The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-03-06

nothing then. l thought l would find
Miss Wright here. I wished to tell
her that I have received seats for a
theatre tonight"
He made a movement as if he
would go, then he appeared to change
his mind.
81 have never had an opportunity,
madame" he said, "of expressing my
sympathy. Since 1 had the pleasure
of meeting you last year, you have
had a great misfortune, I believe"
The Baroness bowed her beautiful
head and resumed her seat with a
peculiar smoothness Of action, mo.
tioning her visitor to sit down at the
same time.
"You are very kind,' she safe in
a low voice. expressive Of greater
emotion than the occasion would
seem to demand. II have passed
through certain misfortunes-too
long to narrate ever to such a pa
tient listener as yourself"
Charlie had not accepted her invi-
tation to seal himself. Instead Of so
doing he advanced toward the win
dow, and was leaning against the
woodwork, looking down at her.
Il was not aware" he said, until
Just lately that you had the misfor-
tune to be a Russian subject. Any
one of that nationality is interesting
to me, as you are perhaps aware.
My father was connected with Russia
for many years, and now my brother
has followed in his footsteps"
Lower and lower the fair head as
bent over the motionless hands,
which lay upon her simple dress with
a peculiar stiffness, but the Baroness
made no reply.
But I do not wish to awaken dis
agreeable memories, madame; all I
desire is to express my sympathy and
my readiness to be Of any service to
you. 1t is the least an Englishman
can do in his own country, which is
not exactly renowned for its SYM
pathy toward strangers" ,
do not call me madame" she
said. II am not madame. 1 took
my mothers title for the sake of con-
venience. in London"
Charles Mistley looked down at her
without b%etraying the least sign Of
surprise; but he changed color slight
ly.
THAT only makes your claim upon
my services the stronger" he said,
after a pause.
The Baroness bowed her head ST.
lently, and said:
Monsieur. I have no claim upon
your services. On the contrary, you
are the last Englishman to whom I
should apply in case I required as
,sistance."
81 do not understand"
"You will do so, however, when I
tell you that my real name Is Marie
Bakovitch."
Marie Bakovitch!" repeated the
Englishman. slowly, Marie Bako-
vitch!"
She raised her cold blue eyes to
his, watching keenly the effect of the
revelation she had just made.
"Then," she said. your brother
has told you?"
"No-Colonel Wright told me-"
And now do you understand why
I can claim no disinterested service
from you?"
NO." he said, simply.
She laughed a little short laugh
that would have been harsh had her
voice not been wonderfully melodi-
Gus.
you Englishmen are so aggra-
vatingly chivalrous." she said. with
us it is different. Women are nearer
to the men in Russia"
81 do not understand, mademoi-
~selle," said the young sailor, gravely,
why you have told me this"
"No?" she raised her eyes to his
again. He would have been blind
had he not understood what he read
there. at is a long story" she con-
tinued, "and-perhaps an old M
Also it is not cheerful, for it is the
story of a mistake"
Tell it to me-" he said, quietly.
Eighteen months ago, Immediate
ly after your brother left England, I
had a long and serious illness.
Through it l was nursed by my maid
"a child Of sixteen, assisted by my
friend, Ivan Meyer. When I re-
covered sufficiently to take an inter-
est life, I learned from. him that he
was impatient!y awaiting the moment
when he could leave me to return to
Russia. There had been in my ma
tive town a reign Of terror, and
among the first to be arrested was
my father-a noted loyalist, a faith
full Government servant. It is thus,
monsieur, that Nihilists are made"
CTo be c%ontinued.)
Large Trumpet Gourd.