The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-03-23

CHAPTER XII (Continued)
A terrible, heart-breaking cry
burst from some one of the pris-
oners. 1t was Raymond, who up
to that moment had not seen her,
and who did not know that she
was to die with him. He strove
to break his bonds, and rush
towards her; but the soldiers held
him back.
They were tying Wanda to the
stake. She cast one glance at
Raymond.
do not shoot! do not shoot"
he screamed in his agony. That
Is not Vera Perowsky; 1t is Prince
Kryloff's daughter - Princess
Wanda!"
The adjutant hesitated mo-
ment; then, obedient to his or
ders, he commanded the men to
fire.
But not a gun was fired.
Raymond continued crying
aloud: do not commit this MUIR
der!"
Then turning to the adjutant.
he went on:
Respect the life of this inno-
cent grill"
But the adjutant for the second
time gave the order to fire.
l"Whoever will not obey me-" he
said, shall be shot upon the
spot!"
They raised their guns and
fired; Wanda's head fell forward
| on her breast.
At that moment three men came
upon the grounds. They were the
lprince, Koroleff and q soldier who
showed them the way.
The prince ran forward; but the
adjutant stood in his way. The
prince thrust him rudely aside.
81 am Prince Kryloff," he said,
Where is Vera Perowsky? Where
Is she? She Is nay daughter,
Princess Kryloff!"
The officer turned ashy pale,
and pointed to the stake. The
prince ran to the place. On the
ground lay the bodies. The prince
recognized Katia, and shuddered
Then he went up to the other
body. He stood there perfectly
motionless, looking down at his
dead child with dilated eyes.
Suddenly his heart. contracted
with agony. sent rush of blood
to his brain; 1t carried with 1t ruin
to his already enfeebled mind. A
horrible fit of laughter seized
him; burst after burst of this
Iuntimely merriment chilled the
VERY blood in the veins OF those
who heard it. They tried to lead
him away, so as to go on with thu
Execution; but insane rage now
had full possession of him. He
rushed upon the men who tried tc
hold him, and with superhuman
strength freed himself.
1.-The nihilists! the nihilists!'
he howled; II will exterminate
them, every one." They succeed
ed at last in tying his hands, but
still he reared: "The nihilists
the robbers! the assassins! they
have murdered my child, my
beautiful Wanda!"
And now they saw an officer
approach, in company with tall,
lfair-haired young man. 1t was
lVerenine, bringing Wanda's par
don, signed by the emperor with
his own hand.
"Too late" said Koroleff.
| Verenine cast one look around,
and understood all. He fell upon
a mound of earth, and, hiding his
face in his hands, sobbed aloud.
| Koroleff went to find Lftzanofi
in his hiding place.
''Well?" said Stepane.
Koroleff made a gesture of de.
spair.
"Dead?" cried Litzanoff.
Koroleff was silent. Lftzanofi
pressed his hands to his heart; he
staggered back as IL he had been
shot; he could not speak. He
painted, gasped for breath.
| BE calm" said Koroleff.
ooh, I am very calm" sait
Stepane, with a wan smile. "Aftel
all, what is life? Where is hel
body?"
at has been taken to the
i fortress.
Let rs go there"
"What would you do?"
| xiii myself by her side," an
lswered Stepane.
| What good would that dof'
said Koroleff. eff you really
lloved that noble woman, yor
should try to Undue yourself with
her spirit, even after her death.
/ 81 lived only through her and
for her. She is dead; 1 have
Ino.hing to live for"
| but before you die you car
avenge her; kill her murderers.
| At these words he arose. "You
are right" said he; "let nj
avsnge her"
CHAPTER Kill.