The Ordway new era., 1905-12-15

companion hau eHtefeu.
The courier paused thoughtfully.
"On second thought" he said, i
will not retire just yet. The storm
has ceased. and the moon is about 10
rise. ! will take a turn or two ana
smoke cigar before-ah. the brave
American"
1t was the appearance OF Cobb AZ
the door leading from his room that
caused the courier's exclamation. Co
ing forward with outstretched hand.
the courier greeted him warmly and
expressed a hope that he had SUI
fered no lasting III effects from his
terrible experience with the wolves.
Cobb warmly returned the greeting
and begged to know the name OF the
man to whom. as he said, Il owe my
life. the life OF my wife, and that OF
of her companion" and at the same
tire he presented a card bearing his
own name.
Having informed him of his name
and rank. the courier said, after
glanclng at the card, 1T is evident.
general, that we are two old soldiers,
though no, now in active service. i
was tust going to smoke cigar, but
It would De doubiy pleasant II l had
company-your company, / mean!"
Nothing Will give me greater
pleasure. My wife. the baroness. and
her companion. are sound asleep, and
was anxious TO see you and express
my gratitude for your noble conduct!
Come along then" said the courier,
we VIII walk up and down for an
hour That VIII quiet our nerves and
thIs'-haudiug Cobb n cigar-"will
do the rest"
So saying, the courier and Cobb left
the room.
The moment the door closed, Kath-
crime, Nicholas and KarsichefI re-
manned silent. and then. as II by a
common impulse. they came close to-
Gcthcr as II for mutual protection.
They feit-they knew that they
were on the verge OF an abyss. What
did Cobb's presence mean? What
would he and the courier say to each
other?
And then the astounding discovery
that they had made'
~
Pardons for Alexis and Ivan.
Give me the paper" at length said
Katherine 10 her husband.
He handed her the document given
him by the courier.
These papers" said Katherine.
will never reach their destination
or II they do II will be when pardons
will be more necessary for them
and she pointed to the stockade--''ln
another world than this"
What do you mean" asked Karsi-
chen breathlessly. as his wife placed
the envelope In her bosom.
THAT Alexis Nazimofi and Ivan
Barosly shall never leave this place
alive"
You would not dare"
Anything" exclaimed katherine.
rather than that they should live to
triumph over me-rather death than
that Alexis Nazimon should rejoin
Ilda' BaroslSy. and Ivan claim my
daughter as his wife"
-ilda BaTosiiy, She too will be
frce!" said Nicholas
Katherine lowered her voice. "If
tho cuurier-curses on him-shonld
reach Stralensk with her pardon"
And he Will II ne leaves mere" said
karsicheT.
He must not leave here at ALL"
The three looked at each other.
There was no sign Of quailing on the
part m mother or son. Karsichen
was palcr than usual, and was visibly
aEitated.
The voices were lowered until they
were scarcely audible. and for fifteen
minutes there was no sound save the
mnrmur OF their suppressed couyersa-
uun as they completed the details of
their plot
For they had conceived pian-a
plan born OF the evil genius OF Kath-
crime Karsicheff
They had finished their talk when
the door opened at the head OF the
stairway. and with pale and agonized
face Olga appeared. and gliding down
silently as a shadow. suddenly ap.
peared before them. With her hands
ouistEetched and with tears streaming
from her eyes she appealed to them.
oh. my mother-father- Nicholas,
what are yen about to doy Your faces
terrify me. You are going to commit
come great crime-oh. God!-not-not
murder? For Gods sake. stop before
you bathe your hands in blood. Dc
not-do not bring eternal sorrow on
us all. oh. my mother-dear moth.
er-"
This far they had been SO startled
by olga's unexpected appearance that
none Of them had interrupted her.
But now Katherine. utterly lost to
all maternal feeling. sprang on the
unhappy girl. and glarIng at her with
devilish malignity. hissed into her
ears: "Yes-yes-your husband-it Is
he who Is to suffer. Back to your
room and wear out your soul in an