The Grit-advocate., 1905-12-29

."/Av Zl4 AAQQM1I'-
of the courier She stepped to lis
door on tiptoe.
But not softly enough.
who goes there!'' said gruft
voice.
THE wife of the commandant
colonel. l was anxious about your in.
juries. Can | do anything for your
comfort?"
Thank you, no. simply need
rest
Katherine stepped back. "He is
wide awake. The pardon can not be
stolen while he sleeps" Then a
thought occurred to her and she
smiled. Evidently happy thought
1t was this: If Caroline could succeed
in the one task, why not try to make
her attempt the other.
Every minute seemed an hour as
Katherine. her heart beating with anx.
icus throbs, waited the return of the
girl. She peered out into the night,
trying to pierce the gloom. 1t was not
long until her patience was rewarded.
With light step and with an air that
spoke of success. Caroline appeared on
the outside of the stockade, ran
across. and entered the house.
Have you succeeded" asked Kath-
crime, eagerly.
Better, madame, than l had dared
to hope"
They will attempt to storm the
house."
They are getting ready now"
Brave girl. Oh, had now but pos.
session of the pardon Of Ida Barosky
by triumph would be complete
"llda Barosky," said Caroline, IAN
absent friend?"
NO responded Katherine. she is
my bitterest enemy, and in three days
she will be free. The courier lies
asleep in that room with her pardon in
his possession. Could you but secure
that pardon l would give you any re.
ward you could ask in my power.
"He is asleep, you say?" asked Car,
oline
"Yes, think so. Will you try?"
Il will try"
But" said Katherine "if he should
be awake-here-take this-defend
yourself-but get that pardon at any
cost" and she handed her the re.
volver.
No sound broke the silence save
the hard breathing of the two women
Caroline went softly to the door
opened it, and disappeared in the hall
within. Katherine ran to her hus.
bands greatcoat and secured another
revolver. Then she waited.
Another moment and the girl en-.
tered the room.
Have you succeeded" asked kath-
crime with feverish anxiety.
"Ay, madame, but you have failed" "
"Failed!' gasped Katherine.
Yes, the pardons you have in your
bosom for Alexis Nazimoff and Ivan
Barosky are false papers,
With a cry of rage, katherine tore
open the bosom of her dress and
pulled forth the envelope Taking out
the pardons she exclaimed: mo, they
are genuine. See the great SEAL" and
she pointed to the paper
The girl grasped the document with
grip of iron. Yes, they are genu.
inc, thank God"
"Yes, yes! give them to me now,"
said Katherine.
Never" shouted the girl in loud
voice. These pardons that make
Alexis Nazimo9 and Ivan Barosky
free are mine!" :
What do you mean?" screamed
Katherine. Give them to me. say"
and drawing her revolver she sprang
for the girl.
"Never!' was the reply. as Caroline
struck the hand that held the weapon
a second before it was fired.
One pistol shot.
There was yelI-a crash as the
stockade quivered with the shock as
the exiles rushed through the gates,
and with hoarse cries bounded for
ward to the house and burst in the
door.
"Fire!"
karsicheff gave the command, but
no sound followed The act of the girl
had rendered the guns useless.
Hold"
The courier rushed into the room.
What has happened?" he cried.
Caroline Cobb sprang before him.
"A plot to murder these prisoners in
cold blood has been thwarted." she
exclaimed. These men-Alexis Ma.
zimoff and Ivan Barosky-have been
pardoned by the czar. Their pardons
are here and she waved the papers
high above her head.
Katherine sprang at her, but re.
coiled at the cooked revolver leveled
at her head. Woman. devil, serpent
spy she screamed, who are you?"
Tearing of the blonde wig which