The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-03-30
CHAPTER XXI (Continued) -.

roof! Remember what | endured"
She was interrupted by the en-
trance of Michael and Koroleff.
Michael, deathly pale, and still
very much agitated, told his story.
The prince, distrustful Of Wan.
da's story of the previous night,
had inquired his way to the cot
tage of the Federoffs. There he
had discovered their daughter
Akonlina evidently very near
death, and ministering to her
needs was a person whom he soon
recognized as his former serf,
Michael. Losing all control over
his temper, the prince had created
a scene, and Michael's interference
to save his sister from shock had
only made his fury more ungov-
ernable. Realizing Michael's dan.
ger, his father and brother had
Overpowered the prince and held
hi ma prisoner until the son could
find safety IN flight
20, Michael! Michael" ex-
claimed Alexandra. If he gets
you in his power again you are
LOST"
"Undoubtedly," said Koroleff.
"But just now we cannot leave
this place. While the soldiers are
searching all over the country we
had better stay quietly in the pa
per MILL"
"At any rate" said Michael, Il
can only make my escape in the
Essf1t. 1t would be too dangerous
to attempt 1t in the day time"
Hardly were the words out of
his lips when the sound Of carriage
wheels was heard.
Matcha ran to the window.
''It is the prince!" she whis-
pered, "and two soldiers with
him"
There may be no cause for
alarm" said Wanda, ''He has come
to speak to Zobolewsky about the
address that the workwOmen for
/, warded him. Go down at once,
Zobolewsky, and keep him from
!. coming up. Here are the workmen
now. and I see the women on the
road"
As Zobolewsky left the room, he
said to Matcha, "You know you can
get out through the store ROOM"
For II years, Princess Alexandra
had not set eyes upon her husband
She cautiously drew near the win
dow and looked out.
Yes, that is here!" she murmur-
ed; that is he-the barbarian"
The soldiers were stationed each
side Of the entrance to the paper
mill; and between them. with a
whip in his hand, stood the prince.
As each workwoman passed by
him, she received blow from this
whip, accompanied by these words:
THAT is for being nihilist."
I'VE are not nihilists. your excel
lency," they said, one after an
other.
"You must be nihilists," he an
swered, ito dare send me such an
address as l received from you yes.
terday."
All Of them submitted uncom-
plainingly until the last woman
came up. She was about 80 years
old, muscular, and very thin.
81 have Ave children, your excel
lency," she said. land am a wild
aw. l cannot feed them and clothe
them with 35 kopecks day"
"That Is nothing to me-" an
swered the prince. Here are some
roubles for your children" He
threw several roubles on the
ground contemptuously.
"Now, pick them up; but you
shall be punished like the rest"
The woman did not pick them
mp.
She drew herself up, and looked
straight into Prince Kryloff's eyes
81 am not a beggar. ] work for
my living. I want my rights. ! will
not accept aims"
The prince raised his whip; the
woman snatched 1t from him, and
struck him smartly with It. Then
crossing her arms, with a fearless
voice and gesture, she said:
''Now you can do what YOU
choose; I am avenged"
The prince seized her, threw hei
down, and literally trampled hel
Under his feet. The two soldiers
booked on, unmOved.
ARREST her, and lead her ava.
to Krylow!" ordered the prince.
Just then four more soldiers ar
rived, under the charge of cap
tain, who went UP to the prince.
"Your excellency, there are nihil
lists hidden here. We have re
ceived news that three Of theil
leaders left Krylow In the night fo
your paper mill am obliged I,
institute search"
The prince turned to Zobolew
sky. What do you know of this?
he asked.
Zobolewsky answered with per
feet coolness: II merely Wish L