The Raymer enterprise., 1911-09-14
The Murder of
Colonel Anton

NOlOnel Anton
On a bitter night In December, som,
years ago, q young man and woma,
stood at the corner Of the street called
Devyataya Rota In St. Petersburg
They were both we'll dressed, and 1
was obvious that they belonged to tn,
better class Of society. They hat
been 10 earnest conversation for some
time. and at last the young woman
said:
Paul. ] must go now. I am afrait
as 1t Ia that | have been missed anc
will be questioned
He bent forward and kissed her
Let me accompany you as far as the
door," he said. ut will at least give
me a few minutes more OF your dear
company"
No, no, Paul." she cried nervously
Someone might see us, and 1t would
lead TO my being sent away from st
Petersburg"
Perhaps you are right he assent
ed. with sigh. well. adieu for the
present, love. You will contriye tc
send me few lines, will you not, and
arrange to see me at the earliest op
portunity"
YES" she said softly. And now
goodbye. for the present, Paul" Their
lips met again. Then she left him.
and making her way to large gray
house In the next square, rang the bell
and WAS admitted by an old mar. .serv,
ant The young man stood looking
after her until she had turned the cor,
ner and passed out of sight. Then he
proceeded In the opposite direction,
but had scarcely gone ten yards be.
fore he was accosted by man who
exclaimed fercely:
Il was a witness OF your meeting
Now you can take this as a final warn.
Ing. II you do not cease your atten.
tons to my cousin. will kill you, as
sure as there Is a Heaven above us
The man addressed laughed con.
temptously. Keep your melodrama
for those weak enough to be affected
by Il. Contantln Mandt," he retorted
coolly. III do not resent your
threats as perhaps | ought, 1t Is for
Natasha's sake. Your attempts to
coerce your cousin are In vain"
We shall see." responded Mandt
furIously. Il was not disliked by
Natasha before you, Paul Ursoff, ap.
pcared unon the scene. Her father
has forbidden her to encourage you In
any way. and fayors my suit Mean.
white. take my warning to heart, II
you are wise. Ny vengeance will not
be- long delayed"
Ursoff was young medical man
whose devotion to science had earned
him high place In the estimation OF
the leaders OF his profession.
Colonel Anton. the father OF the
young physician's love, was n retired
military officer, hero OF the Crimean
campaign. and widower. He was a
man OF ample means. but lived Sc
cIuded life which was shared by his
daughter The colonels great hobby
was the study OF astronomy. At the
top OF his house he had erected n
ANAL observatory, where he spent
most OF his time. Natasha. who was
nineteen years OF age. was noted for
her remarkable beauty. but her life
was a rather monotonous one, for her
father was ayerse to society, and kept
no company himself
Among the few visitors to Colonel
Anton's house was Natashas cousin
C0nstantin Mandt. The latter had
been educated for the profession OF an
analytical chemist, but he was idle
and dlssolute, and had already squan.
dcred handsome fortune. Yet his
uncle. the Colonel, who was blind to
Mandts faults. intended him for his
sonin.law. Natasha did not agree with
her fathers views, but the colonel
who was an extremely hot.tempered
obstinate man, would brook no oppo-
sition to his plans In this respect. He
vowed that Natasha should become
C0n,antn's wife rs soon as she was
twenty-one. He would give her a
handsome dowry. and In the event OF
his dying before the marriage all his
money would pass to her on the sole
condition OF her marrying her cousin.
II she failed to comply with her faith.
er's wishes. the money would be dis.
tributed among charitable institutions.
Much as Natashn resented this calm
disposition OF her future life, she could
see no avenue OF escape opening be-
fore her. She therefore resigned her.
self to hcr fate until she met with
Paul Ursoff. Then she became de.
fant. and when she had carried on
secret 'courtship with her new lover
for two months. she boldly took him
To her fathers house and introduced
him as the man she intended to mar.
~.
As might have been expected from
u man of Colonel Anton's dogmatlc
type. this move produced terrific e1.
plosiou Of rage on the veterans part,
Natasha. however. stood nrm, In spite
OF her fathers rage.
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