Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-01-20
CHAPTER VII.-(ContinuedD

the life out of this insignificant yet nox-
ious reptile.
"Maruscha," l begin, this Isajeff-
has he ever accosted thee?"
She bends her looks to the ground and
l, intent on every sign her face may
disclose, observe the vivid color rise,
dyeing her neck, her cheeks, her brow.
81 like not the man, Vladimir. He is
an impudent fellOw'-she hesitates. |
grasp her arm almost savagely.
Has he dared to speak to theeT l
gasp. Tell me-tel me. what has
he said? If he has insulted thee by so
much as a look-a world will go now,
at once, and tear the tongue from his
throatr'
Ny vehement words are scarcely ut
tered ere | am regretting them, for |
see the fear spring to her eyes. And
now she will not tell me the truth. She
laughs. uneasily.
'Now see how thou takest things up!''
she says For indeed there is none to
tell The man has always been civil to
me, only giving me 'good-day' as | went
and came, or passing a remark on the
weather. 1t is only that | have taken
m UIlGPHSOUHDle uHllDdIHy 10 Hllu-u
quite unreasonable and unjustifable an
tipathy, Vladimir. Thou Knowest my
strange temper! And thou art wrong"
she continues, in nervous haste. Gas
suredly thou art wrong that Isajeff has
informed the police. Why should he?
And how should he suspect"
HE watched us leaving the lodging.
He followed us along the colonnade. We
both saw him as we mounted the droski
to come here He has driven after us
spied on us"
81 will tell thee what I will do only
only give me time, Vladimir" She
presses her hand to her side
| am subdued. To soothe her, calm
her, undo the mischief | have done is
now my only thought
'My sweet love, forgive me!' | beg.
"I have frightened thee!'
She smothers bravely storm of rising
sobs, still holding me with both her
small hands until she has sufficiently
controlled herself to speak. 81 need
never go back to my lodging-he need
never see me again." she begins, watch
ing the effect of her words with wide
eyes fastened on my face.
60 back" l repeat, thrilling with
apprehension at tn emere suggestion.
"Thou wilt go from here to Olga Petrov-
mas, and quit not her lodging save to
go to the station and take train for
thy home! st. Petersburg is 10 place
for thee Maruscha. Promise me that
thou wilt leave it tomorrow never to
return"
81 promise-but- t-but-I owe weeks
lodging-l must give notice---my
clotheSw
And thou wouldst take into consid-
GRAFTON. such paltry matters where so
much is at stalker l cry, beside my
self.
Listen to reason, Vladimir" she fal-
ters. "lf pay not my landlord he will
have an excuse for instituting a search
for me. Thou art so violent that | can
not get in a word. l will go to Olga,
and she will pay the money for me, and
bring away my things"
$50 that he can follow her and find
thee! No, that will not do! And yet"
l say, moderating my tone, thou art per-
haps right about the money! muse a
moment, then Olga must find someone
else to pay it, and invent some lie. He
must be led to expect my return. Say
that thou hast been called away sudden
ly-to dying relativew | laugh grim
ly at the glibness of my inventions. "She
has been commissioned to take part of
thy wardrobe to send after thee. Thou
canst give her n line for the scoundre
to that effect"
'Ies, yes" Maruscha agrees eagerly
"That is well planned. And as proof
that | am returning everything will bt
left standing in the room-my stove
and all my belongings"
Thou wilt be strong now as thou has
ever been my brave one" | say encour
agipgly. Something tells me our part
thee as soon as l am over the frontier
Olga will forward my letters"
In moment her features begin t.
work, and ere | am aware she has cas-
herself at my feet, and is clasping m!
knees.
"Thou canst not mean it, vladimir
she gasps. "Thou wouldst not drive m
from thee before-before the last! Ant
whittier wouldst thou go tonight? When
wilt thou hide? Oh, leave me not il
ignorance, or l shall go mad"
81 will write whenever l can. But
Maruscha, l must also hear from thee
l will make for Luza first, write to m
from thy home to the postoffice there"
"How shall l address thee?"
"Ah. yes, forgot that am nameless
/ will keep the name that Ivan gave IN
to the iandlord-it will do as well a
any "Waldemar Nicolaivitch Alikar
off. Thou wilt remember?"
"Waldemar Nicolaivitch Alikanoff,
repeats Maruscha, slowly.
"And for heavens sake, word thy le
ter carefully, so that IL it reaches m
not, and the officials open 1t they wi
see nothing to make them suspect augh
I will observe the same caution in wr
ing to thee, and will sign my assume
name"