Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-03

swung back-and there on the threshold, with
her hands outstretched stood Anne Pendennis
CHAPTER XII.
Love or Comradeship
KNEW thou wouldst GOMEZ" she said in
L French. as he caught those outstretched
hands in his. She looked pale and worn, as was
natural, but lovelier than ever, she Stood a
shadowy figure in her dark gown against the
gloom behind her for there was no light within
the church. The lurid glare from without shed
an unearthly radiance on her white face and
shining hair.
Il am not alone" he said Maurice Wynn
is with me, and the good Mishka and his
father
She glanced at me doubtfully and then held
out her hand. flashing at me the ghost of her
old arch smile. 1T is Maurice, indeed How
the beard has changed you. and the uniform
did not know you,' she said, still in French
- But come: there is still much to do. and we
must be gone before daylight How did you
drive them off, Will they make another at
tack1' she asked turning to Loris.
Il think not. they have had enough for one
time You must thank Mshka here for putting
them to the rout" he answered. An Stepan
you are here also, as ! expected" he added to
a young man OF about my own age. whom
guessed to be Anne's cousin Count Vass1l1tzi
from the strong likeness between them. though
his hair was much darker than hers and he
wore a small mustache.
What passed in the church both before and
after we came learned later; for Mishka and
| were posted on guard at the entrance OF the
square while Pavloh went of to seek our horses
and intercept the men following us If he met
them in time they would make detour round
the town and wait for us to join them on the
farther side.
Our sentry business proved an unnecessary
precaution- for no more rioters appeared. The
excitement in the town was evidently dying
out the pogrom was over-for the time.
Some of the holder spirits came from the
church. exchanging pious CALCULATIONS OF thanks
to God for their delIverance. They SUNK tur.
lively by us. though one venerable looking old
man paused and invoked what sounded like a
blessing on us.
You can keep all that for the gracious
lady" growled Mishka. 1T is to her you owe
your present deliverance-"
1T is indeed he answered in Russian
" The God of our fathers will bless her-vea,
and she shall be blessed And He will bless you
Excellencles you and your seed even to the
third and fourth generation nasnuch that
YOU also have worked His will and have de-
livered His children out of the hands of evil
doersl'
Mishka scratched his head and looked sheep
ish This blessing seemed to embarrass him
more than any amount of cursing would have
done
They are harmless folk" he grunted
See the old man goes with the others to try
and check the course of the fires. They are like
ants IN a disturbed nest They begin to
repair the damage while it is yet being done
They must have done we'll to hold out SO long. >
How did they get arms?' asked
They have not many so far: but there IS
one who comes and goes among them. one OF
themselves who brings now a revolver or two
now handful of cartridges. now a rifle taken
TO pieces. always at the risk OF his life-but
that. to him is less than nothing"
"Yossofi" | exclaimed
He nodded; but said no more for Count
Vassilitzi came across the square to US.
'All is quiet" he asked. Good We can
do no more, and it is time we were off. You are
Monsieur Wynn? have heard of you from my
COUSIN We must be friends monsieur"
He held out his hand, and | gripped it. I'd
have known him anywhere for Anne's kinsman
he was so like her, more like her in manner even
than in looks: that is, like her when she was in
a frivolous mood.
THERE was quite crowd now on the steps
of the church, crowd of weeping women.
yes. and weeping men, too,-who pressed
around Anne, jostling one another in the at
tempt to kiss her hands, or even the hem of her
gown.
She looked utterly exhausted and l saw.
not without queer pang at heart that Loris
had his arm round her. was indeed rather car
rying than merely supporting her.
Let us through, good people, heard him