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DARKEST
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Copyright, ISM, bj- Street 4
CHAPTER X. Continued.
"Now, by my father's blood!" ho
exclaimed, "this 1b Indeed a find.
Hold!" he shouted, as ho averted a
blow aimed at the prostrate and help
less Alexis by Hersy a blow with
an ax, which, had It been delivered
with all the strength Intended, would
have ended Its victims life then and
there. "Hold wait wait! Who, think
you, la this?"
"Who? Speak! Who?" was de
manded on all sides.
"Why, Nazlmoff, the cruel, coward
ly "
Oramlnsky got no further. With a
howl of rage tho conspirators sprang
toward their victim "Coward, dog,
woman beater, your end Is near."
And Alexis would have been torn to
pieces by his Infuriated enemies but
for Oramlnsky's Interference.
"Hold!" ho shouted, with an oath,
"don't act hastily. We must l.nd out
what we can."
"But ho must die!" yelled Hersy.
"Byrne!" "By my hand!" "I'll deal
tho blow!" said others, crowding for
ward. "Walt tho avenger has been se
lected. Ivan drew tho red rouble."
Alexis heard every word.
"But Ivan Is not here; give mo tho
right. I never killed a noble," shout
ed Hersy. "I will havo blood. I love
blood. Give mo tho right to kill him
here and now!" And as sho spoko
she would havo carried her desire In
to execution but for tho fact that two
or threo of her companions restrain
ed her by force, awaiting the words
of Oramlnsky.
"The right best belongs to Uda her
self!" Alexis Nazlmoff closed his eyes. It
was true, then, Ilda was ono of this
vllo gang of murderers.
"Yes, Ilda! Ilda! Whore Is Ilda?"
was the shout.
Even as they spoke, Ilda Barosky,
entering and pushing her way
through the center of tho mass, c-rno
front and stood face to' face with
Oramlnsky.
"What Is tho matter?" sho asked
hurriedly; "has anything happened to
Ivan? Has "
"Wo havo caught a spy," said Ora
minsky, "the accursed "
"Nazlmoff!" said the crowd with
one voice, "and there he lies."
"Nazlmoff!" exclaimed Ilda. The
recollection of tho terrible ordeal
through which sho had passed, tho
memory of the uplifted whip, the
thought of her humiliation and of
Nazlmoft's cowardice all theso flash
ed into her mind, and a wild desire
for instant vengeance on her foe filled
her in a moment. With compressed
lips and flashing eyes sho turned, her
hands clenched, and with tho words,
"tho cowardly Nazlmoff!" she sprang
toward tho helpless figure bound to
tho bench on which ho lay. "You cow
ard!" sho exclaimed, as she raised
her hand, nnd with a cry of terror
and dismay sho staggered back and
would havo fallen.
Sho had recognized Alexis.
Her faco turned deathly white, the
blood left her lips, and it was only
by a supreme effort that she kept her
self from falling by -a convulsivo
grasp of tho table.
"See! Seo!" said Hersy, "sho dares
not shed blood. She is weak. I am
strong let me deal tho blow. Now,
now, now!" and she rushed forawrd.
Ilda threw herself before the mad
dened woman. Twice sho essayed to
speak, but In vain. Her lips moved,
but sho uttered no sound. She could
only gaze into tho faco of tho infu
riated woman and motion her to stand
back.
"No, I will kill him!" yelled Hersy.
"Walt a moment; wait, for God's
sake, wait!" camo In gasping accents
from the lips of Ilda. She breathed
heavily a moment, and then made an
other effort. "It It Is a mistake
mistake mistake," sho Bald, repeat
ing tho words threo times, each time
with a painful struggle for breath.
"This this is not not Count Nazl
moff." Sho paused, staggered back
to the table for support, and with
agony made a prayer In her heart for
speech, for strength.
"It Is Nazlmoff; Oramlnsky found
his papers." Tho words came In a
perfect howl from tho vengeful vic
tors, who were thirsting for the blood
of their conquered and hJpless en
emy. "Kill him now!"
Tho crowd made a simultaneous
iuovoment to advance.
Ilda sprang beore Nazlmoff. The
moment's respite in her speech had
teen of service. She was once more
able to command her voice. Strewn-
RUSSIA
donnbllt.
