Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Alliance herald. (Alliance, Box Butte County, Neb.) 1902-1922 | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1904)
r wo u ' iti' ft IS'" ue-Wrfw$Wywwyv DARKEST IJY II. OKATTAN UONNKLLY. Copyright, ISO-; by Street & Smith, All rlclits reserve d. 2HbM nfbWlAA, Wbjt-,loVl,' CHAPTER I. -v The Minister of Police. Karsicheff, minister of police, wa3 evidently In no amiable mood as lie sat, deeply 'lntont on mastering the details of the mass of official docu ments spread beforo him. It was late In the afternoon of a December day In 188. St. Peters burg was all athrlll with tlio life of a great city. Tho silvery music of thousands of slolgh bells played a jingling nccompanlmont to tho brill iant scenes that were being onactcd on tho great thoroughfare that paral leled the historic Nova. To the casual observer the Russian capital at tho time presented nothing to Indicate that aught but peace and prosperity, happiness and content, wero the lot of Its people. Tho brilliant equip ages of tho nobility whirled along In Kaleidoscopic variety, giving an air of wealth and luxury to the scene. Ap parently the autocrat of Russia had nothing to fear lrom tho most favored of his subjects. Tho season was at Its height In St. Petersburg. Tho czar and his court were at the capital, and a series of brilliant stato ceremonials kept soci ety In a whirlwind of social pleasures, and gave an Impetus to fashlonablo frivolity, manifested by a constant succession of entertainments at tho great homes of tho aristocracy. Ono of tho most magnificent fetes of the season was to occur on tho night fol lowing tho day on which our story opens, and It was whispered that tho imperial master of Russia himself had promised to honor It with his pres ence. It was because of this prom ise because of tho belief that tho czar by this action designed to show distinguished honor to Paul, Count Nazlmoff that Karsicheff, minister of police, on this afternoon sat, with clouded brow, earnestly engaged with tho papers beforo him and which oc cupied his thoughts to tho exclusion of all else. Constantino Karsicheff was ncarlng tho supremo moment of his life. Suc cess now meant fortune, favor, future greatness; failure meant ruin, dis grace, perhaps even exile. There Is but one test applied to the minister of police and there is no halfway stopping place between extremes. Al ready ominous signs wore not want ing that tho czar was far from satis fled. A week before, after a confer ence with Gortshakoff, president of tho council of ministers, the Intima tion had been conveyed that tho czar was growing weary of apparent Inac tion. "His imperial majesty," sug gested tho prime minister, "falls to understand why your policy has borne no results, and why tho enemies of tho state aro apparently more active than under any of your predecessors. ' "But, your excellency," Karsicheff bad urged, "I am waiting to crush the onomy by ono supremo stroke. All my plans aro being matured for action that will tamp out Nihilism In Russia as completely as if it had never ex isted." Gortshakoff smiled grimly. The veteran diplomat wns accustomed to take words, from whatever source they came, with a liberal discount on their face value. "I will report your words to his majesty," ho said and then, as If the thought had suddenly occurred, ho added: "Hut do some thing." "Do something, do something." The words of Gortshakoff kept ringing In bis brain as Karischcn', his examina tion of documents finished at last, leaned back in his chair and summed up tho result. It was to Karsicheff's credit that he had brought tho system of espionage to a degree of perfection that had never been surpassed. His agents were everywhere. In the salons of tho nobility; In tho faculty of tho college; among tho rank and file In tho army;smlxing with the merchant and trading classes; drinking in the lowest kabaks (spirit shops) In all places from the highest to the lowest the trusted agents of tho minister of police, ever alert, wero trying to gain some clue that would enable Karsicheff to give the coup do grace to the enemy. These reports were the result of their investigations. There were rumors, suggestions, Innu endoes, generalities, everything but facts. Karsicheff rose from his chair, his face white with rage and disappoint ment In all these reports not