The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-04-13
the palace guard paced his measures
through the deserted corridors.

menace to the life OF NeSlefON. lie
drank deeply from time to time from
bottle that stood on his table. If he
spoke, he did it With Il loud voice, but
no one was hear. His thoughts were
spoken thus. as with a man half mad
with fear.
"Heavens"' be said as ne drank
again If ne reaches Perm. and TIE
truth is known, i shall-what VIII he
come of meY
lie started SIS 4 light footstep sound
ed on the hard Goor, and his haggard
face grew paler as Princess olga en-
tered.
why are You awake?' he asked
halshly. lie was too excited to think
of phrases.
81 could not sleep, and | knew you
were not in bed" she answered. Il
came to talk"
He stared at her. In his eyes she
was as beautiful even as Frances Cor
don, but his danger made him think
her a tigress seeking to devour him.
Yet he dared not show it.
"W'hy are you alone?" asked Olga.
"You usually have Jansky, the super
intendent of police. with you?"
'Jansky is away. A noted prisoner
has escaped and the superintendent
has gone to retake him."
81 heard commotion. l supposed 1t
was something OF that kind. Was 1t
Russian?'
"Yes-a nihilist."
''I hope they will capture him."
"They will. They must" said Ne.
slerov fiercely.
Olgas eyes We're veiled-they die
not betray her thoughts.
'9There is much concerning this sys
TEN that is new to me, and it will take
long for me to learn 1t all. am al
ready weary with the little 1 have
DONE"
Better leave 1t alone. 1t is bust
| ness for men, not princesses," said Ne
slerov.
"The study has made me wakeful
Bring me some wine"
He opened bottle.
ut has puzzled me why you do no
marry" he said, trying to hide hi
fear Of her as he poured out glass O.
| wine.
"Why should II" she asked. 81 hav'
not yet found among the mobiles O
Russia the man would marry"
"What sort Of man must he be t
( please you, cousin?"
| fNr Anv hon
might bring Jansky back with Denton
Then he could play his part in safety
But with Denton at liberty he dare
not act.
"Oh," said Olga, ''to please me MAJ
must be honorable, strong and wise
He must not be bound by custom, no
yet must he scorn it. There are ways
in the world we live in there are way
of being great without being eccentri
and without following the lead Of ott
ers. A man whom l love must be Pc
tient and must not use his strengt
against the weak"
A sarcastic smile crossed his lips.
"You must look outside Of Russia,
he said.
Perhaps" she answered. "But 20
have not pledged me. Must drin
alone?
His eyes snapped with the remen
brance that Jansky and Itzig bad bee
drugged. But she was so handsome, {
smiling, that. no sign Of evil intent We
, In her face.
, "From your hand" he answered, wit
: show of. gallantry.
She poured him glass of wine, ar
; they drank. For a moment he waite
as If half expecting to fall asleep. B,
the wine had no Ill effect, and the
chatted ON. But Neslerov grew mo-
impatient as the night wore on. WI
did this girl persist in staying up al
talking to him? What was In b.
5 mind? Was there another plot? T
paced to and fro in the room as
spoke. When his back was turned. 81
made quick movement and dropp'
! something-not into the wine bott
2 but into the bottle Of liquor from whi'
Neslerov drank.
81 think l will retire" said the pri
cess. II IS late, dHd perhaps "a
, sleep now"
e II hope you will find rest" he said.
She went out. Neslerov watched h
9 with n dark, saturnine face. What d
she mean? He poured out liber
g dose of liquor. The wine was too we;
t for him. He needed something
i steady his shaken nerves. He dral
: it. In five minutes he was staril
blankly at himself in n glass.
e what is this-this feeling"
muttered. THAT she devil. ! am p
soned! What trick is this? He
Guard! Lieutenant of the guard!'
The young officer heard, and ran
n him.
) Your excellency called he said.
e ..Yps-cnici;-T am BoiSonpI--I