Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1909-08-19

AS room as the meeting is opeend
we shall be announced he whisper
ed. "It is splendid day for this
Center that the Illustrious Head shall
be with us in person. 1t will add
dignity to the drawing"
Garnold was about to ask what the
drawing might be, but they We're
called to the larger room and hastily
adjusting his own and Garnolds
masks, VASTLY followed the vice pres
ident into the hall.
A score Of black robed figures were
grouped about q table in the center
of the room. All made profound
obeisance as Garnold entered and he
was conducted by the two officers to
q place at the head of the table.
AS soon as ne had taken his place
the president turned to him.
Does your excellency desire that
we speak in the tongue of holy Rus
sia or shall we adhere to the rule Of
speaking in the language of the coun-
try we adopt?" he asked courteously
"In the language of this country"
decreed Garnold with sigh of relief.
That they might speak in Russian
was contingency he had not FORE
seen.
Thus assured the president launch
ed himself into a long speech of well
come, and each Of those about the
table in turn made brief greeting.
References had been made to the
last man upon whom choice had
fallen, and it was apparent that his
ardor growing cold, he had suffered
the death penalty for the renuncia-
tion of his vows.
With great solemnity a funeral urn
was brought forward ard laid upon
the table. The crepe which covered
| it was withdrawn and the men all
rose. The president turned to Gar
mold.
ut is your privilege to draw first, !"
he said. "You will pardon me If ap-
| ply the oath. You solemnly swear in
+, the name of Holy Russia and the
Brotherhood of the Triangle that you
will abide the result of Fate and suf-
fer the punishment of the foresworn
should you fail in your purpose if to
you the joyful fortune falls.
With parched lips Garnold whis-
pered an afgrmatiye. This was more
serious than he had suspected, but 1t
| was too late to escape. He could only
| hope that the lot would not fall to
| him.
| He thrust his hand into the vase
| and drew out "a folded paper. He was
| about to open it when the presidents Is
hand closed over him.
"Wait until all have drawn" he
admonished
| Repeating the obligation in the
| ~ II
| lot; then each man in turn was sworn
! and drew out folded slip.
| AS the last man emptied the urn,
| he spread open upon the table a
blank slip Of paper. One by one, in
reverse order, the others followed his
example, and as blink after blank
| was laid upon the table, Garnold's IS
! agitation increased.
| At last there remained only the
! president and himself, and with due
solemnity the former unfolded his pa
| per and showed nothing upon the
white p surface. With trembling hands
Garold unfolded his. and brought into
view a skull and crossbones in red.
Forgetful of ceremony, the others
| crowded about him to congratulate
him upon his luc' and envy him his
| good fortune. With desperate effort
| Garnold pretended to accept their
congratulations and rejoice in his
fate, but he was sick at heart.
He knew that it was almost i'm
| possible to escape the revenge of the
| "reds" should he endeavor to disap-
near. His business interests required
| his continued presence in New York
| for year at least. 1t would be i'm
| possible to hide, and shoul6 he de-
nounce the Center to the police, other
| Centers would avenge their comrades,
| even should he be able to secure the
conviction of the conspirators.
His mind was still busy with plans
/ for escape when Vastly burst into
| the circle.
| Eve have been betrayed" he cried.
.AThis is not the Prince Sergius. He is
one of the Sd section, doubtless. trav-
telling as Rial Garnold. Look at these