Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-07-26

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that is nothing compared to the hell
that is surging in my breast now. In
me, in this breast, there is conflict
that overshadows anything in my ex-
perience."
Il don't understand" said Harvey.
You would understand If you were
a Russian officer and at the same time
man in love. Remember, l am per-
forming my duty when | place you I'M
Ger arrest and take you back to Ildls.
You are a condemned prisoner who has
escaped. With your innocence or guilt
| have nothing to do. 1t is my duty to
take those robbers to Titlis, and 1t Is
not my duty to permit one OF them to
talk. Yet, as against this duty, the
girl love is in the hands OF the Bo-
Kharans. You, the man who is most
wanted in Tifis, and these robbers are
the only men on earth who can help
me. For, once the girls are on Bokharan
soil, am helpless"
"Helpless?"
Il cannot stir regiments to cross the
border. The order must come from st.
Petersburg. By the time we get that
order the girls will be married to the
princes"
That is what I have been striving to
show you-the uselessness of your
duty IN this case. claim your duty Is
to go after the girls"
impossible! There is secret corps
Tor such work. am not a soldier once
OF Russian soil unless sent there"
WHO asked you to be soldier? Come
with me. Let US rescue the girls. Alma
has really committed crime. sup
pose, but we must risk the danger of
Tifiis. I'll take care Of that part when
we get the girls"
you would try to escape-would
even try to kill me to escape
Nonsense. If you will assist in res
cuing the girls and let Alma Jurnieff
escape, l will so back to Tiflis with you
and take my medicine"
"You would risk death and disgrace
for the girl you love?"
Eyes. I'd risk hell for the girl
love-"
'That is love! That is love! 1t is as
feel myself. Let me think. What a
problem for man to solve"
He abruptly left Harvey, who sat
down, pref ,rring to let Orskoff work
out the problem himself. Orskoff paced
gravely up and down, never once look
ing at Harvey.
Have you plan?" he asked sud
denly, stopping before Harvey.
GIVE me your answer to the prob
lem you have set out to solve, and I
will give you the plan l have thought
Of"
Again that monotonous pacing up
and down the deck. 1t seemed to Irons
as though the Russian was growing
older looking each moment. Again the
feverish eyes and working lips. It
came to an end at last. With a sigh
as if exhausted Orskoff dropped into
the chair by the side of Irons.
"Well, 1 have fought the fight" he
said YEARLY.
Sand won?' asked Harvey.
mo; God knows it is no victory! I
| have lost. My patriotism goes down
before my love. I am a Russian. I
know the Russian cruelties to those
who defy the car. know the pitiless
rule that breaks the hearts and destroys
the lives Of those who even permit a
culprit to escape. Knowing this-know-
| ing the punishment. the disgrace, the
horror Of treachery-I have resolved to
become-a traitorw
"a traitor! What nonsensem
Eyes, a traitor to the czar! You and
will soon be under the same con.
demnation. We will go together to the
very throne Of Bokhara if necessary
and rescue those we love or die in the
attempt. 1t is settled. will not turn
back"
(To be continued.)