one definite clue, not ono tact to act upon. All guess, all surmise, all conjecture, or else lies! "Something must be XdfPZ" I RUSSI a MU ij'ppuuiutiimywu II done, and at once. Any further de lay now, and I may bo deposed with out a moment's notice! Anything but that, my God! anything but that! It would moan ruin, disgrace, dishonor." Wrought up by tho plcturo his fears had brought beforo him, Karsicheff strode up and down his apartment, a prey to the most poignant anxiety and apprehension. Suddenly ho stopped, and pulling a bell cord with a quick. Impatient mo tion, ho returned to his desk and ro sumed his sent. A moment later and tho door si lently opened to glvo ontranco to n tall, soldierly man. Taking ono of tho papers from tho desk before him Karsicheff ran his eyes over It, and then turning to tho man, handed him tho document, with tho romnrk: "Hnvo wo that name on tho list of suspects?" Radaloff, confidential agent of tho minister, took the paper, and with a quick glanco mastered Its contents. "I do not recall the name, your ex cellency," was his reply. "Consult tho register and find out." Radaloff bowed and wlthdrow. "It Is my Inst chance," mused tho minister, when his subordinate had withdrawn. "I will arrest him to night and take the chances of making a sensation that will at least show" ho smiled bitterly as ho recalled tho prlmo minister's words "that I have 'dono someth'ng.,' " Within five minutes Radaloff again entered tho apartment, and respect fully approaching Karsicheff, present ed tho paper. "Tho name ocurs In the report of thq students of tho Poly technique, your excellency, marked simply 'Suspect.' No reason Is as signed, nor are any particulars giv en." "Detail Ferzan on tho case at once or, stay! Take the case yourself. It Is Important. Spare no expense and lose not a moment. Report to mo In person at any place I may be when you have finished. And" as Rada loff was about to withdraw "I re quire a full roport. Seo that nothing Is wanting to mako It complete." Radaloff bowed and left tho room. Onco moro Karsicheff resumed bis restless walk. Tho sound of tho great bell In the official residence caused him to walk to the window Just as a magnificently appointed sleigh, drawn by four coal black horses, dashed up to the door. Reclining nmong tho mass of furs wero two ladles, at tho sight of whom Karsicheff's expression changed to one of mingled pride and affection. A moment moro and tho occupants of tho sleigh had entered the houso, and a servant announced to tho minister that tho Countess Karsicheff and Mile. Olga Karsicheff, his wife and only daughter, had returned from their drive. CHAPTER II. The Countess Karsicheff. Katherlne, Countess Karsicheff, was ono of the social leaders of tho most exclusive society In St. Peters burg. For centuries her family had occupied a foremost position among tho great names of tho empire. Kath erlne Karsicheff was of the truest Russian type of tho grande damo and of the bluest blood of tho old Musco vite nobility. So It was that when Katherlne becamo tho wife of tho then comparatively unknown" gover nor of Tambov, her family Influence was sufficiently powerful to push the fortunes of Countess Karsicheff, until now ho was at tho head of tho Imperial police, then porhaps tho most responsible and arduous post In tho empire. The family consisted at this time of two children, a son and daughter, Nicholas and Olgn. Tho former os tensibly acted as his father's secre tary, but really spent most of his time in tho pursuits common to the younger sons of tho nobility, the ex travagant and riotous dissipations of tho capital. Olga Karsicheff, on the other hand, was a marked cpntrast to her broth er. She was a tall, graceful girl with rather pensive face, tho expression of which was intensified by tho sad ness which contlnunlly haunted her great brown eyes. The Countess Karsicheff, Immed iately after entering tho house, pro ceeded to her own apartments. As the countess glanced at herself in the mirror sho woro a smile of pride and triumph. All day long sho had been receiving congratulations on the ap proaching marriage of her daughter Olga with tho dashing young Colonel Alexis Nazlmoff, only son and nelr of Panl, Count Nazlmoff, and tho great ear catch of tho day In St. Peters burg. Tho trousseau had arrived from Paris, and tho rich and elegant cos tumes had been