Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-01-02
DAILY SHORT STORY
CONVINCED.
(Orfgfnal-1

car standing with one hand on hi.
writing table, looking out Of the win
dow.
CZar-Oh. that / might find some
drug TO give me intervals of oblivion
beset on every side, never knowing
when l 20 out but that a bomb may bt
thrown into my carriage. and, IL i re
main in the palace, but that a glass OF
wine handed me by an attendant may
contain poison. Enter Count Demi.
doffl What, you here, Demidon!
was just thinking Of my isolated cOndi
ton. Were 1t not for you. good friend
plot is reported. Sometimes l fear
shall go mad.
Demidoff-Calm yourself, your maj
esty. there is not the reason for fear
that you suppose. Never has there
been less cause for inquietude.
Czar-Ah, Demidoff, what a comfort
you are. And yet sometimes l fancy
your affection for me leads you to con
ceal the dangers that threaten from me-
Have you any especial news for me
this morning!
Demidof None except that every
day ! gather fresh assurances that all
near your majesty's person are devoted
to You. would die for you.
Czar-Thanks, Demidof docking mt
the clock. You may go now, my friend.
! am expecting some one. 1 have an
other confiscated estate for you, one of
the finest in Russia.
DemidOff kneels. kisses the cars
hand and withdraws. The car rings
and an attendant enters.
Czar-Has the Countess Maria
Nicholievna arrived?
Attendant-Shei is waiting your mai
esty's pleasure.
CZar-Admit her. ENTER countess.)
Have you been to Paris?
Countess have just come from
there
CZar-Well!
Countess-By pretending to be a nj
hilist l won the confidence of the con-
spirators and am their trusted messen-
ger TO one who is managing the plot
here.
Garland who is that?
Countess-I would not dare make an
accusation without absolute proof at
hand. The cOnspirator stands too high
in your majesty's confidence
Carlo you not bear credentials.
instructions or something of the kind
addressed to-is it man or woman?
Countess bear papers, but they are
addressed to no one.
CZar-WelI, what do you propose to
do?
Countess-I ask your majesty's per-
mission to leave you for ten minutes.
At the end of that time 1 will return
and hope to be able to convince your
know to be guilty.
CARRIE II so. You may withdraw.
Countess leaves the room. Car PAGES
back and forth, impatiently waiting
her return. Re-enter countess. Gar
looks at her inquiringly.
COuntess-Thus far, your majesty, I
have been successful, but do. not know
IL the rest of my plan may not miscar-
~. / risk all ON what l am doing,
knowing well that it is either my
downfall or that of the person / ac-
cuse. Will your majesty please send
for Count DemidofY.
CZar-Demidoff. Certainly. We will
need him. of course.
Car rings and sends for Demidoff.
Meanwhile he PAGES the floor, the
countess standing silent, both waiting.
Enter DemidOff. Seeing the countess,
he starts and turns pale. The car
looks at him wonderingly.
Czar-Count. are you Ill?
Count-lll? No. your majesty, only
Countess Surprised to see me here.
Count Otrembling)-I do not know the
lady.
Countess Ito the cZar)-YOur majesty,
this is the man who conducts the mat
ter OF the Paris conspiracy In st. Pc
tersburg. The papers l brought ! was
directed to give To him. Had / given
them to your majesty or your chief of
police we would not have been able to
convince your majesty that your most
trusted friend was seeking your assas-
sination. During the few minutes that
i left you i went to the counts apart
ment in the palace, gave him the pa
pers, charging him to keep them on
his person, as he valued his life. II he
has done as told him not five minutes
ago. they will be found on him. If he
has had time to get rid Of them, my
plan fails and l must bear the conse-
quences OF having accused one who
possesses to the highest degree your
majesty's confidence.
Count-YOur majesty. This is some
plot TO drag me from the position i
hold which enables me to protect you.
Czar-So / believe, count.
Countess - Will your majesty be
pleased TO have the count searched?
Count Cpleadingly)-You majesty, |
would you subject me to such an indig- |
nifty at the instigation of a paid spy?
Carl would give you an opportu- |
nifty to prove your innocence. CTaps q |
bell and an attendant entersD Search |
him Gpointingl. The attendant search |
IS the count and finds the incriminat- |
Ing papers In his boot. Gar takes |
them and scans them eagerly, covers |
his face with his hands, then turns to !,
10 Ia