The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-02-22
CHAPTER VII.

Toward l O'Clock on the night
of the ball at the winter palace,
just as Wanda was leaving the
ballroom. the emperor re entered
his own private apartments.
Alexis, Verenine, in his capacity
as aid-de-camp, was on duty in the
anteehamber.
The emperor dismissed every
one, and desired to be left alone.
A large red envelope was lying
on his table.
He sat down. and laying his
hand upon this letter, seemed lost
to thought.
Bitter thoughts and utter weari-
ness held possession of that fine,
Intelligent brain, where so much
real goodness dwelt; his eyes
were sad, his whole body bent as
though dropping under some
weight. Suddenly he Strengthened
himself up, took up the red en-
velope, and extracting from 1t a
letter. read, or rather re-read.
the singular threatening words:
"The Revolutionary Committee
of Petersburg.
ITO the Gar: Yes,
your people are weary of your
weakness toward your courtiers-
weary, above all, of your infa-
nous secret police, which arrests,
judges and condemns with closed
doors the most enlightened, the
mn To- hna ad in, y
empire.
From the windows of your pal
ace you can hear the groans of
these heroes, whose chains are
riveted to those damp walls wash
ed by the icy flood of the Neva.
To-day the avengers are awake,
the conspiracy is everywhere, even
within your palace, among your
most trusted servants.
But there is yet way to
escape the frightful catastrope.
Make the revolution yourself. Give
land to the peasants; give a con-
stitution to your people, and sup
press the secret police. Thus you
will save your country from the
horrors of a civil war. :
"Shake off your torpor, put
aside your stupid courtiers, act
according to the impulses of your
heart and of justice"
Alexander lost in thought, lean
ed upon the table, upon which lay
the red letter.
1t was the feeling of his impo-
tence which SO weighed upon him.
And yet this monarch reigned
over the greatest empire in the
world. One hundred millions of
people bowed beneath his yoke.
Does this revolutionary COM
mittee really EXIST" said the czal
to himself. Perhaps they are
madmen-maniacs However, they
speak the truth.
And 1 could prevent this eatas
trophe. Some will resist, but 9th
ers will help me. If I would
Then, lifting his head, he said
in loud voice:
Il will, and thus I shall insur,
the safety of my dynasty far bet
ter than by my conquests. Yes
I will make this revolution in spit,
of Gortschakoff, Schouvaloff an,
Adlerberg. And yet, must
break the hearts Of the faithful
men who love me, and who hav
devoted their whole lives to m
service-to my glory? I enamel
Ipated the serfts because I did no
wish to rule over slaves; I vii
make this revolution because / d
not wish to reign over ignoran
Istarvelings. 1 will do 1t, were |
to cost me my throne! M
tthrone!"
1 He made movement of DISCUS
and WEAKNESS.
i '"They say there are eonspirator
here, in my very palace!"
i He rang the bell. Verenine en-
tered.
/ my dear Alexis, this lette
states that there are here, anon
the court officials, certain mel
who desire the destruction of m
authority, and perhaps of m;
life"
"The young aide-de-eamp be
Icame livid.
I "Have you observed any sign
of the kind?" continued Alexan
[der. HAS anyone made any prop
POSITIONS to your"
I ''No, sire," answered Verenine
but in such a broken, husky vote
that the emperor fixed his eye
upon him.
| "You look very pa1e!" Doe
lanything all you, my child?"
mo, your majesty, but what yol
lhave Just told me-
| 81 know your devotion, your at
ItachmenG to me. Do you suspec
ANYONE? Think a moment"
4 mo one; there Is not persol
in the palace that you have no
Headed with benefits. Do you sus
pect"-
| "No, verenine, / do not suspec
Iyou. Your father was entirely de
voted to me. made his fortune
You are my sons friend, and 1t 1
flor your interest to remain faith
|fuL"
Alexander did not speak for sew
ieral minutes; then he said:
| II saw you dancing Iittl,
while ago with q very beautiful
woman. It was Princess Kryloff,
Ebelieve.
Eyes, sire"
| ssybo hno ffw~ 49, II nooxna n