The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-10-31

will be able TO answer" was Volna'!
prompt retOTt- Il hope that even yOJ
would not stOop to the baseness ] car
read under your words"
"In the absence of certain evidence
/ Madame DTakOna has nothing to fear
| That is ALL, he said, dog geGly. Lei
US speak of this alone, Volna.'
/ NO" she cried, with indignant EN-
phasis. Are you so ashamed of your
| act that you dare not discuss it?
| know what you mean by what you cal
the evidence against my mother. You
used your opportunities here and SCI
! your spies to scrape it together and yod
keep it in your own hands, holding ii
over me to force me to comply with
your wishes. You are that kind Of man,
| Now, what is your price?"
1t was as easy TO see that she was
right as that her scorn and contempt
struck right home. He changed color.
twisted his beard nervOusly, glanced at
her, and from her to me; and stood baf-
fed, disconnected, scowIing and silent.
What is your price? Are you
ashamed to name it before Mr. An
struther?" she went on, in the same bit
ter tone. "On what terms will you con-
sent to put that evidence in my hands d?
Can you do it? If 1 should consent to
pay the price, what guarantee should l
nave, not only that you could, but that
you would. keep any bargain you made?
| should surely need some. 1 am ready
to save my mother. Now, what is your
price?" Her face flushed, her eyes
shining, her manner eloquent of her
contempt for him, she presented a mag
nificent picture of angry scoTn.
He cut a pitiful figure in contrast, as
he WINGED and covered under her words
IS under the lash of a knout. He cared
for her. There was no doubt of that
But II was this very love which made
him suffer then. Hard, caIlous, cruel.
Indifferent to the suffering he made 9TH
ers endure; he cringed now under the
mental torture she inflicted.
1t CALLED him the more that Of all
men I should be the witness of his hui
initiation; nor was I at any pains to
conceal my pleasure at his discontinue.
When she spoke next, her tone was
cold, quiet and biting. You are still
ashamed TO name il? You would do the
thing itself, mean and dastardly as it
is; but the mention Of it harrows your
delicate sense of honor. You are a Rus
sian, and worthy Of your country. You
have thrown my mother into prison in
order to force me to marry you at once
That is the price you will not name
aloud; and that is a price 1 will not
pay"
The frown on his face deepened ON
inously as he muttered. You are be-
trothed to me-"
"The one thing in my life I am
ashamed of. It was a sham betrothal,
and you are welcome to the truth now.
1 was at least honest with you 1 told
you there was on my side none Of that
feeling which a girl should have at such
a time, and that l was heart free. What
l did not tell you was shat the betrothal
was intended TO save those about me
from danger at your hand. 1t served it's
purpose until today when you have
struck this towards blow. Now, thank
God, the truth can be told"
CHANGING to glance into a mirror at
this moment. caught sight OF Katinka |
listening, white-faced. in the doorway. |
At this avowal OF Volna's she threw
up her hands and hurried away.
You admit you tricked me?" said !
Bremenhof between his clenched teeth. |
call it what you will, have told |
you now the truth"
You understand what this means7"
AZ am not afraid of you. Say what /
you will and do what you viii. I will /
save my mother in spite of you. Unless
she is set free, your part in this shall