Gilpin observer., 1905-09-14
E1s~~er~.~afrs.~er,ss-ef acknowledgements:
s ID A Rk f. S T RUS STA
4 H. GRATTAN
Copyrgh Street Smith, Aurehtsr

Ivan. Il am" he replied.
Colonel Alexis Nazimoff?" went on
Ivan eagerly, as If to make assurance
doubly sure.
| Il am Colonel Alexis Nazimoff."
This with a faint suggestion of a smile
at the others eagerness. But why
| this"
And the betrothed husband Of
Olga!"
| Had shell suddenly exploded be-
meath his feet, Alexis Nazimoff could
hardly have been more astounded.
With look of profound amazement
at Ivan, and then a glance at his sur
| roundings. he paused a moment be-
| fore speaking, as if he hardly compre-
| hended the inquiry.
Mile. Olga Karsicheff," Alexis said,
| in tone of more hauteur than he had
| yet assumed, "and have been betroth
| ed for two years-but-" as the pos
| sible significance of Ivan's words fore
ed itself upon him-"who are you to
speak of Mile. Karsicheff in such a
| manner? L"
He was again interrupted by Ivan,
now speaking with feverish haste. mis-
words flowing in very torrent, to the
amazement of Alexis.
Tell me, tell me-" he exclaimed, as
he grasped Alexis hand with a grip
of iron, tell me, do you love her, do
you worship her-is she all in all to
you-has she given you her heart-do
you possess her love-do you dare to
make her your wife?" and he paused
out of breath by his impassioned
string of questions.
Alexis gazed at him in wonder.
Then, as if speaking to himself, he
said, This man is insane"
''No, mol" exclaimed Ivan, 81 am not
insane. Listen to me-listen, for Gods
sake-for your happiness, mine, the
happiness of Olga, depend upon your
words. Do you love Olga with all that
devotion. that depth of affection, that
would make you give up an-life it
self. if need be-for her happiness?
Tell me-answer truly, for the dear
Gods love-wou1d you force Olga to
an unwilling marriage? would you drag
helpless, friendless girl, to an un
loved life with you il her heart were
given to another? Answer me now,
for Gods sake, for life and death hang
upon your words!"
Alexis Nazimoff gazed at the man
before him as if he could scarce be-
lieve his senses. This man-here-in
this place, with these gloomy sur
roundings, to talk thus of Olga Kar-
sichef-of his betrothed wife-of the
daughter of the powerful minister of
police. But Ivan's manner moved him.
No" was his reply, Il would never
marry an unwilling bride"
Ivan dropped his head and sank on
chair.
Thank God, thank God" was all
he said.
Pardon me-" said Ivan at length,
Il was somewhat overcome by my
agitation in the first place, and by
the JOY and hope which your words
gave to me, and will give to one who
is dearer to me than life itself-Olga,"
That name was again repeated.
Alexis was annoyed.
Il must ask you to explain he said,
''by what right you speak of Mile. Kar-
sicheff my betrothed wife. as 'Olga,'"
Ivan arose. He took hurried step
to the right-and left-pause a mo-
ment. and then returned 20 Alexis,
who sat following his movements with
intense interest.
Seating himself. he turned to Alexis
and said "You are a mana soldier
can trust you fully and freely? Will
you give me your word of honor to
keep, as an inviolable secret, what
am about to say?"
Alexis paused before making reply.
At length he spoke: Yes, on the word
of honor of an officer and gentleman
you may trust me. l will keep your
secret"
Ivan began his story. He spoke in
low and impassioned voice. but
the earnestness and sincerity which
marked the tones went home to the
heart of Alexis, and left in his mind
no doubt of their truth. In a few
words Ivan made known what the
reader has already learned of his early
life and that of his sister Ida. Alexis
listened with interest until Ivan be-
gan his story of his career In the
house of the Baroness Won Rhineberg.
1T was here" Ivan went on, that |
first saw Mile. Karsicheff. She and
the baroness were devotedly attached
to each other and the baroness fire.
quently brought her into the library.
From the first moment I loved Olga,
but 1t was not with that hopeless pas
sion that a peasant might feel for
princess-she was so far above me In
rank. birth, station, everything.
But as time went on. and the baro-
ness left us together-never dreaming
for moment that the secretary would
dare to raise his eyes to one as exalt-
ed as Mile. Karsicheff-we became
more and more acquainted. There
| were many tastes we nnssessed In