The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-02-20
CHAPTER V.
The Club.

In less than five minutes Wanda
and Fedor had reached the tall
house which Katia had gone into
an hour before.
"Wait for me at the quay!" said
the princess.
Fedor drove off instantly.
She went toward the dvornik,
or porter, who, as Is the custom
in Russia, was stationed outside
of the house.
will you let me in?"
Whom do you want to see?"
"Alex Lazareff, the engraver."
The dvornik, stupefied by cold
and vodka, gave himself shake,
and admitted her.
Wanda climbed three flights of
steps and knocked at a door.
A small opening, concealed in
the woodwork, revealed itself,
and an eye, cautiously applied,
scanned the landing and the stair
case.
Wanda gave her name.
Instantly the door, grating on
it's hinges, flew open.
The princess entered a little
ante-chamber, furnished as an Of
flee; out of this another door,
provided with the same little
wicket, led into an inner apart
ment.
ut is Wanda Kryloff," said a
voice from within; instantly she
was introduced into the hall of as
lsembly.
This was quite spacious apart
ment, lighted by lamps hanging
from the ceiling. The work tables
had been turned into tea tables.
On these tables were also thrown
books, papers and pamphlets.
| About so persons were assem-
bled in this hall, taking tea, read
ing, writing or talking.
| AS Wanda entered, she saw sit
ting near the door, Raymond Cha
bert and Katia, who were waiting
for her.
Raymond was very pale; but as
soon as he saw her he colored
painfully.
"Ah! at last!" he said, as he
bowed to her.
What is the matter?" she ask
ed, very much astonished.
1--WE have been very uneasy
about you for the last half hour.
WHY"
"This going out in the middle
Of the night"
WELL"
Suppose you were to be as
saulted?"
"Cowardly, faithless creature!"
answered Wanda, laughing.
when we brave the Russian po-
lice, we surely run more danger
than in wandering about at
might"
your fearlessness astonishes
me-"
you forget, Mr.. Frenchman,
that we Russian revolutionists
have nothing in common with your
Partisan coquets."
1--WE alone can save Russia"
added Katia, "and we must be
equal to our mission"
1 You are right" said Raymond;
/ but on that very account your
life should be all the more pre-
cious, and I beg you to allow me
to protect it,"
you are too French, too gal
lant," said Wanda, smiling. I'VE
must change all that; but as she
spoke thus, she bent her eyes
full of tender gratitude upon
Raymond.
i Under that glance Raymond
seemed to lose countenance. Hap
Ipily the company had become
aware of the presence of the prin-
cess, and advanced to greet her.
!. On this particular evening the
club was holding an animated dis
cussion about the event of the day.
Gen. Trepoff, chief of police, in
going through the prison inspec-
ton, had noticed the man who
stood before him without uncov-
lering his head. Upon being or
|dered to take off his hat, the
|prisoner had refused.
i Trepoff, in rage, ordered that
the offender should receive 100
IIashes.
i The prisoners name was Bo-
goluboff. He had written several
articles which attacked the gov
eminent.
Everybody spoke at once; there
was one universal cry: "Ven-
j geance!"
i One woman alone did not open
her lipA With her arm resting
upon a table, she sat listening and
lsmiling with bitter, sad smile.
j Her eyes were lusterless. In
her somewhat insignificant face, a
|close observer could detect sim
Igular expression of force, of reso-
Hutton, perhaps of obstinacy. Her
hands were broad, short and
Istrong.
i She was dressed with total dis
lIregard of appearance.
i Katia Lawinska sat down beside
'lher.
j SIS this you, Vera zassoulitch?
II have not seen you for long
Itime."
| 81 have been hard at work ]
have just passed my examination
lin medicine"
i what are you doing nowf"
Il II am hard at work for the