitifully. "They
have killed Mamma Paulpoff! They
will kill you-and mel"
Vladimir's gentle, placid face became
distorted with leonine rage. He stoop-
ed over the dead body of his mother,