pronounced by tho few nearest and dearest friends privi leged to Inspect them to be absolute ly faultless In their perfection. The wealth and station of the par ties, the youth and beauty of tho pros pective bride and tho popularity of tho young heir of tho house of Nazl moff, tho elaborate preparations for tho event all these made tho ap proaching marriage ono of moro than ordinary Interest and tho topic of conversation In tho higher circles of socloty. No wonder Kathorlno Karsicheff was proudly triumphant. The mar riage of Olga was the one dream of her life, and an alliance with tho houso of Nazlmoff tho highest honor her daughter could hopo to attain. Tho union of tho two families meant much for both, but most for tho Karsl chon's. Tho Influence rosultlng from tho ctlllnnco could hardly fall to glvo General Karsicheff a higher placo In tho government perhaps a placo In tho Imporlnl council. That was tho ambition of the countess for her hus band. Thero wbb not ono cloud on tho horizon of Kntherino Karlchcft'a fu ture. What wonder that tho proud, haughty face lightedtip with a pass ing smllo cf perfect satisfaction as her mind rapidly reviewed tho past and formed a pleasant plcturo for tho future! Michael Radaloff, flvo minutes nfter he bnd left the presenco of tho minis ter of police, emerged from tho houso by a private ontranco which com munlcnted to thnt pait of tho estab lishment wherein Gen. Karsicheff transacted his official business. A brisk walk of ten minutes brought him to the nearest public stand for conveyances, and hailing a drosky. ho Jumped In, and with a word of direc tion to tho driver, wns driven rapidly away. Within a few doors of his des tination Radaloff alighted and dls- rl rf "Jisir izxyscotzxra 7msxxxx3W missed tho drosky. After waiting un til ho was well assured that tho driver was not spying on his movements, ho entered a restaurant and sat down at a tablo somewhat apart from tho oth er peoplo present. A mlnuto later a waiter approached, and handing him a card appeared to wait his order. Radaloff gazed with apparent Inter est at tho bill of fare, and then en sued this somowhat unusual colloquy: "Havo you discovered tho addresB?" asked Radaloff, pointing to tho bill and speaking In a low voice. Tho waiter took tlio card, nodded and replied: "Excellent and fresh" and then in a lower tone "no, Alex androftskl Ulltza." Radaloff examined tho bill of faro again. Then ho paused thoughtfully, as If to mako a selection. Pointing to another line, ho murmured, so that tho words reached the waiter's ear alone, "Married or single." "Certainly, sir," camo tho prompt response as the well-trained waiter made a noto of tho demand; then, softly, "single." ' Radaloff leaned back with an air of Indifference. Really It appeared ho was not hard to please. "You can bring tho order," he said; and then, as If reconsidering, "at homo or away?" "In St. Petersburg probably now at tho house of" and dropping his voice to its lowest audible tone, tho waiter finished his sentence. Radaloff, cool and collected as ho Invariably was, could not conceal tho look of astonishment caused by tho Information ho had Just received. But tho transition from his usual impass ive manner was only momentary. "It will do," was all ho said, and tho waiter, with a polite bow, which your woll-tralned servant on tho continent never forgets, withdrew to fill tho somewhat extraordinary order with which he had been favored. (To bo continued.) Had a Hard Job. A former minister of the parish of Kirkmlchael, in Ayrshire, was resting in his study one Saturday afternoon, after having finished the preparations of his sermon for next day, when he was startled with sounds of violent quarreling In his own house. He jumped up from his easy chair, opened the door and heard the angry volco of his own man shouting In tho kitchen. "Na, noo, yo Hmmer, tho' I chnso yo to Jericho I'll catch ye." The minister burst Into the kitchen and found there, to his great surprise, nobody but the man himself who worked on tho globe, and who was now seated at a tablo taking his supper. "John, John, what's tho mean ing o' this? Wha woro yo swearing at? Wha were yo fetchln' wi'?" "Mo minister?" said the astonished John. "I'm no fetchln', I'm no swearln' at onybody; I'm only suppln' thao cauld sowens (porridge) oot o' rr pewter plato wP this thick horn spoon, and they're