Rock Island Argus., 1902-04-02
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
A Nihilist's Story.
GoriginaLl

The question was answered by q
story.
Not long ago 1 was there myself
One day l was directed TO carry bun
die of printed revolutionary documents
from our rooms to the house of Il mem
ber in different part of the city.
studiously avoided any haste. saunter
ing along as though / had 10 wish 10
be at the end of my route. At n street
crossing. glancing aside to avoid being
run down by some vehicle. 1 saw a
man standing on the opposite corner
with his eyes fixed intently upon me.
He had his hands in his pockets and
was apparently lettering. but the mo-
ment he saw that l noticed him he start
ed off briskly in the opposite direction
from what l was going.
Nevertheless he did not lose sight OF
me. / had not gone far when, in order
to be able TO look back without my de
sign being suspected, | stopped before
n shop window, glancing rearward out
of the corner of my eye. 1 was just in
time 10 see the man l was looking for
disappear in an alley.
l was now thoroughly frightened.
Without doubt he was shadowing me.
For some time | watched him with one
eye and the policeman l happened to
see by the way with the other. When
ever 1 saw a policeman in the distance
l would take different route. At one
time, when one was pretty near, my
shadower came up beside me. and ]
was sure would have caused my arrest
had not the policeman's back been to-
ward us, while l at the same time
turned into different street
We nihilists of course all knew the
location of the police stations and the
residences of the officers. Suddenly
noticing that l was passing the house
of the chief of the district, it occurred
10 me to play desperate game. / re-
solved To bluff my watcher into the be-
lief that he was after the wrong man
by boldly entering the house. What
under heaven l was to do there l did
not know. Mounting few steps,
tried the door. 1t was locked. but at
the moment was opened by Il young
lady in hat and wraps, evidently about
to come out. l stepped inside without
an invitation and closed the door.
May | speak with you moment?"
| asked, removing my hat.
The parior door was open, and rs l
looked wistfully into the room she mo-
toned me to enter, then followed. l
turned and faced her. studying by her
expression what kind of n person 1 had
to deal with. Then | spoke in n low
voice, seriously. pleadingly.
You have the life of a fellow being
in your keeping"
az"
"Yes; l am n nihilist. In this pack
age are revolutionary documents. \
man outside has been shadowing me.
He will come in to make sure that
am not what he suspects. The result
will be Siberia. Rather than that
deathr'
took n revolver from my pocket.
"If l am discovered trying to save
you. it means ruin for me and my IA
ther. He would go to Siberia instead
of you
You are right" 1 replied. "I will
not ask or accept such a sacrifice"
1 placed the muzzle of the revolver
in my mouth and drew back the ham,
mer. Before could pull the trigger
felt a soft hand on my arm.
Undo your package" she said. "Be
quick
united the strings and unfolded the
paper. The girl. snatching dozen
books from the library. tossed them to
me. | put them in the place of the
documents and tied up the package.
had not quite finished when there was
Il ring at the doorbell. Throwing the
documents under the sofa, the young
lady went to answer the summons. i
seated myself on the sofa. holding the
package in my lap. When the door was
opened, | heard voices in the hall.
SIS the colonel at homes?
mo; my father is OUT
81 am one of the secret police. 4
man has come in here whose name is
on the black list. 1t is quite probable
that he is playing a double game. pre-
tending to work for your father"
There is n man in the parlor, mes
senger from friend of mine who has
sent him to return some books / lent
her"
"Can I see him?'
Certainly"
My shadower entered.
"Stand up" he said.
did as he commanded, and he
searched me. Not finding anything to
compromise me. he united the package
and found the books. He was not sat
isfied, but there was nothing for him
to do but acquiesce. No one is to be
trusted in Russia, and even this daugh-
ter of a police official was suspected
by the man. as ! could see by his
looks.
81 am sorry to have to disturb you."
he said to her, but when | come 70
recount the matter to your father
am sure he will hear me out in what
have done. Good morning"
The narrator ceased and the listener
asked:
''The name of this young girl?
Not for my life would l give it,
Ia rrnII L mt hIa mo rn,1 What