Smith, Alt rights referred.
lng both hands toward tho conspira
tors, with a mute pathos which ar
rested them for a moment, even If It
did not alter their purpose, Ilda spoko
again: "Walt a moment moro;
wait, and and listen." Tho voice
was broken with emotion, but sho
gained strength as alio went on.
She felt that now, If ever, she must
succeed in swerving them from their
purpose. "Listen, dear brothers sis
ters of tho people listen to mo to
Ilda to tho sister of Ivan; listen one
moment more for God's sake hear
me hear mo to tho end. There, to
night, among among all that throng
of nobles there was but but ono to
protect me. It was It was this
this young officer. Bollevo me, for
God's sake; for dear God's srke, be
lieve mo! Ho was my my defender
my rescuer. Do not do not harm
him! Have pity on me! I I oh,
brothers and sisters, ho is no spy!
I know It; bo merciful, for me, to
him; spare him, and let him go!"
"No, no, he Is a spy! he Is Nazl
moff! Ho is hero to betray us; he
must die!"
The words rang In tho ears of Ilda.
Thoro was no hope for Alexis; ho
would bo murdered before her eyes.
Hersy had waited for a chance.
She had laid aside the hatchet and
had grasped a knlfo a murderous
weapon and with a fiendish look she
sprang forward with It uplifted.
With a cry of mingled anguish and
despair, but with tho strength of a
lioness, Ilda sprang between tho
murderess and her victim, and,
wrenching tho knlfo from her grasp,
fairly hurled Hersy back a dozen feet
Into tho arms of her companions.
"Back, murdoress! Stand back, all
of you!"
The words rang out In startling
contrast to tho tremulous tones in
which her appeal had been uttered a
moment before, as Ilda Barosky,
standing in front of tho prostrate
Alexis, her eyes fairly ablaze with
the courago of despair, met without
quailing the maddened looks of tho
surprised and astonished conspira
tors. Tho weak, pleading, helpless
woman of a moment beforo had giv
en place to tho desperate, courageous
and unflinching heroine, who, stand
ing majestically alone, with tho knife
held in her uplifted hand, looked the
incarnation of sublimo deflanco to the
murderous gang who sought the life
of Alexis.
To say that they wore amazed nt
tho transformation but faintly de
scribes the effect Ilda's words and
actions produced. They looked one
to the other and then again at tho
young girl who stood beforo them,
There was not one of them who did
not know that Alexis Nazlmoff could
only be reached over the dead body
of his defender, nnd that Ilda would
fight to the death.
There was a hurried whispering,
and Klrshkln moved to tho front. .
Suddenly ho made a spring for
Ilda.
But not too quickly for her not to
detect his object. The knlfo descend
ed, and Klrshkln, tho blood streaming
from his breast, was borno back.
"Oh, wretches, cowards that you
are! I was weak but a moment since,
now I am strong. Moro of you will
die. Stand back!" This as another
movement was made. "Stand back!
for I swear by tho soul of tho mother
who bore me, the first ono of you
to touch him dies by my hand. Moro
I swear to denounce you, to deliver
you to tho gallows, cutthroats and
nssassins as you are!"
As Ilda spoke she moved back
ward, and with a rapid movement
passed her hand behind her. It was
but the work of an instant for Alexis
Nazlmoff to run tho cords which
bound his hands against tho keen
edge of tho weapon. In another mo
ment ho had unloosed tho cord which
bound his feet, and, springing erect,
grasped tho sword which had fallen
when ho was overborne.
"Bravo Ilda! you have saved mo.
Stand by my side wo aro more than
a match for the cowardly dogs."
"Aloxls, wo will live or dlo to
.other!" "They aro but two; aro you cow
ards?" cried Oramlnsky. "If they es
cape wo are betrayed; perhaps oven
now "
He spoko no more.
The sound of a hurried advanco
toward the door on tho outside a
quick, metallic sound of a key as it
touched tho lock arrested tho atten
tion of all. To the fevered minds of
the conspirators tho sound BUggestod
the police tho metallic ring fetters,
the hurried footsteps a surprise. That
panicky feeling which sprends In
stantly took possession of them.
Their bloodthirsty expressions chang
ed to ono of fear, and as Oramlnsky
turned they Interpreted his movement
as the signal for flight.
"We aro trapped!" Someono In ab
ject terror uttered tho words.
