The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-13


Originally constructed from bricks
of baked clay and quartz sand, during
the Tatar invasion in GATHERINGS
time, it had later been used as a shell
ter in the troublesome military days
Of two hundred years ago. Near by
were the ruins of the officers quar-
tiers. and beyond, those of the men.
But the old guardhouse, partially
built into the solid, frowning rock, had
resisted the ravages of time. 1t was
within the grim walls that l had seen
the last of Paul previous to my depar-
ture for America.
Again / let Ivan talk. With much
crossing, he told me of its history; of
the scenes, brutal and cruel, that had
taken place there! of the ghost that
made his home in the building. and
how everyone Stunned the very hill.
Even the priests were afraid of it, he
said. laughed to myself, for had
been there many times, and Paul had
i been there once-iust once.
On sudden impulse determined to
60 there before going to the village.
Ivan paled at the thought: not for a
| million rubles would he accompany
me. Tremblingly. he agreed to wait
for me, and l ascended the steep hill
Paul and had been boys of an age.
We had many quarrels and always
hated each other with an intensity
that almost amounted to affection.
Perhaps the expression sounds
strange; It 10 not-that is. to my mind.
Both sons Of comparatively rich
parents. we had been orphaned about
the same time. He did me many In
juries. petty meannesses of boyhood,
and l retaliated in like manner. No.
not In like manner; for my brain was
quicker than his and more fertile in
dsvising subtle revenges. ~ you will
see.
But these are small things; little
nothings of no consequence compared
with the cause Of my great hatred
Katrina, the. = starosta's daughter
Katrina Of the Golden Hair, l called
her; for all the other girls we're dark
and Katrina-ah! who can describe
Katrina?
That she could prefer Paul never
once entered my mind. was far
cleverer. far better set-up. But there
Is no accounting for woman's choice.
Paul won; he and my Katrina we're
engaged.
At first l set about for revenge, but
soon realized that nothing could do
in the way Of retaliation could make
up for that. Katrina his, Paul could
afford to laugh at me. Finally, could
stand it no longer; made up my
mind to leave for America, where l
had relatives.
Setting my affairs In order. l sold
out my interests, houses, mill and
land.
Paul was away on a trip at the time,
so l did not hurry, but sent my bag
gage ahead to Karnoul, where 1t would
await my arrival. On the day Of my
departure. drove over to a neighbor.
ing village, Pulaski, transacted my
business, and in the afternoon drove
back along the road below the guard
house.
The trip that had taken Paul away
had been to q remote district on the
Manchurian border. and as the way
lay across the foothills, the road being
rough. 1t had necessitated travel BY
foot. Paul was not expected back for
at least ten days more: so you may
Judge. then. Of my establishment at
meeting him on the road.
do not know what possessed me
at the time-some devil or a twist in
the skein Of fate. perhaps. Anyway.
l alighted. and at the sight o< his
cynical smile my blood set itself on
fire. We were alone-absolutely alone
on the deserted road.
OF course he struggled with all his
might. His strength was no match for
| mine. and soon / had him trussed up
like fowl.
Then l carried him up to the guard.
house.
Fastened to the walls were strong
chains. ending in rings for the hands
and feet. collars for the neck and
bands for the waist.
To one of these chains, the broad
iron band round his waist, l secured
Paul. Withdrawing my handkerchief
from his mouth. for there was no fear
of his cries being heard. and l had nc
object in causing him physical discom
fort. unheeding his protestations
threats and pleadings. l left him.
In the village all was commotior
over my departure.
/ II was an hour or more before sue
ceeded in getting rid of my friends.
At last | entered my home for tn,
last time. made certain preparation
and emerged with a parcel under m,
arm. This I placed under the seat o
the vehicle in which ! would drive I,
Karnoul. arrangements having beel
made to send the conveyance back
Farewells said. amid the cheers of m,
friends-and every person in the vii
lage was my friend-I took my depar
ture.
Il Katrina, I did not call upon. though
she waved her handkerchief from tn,
window. This act pretended not {,
Zee An houk,a fsat driIins and VA