The Ordway new era., 1905-09-29

rested them for a moment, even II
. did not alter their purpose, iida spoh'
again. "Wait-a moment-more
wait. and-and-listen." The voice
was broken with emotion, but sh'
gained strength as she went on
She felt that now, II ever, she must
succeed in swerving them from thei'
purpose. Listen. dear brothers-sis
tiers OF the people-listen TO me-to
nda-to the sister OF Ivan; listen one
moment more-for Gods sake hear
me-hear me to the end. There, To-
night, among-amnng all that throhG
OF mobiles there was but-but one TO
protect me. II was-it was-this-
this young officer. Believe me- Tor
Gods sake; for dear Gods sake, be
lieve me, He was my-my defender
my rescuer. Do not-do not harm
him, Have pity on me! l-l-oh'
brothers and sisters, he is no spy!
| know Il: be merciful, for me. 10
him: spare him, and let him GO
NO. no. he is spy! he is Nail
mon, He is here to betray us, ne
must die"
The words rang in the ears OF Ida.
There was no hope for Alexis; he
would be murdered before her eyes,
Hersy had waited for n chance.
She had laid aside the hatchet and
had Erasped a knlfc-a murderous
weapon-and with n fiendish look she
sprarg forward with II uplifted.
With a cry Of mingled anguish and
despair. but with the strength OF a
liouess. Ilda sprang between the
murdcress and her victim, and,
wrsnchIng the knife from her grasp,
fairly hurled Hersy back a dozen feet
into the arms OF her. companions.
Back. murdercss, stand back. all
OF you"
The words rang out In startling
contrast to the trcmulous tones in
which her appeal had been uttered
moment before. as Ida Barosky.
standing in front OF the PROSTATE
Alexis, her eyes fairly ablaze with
the courage OF despair. met without
quailing the maddened looks OF the
surprised and astonIshed Conspira-
tors. The weak. pleading. helpless
woman Of a moment before had Civ.
en- place TO the desperate. courageous
and unfiinchIng heroine. who. stand.
ing majestically alone. with the knife
held in her uplincd hand. looked the
incarnation OF sublime defiance to the
murderous gang who sought the life
OF Alexis.
To say that they were amazed at
the transformation but family de
scribes the effect Ilda's words and
actions produced. They looked one
to the other and then again at the
young girl who stood before them.
There was not one of them who did
not know that Alexis Nazimoff could
only be reached over the dead body
OF his defender. and that ilda would
fight to the death.
There was a hurried whispering
and Kirshkin moved to the front.
Suddenly he made a spring for
Ilda.
But not too quickly for her not to
detect his object. The knife descend.
ed, and Kirshkin, the blood streaming
from his breast, was borne back.
"oh, wretchcs. towards that You
are! was weak but a moment since.
now ! am strong More OF you will
die, Stand back" This as another
movement was made. Stand bacE,
for ! swear by the soul of the mother
who bore me. the first one of Won
TO touch him dies by my hand. More
i swear to denounce you. to deliver
you to the gallows. cutthroats and
assassins as you are"
As Ida spoke she moved back.
ward, and with a rapid movement
passed her hand behind her. 1t was
but the work of an instant for Alexis
Nazimoff to run the cords which
bound his hands against the keen
edge OF the weapon. In another mo-
ment he had unloosed the cord which
bound his feet. and. springing erect
grasped the sword which had fallen
when he was oyerborne.
Brave llda' you have saved me.
stand by my side-ve are more than
match for the eowardly dogs"
Alexis. We will live or die to.
/ gsther."
They are but two: are you COW.
ards7" cried orsminsky. IF they es.
cape re are betrayed; perhaps even
/ row
He spoke no more.
The sound Of a hurried advance
toward the door on the outside-a
quick. metallic sound of a key as 1,
touched the lock-arrested the. atten
ton Of all. To the fevered minds o,
the conspirators the sound suggested
the police-the metallic ring letters
the hurried footsteps a surprise. Tha,
panicky feeling which spreads In
stantly took possession Of them
Their bloodthirsty expressions chang
ed to one OF fear, and as oraminsk,
turned they interpreted his movement
as the signal for fight.
We are trapped" Someone in .b
ject terror uttered the words.
uaa apa,.l