Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-03-05
CHAPTER V1.--(Continued.)

CHAPTEk NI.-(COntinueuD
Certainly the last place where. for
her own sake. l would place a dispatch
of the widow Of Peter H. responded
the other haughtiy; but Balgonie felt his
heart beat quicker 'as she spoke. Her
voice was sweet and low aud had won
derful chord in IL.
Balgonie did not see much OF his host.
who was generally occupied among his
people, to whom he was alternately a
source of reverence and of terror.
1t Is not surprising that Charlie Bal
gonie preferred the society of two beauti-
full young girls to that Of testy old man.
TO enhance their natural attractions and
winning manners. they were always
dressed In the most fashionable French
mode. and wore the rich stuffs which
came from Moscow and even from China.
Though both cousins were remarkable
for their bcauty---one blonde, the other
dark--hc had never for n moment wav-
cred between them; for he had been. from
the first moment he beheld her. irresist-
IDLY attracted by the brilliant and black.
eyed Natalie. Besides, he knew well
that Marioizza was betrothed to his
friend and brother officer, Basil Micro
wits.
1t was scarcely possible that the re-
suit Of his visit could be otherwise than
1t had proved for Natalie was no com
mOnplace beauty, but one who had sub
dued the hearts Of many more men than
Charlie Bnlgonic-men who. now ut
Moscow and st. Petersburg. were count
ing the days of her exile from the Court
Of Catharine.
He blessed the exile and choice of cir
cumstances. all 80 sudden and unfore-
seen. which had cast him In her path.
He loved her with all the passionate
alteration SO beautiful and winning a
woman could inspire In u young and
ardent heart: nor was 1t long before Ma
talie became aware of this. and was af-
fected by the same emotion.
The declaration of his love. and Nata-
Hes acceptance OF II. came about just as
others have done; and FOR three days
sitter Balgonie forgot all about the tro,i-
blesome empress, her pressing dispa Ah
and the terrOrs Of Lieutenant General
Weymarn.
At last he began to wake from his
dream. to find the stern necessity Of de.
parting; and, indeed, tho snub.nosed Pc.
datchkine. who was always lowering
about, seemed as n perpetual reminder
Of the duty he was neglecting. The low
ers were solemnly betrothed In secret
Mariolizza was their only contidant-and
ut present they could but arrange to wait
until they could mutually contide In Basil
Mierowitz, whom Natalie, ere long, ex-
pected to see. To write to each other.
save by special messenger. was deemed
at present unwise; but Balg0nie would
visit her nv he returned again to Novgo.
rod.
80 the last evening they were to spend
together came; and they were seated,
wrcathed In each others nrms. with Ma
tails cheek resting Oh Balgonie's Shout
der. In IN embowered rustic seat, not far
from the very place where he had 30
boldly crossed the swollen river on that
eventful night.
Charles heart was full Of sadness and
bewilderment: he could but mutter and
whisper Of his love and their hopes. and
again and agnin kiss Natalie on the
cheeks and OH the lips. while her tears
flowed fast: for she had all the cooling
tenderness Of a ring.dove now. and could
only murmur from time to time:
"Oh. Carl, Carl--my own Carl!' and,
like other young ladies' similarly circum-
stanced on the eve Of separation, believ-
cd herself to he the most miserable be.
ing In the world. But. amid all this. she
suddenly started aud grew pale, on seeing
= figure approach.
''See, Carl. see!" she exclaimed; "that
horrible woman must be ominous Of evil
at such time. Why has she been per-
mitted to approach"
BalHOnie saw, ut u little distance, only
q Russian gypsy girl, possessed evidently
Of considerable personal attractions She
stood timidly, and irresOluts whether to
advance or retire; and bowed her head
with great humility, while crossing her
! fine hut dusky hands and arms upon her
breast.
"Oh!' resumed Natalie. with some.
thing Of a shudder. tits Olga Paulowna;
| don't let her speak To us In our parting
hour, Carl, lest we he compelled to hear
her sing. AMI that may perhaps bOde
evil. The steward, l understand, has
thrice by dog and whip driven away this
gypsy girl, who has come to the house
again and again, Ostensibly to seek aims,
1 but doubtless only to steal or work mis-.
J chief by her cunning: for though our
Russian gypsies are not allowed to pitch
their tents on any land without the ex-
press consent Of the owner. this girls
I brother. Nicholas Paul0vitcli, a half
blood, has permanently settled on our
estate, somewhere In the forests; though,
he IL despiscd and lOathed by the peas.
antry. whom. doubtless, he lOathes and
hates most cordially In turn. | do wish
she would so away without being ordered
10 do So
Little did Natalie know that those III.
taI - NJ hn 81, al Ia. 4