Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-23

witch told his story. At first he spoke
in his dull, heavy, witless peasants ac-
cents; gradually, however, at the re-
cital Of his wrongs. his speech caught
tre.
II was a member of the peoples
army operating in Livonia to put down
the tyranny Of the car" he began.
For. fourteen months we fought
against the cars army, struggling In
defense of our homes and liberties.
But what can a handful do against
thousands? So it was not long before
they had ringed us round with steel,
and day and night the skies were
flame with the light of our burning
farms and villages.
The commanding general Of the
cars troops was called The Red
Wolf His hair and beard were redder
than ire, ana he was like a ravening
monster let loose among us.
AT last they came into the village
where we lived-myself and Katia. my
betrothed, and her parents Now the re-
volt was over and the executioner's work
had begun.
II had fed to the woods with the last
remnant of our band. I could have es-
capped; the way was open. 1 should have
done so had 1 not heard that Katia' S
father and mother were dead-shot as
they ran from their burned homestead
and Katia prisoner in the Red VOLTS
hands, with four and twenty hours to
choose which of two fates should hap
pen to her.
Then 1 knew nothing save that this
man must die, as wolves are killed. So
let his soldiers come upon me, apparently
sleeping, upon the outskirts of the for
est; and they led me, laughing significant
ly, to his tent.
"One thing I noticed with Joy during
my trial. He had big box of cigars open
ed before him, just as 1 had been told,
and smoked necessarily. And when l
asked that 1 might smoke one of his
cigars he looked at me in amazement and,
with a grin that laid bare his gums. gave
me a match, and 1 lit 1t with delibera-
tion laid 1t down; took 1t up; laid Ii
down again-but each time in closer prox-
unity to his. And finally, as he laid his
down once more to turn and consult me
with his colonies before sentencing me
to be hurried out and shot. took up his
own cigar; and when he turned to SEN
tence me he took up mine and puffed-
slowly and deliberately.
DO you want to say anything before
you die?" asked the Wolf, stroking his
red beard with an affectation of judicial
impartilaity.
II thought of Katia and nerved myself
to begin. For, gentlemen, half way down
my cigar was a fuse, and half an inch
behind it, a full charge of cordite ram
med into a soldered sheath. And, once
let the fire melt the solder, and God pity
the smoker.
so 1 began pleading for mercy. while
he frowned and sneered and puffed at his
cigar and laid il down and took 1t up
again. And, almost imperceptibly, the
fire crept down. Now 1t was almost upon
the fuse
" Enough he shouted. VIII the fool
babble forever? Take him away.
II begged, prayed, chung to the SOL
der And the Red Wolf swore a great
oath and drew in lungfuls of smoke be-
tween his teeth. And suddenly 1 heard
the hiss of the fuse and dropped flat to
the floor
My hair was scorched from my head,
but was uninjured. And of all that tent
full OF soldiers not one remained to de-
tain me- AS for him, not one little shred
ever was found. So I scaped easily and
fled hither, where was told the girl had
preceded me- having been set free after
the Red Wolf died. Now 1 must find
her.
The Russian woman sprang to her feet
and screamed. Ivan Ivanovitch started
and swung round.
"Katia!" he cried.
Pass them" said the chief of the COM
missioners. after brief consultation.
Next case"