The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1906-07-19
The Nihilist Kikanasl<e
BY L. B. KINDER.

convicted him and the judge passed tn,
sentence Of death.
During the weeks stay of execution
granted the prisoner in order that he
might settle his affairs, Sonia scarcely
gave him a thought AS woman she
might shrink at thought of his death
on the gallows, but as acting governor
of Kikamsl, she regarded him dispas.
sionately.
The evening Of the sixth day, as she
sat alone in her boudoir, she had com
pletely forgotten that Lupinski was tc
be hanged at sunrise, when a serving
woman entered to say that young
woman craved audience on a matter OF
life and death.
The slender figure that followed the
servant let fall heavy shawl and ad.
vanced. She was still In her teens anc
pretty with q wholesome country beau.
ty, although her usually red cheeks
we're pale and tear-stained. Her brown
eyes told as plainly of hard days
muddy shoes.
What is 1t, my child?" demanded
Sonia, dismissing the attendant with
nod.
They are going to hang Ivan, my
sweetheart" cried the girl. "He is in
nocent. Noble princess. save him!"
His name?"
Ivan Lupinsk. He"
"He assaulted the governor of his
province with intent to KILL" said
Sonia, sternly.
There is some mistake. He could
not"
He received fair trial. There is
no doubt of his guilt"
Mercy, gentle princess, and spare
his life!"
"As woman forgive him his COW.
ardly attack upon my life. But as tn;
cars representative at Kimamsk
must enforce his laws"
Tomorrow at SUNRISE" muttered
the girl, turning away; "he will"
She stumbled and fell half-faintiug
towards the princess, who supported
her to the couch.
you poor thing! You are all worn
out she said, sympathetically
Il have been walking since mid
night" the other answered, attempting
to rise.
There, there" said Sonia. Lille still
and rest for few minutes"
She rang for her woman, who
brought glass of wine, which she
made her patient sip. Then, ordering
more wood thrown on the fire, Sonia
dismissed the servant and from hel
favorite chair watched the girl, who
vainly struggled to keep awake.
AS the wood caught and blazed up
the princess turned out the lamp, for
she loved the glow of an open fire
The pet angora cat, which had vanished
at the girls entrance, reappeared anc
ribbed itself against Sonia's chair; anG
at length sought her favorite place or
the hearth, where she crouched, blink.
ing at her mistress.
The latter's heart was filled with pity
for the sleeper. In vain she tried to
think OF some way of alleviating the
others grief. Pardon Lupinski, SHE
conscientiously could not. Moreover
had not Providence saved this youns
woman from an unhappy marriage with
a desperado! Nevertheless Sonia was
certain that the girl would he heart
broken. Again she looked with pity
at the figure on the couch, motionless
save for her breathing and the even
throbbing of the artery at her throa.
The wood was consumed and TIE
light grew dim. The dropping of 6
half-burned chunk with its accompany
ing flare aroused Sonia. Looking up
she was startled by the greenish ra
dance of two orbs that blazed with
the intensity of lamps. Sonia smiled
at her fright and looked curiously a.
the cat, whose eyes did not waver foi
mouse, she drew her skirts closely
about her Following the direction o.
her pets gaze, she discovered to heI
amazement that the green eyes were
intently fixed upon the pulse In the
sleeping girls throat AS Sonia looked
the cat balanced and sprang
Screaming, the girl started from the
couch and supporting herself on hei
elbow, stared wildly about, as II awak.
ened from nightmare.
Your lover is saved!" cried the prin.
cess, joyously. Il have found the
guilty one"
Then sounding the bell for the cap.
tain of the guard. she gave the order:
Set free the prisoner, Lupinski, and
bring him here. He is innocent"
Copyright. 1906. by Daily Story Pub. Coz