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
