The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-11-13

when one day the baron called me
suddenly and told me to prepare for a
journey. We were to cross to Stock
holm and thence to Hull where the
Iris was awaiting US, for Mr.. Leith-
court and Muriel had invited us for Il
summer cruise to the Greek islands.
We boarded the yacht much against
my will. yet was powerless. and dare
not allege the facts that ] had al
ready established concerning our fell
loW-guests. Muriel and |, it seems,
were taken merely in order to blind
the shore-guards and customs officials
as to the real nature of the vessel.
, which went safely out of the channel,
was reprinted and renamed the Lola,
until her exterior presented quite a
different appearance from the Iris.
The port of Leghorn was our first
place of call. and for some reason we
ran purposely upon a sandbank and
were towed off by Italian torpedo
boats. Next evening you came on
board and dined, Muriel and myself
having strict orders not to show our
selves. We, however, watched you,
and | saw you pick up my photograph
which | had that day torn up. Then
Immediately after you had left Wood
rome. Chatter and Macintosh went
ashore and were away a couple Of
hours in the middle of the night. Just
before they returned the baron raped
at the door CT my cabin saying that
he must go ashore, and telling me TO
dress and accompany him. He would
never allow me the luxury of a maid,
fearing, / suppose, that she might
learn too much. In obedience | rose
and dressed, and when | went forth
he told me to get my travelling cloak
and dressing bag, adding that he was
compelled to go north, as to continue
the cruise would occupy too much
time. He was due back at his official
duties, he said. AS soon as l had
finished packing, the three men re-
turned to the vessel, all of them look
ing dark-faced and disappointed
Woodroffe whispered some words TO
the baron, after which went to
Muriers cabin and wished her good
by. and We went ashore, taking the
train first to Cole Salvetti, thence TO
Pisa, and afterwards to the beautiful
old city of Siena, which ! had so
longed to see. One OF my teeth gave
me pain, and the baron, after a couple
Of days at the Hotel de Sienne, took
me to queer-looking little old Italian
"a dentist who. he said, enjoyed an
excellent reputation. l was quick to
notice that the two men had met be-
fore. and as l sat in the chair and gas
was given to me / saw them exchange
meaning glances. In a few moments
l became insensible. but when awoke
an hour later I was astounded to feel
a curious soreness in my ears. My
tongue. too. seemed paralyzed, and in
a few moments the awful truth
dawned upon me. had been rendered
deaf and dumb,
The baron pretended to be greatly
concerned about me-" it went on, but
quickly realized that / haG been the
victim Of a foul and dastardly plot,
and that he had conceived it. fearing
lest / might speak the truth concern
ing the Privy Councillor Polovstoff,
for Of exposure he lived in constant
fear. To encompass my end would
be against his own interests, as he
would lose my fortune. so he had ST.
fenced me lest I should reveal the ter
rible truth concerning both him and
his associates. He was not rich. and |
/ have reason to believe that from
time to time he gave information as
to persons who possessed valuable |
jewels, and thus shared in the plumber !
obtained by those on the yacht.
From Italy we travelled on to Ber- |
lin. thence to Petersburg, and back to |
dreary Helsingfors, journeying as
quickly as we could. yet never allow
ing me opportunity of being with |
strangers. Both my ears and tongue
were very painful. but / said nothing.
He was surely fiend in a black coat.
and my only thought now was how to
escape him. From the moment when
that so-called dentist had ruined nv
hearing and deprived me of power Of
speech, he kept me aloof from every
one. The fear that / should reveal
everything had apparently grown to
haunt him, and he had conceived that
terrible mode Of silencing my lips.
But the true depth Of his villainy was
not yet apparent until | was back in
"On the night of our arrival he
called in his son. who had Travelled
with us from Petersburg, and in
writing again demanded that I should
marry him. wrote my reply-a firm
refusal. He struck the table angrily
with his first and wrote saying that
should either marry his son or die.
Then next day, while walking alone
,ut beyond the town of Helsingfors.
Is / often used to do, / was arrested
lpon the false charge Of an attempt
lpon the life Of Madame vakurofY
Ind transported, without trial. to the
errible fortress of Kajana, some of
he horrors of which you have your.
'elf experienced. The charge against
ne was necessary before l could be
there, but once within, II
vas the scheme Of the governor-gen-
raj to obtain my consent to the mar
iage by threats and by the constant
errors of the place. He even went
70 far as to obtain a ministerial order
or my Punishment to Saghalien and