The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-05-11
CONVINCED
lOriginal.1

dow.
Czar-Oh, that might find some
drug to give me intervals of oblivion,
beset on every side, never knowing
when go out but that bomb may be
thrown into my carriage, and, if re-
main in the palace, but that glass of
wine handed me by an attendant may
contain poison enter Count Demi-
doff.) What you here. Demidoff?
was just thinking Of my isolated condi-
ton. Were it not for you, good friend,
l would despair Every day new
plot is reported. Sometimes l fear I
| shall go mad.
Demidoff-Calm yourself, your maj
esty, there is not the reason for fear
that you suppose. Never has there
| been less cause for inquietude
Czar-Ah Demidoff, what comfort
you are! And yet sometimes fancy
your affection for me leads you to con-
ceal the dangers that threaten from me-
Have you any especial news for me
this morning?
Demidof-None except that every
day l gather fresh assurances that all
near your majesty's person are devoted
to you, would die for you
Czar-Thanks, Demidoff Cooking at
the clock. You may go now, my friend
am expecting some one. l have an
other confscated estate for you, one of
the finest in Russia.
Demidof kneels, kisses the cars
hand and withdraws. The car rings
and an attendant enters.
Czar-Has the Countess Maria
Nicholievna arrived?
Attendant-She is waiting your mai
estys pleasure.
Czar-Admit her. (Enter countess.)
Have you been to Paris?
Contest have just come from
there.
CEar-Well?
Countess-By pretending to be nj
hilist l won the confidence of the con-
spirators and am their trusted messen-
here
/ Garland who is that?
Contest would not dare make an
accusation without absolute proof at
hand. The conspirator stands too high
in your majesty's confidence.
Czar-Do you not bear credentials,
instructions or something of the kind
addressed to-is it man or woman?
Contest bear papers, but they are
addressed to no one.
Czar-Well, what do you propose to
| do?
Contest ask your majesty's per.
mission to leave you for ten minutes
At the end of that time l will return
and hope to be able to convince your
majesty of the identity of the person ]
know to be guilty.
CARRIE it so. You may withdraw
Countess leaves the room. Car pace:
back and FORTH impatiently waiting
her return. Re-enter countess. Czal
looks at her inquiringly.
| Countess-Thus far, your majesty.
have been successful, but do not know
If the rest of my plan may not miscar
~. l risk all on what 1 am doing
knowing we'll that it is either my
downfall or that of the person 1 ac
cuse. Will your majesty please sent
for Count Demidoff.
Czar-Demidoff. Certainly. We will
need him, OF course.
Car rings and sends for Demidoff
Meanwhile he PAGES the floor til,
countess Standing silent, both waiting
Enter Der,idof. Seeing the countess
he starts and turns pale. The CA
looks at him wonderingly.
CZar-Colnt are you i'll?
Count-Ill? No, your majesty, only
Countess-Surprised to see me here
Count trembling)-I do not know tn,
lady.
Countess Ito the czar}-Your majesty
this is the man who conducts the mat
ter of the Paris conspiracy in st. Pc
tersburg. The papers l brought wa:
directed to give to him. Had give1
them to your majesty or your chief O.
police we would not have been able tt
convince your majesty that your mos
trusted friend was seeking your assas
sination. During the few minutes tina
l left you went to the counts apart
meDl III the palace, gave him the pa
pers, charging him to keep them OF
his person, as he valued his life If b.
has done as told him not five minute.
ago, they will be found on him. If b,
has had time to get rid of them, m,
plan fails and I must bear the conse
quences of having accused one WIZ
possesses to the highest degree you
majesty's confidence
Count-Your majesty! This is som,
plot to drag me from the position
hold which enables me to protect you.
Czar-So believe count
Countess : Will your majesty b,
pleased to have the count searched?
Count pleadingly)-Your majesty
would you subject me to such an indig
nifty at the instigation of paid spy?
Carl would give you an opportu
nifty to prove your innocence. (Taps {
bell and an attendant enters.) Searcl
him (pointing). The attendant search
es the count and finds the incriminat
ing papers in his boot. Car take.
them and scans them eagerly, cover
his face with his hands, then turns t,