Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-04-28

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khan 10y that fool of German. Well,
supposing | was at liberty to go after
them, the first thing would do would
bc 10 outline plan of getting as quick
~ rs possible from where am M this
moment 10 the spot where | considered
il most likely | would find them"
IL don't see the connection"
"No. OF course not. But tell me
what is your duty i'm the matter OF
these rObbcrsf'
Il have already stated that. must
take them 10 Tihis and charge them
with robbery. Several times the Off
GERS I'm charge Of the money To pay the
soldiers have been robbed. We sus-
pected that il was done 10y some Of
the mountain robbers and mistrusted
the Bokharans. But we could never
catch any"
That's because you are machine
soldier. The third section OF your POI
lice does not work that way"
What wayT'
without thinking Pardon me. you
insist it is your duty TO go nj once TO
Tinisf"
Certainly, unless we can intercept
that vessel belonging 10 the ameer"
suppose we do not intercept It? Sup
pose the rascals make a port in Bo-
khara -
Then must return TO Tifis and ask
permission 10 enter the territory Of the
ameer in search OF Koura."
Harvey looked at him and whistled.
MY friend, YOU accused me n short
time ago of not loving as YOU do. Yet
you sit calmly here and say you would
60 To Tifs to ask permission TO rescue
the girl you claim TO love"
IL am a soldier OF the cZarr'
"Nerily you are, and well have you
learned your lesson. l am a soldier OF
commerce. and love It. but | would
consider neither trade nor honor nor
citizenship against the chance OF saw
ing the girl love. To the deuce with
patriotism that destroys love. Orskoff
do your duty. II you feel that it is
your duty TO take me and the robbers
TO Tihis. do so. and forever bid fare
well to Koura Biartelkis."
"But what can | do? The girls are
by this time perhaps on Bokharan soil
1t is against the orders Of the car for
Russian soldier TO step foot in that
country"
"This is several days journey from
here Bokhara but short distance.
Somewhere. i'm the clutches OF the Bo-
kharans. are the girls you and | love.
Your duty calls YOU 10 desert them in
heir need: mine calls upon me to die
for them if necessary Rather than let
you take me back to Tinis I'll fight you
10 the death"
Orskon stared. Harvey turned and
resumed his walk He took several
turns and closely watched Orskoff. The
Russian was deeply thinking, his brow
knitted in perpleXity.
stop" he commanded suddenly as
Harvey reached him again. You sell
wndmills To no one save those who
employ you do YOU owe allegiance.
lou come and 20 as you see fit. You
ire shrewd and brave and take your
wares 10 all countries and run RISKS OF
death to promote the commercial inter
ests OF the company. You have spoken
OF your love. Under the whiplash o.
your tongue | am torn in halves Will
the bittcrcst conflict Of my life. ! have
led my company in battle and have
faced the enemy without a tremor. bu
that is nothing compared to the hei
that is surging in my breast now Ir
me, in this breast, there is a contlic
that overShadows anything in my eX
perience.'
Il don't understand" said Harvey.
you would understand if you wer,
a Russian officer and at the same time
q man in love. Remember. am per
forming my duty when place you un
1 der arrest and take you back TO Tiflis
You are a condemned prisoner who has
escaped. With your innocence or gull
| have nothing to do. 1t is my duty tC
take those robbers TO Tihs and it IL
not my duty TO permit one Of them &c
! talk Yet. rs against this duty. the
girl love is in the hands Of the 30
kharans You. the man who is most
wanted ia Tihis, and these robbers are
the only men on earth who can hell
me- For. once the girls are on Bokharar
soil. | am helpless"
"IIelplessf"
IL cannot stir regiments To cross the
border. The order must come from St
Petersburg BY the time we get that
order the girls will be married 10 the
! princes"
THAT is what have been striving e.
show yOu-the usclessncss Of your
duty in this case. | claim your duty Is
10 20 after the girls"
impossible. There is secret corps
for such work. | am not n soldier once
| off Russian soil unless sent there"
"Who asked You To be soldier Come
with me. Let us rescue the girls. Alma
! has really committed a crime, | sup
| pose. but we must risk the danger Of
Titiis. TT take care of that part when
we get the girls"
You would try TO escape would
even try 10 Kill me 10 escape"
Nonsense. If you will assist in res
culng the girls and let Alma Jurnief
escape. will 20 back TO Tflis with you
and take my medicine"
You would risk death and disgrace