The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1909-07-31

Z luSfe IS no answer. 1fs4
She is here! OF a sudden he saw
her. She waved her hand and in all
that sea of faces there was no other
for his dazed vision.
The horses were ready for the drop
of the flag. In the hush Of expectancy
Vladimir knew that the instant had
come. The balloons in Paul's hand
must be quiverisg, the grand duke was
leaning forward, smiling. Vladimir
rose to his feet. Thoughts fly fast
when seconds tremble with death, but
there was no time for warning, no time
to get to her to take her away from
what might be imminent death. In
that brief instant Vladimir knew that
he was, in his heart, traitor to his
cause. To do evil that good might
come would never. bring Justice to hui
mainly. 1t was no sane creed to which
he had pinned his faith. II would
give it up-I will give it up" he said
to his soul; IF I am to live, will
mete out tenderness to the oppressed,
rather than violence to the powerful"
Suddenly he knew what he must do
ne must create an excitement to make
her fly to him. He could see her so
plainly, and she was looking at him
through racing glasses To fire in the
air would leave her frightened and
stunned-to aim among the crowd
might injure others, but to-he' thrust
her note into his pocket-there was a
CLINT OF steel in his hand. He turned
the weapon upon himself and fired.
r.: The revolver shot came like a boom
in the silence. Women shrieked in the
uncertainty Of what had happened, but
one woman knew and with agonized,
hurrylng footsteps, dashed for the
aisle. Keep your seats!" shouted the
cool-headed, and there was frightened
obedience from the crowd, but she
plunged on. Women who saw her face
made way for, her; men, feeling her
plight, helped her where they could,
but she did not feel their guiding
hands.
Suddenly, like an awful roar of thun-
der, came that other sound! Vladimir.
bleeding, barely conscious, heard it.
THANK God-I-did -not-see- His
surging brain trailed into thro5bing in
the dimness of the thought, and then
he was in darkness.
There was panic, but there was no
stampede. The frightened horses had
been led back-there would be no race.
Women tainted Or sobbed and the few
injured groaned. The cry ran through
the crowd: IAN attempt had been
made upon the grand dukes life.''
The terrorist had given himself UP
and was led off by the police, though
angry hands would have seized him.
His hand had played him false. An
unknown man had chosen the wrong
moment to commit suicide and the
shot had unnerved him. The grand
duke was not even injured and was
able to assist the wounded about his
box. And Paul had-failed.
She knelt beside the unconscious
man. The doctor was bending over
him. He was large man with grave,
earnest eyes, and he loked in her love.
ly, agonized face with gaze of keen
scrutiny. They were in one of the of.
ficer's boxes, whittier they had carried
Vladimir after the excitement had
somewhat abated.
"A terrorist who knew of the plot"
some said. "He is not" the girl said,
with quiet indignation, but a steady
voice. "He knew nothing of the out.
rage. He is M. Vladimir Valinoff, my
betrothed"
Just then those near her spoke an
other name and she went white. The
doctor saw the flood of emotions sweep
her face-knowledge, love, agony,
fear. He caught her gaze, steadying
her with look, and she did not speak.
Bending over the injured man the doc
tor slipped something white from a
pocket into one of his own. Alexandria
alone saw the covert act. With profes.
sional dizziness he worked on at the
bandages.
"The ambulance is waiting," one of
the officials said, and the doctor rose
to his feet to lead Alexandria to the
door.
"Will he recover" she said, plead
ingly.
The doctors hand closed over hers
for an instant. There is chance,
faint chance" he said kindly.
Then, as they passed the little knot
of listeners he stood aside, formally,
for the girl to pass out of the door,
She felt the conjecture, she felt the
suspicion. She almost thought she
could hear them asking: "Why did he
shoot himself if he was not one of
them?"
She drew herself upright In gentle
dignity and her lip trembled. Her eyes,
in proud confidence, sought the doc
tors alone, but her words were not low.
WE'VE had quarreled," she said,
humbly. please help him to live"
In the doctors face was look of ad-
miration and understanding; in hers
quick flash of answering gratitude.
"You may depend upon me to do all
in my power, mademoiselle," he said
with grave courtesy, "and 1 wish to
thank you for so speedily identifying
the injured man. There were no pa
pers of any sort on his person"
The tide had turned. The little
group at the door stepped back in I'm.
spoken sympathy.