New-York tribune., 1911-02-19
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR FEBRUARY ls. 1911

and When, at llNe, Jllc sun WcllI uO"H III
red Streaked sky, suggesting blood and iire
that somcway were not warm, she felt the
landscapes desolation creeping coldly to her
heart. She had risen from the bed so many
times. in the spirit of restlessness increasing
steadily. that she feared the woman must
note her condition and pounce upon its ac-
tuating cause. With all the power OF her
minds volition she remained at peace, at
tempting to convey an impression OF Sleepl-
ness again, and dullnesS for lack OF air.
"NIay we have the window opened tor
moment?" she finally asked. "The air Will
be better for freshening.
at suits me we'll enough as 1t IS" said
Zagorskv. "Once | heard of a man on the
gallows who was given glass OF beer, from
which he blew the froth. Some one queS-
toned why he blew it away. He said It was
not healthy-and then he was hanged!' She
laughed uproariously, shaking with mirth
at the grimneSS of her joke.
A sickening conviction OF doom settled at
Thurlevs heart. Omnous night and omi-
nous threat seemed brooding together IN the
shadows that fell upon the snowbound
world and house There was nothing to do
but wait-for God alone knew what!
II Il)ENNE Ol IllDlt lllttlNlIlSoo iilNANs''NN-
II below the stairs. Something seemed
amiss. Zagorsky was up and down repeat
edlv between the hours of five and SIX There
appeared to be no preparations for dinner
or even a thought of eating.
1t was all concerned with Pelevin, not
vet returned from sending ThuTleyS note,
with his own. to the young Grand Duke
Karl Wilhelm. 1t was half-past seven when
me came at last. and the news he brought
was satisfactory.
Dinner was served to Thurley and the
woman little after eight. Coffee was pro-
vided as before, Pelevin Snatching at mo-
mcntary opportunity to nod to Thurley re-
aSsuringly while the cups were being placed
on the table.
The man had no more than departed than
Zagorsky was on her feet. "Pelevin!' she
called and, following actively, half closed the
door behind her as she gave him some instruc-
tionS in Russian barely above whisper.
Instantly, for no absolute reason she
might at the time have explained, Thurley
conceived an extraordinary plan-to ex-
change her cup for the woman's!
7AGORSkY returned almost Immediately.
HThe trifling sound that Thurley had made,
transferring the heavy earthenware recep-
tacleS had alarmed her frightfully. She
was certain the movement had been heard
and the ruSc would be detected.
Partly to hide her confusion, partly to
complete her action and force her own cup
upon Zagorsky, she drank the portion now
allotted TO herself without even waiting for
sugar. She was drinking, indeed, when the
woman came and resumed her seat at the
table. ZagorSky glanced at her only once.
a grim expression of satisfaction betrayed
for second in her eyes. She had feared
Thurlcy might refuse the coffee altogether.
In the widest flutter of excitement and
fear, Thurlcy watched for the woman to
drink. Her heart continued its tumult,
which she was certain ZagorSky must hear.
She rose from her seat and proceeded to the
bed, watching from the corner of her eyes.
Below the men left silently, to proceed to an
old abandoned griSt mill a mile to the east
of North Winog.
Zagorsky drank, draining the cup to the
drcgS. "Horriblc water, unfit for any cook
ing She said, as the drug taste left some inn
palpablc tang on her palate, and she rose
and went over to the stove. Then she stood
above its heavy gush OF heat, while Thur
ley, watching with blazing eyes, presently
remembered that She must seem to droop
and sink into sleep as before.