The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-10-02

left here!' exclaimed Norman.
"Yes," continued Dmitri, in tone
of some emotion. Il regret, Mr..
Forde that you will have the painful
task OF conveying some very unpleas'
Mr.. Joyce"
what do you refer to, M. Anato'
vitch?" was asked Norman, staring at
him in helpless bewilderment.
Let me ask you another question
first" said Dmitri. do you know
Russian"
Not at all, except from reading
about it,
You have read little, perhaps,
about our politics?"
Yes; but what had Miss Joyce to
do with your politics?"
THAT is just it, said Dmitri, very
seriously. II told you there was pain
full news, Mr. Forde, and l must ask
you to prepare yourself for it. The AL.
,horities fortnight ago did me the
honor of paying dimiciliary visit to
my house, and, as result, to my UNI
speakable establishment and sorrow,
carried off Miss Joyce, declaring her
to be a revolutionist."
Miss Joyce a revolutinist!" cried
Norman, in blank amazement. at is
inconcevable. There must have been
| some hideous mistake. The idea is
impossible!" .
81 hope there is mistake said
Dmitri, in pitif.m tone; Il trust
there is. You may be sure that pro-
dared; but we are in Russia. Mr..
Forde, and it is dangerous for Rus
sian to protest too vehemently against
the action Of the government. But
you may be sure 1 did what l could"
And Dnlitri looked very sad and sor-
rowful
Norman was stunned. Never for a
single moment had he thought of such
possibility as this. At first he could
not believe it but sat with strained
eyes looking at Anatovitch, who
gloated over the suffering he was
causing this man.
Il did what l could,' Dmitri repeat
ed slowly, watching Norman with
keen enjoyment and resolved to spare
him nothing. But what can a Rus
sian do against his government?
suppose that l, who have friends
among the authorities. have little in
fuence but / was told that Miss
| Joyce's case was bad one-so bad
in fact, that her being found in ms
house laid me under suspicion"
| Norman said nothing; the over
whelming blow had for the time being
number his faculties.
! How Miss Joyce came to interest
herself in this unfortunate manner in
our politics. Dmitri went on, lis un-
known to me, and I have told you all
know. 1t is a very sad business.
For YOU must be aware that it is no
easy thing 10 get out OF a Russian
prison.
"a Russian prison." exclaimed Nor
man, standing up with wild gesture.
"Oh, ii is incredible-it passes belief.
l cannot even think it can be true.
Dmi1ri also rose. and his attitude
expressed deep sympathy.
Where is the prison that they took
her to-" asked Norman.
1T is in Odessa, imagine, though
| do not know
Then TO Odessa | must return at
once. ! shall see the British consul
there. He must move Immediately in
this fr.ghtful matter. Oh. it must be
all some horrible mistake" said Nor.
man. Much agitated. he hastily babe
pmitri goodbye, and was in Odessa
again in the evening.
Next morning he went to the con
sulate and put the case before the
British representative, who. perceiv
ing that here was serious affair CT
international Importance. promised t.
see what could be done, but said that
he feared much tine might elapse
before the Russian authorities would
attend to it.
And time did elapse; days passed
"a week went by. Norman haunted
the consulate, say-eyed. heavy-heart
ed. still with that feeling of being
stunned. The time seemed to him ar
eternity-and nothing apparently was
being done. He had written to Philip
pouring cut his soul to him in half
frenzy, and entreating him to go tc
the British foreign office. The letter
took several days on the road, and, a.
it CHANGED, another day was lost be
cause of Philip being out of Londo1
seeing to the new cathedral.
In walking aimlessly the streets o.
Odessa Norman passed much OF tina
time of waiting. One day he heart
his name uttered, and, turning to the
voice, found himself accosted by the
stranger he had met on the train
Ivan Aksakoff. A glance showed thu
Russian that some extraordinar,
change had come over Norman. The,
walked along for some distance, unit
Aksakoff halted and, pointing to
door, invited him to enter, as this wa.
his home.
Remembering what Aksakoff hat
said in the train about his being +.
Liberal, Norman did not hesitate t,
/ fol I,{un hSu n<ou,,