The Glenwood post., 1924-12-18

Gerald was silent for moment
telegraph boy, who had been riding
down the drive which curved through
the park, seeing them, had dismounted
from his bicycle and was crossing the
turf toward them with an orange-col-
1t from him. tore it open, and read the
few lines which it contained. Then he
gave the boy a coin and dismissed him.
He looked once more at the message.
'It Is good news2" MYRTLE inquired
gravely.
Good enough" Gerald answered. II
have been living in a miserable state
of uncertainty. Now 1t will all be
cleared up"
"There will be no more trouble
then?"
II cannot say that" he replied. ~'but
at least there will be action. Next
week will see the beginning of the
elucidation. leave for Russia on
Tuesday"
The change in Pauline's manner
when Gerald was ushered by an un-
tfdy-lOoking waiter into her sitting
room on the following afternoon, was
almost electrifying. In place of her
usual languid greeting. she sprang
lightly to her feet and gave him both
her hands. The slight sullenness had
all gone from her face. There was no
living person Just then who would
not have found her beautiful.
"You received my telegram? she
demanded eagerly.
"And came to you at once" was
the prompt reply.
She drew him down to her side upon
the sofa. Her manner and tone dis
played an animation entirely new to
her.
"Reusser returned the night before
last" she said. "He seems to have had
comparatively easy journey, and. he
reports conditions over there very
much more lenient in many ways He
had no difficulty In landing or In max
ing his way wherever he Wished to go.
On the other hand, the stories he brings
back as to the distress and misery
everywhere are simply shocking. The
country bleeds to death. There are
few trains running, no order, no dlsci-
pline: despotic and arbitrary police
surveillance everywhere. But there Is
also corruption. People, especially the
official classes, are looking everywhere
for the means to live. A merchant
who was imprisoned only month or
so ago on charge of murder, t.
which he actually pleaded guilty was
set free the day before Reusser left.
It cost him little more than five thou
sand roubles."
"Did this man Reusser discover
where your brother was7" Gerald
asked.
"For ten thousand roubles," she an
swered, "he could have searched every
police register In Russia. Paul Is at
the Fortress of st. Marian, at a small
town called Sokar. about three hun
dred miles south Of Petrograd. 1t is a
bad journey. Of course, but the place
Is accessible. The governor of the
half an Austrian and half Pole
When he is drunk he is reckless. He
is to be managed with ease, but always
1t is to be remembered that Paul is his
chief prisoner. If Paul were to es-
cape" she went on thoughtfully, "he
would, without doubt, lose his post,
certainly his promotion; he might
even have to flee the country. To buy
him would probably cost sum of
money sufficient to support him for the
rest of his life. There are still people
who would tear Paul to pieces II they
knew who he was"
"This Major Krossneys," Gerald in.
| quired, does he speak French?'
Fortunately, yes" was the eager
assent. "Tell me. Gerald. what do you
think Of 1t all?"
"Just this" he replied. "I shall sail
on Tuesday. There is n steamer from
Hull. In less than two months will
bring your brother back"
Her eyes shone. She seemed to be
trembling In every limb. There was
ecstasy In her face, passion on hei
quivering lips. Yet even as he drew n
little nearer to her, Gerald was drear-
lily conscious that she had almost for.
gotten his presence. 1t was the thought
of her brother which had wrought this