Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-09-01

!
! faction of handing over such a notorious
anarchist as myself to the governor with
your own hands,"
For the first time Vera lifted her head
and met his gaze. II am not afraid of
you" she said laconically, and paused.
| Vronowsk raised his eyebrows in sur
prise. He leaned his back against the
door and studied her attentively. She
was not pretty, he had noticed that the
| day he met her on the steppe but there
was something distinctly attractive about
her, nevertheless. She had splendid ewes.
he remembered that, too, although she
kept them SO persistently averted from
his face at the present moment.
! Then. in fash he recalled the letter
he had received, and looked at her with
new interest Was it possible that she
! had written it He could not forget the
intonation of her voice when she had de-
| clared that she was not afraid of him.
| He tried to put aside the thought as inn
probable, but it repeated itself with
| strange persistency. Poor little thing"
| he muttered to himself, and then a wave
of infinite compassion swept over him.
Vera Ivanovna," he said gently, and
he noted how she started at the sound
of her name and how the tell-tale blood
rushed to her pale cheeks, Il know this
is a difficult matter for you or any young
| girl tossdecide. But believe me- every
moment you delay in announcing my
presence here jeopardizes your fair name.
Even if your generosity should prompt
you to hesitate in handing me over to
justice, it is your duty to do so as the
governors daughter"
The girl locked up quickly; her pale
face seemed still paler in the gloom, and
her great dark eyes were blazing with
suppressed emotion. All she cried, is
it any wOman's duty to send an innocent
man into exile, in order to preserve her
own good name?~
1T is yours" said Vronowski, ':as YOU
are the governors daughter"
Il know" said the girl, Il know my
duty, and | will perform it whatever
happens Remain where you are as long
as you like. and shall take care that no
one shall find out your hiding place"
She swept her furs about her as she
spoke, and turned as if to go, but Vro
nowsk intercepted her.
Vera Ivanovna," he said in IA low,
tense voice, ARE you aware of the penal
ty you incur by such an act? ?"
II am" she replied
And you would incur it for me-a
stranger"
Il would incur it for any stranger
whom | knew to be the victim of injus-
tice," she answered proudly.
Paul Androrevitch took her little. cold
gloved hand i'll his, and drew it gently
to his lips. lou are brave girl" he
mmmured hoarsely, "and | thank you
for your generosity, but | cannot accept
liberty at such price. | shall deliver
myself up immediately
You cannot, you must not" the girl
cried in sudden alarm. My father is a
hard mau. you would be condemned and
cxilcd for life
which fate you arr willing to incur
for my sake" he said She lifted her
eyes to his, and for one moment their
gaze met. 1t was but brief instant,
but it suflced for both.
You wrote that letter - he said
thiclly
Il did" she answered.
There was IA silence, during which
Nronowski forgot to loosen his bold of
her hand, forgot everything in the knowl-
edge that she was Wiling and glad to
risk all for his sake.
All at once Vera started. Her quick
ear had caught the sound of advancing
footsteps and her quicker brain had de-
vised a plan to compel him to accept his
liberty at her hands She rushed across
the room and out through the open door,
which she allowed to swing heavily to
behind her
"Ah! Verochka." said the governor,
who, in astracnan cap and great military
coat, was advancing leisurely down the
walk, accompanied by the chief of police.
Capt. Popoff was just asking my per-
mission to search your little datcha, as
it is ruomred that the anarchist Vronow
ski was last seen in this locality"
For a moment Vera was silent. Then
she lifted her head proudly. There is
no need to search there" she said calmly
but in voice loud enough to be clearly
audible to the solitary occupant of the
datcha. Il have Just been ali over it,"
"Ah, slave bog!" thank goodness) said
the governor in n relieved tone of voice
L knew the scoundrel would not dare
hide himself beneath my very roof of all
Places
And turning he offered his arm to his
daughter to conduct her back to the
palace and dismissed the chief of police.
> The following morning Vera FASTENED
4 down &c the datcha, and in fear and
trembling unlocked the door and entered.
; The place was deserted. If Vronowski
' had been able to escape detection he must
e now be safe across the frontier. She re-
4 tracd her steps slowly to the palace
b Now that the hour of confession was at
t hand her courage failed her and she paled
d Mt the thought of her fathers wrath.
d The General was reading dispatches
+ but he TUNED at the sound OF his daugh.
o ter's step and stretched ont his arm to
draw her to his side. But the girl evad.
e ed IN, grasp. and in "A few words told him
d how she had betrayed him. The general
E; listened in silence and when she had
Il finished he put his arm about her ten
d DERBY