The Glenwood post., 1905-10-14

much for her, and she sank into a
chair. vainly trying to find words to
express the rage that was choking
her.
karsicheff, now that his wife had
ceased speaking, sat regarding her
with mingled anger and apprehension
He felt. as has been said. the insult.
but he doubted the wisdom of resent
ing it there and then. Before he
could decide what to do. the door
opened and Nicholas entered.
Katherine, with her face turned
away, rose and without a word left
the room. She would not betray her
bitter disappointment even to her
own son.
Nicholas watched his mother with
painful anxiety. He could not fail to
notice that she was deeply agitated
| What has happened?" he said to
his father. surely she has not heard
it yet?"
Heard what?" asked Karsicheff.
Something in the tones of Nicholas
voice struck him with feeling of
apprehension. Heard of what?" he
repeated.
| NlcnolaS turned.
"The-the rumor-that-"
Go on. Good God, don't mutter
and stammer like a child What is
| it?" asked Karsicheff in a fever of
impatience
"The rumor that you have already
been deposed. and that Nazimoff has
been appointed your successor"
| My God!" Constantine Karsicheff
pressed his hand to his heart as if
he had been shot. Nicholas sprang
forward and supported him to chair.
karsicheff sasped painfully for a mo-
ment, and then with an effort said
is it's it true?"
Il fear it, was the reply. Another
emissary of the Nihilists has been at
work, even in the imperial palace.
and the czar has summoned council
of ministers. Nazimoff was sent for
by his majesty early this morning
Some account of the occurrences of
last night at the NaZimoff palace has
reached the czar this morning, and
! he sent for him to thank him in per-
son for resenting the refusal of the
girl to play the national hymn. He
w 10 lui iouo NHtll He ltdl ueu tldJ llt
affair occurred in your presence, and
that the girl was permitted to escape
by you. He feels convinced that had
she been arrested, she would have
been found to be an active Nihilist"
But my arrests-the wholesale
raid am making to-day?" eagerly in
quired the minister.
r"All St Petersburg is talking of
it, but the opinion seems to be that
you waited too long for your own
| welfare. You should have done some
| thing before"
Done something" These words,
uttered by his own son, brought back
to the mind of Karsicheff the fact
| that as nothing had reached the pal
ace yet of his great work, there was
still hope. The reflection gave him
| a grain of comfort. He rose to his
| feet
"All is not lost" he said, with an
| assumption of confidence, "all is not
| lost. l have dealt Nihilism its death
blow. The czar must recognize that.
Meanwhile, | will order more arrests
and begin the summary disposal of
the Nihilist leaders. Your mothers
influence at court is still powerful
we must summon that to our aid
| No, all is not lost! We can yet be
saved!"
Even as he spoke the bell con-
nected with the ante-chamber of his
Office sounded. indicating that some
of his subordinates desired an audi
erce. He gave word of caution to
Nicholas to keep silent about the dis
quieting rumors to his mother, and
then gave the call-bell on his table
single stroke. 1t was the signal
to enter.
Radaloff appeared. "Your orders
have been carried out. your excel
lency," he said, "and the prisoners
are on their way here"
Very well, bring them before me
the moment they arrive" said the
minister. and his subordinate with
drew.
Now" exclaimed Karsicheff, 81
shall be in position to ask an audi
ence of the czar, but it will be after
l have begun my work OF punishment
as soon as these wretches arrive.
And, by heaven! ne went on eXcit-
edly. Il shall not spare them Go
to the palace, find out what you can,
and spread reports everywhere of my
work. Give it to be understood that
l shall show no mercy, and take care
that you spread the report so that it
will reach the car"
Nicholas, glad in his own mind to
get away from his fathers presence.
instantly departed He had scarcely
quilted the room when the countess
again entered. This time she was in
different mood. A calm determina-
tion was expressed In her voice and
by her actions. and she came at once
to the desk where the general sat.
He feared another outbreak, and was
silent.
Constantine" she said, "have you
told Nicholas anything of Nazimoff's $
| 1attar3'