The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-03-06
CHAPTER XIX.
PrOVOcatiOn.

PrOvOcatiOn.
1t was Stackelberg who had in
cited Litzanoff to that diatribe
against the government and the
chief of police; and as soon as
Wanda had got Gen. Trepoff out
of the room, he led the count on
to discussion about political and
social questions. He was, in fact,
playing the same game with Lit
zanoff that he had tried with
Wanda; but Wanda, being more
quick to discern, had foiled him.
The smoking room was unoccu-
|pied as the two young men saun-
tered In.
MY dear fellow" said Stacked
berg, handing the count cigar,
although / appeared to contra
dict you a few moments ago, am,
at bottom. entirely of your way
lof thinking. Between you and
me, 1 am not far off from becom-
ing socialist like yourself"
"Who told you that l am a So
cialist?" said Litzanoff, startled.
why, you talk like one. You
wish to overturn the government,
the laws, the religion of the coun-
TRY. l should like to know some
thing Of this movement. / have
heard that there are amongst
these nihilists persons of the high
est rank, who have given up every
thing-family and fortune-for
the the cause"
1--WE are not nihilists," answer
ed Litzanoff, completely thrown
off his guard. 1--WE are socialists,
humanitarians, revolutionists. We
only desire to overthrow the exist
ing state of things because it is
wholly evil"
"You desire, then, a revolution,
which shall be both political and
social?"
1--WE do"
"Are there many Of you? Is the
Organization an extensive one?"
At this question Litzanoff came
to his senses.
Truly" he said, IT am a
strange sort of fellow. But yes
terday I was reading book which
| came across accidentally So
cialist book, very probably left in
my room to. attract my attention
and here l am talking about it
as If I were a prominent agent of
the revolution. If an idea ap-
peals to me as just, l accept 1t; if,
on the contrary, it strikes me as
false, / criticise 1t. I have heard
a great deal of talk about these
nihilists. I should be infinitely
obliged to you if you will intro
duce me to some of them; for, like
yourself, I am dying to belong to
some secret society"
Stackelberg bit his lips. 81 have
gone too fast" he thought.
princess Wanda" said Vassili,
sis thought to be a nihilist. You
know her very well, do you not?"
eyes, she is my wife's most inti-
mate friend"
"You Russians are great flirts."
81 love everything that is beau
tiful."
Even Wanda Kryloff?" asked
Stackelberg, fixing his eyes upon
Stepane.
Litzanoff blushed painfully.
Just then Wanda, who had been
looking for them everywhere, ap-
peared at the door of the smoking
room.
cat last" she said, "here you
are. Nadege is looking for you.
She told me to tell you"
"Shall 1 retire?" asked Stacked
berg, hurt that Wanda took no no.
tice whatever of him.
"Oh, no; I only want to giveI
Stepane the message his wife left
for him."
Stepane threw down his cigar,
and followed Wanda into the con-
servatory adjoining the smoking
room.
"Wretched mani" she whisper
ed, what have you said to him?"l
Stepane felt a cold sweat break
out all over him.
81 believe I let out that 1 am al
nihilist. We were speaking of the
and said 'we.'"
"As If you were member of al
secret society?"
eyes,"
"Well, Trepoff suspects you,
and Stackelberg will convict you.
You must leave Petersburg to-l
night. II not, you will be arrested
tomorrow"
"Who Is this Stackelberg?"
can agent of the Third Sec-l
tion."
"Ah, see now"
Promise me that you will leavel
the ethyl"
81 will hide; but will not leave|
Petersburg as long as you are|
here"
II must leave you now" said
Wanda. 1--WE must not be seen to-
|gether."
Stepane tried to take her hand.
Are you mad!" she said.
II will obey you; but pity me-
CIV mn Hox.r hon1D