Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-03-01
The Secret Dispatch
BY JAMES GRANT

his host. introducing two young ladies
who came through the curtains of spe-
cies of boudoir, Natalie and Mariolizza
Usakoff. Our visitor, Natalie, is that
Ivanovitch Balognie of whom Basil has
spoken so much and so kindly"
Without being a vain man, Balgonie
felt at that moment considerable salts
faction in the conviction that he was
decidedly good looking young fellow,
with regular features, fine dark eyes,
curling brown hair and a smart mus
tache; for Natalie Mierowna, like her
cousin Mariolizza, was one of the most
attractive women at the dangerous court
of the Empress Catahrine H.
THE friend and comrade of my broth
er Basil is welcome" said Natalie. pre-
senting her hands to Balgonie who bow
ed and touched them lightly with his
lips: he has often written to us CON
corning you and your adventures to-
gether in Silesia.
Il am but too fortunate to be remem-
bered thus"
Nay" rejoined Natalie, 1--WE could
scarcely forget that daring act of yours,
which won you the rank you hold at
present. All, Basil told us all about that
When he was last here she added, with
beautiful smile, of which she knew
that many had already felt the power.
There are few Russian ladies who do
not speak, with equal facility, German,
French and English, and Natalie Mic
rOwna and her cousin were mistress of
them all. Thus their acquaintance with
European literature enabled them to ex-
eel in an easy and well supported con-
versation of which their kinsman could
make nothing; and which they could en-
bellish by their wit and power of quota
ton, and with an exquisite charms pecu-
liarly their own. When this was added
to the great beauty of Natalie, she could
but prove a perilous acquaintance for
the young Scottish wanderer.
She took his arm and led the way to
the dining room, which was lit by bril-
liant crystal giandoles. All made sign
Of the cross in the Greek fashion, and
seated themselves; but weary and ex-
hausted by his long ride and recent inn
mersion in a swollen and icy river. Bal
g0nie found it almost impossible to par
take of the supper that was pressed upon
him. The jaded traveller could only make
a pretense of eating.
After time he mastered sufficient en-
ergy to beg that he might be permitted to
retire, as he had his journey to resume
betimes on the morrow and he was es-
corted to the chamber by his host in
person. Its four corners seemed to be
in rapid pursuit of each other now, and
the floor and the ceiling to be necessarily
changing places; then his senses reeled,
and the light departed from his eyes. BE
found himself fainting.
The sudden and rapid journey from
Novgorod, the lack of food and the toll
he had undergone for one night and two
entire days, while wandering with the
treacherous Podatchine, the crossing of
the Louga, and the bruises he had I'M
consciously received from several pieces
of floating ice, had all proved too much
for his system, and brought on a relapse
Of an old camp fever from which he had
suffered once when serving with the army
in Silesia-and in the morning he was
delirious.
Though weak, bewildered. scared by
the prospect of lettering thus when pro-
ceeding on urgent duty, enduring rag
ing thirst and a burning pang that shot
with each pulsation through his brain,
stiff IN every joint and covered with livid
bruises. he had still strength left as
dawning day stole through the double
Sashes of his windows. to stagger from
bed, and search for the dispatch, which,
on the hazard of his life he was to place
in the hands. os Bernikoff, tie Governor
Of Schlusselburg.
He hurriedly, and with a tremor that
increased. examined each of his pockets
in succession, then his sabertasche, and
lastly the pocket of the robe de chambre;
but the dispatch--the dispatch of the
Empress-intrusted TO him as a chosen
man by Lieutenant General Weymarn
was gone.
Lost or distracted, it was irretrieva-
bly, gone, Was he the victim of treach-
cry or of a snare? Was it dream that
the beautiful Natalie with her snowy
skin. her dreamy eyes, and her fascinat-
ing smile, had been lowering about him
"a dream or a reality?
Alasl he knew not; for again the walls
and windows were whirling round him
in wild career and he sank on the floor
insensible.
Poor Charlie Balgonie knew not that
the morning on which he made this
alarming discovery was that of the sec
ond day since his arrival at the Castle
of Louga.