The Iola register., 1902-06-13


though have known you less than an
hour, l am not troubled by the small
est doubt. shall tell Mrs. Gordon ex-
actly what has happened; | shall tell
her precisely what believe of you, and
then, If know her.
"What can she do? She cannot take
me TO her home"
Darrell turned more directly toward
her. From the brightly lighted street
there came n glow sufficient to illumi-
nate the interior of the carriage. and
the girls face was clearly defined.
"Why notf" he asked. MY friends
have nothing to fear from the czars
spies. The fact that you are persecut-
ed and pursued will merely make them
the more anxious to befriend you.
They are not afraid Of anything, and,
as for annoyance, heaven help the man
who tries to annoy Robert Gordon. l
have known him n good many years.
Therefore say to you, Why notr
"There Is no reason whatever" she
said. looking him straight in the eyes.
81 am Vera Shevaloff, the daughter Of
prince. | am OF the house of Kon-
stantin of Stavropol."
"Stavropolw exclaimed Darrell.
"Why are you surprsedW
because | have recently met Ivan
Getchikoff. son of the governor gen
eral of the province" answered Oar
rell. 81 saw him this afternoon in the
company of Ladislov, the man whom
! believe to have been the coachman
of your prison on wheels. 1t cannot
be that Getchikoff assisted him in that
enterpriser
'Tf 1t was he, did not recognize
him." she replied. IL doubt, indeed.
whether ] should know Ivan in broad
daylight, and this man scarcely saw
at ALL"
II think he would be above such
work." said Darrell.
The Getchikoffs are proud" she
said. but cruel as wolves. They are
all powerful in Stavropol today, both
in the city and the province. 1t is
probable that should have been taken
there for some form of trial. though
as to that am merely making guess.
] buNG vi hlhS W hhl
would have been done with me except
that should eventually have been
sent back to Siberia"
"Sent backw exclaimed Darrell.
"Have you been thereT"
81 accompanied my father" she an
swered calmly. upon the downfall
Of my family four years ago he was
exiled, and my mother and myself
chose to share his fate, though we
might have avoided 1t. AS TO what we
suffered, there are now many books
which describe the long journey and
the horrors that are reserved for those
who survive 1t. My mother lived more
than two years after we reached the
prison settlement to which we were as
signed; my father, some months lon
ger. In Stavropol, my friend, there is
a cathedral which my father built, and
within 1t is a tomb of white marble
The SHOWS of Siberia are whittier than
the marble, and perhaps my father and
my mother sleep as well in one place as
another. Let us not think of it,"
But your exclaimed Darrell. "You
escapedT
81 was released"
"Then how can you be sent back"
Because" said Vera, extending q
white hand from the folds OF the cloak
into the light and holding it c0nched in
a peculiar manner, "ln order to avoid
Il fate worse than Siberian exile
drove knife into the heart Of Nicholas
Gorsh, governor Of the district"
'Thank God" gasped Darrell invol
unfairly.
"The order for my release had al
ready arrived" Vera continued, "anG
Gorski dared not suppress or delay it
/ knew what must happen the instant
that heard of the arrival of the order
and so prepared the knife for myself
But circumstances made 1t possible fol
me to sheath 1t elsewhere than in my
own breast. 1t was all very fortunate
! am told that six months had elapsed
and / was far from Siberia before thu
suspicion arose that had struck hin
down. His death was a mystery
Even now, If were disposed to deny
II in fair tribunal, the act could no
be proved. That is why shall nevej
be openly arrested outside of Russia"
"You came to PARISH
Eventually, yes. But have been II
many parts of Europe, even in Stavro
pol, though that was a great risk, fo
the Getchikoffs, who plotted and ac
compllshed my fathers destruction
would make short work with me.
went TO obtain funds that he had hid
den, and l was successful. Since com
ing to Paris l have harbored with nj
hilists, and that is why am unable I,
seek any refuge this night. If l am al
object Of pursuit upon my own &C