Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-07-14
Copyright. 1909 by r. II. Toombs


'rderly, Forgetting his manners in his
intense Interest
Yes. thank God. But her father IL
vet missing. We shall know more after
We have heard them all You under
stand your duties. charge you to be
.hrewd and faithful Co..
The orderly, Alexander Borge. walk.
ed through the corridors Of the prison
with tagging steps. An officer passed
him.
"My captain nm not we'll" ne said
May I be relieved for an hour?"
The captain nodded and walked on
into the Office. Alexander hurried to
another portion of the prison, where
there were rooms luxuriously fitted up
He knocked cautiously at one. giving
certain signal. A young Russian girl
opened the door.
alexander! You not on duty? What
has harpenedY
Il got relieved for an hour to tell
you soicethins for Mile. Alma"
"QNicN III here"
She ushere0 him into small stor-
age closet and listened h-eathlessly.
The coionel charged me again with
my duties" he said. ne had received
a letter from his brother that the young
American whom we could not trace
was in .tstrabad, Persia. He was to
20 from there TO MIMI Novgorcd to
meet Mile. Alma. as last year Later
learned that he il under arrest for TAX
ing away Noura Bi1rtelkis'
ut is impossible. He has not been IN
Tifis"
IL know, but that is the charge. He
was on the boat that took her away,
Would you tell Mile Ama?"
"Ycs, certainly, must tell her ev-
erythlrg. believe this is false
charge got up to put the American In
prison.
perhaps. But must be of viii
watch. | v>ll return II anything Is
new"
In another suit Of apartments love-
ly young girl, with pale face and long
ing eyes, sat lstlcssly looking from
window. The girl whom Borge had
Just left entered.
Marie, what Is the excitement in
the streets:" asks Mile. Alma. Some
thing unusual. even for fair time. has
happened. One girl. one Of the few
friends l have made--I have always
met her when making purchases at
her fathers baznnr--is already missing
l hope the Turks have not found q
way to outwit the law"
"Koura Biarteliis is found. mademoi
selle."
Then thnt must be the cause Of the
excitement Oh. when will this cruel
exile come to an end? Marie suppose
Alexander should be sent away where
you could never see him
II should CIV. madenoiselle"
CRY? Tears alone will not unite
lovers. II they would, could shed
rivers. 1t must be grand to live wacre
love is not n thing for prison walls"
but you are not prisoner, made
moiselc.'
Am I not? have the privilege OF
driving out in my uncie's carriage
But am | not watched constantly? Is
not my uncle forever giving ORDERS thar
no letters shall he allowed TO reach me:
whero-hc WASP"
With a burst OF sorrow Marie fell at
the feet OF her mistress.
"Ch, madcmoiselle. ! have such bad
news for you, would not tell, but
know you wish to hear all. lie Is
here"
Here. You mean NJ Irons-here in
Tihis"
Eyes, madenoiselle, and will soon
be In this very prison"
Alma's fingers clutched at her bosom,
and she half rose from her chair, but.
swaying fell bock
evil you have water. mademoi
sclle?"
"No; want news. How-where did
they take him! Is it true? Did Alex
ander tell you"
Eyes. Il seems lie was on the same
boat. They sav he was taking away
Koura Biartclkis."
II do not believe It. No; know hc
loves me II was not NJ. Irons"
Ilb', IINuVlIiolScIIt. but W.
shall soon know"
"Ycs. but my heart will break with
apprehension. II they have taken him,
after warming him To keep out of Rus
sia. they will charge him with any
thing TO punish him. You must help
me. Marie. Good. brave. faithful girl,
Ard Alexander too. What would l do
without you both? O God. help him,
Preserve him from their vengeance
and cruelty"
She broke down under the strain and
slipped 10 til. floor Resting her arms
on her chair Grl hurYinG her face in
hem, she hurst into spaslodic s0bs,
"Thcy VIII XIII her, between them
muttcrcd the maid.