gey an' fickle to catch." Mark Twain's Retort. Many years ago when Mark Twain was a struggling Journalist he found himself ono day with a note coming due and a total lack of funds with which to moet it. Half distracted, he was rushing around the otty in a fe verish hunt for funds to tide him over the trying time. He rushed a little too quickly, however, for as he was turning a corner he collided with a lit tle man and overthrew him. Tho vlo tlm regained his feet and yelled: "You do that again and I'll knock you Into tho middle of next week." "My doar sir," said the apologetic humorist, "do It by all means. If I can get through till then without breaking I'm safe." I Gk V3SLI IW i 1 .J j .TTT J. I iliJH S For the Hands. Always llnso your hands la cold water after having hnd thum In wntor which Is moro than blood. warm. Dur ing cold or windy wenthor It Is boat always to have some preparation handy, that It may bo nppllud when ever the hands havo been wet. Pow dered starch Is very honling to most skins; It Is easily applied, not nt all expensive, and does not provent ono from going nbout one's housowork, oven the cooking If tho hands are perfectly freo from everything. Tlo n little in a thin 'rag and keep a box near tho wash bnsln. When tho hands begin to get soro. rub the starch well In while they are at 111 moist. Girl's Tucked Coat. Simple, loose-fitting coats suit young girls far bettor than any othor sort. This one Is lnid In full length tucks at front nnd back, that give be coming long lines, nnd nbovo tho el bows of the sleeves, so providing fill- 47:0 Ulrl's c int. 3 to u your. ness below thnt point. The' model Is made of royal blue cheviot stitched with corticclll silk and combined with collar and cuffs of velvet, but all sea sonable cloaking materials aro appro priate. Tho coat Is mado with fronts and back and Is fittecll by means of shoul der and under-arm seams, tho back being left plain or finished with tho strnp as preferred. At tho neck Is a flat turn-over collar tho points of which meet at the center, but tho cout is closed in double-breasted style. Tho sleeves nro full and am ple, gathered Into straight cuffe. Tho quantity of material required for the medium sle (12 years) is 4 yards 21 Inches wide, 4 V4 yards 27 Inches wide or 2 yards 44 Inches wide. The pattern 4710 Is cut In sizes for girls of 8, 10, 12 and 14 years of age. The Lace Scarf Hat. The wide scarf of laco or chiffon wore as much In evidence on Easter hats as tho laco nnd lawn fichu will bo on mid-summer gowns. With remarkable unanimity tho ONE OF THE Etons of silk, braid trimmod, are among tho novel features of tho sea son, and are charming worn over the fashionable bklrts. This one Is mado of black taffeta with rovers of hoay ecru lace, trimming of silk braid anil ruffles of flno net top laco at the wrists. Tho jackot ltsolf Is plain, but the sleevee nre laid In box plalu Mihwik w i r 1 ,1, ,--- - Short Descriptions of tho Prevailing Modes Kitchen and Household Hints Medicinal Oath for the Ner vous and Sleepless Silk Tailor Made Gowns. weather' prophets nnd the dressmak ers nnd milliners aro preparing for an old-fnshloncd summer, ono of such long-continued nnd Intense spoils of quivering heat such as visited tho country In "old times." Consequently tho modlatoa press on your attention traveling suits with unllued skirts nnd often unliued Jack ets, so that even thin skeleton coat can bo laid nsldo If necessary to got relief with tho cool lawn or ikhiroo shirt waist or blouso which is worn beneath. rJ iISTi.XrfVI S . The simplest frock Is girdled. Brussels not Is particularly adapt able to tlio present llounccd fashions. Quaint atrnw bonnets of almost tho old "eottago" shapo como for chil dren. Havo ono or two fine laco gulmpes to wear with low muslin nnd lnwn gowns. There's a new present to give n sot of juwelcd clasps to draw tho eton Jacket together. Laces, nll-ovors'nnd trimmings of nil kinds nro to bo picked up now nt unwonted bargains. Conrso luco will again bo much used on summer gowns, Judging from tho ndvanco models. Linen dusters nro revived; tho now kind nro smartly mado nnd finished with fancy buttons. Tho buckle fenturo Is ono thnt can bo obtained upon hats' nnd gowns. Buckles will bo used In a variety of ways. Those long ties of whlto net vrhlcji wind around tho neck tlo In a soft bow In front, laundor well nnd nro