El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-02-06
By Anton AwertschenkO.

~ USCHILOW jumped up from his
seat, took hold OF Krosckin's arm
- and tried to tear it out OF joint.
He would have been very much sur
prised If anyone had told him that his
almost successful surgical operation
had very little resemblance to a friend
| " handshake
@Kroschkin. my dear friend, you can't
possibly mean it,"
Duschilow grew silent and took
Krosckin's hand and this time gently.
as If wondering that the slender wrist
had withstoOd his first onslaught so
well. Then he said:
You regret IL already. You know
you do. I know these stupid, roman
tic love affairs, know them only toe
well I can Just see now the whole
thing happened-one day when you
happened TO be alone with her you
suddenly, in a moments mad impulse,
kissed her, and you had no sooner done
SO when she threw her arms around
your neck, and, confused as you were,
you proposed to her Isn't that just
about right?
Krosckin shrugged his shoulders
You have indeed very original ideas
almost right except for a few details
But what is a fellow to do2 The thing
has happened; have proposed, and that
settles it
The devil it does. It is not too late
to mend. You can still break off the
engagement or make her do SO"
How should that be dOne2"
DuschilOW pondered q while.
Gould you lick her father? Isn't
there a way to manage that2 Then Of
course the stew would be IN the fire"
Lick her father? How do you
meanr'
well. it is not so hard to find a way
Walk UP to the old man in the cafe
and roar to him: What You dare
read the paper 1 want 1 viii teach
you better manners and then you box
his ears"
You must think I am crazy. It IS
too absurd to think Of such a thing"
'Oh, 1 don't know But OF course it
seems rather hard on the poor old
man"
Just what I think. But, If she
would only stop loving me, I would be
the happiest man in the world"
Krosckin, old boy, think I can
manage that for you, can make her
hate you, I think"
What do you intend to doY
Just tell her a few things against
you Is 1t q go?"
Krosczin hesItated q moment Then
he said: You might try, but be care
ful, don't overdo It"
Just leave that to me. I know just
what to tell a woman like her"
Afraid that his friend might change
his mind, DuschiloW picked up his hat
and rushed out Of the room, almost up
setting the table.
An hour later Duschilow was sitting
in q garden chatting with a beautiful
young girl
by the way, how is your friend.
Krosckin?" she suddenly asked. blush
Hrc e-Na naa hN No
WHO is Krosckin2"
Your friend KrOsclzin."
He is no friend Of mine any more"
What do you mean? Why notF'
Because he is not KroSckin."
Not Krosckini Who IS he thenZ"
DuschilOw sighed
"a man who Is living under q false
passport cannot be my friend
The girl turned pale and stared at
him with eyes wide open with fear.
thatT'
Did you read of the murder Of the
old usUrer last year? His murderer,
the student Sw1ereW, has not been
found yet. Do you understand nOw2'
'rDuchilow, you drive me insane"
4 can easily believe that. I am all
in a muddle myself"
Good Godl Such modest pleasant
hammered man, who neither smokes nor
drinks"
DuschiIow threw up his hands
He does not drink, you say. Why,
he IS an habitual topper. Yesterday
am sure he did not visit you"
."Do you know why7 Because he spent
last night in a cell at the police sta
ton. The doctor says he win soon die
from delirium tremens. There is no
salvation for him"
81 do not understand it-such an ex-
ceIlent man. When his aunt died he
came to Us and cried like a child"
YES he is a good actor. If they
would exhume the body OF his aunt and
examine it"
Good Lord! You don't believe It"
Il am almost sure"
And what about his sister,
DuschilOW laughed aloud
Are you really childish enough to
believe that she is his sister? Her
parents ran a counterfeiters' joint at
MohileW. He met her at Kew, where
they fleeced a millionaire sugar manu-
facturer together. A fine sister, in
deedi'
The eyes Of the girl filled with tears
Did you know that he wanted me to
marry him?'
yes, I know. He spoke to you OF
wedding trip to the Black Sea"
yes, that was our dream"
Then listen to me, you foolish girl.
You were to have been sold as a slave
to some harem at an auction at Con-
staninople. He had already settled
everything with his sister"
Duschilow looked at the girl with
an expression Of sincerest sympathy.
only one question, Duschllow: Did
he love meF'
'Merciful heavensi He has a mis-
tress. French girl, mademoiselIe
Berthe, who last year was sent to pris-
on for nine months for picking pockets
IN Paris"
The girl cried softly
81 viii never forgive him that"
You must not forgive him! I un-
derstand you very well. BY the way.
are you sure you are not missing some
OF your silverware. Did you count it?''
Has It really come to that2"
ct have not said anything. You know
hate gossip. but yesterday happened
to see two tablespoons with your moth
ers initials. But I have to 20 now.
Shall I give Krosckin your regards"