Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-03-03
By Order of the Gar
Story of Russian Power
By MARCUS EASTLAKE
~O"~


assistance, however, decline, requesting
to be shown Mr.. Coughs rooms. l
again take him up. We cross a vesti-
bule adorned with alternate statues and
acacias in enormous tubs, ascend a flight
of wide shallow steps, and enter the spa
cious bedroom allotted to the English
man.
He is much exhausted, and as help
less as a child, and partly because l am
glad of some occupation to divert me
from perplexed and miserable thoughts,
partly because / am sorry for the old
man who seems to depend on me, dis
miss the man servant, and do for him
those Offices an experienced hand might
have done better, If less tenderly. Though
he speaks not much, see that it soothes
and grati6es.
l stay with him. tending him, changing
his congresses, administering the cooling
draught | have prescribed for him; and
the hours l had dreaded to face flow on
almost unheeded, and in perfect quietude
of mind. 1t is as if / had turned the
key on its Bluebeard chamber.
At length the fading light apprises
me that the door of that chamber must
be approached again. | do so at first
with cOmposure. Hope has rallied in this
still atmosphere. A servant knocks and
brings in lamp. / consult the gold re-
peater that rests in a pocket above my
patients head. He opens his eyes and
rouses.
What, going?" he asks.
"Yes; l have All engagement; but l
will look in again tonight and see you
before | go to bed. / am staying in the
Stein-Strasse, not five minutes walk
from here"
The old mans countenance has fallen.
"Of course, you have engagements. You
must 60 to your friends. 1t is good Of
you to have stayed with me so long. 1t
must have been dull-miserable, sitting
in this gloomy room with a stupid old
man, who hasn't a word to throw at a
dog. And, sir, am grateful to you"
do not mention it. l had nothing
else to do. And now, since am obliged
to go, l will send you nurse"
"a nurse! Need lis it absolutely
necessary Wouldn't one of the men of
the house do, eh? am not used to
having women about me-"
Looking down on Mr.. Coughs perturb-
ed countenance, / make a sudden resolve.
IF you will have me instead, and put
up with my clumsy ways, l have moth
ing to do"
Would you. now? Well, that's kind
of you, my lad!' His face beams with
pleasure and relief, then as quickly falls
again, as he adds, "No. no. Go your
ways and send the nurse. l cannot ac-
cept it. You want to enjoy yourself in
Berlin-go to the theaters, and that sort
of thing. Thank you all the same"
II shall be back again." l explain,
just as if he had not spoken; ''in, let me
see" / hesitate. Il cannot exactly
say how long l shall be gone. / have
friend to meet at the train, and
must see Rosen. to explain; but you may
rely OH me this evening, some time. If
she should not come" l stop short,
overwhelmed at once by the terrible sig
possession deserts me.
Mr.. Cough lifts his head from the
pillow and regards me.
my dear boy, you said She Is il
your sister whose safety is threatened
Perhaps she has got into trouble, like
/ yourselfT
1T is my betrothed," l groan. "And
if she comes not by this train, / may
conclude that she is in Russian prison. y
/ seem to see her there, and sink down
beside the bed, hiding my face in my
hands. feel a trembling hand on my
head. and hear broken voice, feeble and
piping, but exceedingly sympathetic
Poor lad! Poor lad! And with all this
on your mind, you could yet think Of the
trouble of a stranger! But, bless us all
look up, my man! The case isn't lost yet
The young woman may come. Never cry
out before you're hurt
rise. "Yes," l say, bracing myself,
and drawing long breath. You are
right / cry before / am hurt; and
yet not quite. l expected her yester-
day, and the blows / have sustained
lave been crushing ones. Methinks il
this one descend it will send me mad"
l stand a few moments, striving to
calm my agitation ere l move toward the
door.
Whatever it be it must be met" say
at length. And l go.