Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-02-26

elucidatiOn. l leave for Russia on
Tuesday"
The change in Paullnes manner,
when Gerald was ushered by an UNI
tidy-looklng waiter into her sitting
room on the following afternoon, was
almost electrifying In place OF her
usual languld 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.
.Repsser1 returned the night before
last" she said. He seems to have had
a 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 wny 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-
pllne: despotlc and arbitrary police
surveillance everywhere But there Is
also corruption. People. especially the
ntiicial classes. are looking everywhere
for the means TO live A merchant
who was imprisoned only a month or
so ago on a charge Of murder, TO
which he actually pleaded guilty was
set free the day before Reusser left.
IIt cost him little more than i've thou
sand roubles.
@DId this man Reusser discover
where your brother was7" Gerald
asked.
"For ten thousand roubIes." 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 hum
dred miles south OF Petrograd. II Is a
bad journey. Of course. but the place
Ia accessible. The governor OF the
prison is a Major Krossneys He is
half an Austrian and half a Pole.
When he Is drunk he IL reckless He
Ia TO be managed with ease. but always
Ii Is TO be remembered that Paul Is his
chief prisoner. II Paul were to es-
cape" she went on thoughtfully. 'he
would. without doubt. lose his post.
certainly his promotion; he might
even have to fee the country. To buy
him would probably cost a sum Of
money sufficient 10 support him for the
rest OF his life. There are stu people
who would tear Paul TO pieces II they
knew who he was
''This Major Krossneys.7 Gerald In
quired. docs he speak FrenchY
FORTUNATELY. yes" was the eager
assent. "Tell me. Gerald. what do you
thInk Of It all?"
Just this" he replied. Il shall sail
m Tuesday. There is a steamer from
Hull. In less than two months will
,rIng your brother back"
Her eyes shone. She seemed 10 be
In every limb. There was
ecstasy IN her face. passion on her
IuIyering lips Yet even as he drew a
title nearer to her. Gerald was drear-
ly conscious that she had almost for
often his presence. II was the thought
4 her brother which had wrought this
-sIf Tbring him back to you, Pau
me" he began.
She suddenly seized him BY the
houlders
Bring him back I. she interrupted
assionately. II make no bargain. /
i've no Eromise--you should know
etter than 10 ask for any such. All
hat I can tell you is that would give
" soul 70 see him again.
Gerald clenched his hands almost in
ain. {
Pauline" he pleaded. 'for heavens {
axe. soften Just a little. You keep Z
le all the time in torment. Paul shall
g set free-I swear IT, II II costs me
y fortune. my liberty, even my life,
e shall be set free. But I'm doing II
,r love Of you. My love Ia choking
70. Soften for one moment Remem- :
er what you will be TO me some day.
I've me at least a memory to take
ith me-.
She laid her hand upon HIS. Il o
.emed 20 him that Il was as cold as
'e SHOWS Her eyes looked into HIS
hey were soft and beautiful. full Of b
,Ior and sweetness. yet they looked
rough him as though he were q den
en- OF some other world. e
GRO BE coNTINUED) y