The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-02-19
CHAPTER w.
The Revolutionary Maiden.

&c
the correspondence, was reading
aloud the most authentic letters.
They told of the Nihilist move
ment throughout Europe.
Prince Slime at last looked at
his watch.
Zone o'clock! Wanda Kryloff
should be here in a minute"
A few minutes late Korolef re-
turned, bringing with him Wanda.
She held out her hand to the
prince and to Padlewsky.
"Ah!" she exclaimed, "I know
these other gentlemen; / remem-
Der to have seen them at the
club. These are our friends, Mar
kileff, Komoff and Poloutkin."
Then she cast her eyes around
the room that she had just en-
tered.
you see," said Padlewsky
laughing, you are now in the
DEVILS cave. Did you not expect
to see frightful scene, black and
red hangings, trap doors, opening
occasionally to admit glimpses of
hell beneath? Well! here is the
hall of the revolutionary commit
tee; and allow me to present the
five head conspirators, who have
undertaken to overturn an empire
of 10O,0OO,O00 men,"
Indeed" said Wanda, recov.
ering from her surprise; "this is
not at all the idea that had
formed in my own mind of this
| fnrmidah Io cOm n, iftoo -
Perhaps" said Slime, "you
may have heard of the rather
theatrical initiation of the secret
societies. What is the good of test
oaths? We only admit into our
society persons whom we know to
be incorruptible. We kill the
TRAITORS. Niconoff has just been
killed. This vengeance seems ter
Irible, but 1t is necessary. Do you
feel yourself strong enough, Wan
da Kryloff, to keep our secrets?"
AS he uttered. these words the
prince fixed his eyes upon the
young girls face. He could detect
there neither agitation nor fear;
he discovered there, on the con-
ltrary, an inflexible will.
She, answered with perfect sim
lplicity:
81 have the strength, the will
and the faith; the strength to
keep secret, the will to act, the
faith to succeed. For this right
eous cause am ready to sacrifice
my position, my fortune and my
life."
ut is necessary for us to
know" continued the prince,
l"what motives have drawn you in
to the nihilist movement"
"The sentiment of justice" an
swered Wanda; "pity for the op-
lpressed. the hatred of oppressors
and executioners. The personal
motives which actuate me are the
dismal recollections that darkened
all my childhood"
zone more question l must ask
you," continued Slime. "You will
see at once that it is necessary foI
me to do so. Are you in love with
any one, or are you engaged to be
married?"
81 do not think of marriage, -
Ishe said, land whatever inclina-
ton may have for anyone, 1 have
perfect control of my will.
IshOuld never consent to marry
any man who did not hold the
same views with me, ana who
would not be willing to devote
himself unreservedly to the sacri-
lfice."
"Still more is necessary. You
must renounce marriage, which is
incompatible with the great and
lofty mission we wish to accom-
lplish. Will you promise to lead a
lcelibate life until the triumph of
the revolution"
Eyes, until the freedom of the
Russian people"
"Are you ready to swear it?''
lsaid Slime, who, as an old con-
Separator, had prejudice In favor
lof oaths.
81 swear IT," answered the
lyoung girl, who offered up her
heart as she had offered up her
life, with the same calm resolu-
Ition.
"Then, Wanda Kryloff, as we
nave enIlre confluence IN you, !
propose to you, in the name of
1.-THE five members of the commit
tee here present. and of the two
absent ones. who will ratify what
we have done, to edmit you into
our committee, In which the fe-
male element up to this time has
never been represented, and to
take part in our private deliber-
|ations."
I'm the presence of all of you,
I feel SO little and so weak, .
said Wanda.
"You have the irresistible power
of beauty. You can win over to
our side men who are absolutely
necessary for the success of the
cause"
II do not know" said Wanda,