Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-09-30
CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.)

"Maruscha," I begin, ''this Isajeff-
has he ever accosted thee?"
She bends her looks to the ground, and
I. intent on every sign her face may
disclose, observe the vivid color rise,
dyeing her neck, her checks, her brow.
Il like not the man, Vladimir. He is
an impudent feliow''-she hesitates. l
grasp her arm almost savagely.
HAS he dared to speak to thee" l
gasp. Tell me-tell me, what has
he said? If he has insulted thee by so
imuch as a look-a world will go now,
at once, and tear the tongue from his
throat"
Ny vehement words are scarcely ut
tered ere [ am regretting them, for l
see the fear spring to her eyes. And
NOW she will not tell me the truth. She
EIaughs uneasily.
''Now see how thou takest things up!"
she says. For indeed there is none to
tell The man has always been civil to
me, only giving me 'good-day' as l went
and came, or passing a remark on the
weather. 1t is only that | have taken
AN unreasonable antipathy to him-a
quite unreasonable and unjustitiable an
Hipathy, Vladimir. Thou knowest my
strange temper! And thou art wrong"
she continues, in nervous haste. CAS-
suredly thou art wrong that Isajeff has
Uniformed the police. Why should he2
And how should he suspect"
HE watched US leaving the lodging.
HE followed us along the colonnade. We
both saw him as we mounted the droski
to come here. He has driven after us
Spied on us"
Il will tell thee what L will do only
only give me time, Vladimir" She
presses her hand to her side.
l am subdued. To seothe her, calm
her, undo the mischief l have done in
now my only thought.
MY sweet love, forgive mel" 1 beg.
"I have frightened thee"
She smothers bravely a storm of rising
sobs, still holding me with both her
small hands until she has sufficiently
controlled herself to speak. Il need
never so back to my lodging-he need
never see me again." she begins, watch
ing the effect of her words with wide
eyes fastened on my face.
Go back" | repeat, thrilling with
apprehension at tn emere suggestion.
Thou wilt go from here to Olga Petrov-
mas, and quit not her lodging save to
go to the station and take train for
for thee, Maruscha. Promise me that
thou wilt leave it tomorrow never to
return"
- premise-but-but- owe weeks
2oaginB--1 must sir0 --e"l~~-"
clothes"
"And thou wouldst take into consid-
GRAFTON such paltry matters where so
much is at stake" L cry, beside my
self
"I.isten to reason, Vladimir" she fall
tiers. IF pay not my landlord he will
have an excuse for instituting search
for me. Thou art so violent that L can
not get in a word. / will go to Olga,
and she will pay the money for me, and
bring away my things
80 that he can follow her and find
ehce! No, that will not do! And yet,
! say, moderating my tone, thou art per
haps right about the money! muse a
moment then Olga must find someone
else to pay it, and invent some lie. He
must be led to expect my return. Say
that thou hast been called away sudden
Iy-to dying relative" 1 laugh grim
" at the glibness of my inventions. She
mas been commissioned to take part Of
thy wardrobe to send after thee. Thou
eanst give her a line for the scoundrei
TO that effect
Yes, yes" Maruscha agrees eagerly.
'That Is we'll planned. And as proof
that l am returning everything Will be
left standing in the room-my stove
and all my belongings"
Thou wilt be strong now as thou hast
ever been, my brave one! L say encouf-
iagiugly. Something tells me our part
ing will be brief. And l will write to
thee as soon as l am over the frontier.
Olga will forward my letters.
In moment her features begin to
work, and ere | am aware she has cast
herself ut my feet, and is clasping my
knees.
Thou canst not mean it, Vladimir!
she gasps. Thou wouldst not drive me
from thee before-before the last! And
whittier wouldSt thou go tonight? Where
wilt thou hide? Oh. leave me not in
ignorance, or l shall go mad!'
Il will write whenever | can. But
Maruscha, l must also hear from thee
I will make for Luza first. write to me
from thy home to the poStofiice there.
How shall l address thee?"
All, yes, l forsot that am nameless'
/ will keep the name that Ivan gave me
10 the landlord-it will do as we'll as
off Thou wilt remember?'
'Waldemar Nicolaiyitch Alikanoff, -"
repeats Maruscha, slowly.
And for heavens sake, word thy let
ter carefully, SO that if it reaches me
not. and the officials open it they will
see nothing to make them suspect aught.
I will observe the same caution in writ
ing to thee, and will sign my assumed
name"
Il will be careful" she murmurs, with
another heart-broken sigh.
And now, my own Maruscha, fare
vel until our next meeting-our joyful
meeting to part never again. Think of
that, only that, my love, and the time
will seem short"
Her arms are about my neck. l hear