be coming. Wreaths and bands of tiny flowers find their way Into nil sorts of turns nnd twlstB on lints. A high Bide flaro with it deep Indention having n spiny of roses imbedded Is not an uncom mon form of trimming. Whisky or brandy used as a lotion may provent bed sores. For com mencing oorcs use whlto of egg rubbed up with alum. Tho hands can bo cleansed better with warm water than with cold, but they should always be rinsed after ward with cold wator, as this keeps them In a better condition. A famous lotion of colonial days, known as "Morning Dow," consisted of one ounce of rosewnter, half an ounco of glycerin, half a teaspoonful of borax and three drops of bezoln. Tho quantities may be multiplied, If NEW SILK ETONS. above the elbows that are extended and applied over tho shoulder seams, so giving the drooping line. The quantity of material required for the medium size Ik 3 yards 21, 3 yards 27, or 1 yards 44 Inchos wide. A May Mantou pattern. No. 4,695, sizes 32 to 40, will be mailed to any address on receipt of 10 cents. nrmpjm a greater amount is ncodod. Tho lo tion is nppliotl to tho chripped face, mado rough from wind or exposure, with a bit of old llnon. If you suffor from too high color, Klvo up during a porlod of one month nil moat othorf than frosh fish and poultry. Do not tnko oatmoal, stout, wines, spirits or strong condiments. GreouBtuffs nnd milk mny bo Indulged In freely. Blouse or Shirt Waist. Shirt waists long ngo camo to bo numborod among the must-haves. Whatever else tlio wardrobe may lack they aro certain to bo found. This season they arc, If possible moro tomptlng thnn over beforo and nro ahown In most alluring variety. Tho model shown Is now and smnrt nnd is suited nllke to wnshablo and to silk and wool wnlstlngs, but In tho caso of the original Is made of ecruo ba tiste piped with brown nnd trimmed with Httlo pcurl buttons. Tho waist Is mado with fronts nnd back that aro fitted by means of shoul der and under-arm soaiiiB and over 4711 Blouso or Shirt Waist, ; 32 to 40 bust. which tho yoke Ib applied, tho oxton slons oyer tho shoulders "giving tho long and drooping lino that Is so greatly In voguo. Tho tucks at tho back aro arranged to glvo tho becom ing tnperlng linos to tho flguro while thoso of tho front and sleeves extend for a part of their length only and provide fulncs below. Tho cuffs mako a novel fenturo and nro shaped to match tho yoke. Tho quantity of material required for tho medium slzo Is G'A yards 21 lnchcB wldo, 4 yardB 27 Inches wide or 2 yards 44 Inched wide. The pattern 4711 Is cut In sizes for a 32, 34, 30, 38 and 40-lnch bust meas ure. Splendid Medicinal Bath. Hero Is a simple and avallablo reclpo a mcdlcfnnl bath for tho ner vously worn nnd thoso who cannot sleep o' nfghts. It was tho prescrip tion of an old physician. Tako of sea salt four ounces, spirits of nmmonla two ounces, of puro alcohol eight ounces and sufficient hot water to mwko a full quart of the liquid. Dls solve tho sea salt In the hot water, and let stand until cool. Pour Into tho alcohol the spirits of nmmonla nnd camphor, Add tho salt water, shako well and bottlo for use. With n soft spongo dipped In this mixture wet over tho surface of tho whole body. Rub vigorously until tho skin glows. When nervous or "blue" or wakeful do not omit this bath. Tho rest and refreshing that follow will amply repay tho effort required to prepare It. A good pollbh for stoves Is mado of ono teaspoonful of powdered alum mixed with tho stove polish. Tho biilliance that this polish will glvo to a stove will Inst for a long tlmo. To test the heat of frying fat put In a pleco of broad, and If It browns while ono counts sixty the fat Is hot onough for law mnterlals. If It browns whllo you county forty. It Is Sight for food propared .from cooked mont or flub, Biich as eoquettos. Use plonty of fat, and always strain it beforo put ting It away Readers cf this paper ran secure any May Mantoa pattern Illustrated abovo by filling out &) I blanks In coupon, and mailing, with 10 cents, io'. V- Harrison Co., 65 Plymouth Place. Cht- go. l'allern will bo mailed promptly. name Town Stale . Pattern No. Wulfct Measure (U for skirt) , Must Measure (If (or waistj...., Age (If child's or mlxs'a pattern) Writo plainly. PHI out all blanks. Ecr'.o ICc. Hall to UK. HatrisonJc Co., Plymouth Place, Chicago. m&si EfP V fl nix f unfit wlrMyM