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
er's fate.
They 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.
l am powerless."
"Powerless!" she exclaimed, spring.
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
Boris free, and you refuse to speak
it"
Orders have been given that even
1 can not disobey," unmoved by her
wrath as he had been by her dis
tress.
Then can nothing be done to save
him2"
Vladimir Mirskoff looked at her for
moment, then, There is a way, but
you may not care to take it,"
Not care, when it 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 I
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 I should
make him betray his friends?"
TT is the only way to save Boris
from Siberia. | am powerless unless
l 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 trade?"
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 if madame would re-
ceive him.
mo, no. Say l am engaged; I 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, 81 Will receive the count"
and as the man left the room. Prom
Use me Paul GOvesk 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 a door
Remember. your brothers liberty.
perhaps his life. rests in your hands"
I he whispered, and vanished almost as
She turned to greet the Count
/ Il trust / am not too early" he
said bending to kiss her hand. You
had my letter? l am all impatient
| for the answer"
You do me honor" she replied.
sinking into a chair. Believe me. I
am indeed grateful"
A Protestation.
1T is your love, not gratitude. I
want" he pleaded Surely you have
seen how I adore you l would die
to serve you"
so others have said. I 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 II l ask for a proof Of
that"
ASK what you will. can deny
you nothing"
1T win 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, consplr-
ator." she said lightly, with a be-
ity is proverbial Is it 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"
q thought So" sCornfully; strange
how all men are alike, ready enough
with overwhelmingly l prefer
deeds rising as il 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 a
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