The Grit-advocate., 1905-10-06
CHAPTER xi-continued.

Olga sighed. She was deeply
touched by the words of Alexis.
After an effort she spoke again. 4
have not told you all she said and
there was a pause as if for strength.
Then after a moment she added: Il
am no longer Olga karsicheff-I am
Olga Barosky. We were MARKEDLY
secretly three days ago.
Alexis sat gazing at the girl in
amazement. He had never dreamed
that it had gone as far as this.
You will keep our secret?' pleaded
Olga.
"Sacredly," said Alexis. Then, as
the thought occurred to him, he add
ed, Does the countess, your mother.
suspect that your affections were
given elsewhere?'
"My mother suspect No! II she
did she would kill me" Then, as the
peril of her position again occurred
to her, she turned peadngly to
Alexis. What can We do?' she
asked; what must be done?"
Alexis sat deep in thought for a
moment.
There is one thing that must be
done, and at once at length he said.
Il will write a letter to the coun-
toss, releasing you from our engage
ment.'
But the cause." eagerly asked
Olga.
4 will say that my affections are
ceMtered on another"
"Oh, Alexis!" exclaimed Olga, her
face frightening for the first time
since she spoke. You have antici-
pated my wish. That will save me
from my mother. Oh, Alexis, how
can thank you-you good. noble, gen
Gus follow"
Ilda had told the story of the at
tack on Alexis in her own way, and
as Ivan listened his face deepened
into frown of anger "Oh. fools.
fools." he exclaimed "Cowards that
they were. And these are the men
with whom l am compelled to associ-
ate in the effort to free our beloved
Russia"
Daring the time when she was
speaking, Ida kept her eyes fixed on
Alexis and Olga, and then. wonder
ingly, she looked to Ivan for an ex-
planation of the presence of the
stranger. In few hurried words,
promising to tell her at length in the
future, Ivan explained all, and as he
finished Alexis and Olga came and
Joined them.
The meeting between the two girls
WAS marked with mutual affection
Their interview was necessarily brief.
"And you will love me as a sister?"
SAID Olga, after they had been speak
ink.
with ell my heart" was Ilda's re-
ply as she embraced her.
IN the meantime Ivan and Alexis
hae gone apart and Alexis had lis
tensd to Ivans passionate disavowal
OF The aims and actions of Oraminsky
ari his followers. Il leave them to-
nGat and forever" said Ivan. But
ths letter to the countess
Il will write it at the earliest mo-
mnlt," said Alexis.
;yan urged that there be no delay,
arl producing pen and ink he handed
sheet of paper to Alexis, begging
hin to write at once, so that the letter
w,sald be in the hands of the countess
be'Dre Olga's return home.
Alexis consented, and. sitting down
at once, wrote to the countess for
NAL renunciation of Olga's hand MY
affections being irrevocably given to
another" ran the letter 81 must de-
cline the honor of an alliance with
Mile. karsicheff, for whom, while en-
tertaining sentiments of the most pro-
found regard and esteem, ] have at
no time felt the love that man
should have for the woman he asks to
become his wife,
Alexis signed the letter, and hand
ing it open to Ivan, rejoined Ida,
while Olga was made acquainted with
the terms of the letter to her mother.
In impassioned words he poured