Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-07-21
A SOLDIER OF
| COMMERCE
Blu JOHN ROE GORDON
Copyright. l0m, =. r. Toombs
Blu JOHN ROE GORDON
Copyright. l0d2, by =. II. Toombe

ulate you. After your promotion to
win happiness also! Have you gained
your ambition"
"You are giving me riddles. What
do you mean?'
IL was under the impression that you
were in love with my niece"
IL adore her. Who could do other.
wise;"
1.-THE governor Is much interested IN
your little affair, as l am myself To
tell you the truth. my niece is very ca.
PRECIOUS. Tomorrow she may be I'M
willing to have anything to do with
you. Tonight she seems to share your
infatuatton. The governor, as you
know, likes little sensation of n pleas
ing kind He would like the pleasure
and privilege of announcing your be-
trothal at the supper"
with all my heart He may an.
nounce It n thousand times. The ques-
ton rests with the little lady"
GO ask her. wager a hundred ru-
bles you will not lnd her unwilling"
Jurnicff turned on his heel and walk
ed away. and Dellnikoff, with n fast
beating heart and feverish pulse, sought
Alma.
"Ths waltz" she asked.
mol could not waltz must speak
with you. Come to the conservatory"
He led her to quiet nook shaded
with palms
Alma" ne said breathlcssly, taking
her hands, ~ love you. You know
love you. I have longcd for you this
past year. believing that you hated me.
and now to find you do not am over
joyed. The governor wishes to an
nounce our betrothal. VIII you con-
sentI Oh, my darling ono, let us make
you make-this ball the most memo
rablc one Tiflis ever had. Will you con-
sent?'
She toyed with her fan.
Il like you, prince. i have been kept
in n prison for year, and now, to find
myself with this freedom, feel like
bird let loose. I feel like making up
for all the long days I have spent
brooding over things l could not con-
troll. And now the time has come.
cannot resist. want good lark
something real scandalous. You do
wild things sometimes"
Perhaps. But is our betrothal at a
governors ball not lark enough?'
"Oh, that is tame! What n splendid
uniform you have, prince-Alexis: May
l not call you Alexis 1t Is so much
shorter than Dellnikon."
call me anythng-only love me-
He was oblivious OF the fact that he
was at a public function. He placed
his arm around her and pressed her
to him. She did not resist.
"Oh, this is tame lovemaking. l want
70 have some great ending to the
night. / feel--oh, | am half wild,
suppose"
Let the governor announce our be-
trothal. and you shall do anything,
have anything, you wish"
"Anything. | am so stricken with
your uniform that would like to have
! one like It. Can l not be on your
staff"
"Oh, Alma, That would be ridicu.
lous"
Il know it. That Is why the idea at
tracts me. want to do something
ridiculous something unconventional
while | have this lovely hour of free.
dom. You are always free. You do not
understand"
What do you want to do?'
Wear your uniform and inspect this
prison"
You inspect prisons? Why, you live
in one"
~ know. live IN the main building
but | have never yet looked into a
cell. have heard stories Of all sorts
of cruelty. and yet those who have
been in the dungeons say there IS nc
cruelty. | want to see for myself"
"Well, l will take you with me when
l 60"
1.-The colonel would not consent. He
forbids us to enter the prison portions
OF the place. l want TO go tonight
and / want to be you-you. Alexis.
want to be the inspector general OF
prisons for an hour"
Her eyes were brilliant. A flush came
to her cheek and went again, leaving
1t white. Her bosom rose and fell
She let 1t rest against the breast Of the
prince.
such an absurd impossibility tC
ask" he said. you would be missed.
mo, | would not. Speak to the colo
mel. Tell him you ana | are goins
somewh ere-anywh talk and ar
range matters for the betrothal. Ill
will tell the governor and We can e
unmolested. / have set my heart OF
it, Alexis You say you love me anC
that | can do anything. | am wilfu
and must have my way"
but how can you get my uniform!
Are you not guest Of the govern
or? You have other uniforms. Go pu
one on. bring this with you and wea
great cloak that covers you. We vii
go to the prison, and in my own room
| can put on your Uniform. Then 20,
shall be my STAFF officer. and we will
70 and inspect the prison"
1T would cost me my sword II 1
was discovered. But you cannot b,
serlous--you, a refined Russian girl, t
don the uniform Of an officer and &
masquerading in prison"
But can't you see? 1t is the oddly
the capriciousness, the very wildnes
and wickednes9, that appeal to me
Had Won heen cn1ed n Vpnr yOu wolll,