The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-09-29
Prisoners and Captives

BY III. 8. MERRIMAN

with her. Sergius, I will try and take
her back. We will give ourselves up. 1t
does not matter. Now that Hans Is dead,
have nothing to live for. have no
husband"
The little doctor WINGED. He was not
nihilIst at all, and never had been but
in personal appearance he had resembled
one. There was something horribly real
In the words that came from the girls
rosy lips. Sergius Pavloski shook his
head and moved a step or two toward
the group half hidden BY q fine driving
snow.
mo-" he answered. 1--WE arranged It
before leaving London. There II only
one thing to be DONE"
The doctor and the girl exchanged
look Of horror, and hesitated to follow
him.
ut was agreed" he continued. me-
chanically. ''that the lives of all were
never to be endangered for the sake Of
one. Tyars said that"
Slowly the two followed him. As they
j approached the group some Of these step
ped silently back, some walked away a
few PAGES and stood apart with avsrted
faces.
Can you tell me-" said the woman,
looking up suddenly and leaving the
babys face and throat fully exposed to
the cruel wind, whether I can find q
lodging near here?"
She addressed Pavloski, who was stand.
ing in front of her. He made no answer,
but presently turned away with q con-
yulsive movement Of lips and throat, as II
he were swallowing with an effort. Then
he raised his voice and, addressing his
companions generally, he said, with the
assurance Of q man placed In q position
to exact obedience:
twill you all so ONT Keep the same
direction, north-bywest according to the
compass. shall catch you up before
evening"
He stood quite still, like a man hewn
out of stone-upright, emotionless and
quite Misunderstanding the fulfill
ment Of his commands. All around him
his companions waited. 1t almost seem
ed as IL they expected the Almighty to
interfere. Even to those who have tasted
the bitterest cup that life has ever brew
ed, this seemed too cruel to be true-too
horrid! And the wind blew all around
them, tearing, raging on.
At last one man had the courage to do
1t. 1t was he who had spoken to Paw
loski, the man whom they called doctor.
He went toward one Of the sledges and
proceeded to disentangle the traces thrown
carelessly down when a halt had been
called. The men stepped silently forward
and drew the cords across their shoulders.
The women moved away first, stepping
| anftlv fha aIlant Nd 1tkn pho
toms vanishing in the mist and windy tur-
MOL. The men followed, dragging their
, noiseless sledges. The doctor stayed be-
: hind for a moment. When the others
: were out Of earshot he went toward Paw
loski and laid his mittened hand upon his
= arm.
"Sergius," he said, with painful hest.
tation, "let me do tt am q doctor-it
will be easier"
Pavloski turned and looked at the
, speaker In a stupid, bewildered way, az
, II the language used were unknown &c
him. Then he smiled suddenly, In a sick
, ening way; 1t was like cynical smil
r upon the face Of the dead.
t 60" he said, pointing to windward
where their companions had disappeared
. go with them. Let each one Of Ms dc
) his duty. 1t will be a consolation. what.
I ever the end may be-"
The doctor was bound In honor to obey
t this man In all and through all. He
r obeyed now, and left Sergius Pavlosk
alone with his mad wife and his helpless.
: babe. As he moved away he heard ths
D woman prattling Of the sun and the bird
and the flowers.
4 He turned his face resolutely north
: ward and pressed forward into the icy
p wind, but mufied, gurgling shrek brok,
Q down his strong resolution. Without
t stopping. he glanced back over his shout
der with q gasp of horror. Sergius Paw
] loski was kneeling with his back to tn,
q north; but, he was not kneeling on tn,
Q snow, for the doctor saw two fur-clat
arms waving convulsively. and between
= the soles Of Pavloskfs great snow boot
q he caught sight Of two other feet drawn
!. up In agony.
}. "Oh, God !" exclaimed the man, aloud
i forgive him"
+ And with bloodshot eyes and haggart
2 lips he stumbled on, not needing wher,
d he set his feet. He fell, and rose again
scarce knowing what he did. Despite tn
a freezing wind. the Precipitation ran dow
j his face, binding him. 1t froxs and hum
]. there In little icicies on his mustachs an,
r beard.
. And In the agony of his strong min,
Q his brain lost all power Of concentration
His lips continued to frame those fou
words over and over again until they be
q came bsreft Of all meaning and lapse
g into . mere rhythmic refrain. keepin
o time with the swing Of his sturdy legs.
y Ito be continued.)