The Washington times., 1907-08-11

not afraid 20 express his opinions be-
fore anybody. took part in the con-
ver5ation: thereupon. the guest be-
came silent and Nicholas Semiono-
witch endeavored to calm the revolu-
Zionist.
They sat down to the table at
o'clock. After dinner the friends In
stalled themselves on the veranda and
slipped. as they talked. white wine
diluted with iced mineral water.
Their first disagreement was over
the methods of elections. Was indi-
rect representation to be preferred or
not to be preferred to universal suf-
frage? They were debating very
warmly when they were called into
tho dining room protected against
flies by muslin screens) for the tea
puriyg the serving Of the tea, the
conversation became general. Mary
was scanty interested in it. all alb
soIbed as she was BY the signs OF the
arrangement Of GOEa's stomach.
They talked OF painting, Mary at
TEMPTED to prove that there IS In the
q cadeut school an indefnhble but
undenlable something AT the mo-
ment. she was not even thinking OF
dccadent painting; she was merely re-
ueatinR what sho had said many times
before.
For tho guest, the subject was to-
tally devoid OF interest. but he had
heard decadent painting ridiculed. and
he talked about IL with such dis
play of knowledge that no one would
have suspected him OF being indif-
fercnt. not only to the Jecadent school
Of painting. but to every other school
Nicholas Semionovitch knew by the
look OF his wife that something was
troubling her. and he feared some
sort of a disagreable scene. Besides,
II did not amuse him TO assist at the
dismemberment Of what she had said
already a hundred times.
Ihe splendid bronze chandelier was
lighted in the dining room and Vene-
tian lanterns in the court The chill
dren were sent to bed after the little
patient had been worked over a trifie.
The guest, Nicholas Semionovitch,
and the doctor went out on the veran-
da again. The valet brings candles
fitted with little shades. mineral
water and wine, and toward mid
night the conversation begins to grow
animated. They asked each other
what measures the government ought
TO take at this highly important turn
ing point in the history of Russia.
The guest and the host did not cease
for a moment to talk and smoke.
Outside. near the porte-cochere,
might be heard the tinkllng of the
bells Of the harnessed horses, which
had not been fed, and the movements
Of the old postillion, who now yawned
and now snored. This postillion had
worked more than twenty years for
the same employer, and sent ell his
wages to his brother IN the country
except the three 10 five roubles he
spent for drink.
When from several quarters tho
cocks began to call and challenge each
other, the coachman awolxe and began
to ask himself II he had not been for
gotten. He descended from his seat
and entered the villa. He perceived
his passenger seated. eating some
thing. and talking between mouth
fuls. He did not dare show himself
and went I'm quest Of a valet
The valet. in livery. was sleeping in
the chair in the hall. The postillion
1,
who supported by his earnings Cthe
place was advantageous: fifteen ru-
bIes per month and about 100 rubles in
fees A year, his numerous famIly-five
girls and two boys-jumped up, shook
himself. stretched and went to tell his
master that the postillion was getting
nervous.
When the valet approached the talk
h. L., FIJI
The doctor, who had Joined the group.
was taking part in it also
Il cannot admit" said the guest
that the Russian people ought to de-
velop along other lines. What is need
ed, before ANYTHING else. is liberty. po-
htcal liberty the safeguard