Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-10


winter. Within-the heavy
scent of dollhouse flowers, a soft
rustic of silk as Natascha AIexan-
drovna waited breathlessly for the
words that would decide her broth
ers fate.
ThSy brought little comfort
Il am distressed to be obliged TO
refuse your request" the general re-
piled coldly, but if your brother
chooses to consort with revolu-
! tionaries he must take the conse-
| quences."
He is only a boy, and the woman
bewitched him." she urged, her heart
sinking as he rose. saying cOldly, 1T
is useless to press the matter further.
| am powerless'
ing to her feet. You, the all-pow-
erful chief of police! You, who have
so often assured me of your friend
ship! A word from you would set
I Boris free, and you refuse to speak
it"
Orders have been given that even
can not disobey," unmoved by her
wrath as he had been by her dis
tress.
Then can nothing be done to save
him."
Vladimir Mirskofr looked at her for
a moment, then, There is way, but
/ you may not care to take it,"
/ Not care, when 1t is a question Of
saving my brother! Tell me quick
/ ly."
"A plot is being laid for the whole
sale assassination of government Of
/ ficials, and a new form of deadly ex-
plosive has been smuggled across the
/ frontier by woman who. try as we
may, we can not identify If you
could give us the name of one Of the
leaders Boris is free"
/ You surely do not imagine that l
4 could tell you" she exclaimed indig-
nantly
No; but your admirer. Paul Co
veski can. He has friends among the
/ Liberals"
And you dare suggest that should
make him betray his friends?"
! 1T is the only way to save Boris
from Siberia. ! am powerless unless
/ ! have the name of one of these revo-
/ lutiOnaries to give in exchange After
all, why should you have any sCruples
concerning men who preach murder
as a trader"
She wrung her hands in an agony
of doubt, but before she could reply
a servant entered to announce that
| his excellenCy Count Paul GovesH de
sired to know IL madame would re-
ceive him
No, no. Say am engaged; l can
not see him"
on the contrary" interposed Vlad-
imir, you must see him Fate has
sent him here to save your brother"
! NatasCha looked at him imploringly,
then said, Il viii receive the count"
and as the man left the room, Prom
Use me Paul Govesh shall not suffer
for his friendship with these men"
Certainly he replied. where may
l walt for your answer"
In my boudoir" holding aside a
curtain before door
Remember, your brothers liberty,
perhaps his life, rests in your hands"
he Whispered, and vanished almost as
she turned to greet the Count
I trust | am not too early" he
said, bending to kiss her hand. You
had my letter? am all impatient
for the answer"
You do me honor" she replied.
sinking into chair. Believe me, l
am indeed grateful"
A Protestation.
1T is your love not gratitude. I
want" he pleaded. surely you have
seen how l adore you. l would die
to serve you"
80 others have said. wonder
how much such protestations are
worth from you"
only try me and see"
You tell me you love me-" she said
slowly There Is no love without
. trust What if l ask for a proof Of
1 that2"
Ask what you will. I can deny
you nothing."
1T will place your life in my
( hands"
1t is there already" Paul replied
softly, bending over her. Il can not
live without you"
"Rumor calls you Nihilist, conspir-
ator," she said lightly, with a be-
/ witching smile. "A woman's curios-
/ ity is proverbial Is 1t true, and who
are your confederates?
He stepped back and gaZed at her
in establishment too great for words
Then, Madame do you know what it
Is YOU are asking|'
Why certainly; a proof that you
trust me-
But this concerns others than my
self II is impossible"
Il thought so" scornfully; strange
/ how all men are alike, ready enough
| with words unfortunately, l prefer
/ deeds rising as II to bring the in
/ terview to an end.
But not such as this?" he pleaded.
/ ITO betray those who have trusted
their lives in my keeping would be
| poor way Of showing my love"
But she stood silent, her fingers
nervously twisting the lace of her
! dress
/ Paul Goveski watched her keenly,
/ then going TO an escritoire wrote a
/ few words on a sheet of paper, folded
/ it, and came slowly back, saying
Z gravely, Here is the name OF our
leader The proof you have asked Of
my love"
/ Then, as she took it. he continued,
coldly: And now. madame, I bid you
/ farewell. You have said love can not
| exist without trust, and so have given
me the answer I came to seek
You are going?' she exclaimed, in
Credulously.
Yes; love bought by dishonor is