Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-03-15
CHAPTER vI.-(cOntinued)


voice was sweet and low and had won
derful chord in it.
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 a 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 beauty-one blonde, the other
dark-he had never for a moment way-
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 Mariolizza was betrothed to his
friend and brother officer, Basil Micro
WITT.
1t was scarcely possible that the re-
suit of his visit could be otherwise than
1t had proved; for Natalie was no COM
Tuonplace beauty, but one who had sub
dued the hearts of many more men than
Moscow and st. Petersburg, were count
ing the days of her exile from the Court
of Catharine
lie blessed the exile and choice of cir
cumstances, all so 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 young and
rrlan haa "a L
tale became aware of this, and was af-
fected by the same emotion.
The declaration of his love, and Nata-
lies acceptance of it, came about just as
Others have done; and for three days
after Balgonie forgot all about the trou-
blesome empress, her pressing dispatch
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, the snub-nosed Po-
datchkine, who was always lowering
about, seemed as a perpetual reminder
of the duty he was neglecting. The low
ers were solemnly betrothed in secret
Mariolizza was their only confdant-and
at present they could but arrange to wait
until they could mutually confide in Basil
X.
pected to see. To write to each other,
save by special messenger, was deemed
at present unwise; but Balgonie would
visit her as he returned again to Novgo-
rod.
SO the last evening they were TO spend
together came; and they were seated,
wreathed in each others arms, with Ma
tails cheek resting on Balgonie's shout
Aar in .b,..,
from the very place where he had 50
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 again kiss Natalie on the
cheeks aud on the lips, while her tears
flowed fast; for she had ali the cooling
tenderness Of n ring-dove now, and could
only murmur from time to time:
"Oh, Carl, Carl-my own Carlr' and,
like other young ladies similarly circum-
stanced on the eve of separation, believ-
ed herself to be the most miserable be-
Ing in the world. But, amid all this she
suddenly started and grew pale, on seeing
figure approach.
See, Carl, see" she exclaimed; that
at such a time. Why has she been per
United to approach?"
Balgonie saw, at little distance. only
a Russian gypsy girl, possessed evidently
Of considerable personal attractions. She
stood timidly, and irresolute whether to
advance or retire: and bowed her head
with great humility, while crossing her
fine but dusky hands and arms upon her
breast.
"Oh!' resumed Natalie. with some
thing of a shudder, A." it's Olga Paulowna:
don't let her speak to us in our parting
noGl, Carl, lest we be compelled to hear
her sing, and that may perhaps bode
evil. The steward, understand, has
thrice by dog and whip driven away this
gypsy girl, who has come to the house
LKain and again, ostensibly to seek aims,
but doubtless only to steal or work mis-
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
brother, Nicholas Paulovitch. half
blood, has permanently settled on our
estate, somewhere in the forests; though
he is despised and loathed by the peas
antry, whom, doubtless, he loathes and
hates most cordially in turn. l do wish
she would go away without being ordered
to do So"
Little did Natalie know that those ill
requited visits of the poor gypsy girl had
direct reference to the life and safety OF
him whose hands clasped hers SO ten
derby and conlidingly.
"Ahl" said Natalie, with increasing
annoyance; ''she is about to sing, but
her voice will soon summon the stew
ard"
Olga now began to sing with great
sweetness 4 Russian song. the last lines
of which ended in a shrek, with which
a cry from Natalie mingled; for the cruel
steward had been stealing through the
thicket unperceived, and now bestowed
a heavy lash across the tender shoulders
of the covering and shrieking girl: but
ere he could repeat it. Balgonie sprang
forward, arrested the descending whip,
and then placing in the hand OF the sing
er a few coins. babe her hasten away, on
which she departed. with tears of pain
arc gratitude. after pressing his fingers
20 her lips; and. in her terror and con-
fusion leaving her task undone-her
warning of coming treaehery untold.
"Oh. CARR said Natalie, laying her
head again on Baigonie's breast dear
est Carl, am SO glad she has gone with
out weaving some mischievous spell; for,
smile rs you may. l can't help fearing
those people, | am a true Russian, and
dread the evil eye!''
Richer by a lock Of dark and silky
hair aud & diamond ring. but leaving his
heart behind him. in one swift hour after
this little episode. BalgOnie had depart
ed TO meet, and. for greater security, 10
travel in conSort with, a caravan OF
hundred aud fifty Doors, who were con-
veying sugar from Moscow to st. Peters
burg.
He was guided again by the sly Po-
datch6iae, who had resolved To take eS-
recial good care that the said caravan
should be avoided.
Some hours after Balsonie's departure.
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