The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-10-03
A NihiIist Mandate.

~NHE crimson shade OF the lamp
cast warm glow over the room
u in which a young man sat smok-
Ing and thinking. 1t was early In the
evening, not long after Z, and he was
wondering where to spend the hours
I'M bedtime. A knock at the outer
door of his chambers disturbed his
reyerie Being alone, he went him
self TO answer the summons. A lady,
tall and thickly yelled, stood in the
passage without. .-.s.- ....@
"Mr. Austen Gregg"
"That Is my name, madam" ...
Can speak with you in private"
Her accent was foreign.
Certainly; will you come in ~
The lady entered, Austen puzzling
his brain as to who his visitor might
be. She declined the seat offered to
her, and glanced round the room
Are we quite alone?" she asked.
quite"
The lady lifted her veil.
"0lga Dobrouloff" cried the young
man, in tone Of CONSERVATION.
Il have not altered so much in six
years that you fail to recognize me,
then, Cecil Austen?" said she. faint
smile at his start Of surprise and sud-
den pallor crossing her darkly beauti-
full face. Cecil Austen! ali; but you
ere known more by your nom-de-thea-
ire now, are you notY'
Austen forced himself to appear
calm.
what is your business with me, ma
DAMP" he inquired.
80 austere? Your manner toward
me was SO different six years ago in
Russia. Well, well, my business? To
give you this"
She handed him letter, which he
heSitated at first to open. Breaking
the seal at length, he cast his eyes
over the communication which he
drew from the envelope. One glance
was sufficient to cause his hand to
femble SO violently as to rustic the
paper 1t held. His pallor deepened for
moment; then his face flushed, and
dSdainful look came into his eyes.
Take this back to those who sent
you to me" he said, land say have
not held myself subject to their orders
since l left Russia"
Remember your oath"
Such as 1t was, I look it in a mo-
@ent Of Youthful might say boyish
enthusiasm over things l did not
tiSntiy understand. saw my folly in
ume' and abandoned the society into
Tue membership Of which l was be-
Vuled by your father, who traded ON
wy mratuation for you"
lnfatuation! You swore Won cou,d
never love another woman, and taught
me to love you, Cecil"
her voice softened, her face grew
less stern.
y, 4 am sorry for that episode in my
ule ne made answer. II was learn.
us 10 forget 1t, and hoped you had
s - Never. shall love you to my
lying hour. Oh, my darlingv' she
s.'eu' ciasping her hands passionateIy
a au taxing step towards him, "have
'Ou realiy-truly-ceased to love me?''
y, 1nls topic is an unpleasant one
Ulsa-one l have no wish to discuss
A. =, was not love had for you; have
discovered that"
You have discovered-ahw
.o, ner swift flashing eyes fixed them.
'e' on photograph standing upon
n"ntleplece. 1t was the picture OF
So Soung girl whose face was the en-
trust 'SAAeAn 0SS' anu
~, you have discovered it, have YOU;
ery?" mo NC Tue ulseoF'
mol, Lnat is the lady hope soon te
HaKe my wife" .. -.
Nv NV "o'us were spoken cildly, Taught
t:o. Hof a moment Olga Dobroulofr't
n0oo, burned with the fierce fire Of
th o n,e hate. Her fingers gripped
tbOn picture tightly-gripped it al
thu ehey would crush 1t. Suddenly
she ~ relaxed, and with piteous moa1
bpr h S"uk upon her knees and bowet
ru,S Oh' Cecil" she cried, in bitter an
bava then 1 must not hope-I, VIII.
thes. carried your image in my hear
fooI,o long, long years7 In what 4
II ha paradise 1 have lived. And We
II mas mas been SO sweet"
'OOS burst from her throat in a wiki
5r