The Grit-advocate., 1905-10-13

| much for her. and she sank into
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
Nicholas turned
"The-the rumor-that-"
Go on! Good God, don't mutter
and stammer like child. What is
it?" asked karsicheff, in 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 gasped painfully for a mo-
ment and then with an effort said
rs 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
was furious when he learned that the
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
But my arrests-the wholesale
raid l am making to-day?" eagerly in
quired the minister.
"All st. Petersburg is talking of
1t, 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. have dealt Nihilism it's death
blow. The czar must recognize that.
Meanwhile, l 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
Glueting 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 we'll, bring them before me
the moment they arrive" said the
minister, and his subordinate with
drew.
Now exclaimed Karsicheff, 81
shall be in a position to ask an audi
ence of the czar, hut it will be after
| have begun my work of punishment
as soon as these wretcheS arrive
And, by Heaven" he 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
shall show no mercy, and take care
that you spread the report so that it
will reach the czar."
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 determine
ton was expressed in her voice and
by her actions, and she came at once