Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-01-07

COnSlueraUly III HIS CollpdHioi Soei
nation. "You will pardon my in.
discretion, but was hard pressed
before l thought of assistance-you
can believe that?"
With characteristic foresight the
young Englishman began to wonder
how much money he had about his
person, as he bowed in acquiescence.
Instantly Ivan Meyer saw that his
words had been misconstrued, and
he fastened to explain.
II am here" he said In a tone
showing more self-assertion, ito ask
a strange favor"
"I will endeavor to assist you,
Monsieur"
"Meyer-Ivan Meyer. am Rus
sian by nationality, a Swede by
rights - for l am a native of the
Baltic Provinces.
Again VINEYARD bowed, and waited
with some unsympathetic silence for
some further information.
"You know the name of Marie
Bakovitch. monsieur?"
81 do"
"She is at present at Walso, near
to here"
"Do you come to me on the part
of mademoiselle?" asked the Eng
lishman somewhat coldly.
"No; I come on my own account.
Indeed" VINEYARD moved rest
lessly from one foot to the other, and
by casting glances up at the clouds,
down toward his own boots, and in
discriminatory around, indicated
gently that he was not desirous of
prolonging an interview with this
mysterious youth.
Suddenly Ivan Meyer took cour-
age, and stepping closer to his COM
panion said passionately:
II come to you because you have
ruined my life. I am the lover Of
Marie Bakovitch Her love for me
Or the prospect of winning it
was the one bright spot in my ex-
istence, which has been as dark as
that of every young Russian. For
her l worked night and day in the
hopes of one day becoming great
artist; for her sake | would willing
ly have thrown my life away. But
for her sweet influence | would have
become q Terroist, fighting a glori-
Gus battle by means so foul that God
can only frown upon the righteous
side and UNFOLD the tyrant. For her
sake l forgave my fathers exile, my
mothers death, my own miserable
childhood; and just at the moment
when happiness seemed within my
reach, when | felt sure of winning
Marie's love, you rose upon the
bright horizon of my joy; and now
now you are driving her mad. !
should have hated you; at one time,
l thought | did, but now | know that
1t Is not you, but your power, that |
hate. | have known Of Marie's pro-
ject for year, and have ever striv-
en- to make her give it up. 1t is
not for your sake that | have done
this, but for hers; nevertheless, |
have some claim upon you. Surely
l am justified in calling upon you
now, in the name of all you hold sa
cred, to obey mo-to come, now,
with me to Marie Bakovitch!"
But" said Winyard, with true
British calmness, but what good
can l do?"
II do not know; we are in the
hands of Providence; but she is for
ever asking for you," replied the
Russian, deiiantly.
"For me?"
eyes; in her moments of calmness
the name of Mistley is ever on her
lips, and when she becomes excited
she attempts to come out to seek
you. l have locked her in our little
sitting room, promising to come and
find you. Sometimes l think she Is
mad, monsieur, and at other times
I think l am so myself. VIII you
come? l have provided for every
thing. Marie is calmer tonight;
but she never sleeps now. Mrs. Arm
strong, our landlady, has her room
in an outbuilding. All Walsc is
asleep; 1t is safe"
Still VINEYARD hesitated. Ivan
Meyer evidently did not know of the
meeting by the stream, he reflected;
and the sight of the man she had at
tempted to murde" might have a
terrible effect uDon the girl,
''Is t-possible-that you think
this trap?" asked Meyer, slowly.
That decided the young English
man.
Il will go with you," he said, sim
ply. "The thought you suggest
never entered my head"