The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-03-17

No one dared to stop wanda.
The night had grown dark; rain
was falling, and lightning darted
through the heavens; the guests,
with flying feet, were seeking
shelter.
Calm, stately as a goddess,
Princess Wanda walked through
her fathers halls. She was pale
as death. =,
Verenine crossed her path. she
held out her hand and took hts,
pressing it affectionately. Fare
WE'LL" she said.
where are you going, Wanda?
What ails you? Are they forcing
you to marry this German"
81 shall not marry him." she
replied; 81 am going away" +
"Where?" l.
ITO Siberia, perhaps"
81 will go with you, Wanda, II
you will let me-"
81 will not let you. Goodbye"
"Wait one moment, Wanda;
you will get your feet wet"
But Verenine, to her astonish-
ment, took her up in his arms, and
bore her through the driving
storm to her own cottage.
II really did not think you were
so strong" said Wanda, laughing.
"You might be of some use to us. !"
"Sha.. l go with your" he
asked, auXiously.
mo, not now. But meet me at
Kieff the day after tomorrow, at
Countess Kousmine's. See that
you tell no one where I shall be-"
Everything was ready for her
flight. She put on her dark trav-
cling dress--her wedding dress.
Then she unfastened her hair, and
let it fall in all its beauty upon
her shoulders. 1t touched the
ground.
"Cut it off, Katia," she said.
Katia hesitated, and Wanda, i'm
patiently taking up the scissors,
began the work of destruction.
cit is no time now, Katia," she
said, "for sentimental nonsense.
Cut it off, and be done with It,"
1t was soon over. A red wig
was placed upon her head, and a
pair of blue spectacles upon her
nose. Then, clothing herself in
her waterproof and a large bon
net, she went out into the storm.
1t was midnight. They reached
the park gate unmolested. A COW
cred carriage was awaiting them,
drawn by five spirited ponies.
Two men were seated in the car
riage, one held the horses. 1t was
Koroleff.
Wanda recognized Litzanoff
seated by the side of Chabert.
Here you are, all three" she
said.
Eyes. Federoff has arranged it
ALL" answered Stepane. He
thinks we had better come with
you, as we may be attacked"
They got into the carriage;
Koroleff mounted in front, and
they drove off at furious pace.
They had no luggage. Katia held
on her knees a little trunk con-
tanning Wanda's' Jewels and a
large sum of money. Otherwise
they were unincumbered. What
6OOa WOui0 II 0hho VI lihC CiOthCo
do them ?--to them, entering now
upon the apostles life, life with
out rest, without peace?
Gradually the storm died away,
and the two young girls, utterly
worn out, fell asleep.
They were entering a dark
wood, when they heard a pistol
shot behind them; then the gallop-
ing of horses.
what was that?" asked Wan
da, waking up.
There are probably soldiers
hidden In the woods" answered
and he instantly loaded
his revolver, as did also Raymond
and Koroleff.
A second shot was fired, and
four mounted soldiers surrounded
the carriage.
'.Stopi" they cried. But Koro-
left urged HIS horses on. The SOL
diers struck spurs into their
beasts. rushed past the carriage.
and tired all at once. One of the
horses was shot through the head !:
the others galloped madly on for
a few minutes. when a second
horse fell. Then Koroleff stopped.
Litzanoff and Raymond fired.
Wanda and Katia held xhefr
pistols IN their hands, loaded and