The Ordway new era., 1905-09-15

Ivan eagerly. as II TO make assurance
doubly sure.
II am Colonel Alexis Nazimon
This with faint suggestion OF smile
at the others eagerness. But why
| this"
And the betrothed husband oi
olga,"
Had shell suddenly exploded be
meath his feet. Alexis NaZimon could
hardly have been more astonnded'
| With a look OF profound amazement
ut Ivan. and then glance at his sur
roundings. he paused moment be-
fore speaking. as II he hardly compre'
hended the inquiry.
mile. Olga Karsicheff." Alexis said,
in a 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. Karsichen in such n
manner L"
He was again interrupted by Ivan.
now speaking with feverish haste. his
words flowing in D very torrent, TO the
amazement OF Alexis.
Tell me. tell me-" he exclaimed, as
he grasped Alexis hand with grip
of iron. tell me. do you love her, do
you worship her-is she all in al 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 II speaking TO himself. he
said. This man is insane
NO, mol" exclaimed Ivan, Il ar1 not
insane. Listen 10 me-listen. for God S
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 alI-life IT.
self. IL need be-for her happiness?
Tell me-answer truly. for the dear
Gods loye-would you force Olga to
an unwilling marriage? would you drag
a helpless. frleudless girl. to an un-
loved life with you II her heart were
given to another? Answer me now.
for Gods sake. for life and death hang
upon your words'"
Alexis NazimoiT Gazed at the man
before him as IL he could scarce be-
lIeve his senses. This man-here-iu
this place. with these gloomy sur
ruurdincs. TO talk thus Of Olga kar-
sichcG-of his betrothed wife-of the
daughter OF the powerful minister Of
f.sa f,N
NO" was his reply. Il would never
marry nm unwilling bride"
Ivan dropped his head and sank on
4 chair.
Thank God, thank God" was all
he said.
Pardon me-" said Ivan at length.
II 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-Olgs,
That name was again repeated.
Alexis was annoyed.
Il must ask you to explain he said,
"by what right you speak of Mile. KRr-
sicheif my beruthed wife. as Olga!'"
Ivan arose. He took hurried step
TO the right-and left-pause a mo-
ment, and then returned 70 Alexis,
who sat following his movements with
intense interest.
Seating himself. he turned TO Alexis
and said: You are mana soldier
can trust you fully and freely? VIII
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 a gentleman.
you may trust me. 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 tn,
house of the Baroness Won Rhineberg
1T was here" Ivan went on, that
first saw Mile. Karsicheff. She apt
the baroness were devotedly attache,
to each other and the baroness fire.
quently brought her into the library
From the first moment loved Olga
but 1t was not with that hopeless pas
sion that peasant might feel for ,
princess-she was SO far above me 1,
rank. birth. station, everything.
But as time went on, and the bare
ness left us together-never dreamin,
for moment that the secretary woul,
dare to raise his eyes to one as exalt
ed as Mile. Karsicheff-we becam
more and more acquainted. Their
were many tastes we possessed Ii
common-music and literature an,
art. Finally, at the baroness solicita
ton, began to give Mile. Karsiche,
lessons in English pronunciation. an
"a.