Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-06-21
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
A YOUNG LADY BUYS LOAD OF HAY.
II" AS the magistrate gwen his
xI decision YETI" asked Alma
H8u4M Jurnieff as she met Orderly
0H2D Alexander Borge in the cor
ridor Of the living rooms few days
after the trial.
mo decision has been made public,
Mile. Jurnieff. There is much secrecy.
There is to be squad of prisoners sent
to Siberia in month. l believe the
American is numbered among them"
Siberia! They would not dare! To
send an innocent American to Siberia
would bring on war;
''Not if he died." said Alexander,
with a shrug. "Some who are number
ed for Siberia never start. They die
before the time comes Hush! Here
comes Colonel Jurnieffr'
He walked away without saluting
her, and her face was devoid of express
sion when her eyes met those of her
uncle.
II have news for you" he said, close
ly observing the girl. "The governor
is to give ball to Prince Dellnikof.
The prince will arrive in few days.
He will attend to his new official du-
ties while here, and the governor wish
es to entertain him."
'There is no objection, is there?
What are the new duties Of the
prince?'
"He has been appointed inspector
general of prisons for Stavropol, Tiflis
and Astrakhan. 1t was probably
through the influence of the general,
your father, that he obtained this i'm
portapt post. I received letter from
your father today. Would you like to
read it?'
81 will read it if you WISH" answered
Alma listlessly.
1T will save me the trouble Of re-
peating his wishes to you. Take the
letter to your room and study it. Con-
slider well its contents. You will profit
by meeting your fathers wishes in this
matter. You have been severely pun
ished, know, by your semi-imprison-
ment here. Hereafter am going to
permit you to have your own way. I
want you to meet the prince at the
ball. 1t may be necessary for you to
make purchases. You are at liberty to
use the carriage any day between 2
and A.
THANK you" said Alma. She bowed
and went to her room.
"Some plot" she murmured as she
shut her door. "What deviltry is afoot
now? So I am asked to read a letter
from my father, the first of his letters
that have been even spoken of to me"
She sat down and read:
My Dear Brother-You will doubtless be
surprised to hear of the appointment Of
Prince Dellnikoff to the important post Of
inspector general of prisons 1t was a
happy thought of mine to have him ap-
pointed to a position of power and impor-
lance. sufficiently SO to please him and
make his sojourn In your portion of Rus
sia not unwelcome. 1t will bring him
often to Tif1is and give you an opportunity
to bring the prince and my obstinate
daughter together. 1t is probable that the
governor will entertain the prince. II SO,
that will be good opportunity. We must
compel the girl to obey some wey or 9TH
CT. 1t is cherished idea Of mine to see
the families of Dellnikoff and Jurnieff
united. The father of Prince Alexis was
good friend of mine. and we spoke fire.
Quently in other days of the pleasure it
would give us to see our only children
united. Therefore do your utmost to bring
about this most desirable marriage
shall not receive my daughter again until
she comes to me as the Princess DELI
nikoff.
what kind and loving fatherw ex-
claimed Alma as she crunched the let
ter in her hand. This is threat-a
threat that my uncle preferred to have
me read rather than to tell me himself.
Let them threaten But I will attend
the ball and will assist in entertaining
Prince Dellnikoff, the most dissolute
prince in st. Petersburg"
Have you received letter at last,
mademoiselle?" asked Marie as she en-
tered the room.
"At last, Marie, have been permit
ted to read letter. 1t Is not, however,
addressed to me. 1t is one that was
sent by my father to my uncle with
some very interesting news. Prince
Dellnikofr is coming to Tifis."
Heavens. To be marrled?"
Il presume that is the real object.
Openly he comes as the inspector gen.
eral Of prisons"
Inspector general! He will be a
proud one in that uniform"
Why So. Marie2 What distinguish