It was enough.
With one movement tho consplra
tois, actuated by a common and un
controllable lmpulso of self-preservation,
ranged themselves alongside the
wall with tho celerity and regularity
duo to their practice for Buch emer
gencies; the concealed mechanism
which worked the doors leading to tho
secret hiding places was touched; the
doors opened filowly and revolved as
If by magic, and the conspirators had
disappeared!
CHAPTER XI.
In the Name of the Czar.
With a sigh of infinite relief from
tho terrible strain, Ilda, as tho last of
tho conspirators disappeared, felt hjr
overtaxed strength relax; her cws
becamo dim, sho swayed to nnd fro
for a moment nnd would havo falntd
In tho arms of Alexis had not the rush
of cold air from tho door above, which
now opened, revived her.
Looking up Bho exclaimed, "Ivan!"
Ivan entered, nnd with him n woman
heavily veiled. But there could bo no
doubt In tho mind of Alexis as ho
caught sight of tho figure. "By
heaven I " ho oxclalmed, "it Is Olga
Karslchoff."
Then turning to Ilda, Alexis pressed
her to his heart. Ho spoko no word,
but there was all of tho passlonato
devotion and affection In his naturo
expressed and understood.
Ivan enmo forward; his companion
was Olga.
"I havo kept my word," ho said,
"Olga Is here. Why, what has hapi
pencil? What does this mean?" he
added hurriedly, ns taking Ilda from
tho arms of Aloxls ho gazed with
alarm at her pnllld face.
"Your sister has saved my life sho
can toil you all," said Alexis, as he
grasped both tho hands which Olga
held to him.
Olga, trembling nnd agitated, suf
fered Alexis to lead her to a scat
"Z-JK2Z ZVT
OPZ" TOG77iZZri
somo distance from whero Ivan was
listening with horrified amazement
to the recital by Ilda of tho attack by
Oramlnsky and his companions.
Alexis, after tho trembling girl had
become somewhat composed, listened
to her story. It differed In no ma
terial particulars to that which he had
already heard from Ivan, and b Olga
concluded, and with tear-stained faco
besought his forgiveness, Alexis was
deeply touched by her appeal. "I
thought of all of my father's anger,
my mother's hatred for she will hato
mo when sho discovers all!" said
Olga, as sho approached tho conclu
sion, "but, oh! Alexis! I could not
help It, for I love him so, I love him
so!"
Alexis was silent for a moment.
Then taking the hand of Olga with
in his own ho Bald: "Olga, thoro Is a
power within tho human heart which Is
stronger than duty, stronger than In
terest, stronger sometimes even than
honor, stronger oftentimes than life
Itsolf. It Is the power of lovo. It
has changed tho destinies of us both.
It has brought us together In this
strange place to-night. It was to be.
Your lovo has been given to Ivan
Barosky as mine has been to his Bis
ter Ilda. But what of tho futuro? I
am a man, and can bear tho conse
quences of what my father and tho
world will call my folly, with a man's
fortitude and patience. But you are
a woman what does this step mean
to you? Have you thought of tho
futuro? Dear Olga, trust me freely
as a brother, uommanu mo in any
way to make your life brighter, hap
pier, and believe me, there is nothing
I will not do to aid you," and Alexis
with some emotion laid his hand pro
tectlngly on her shoulder.
(To bo continued.
DID NOT ENJOY CORNET.
Indignant Protest Unfortunately Mis
taken for Applause.
A. H. Kirklnrid, tho Boston ento
mologist, who has shown tho toad to
bo one of tho farmer's best friends,
said recently:
"Tho toad has been misunderstood
In tho past as much misunderstood
as a certain friend of mine.
"This chap was making a walking
tour, and ono night ho put up at a
llttlo hotel In Florida. Next morning,
at breakfast, tho landlord said to him:
" 'Did you enjoy tho cornet playing
In tho room next to yours last night?'
" 'Enjoy it?" my friend shouted sav
agely. I should think not. Why, I
spent half tho night pounding on the
wall to mnko It stop.'
" 'It must have been a misunder
standing,' said tho landlord, gently.
' 'Tho cornet player told mo that the
person In the next room applauded
him so heartily that he went over
every pieco he know threo times.'"
The Cipher Too Much.
While Secretary Hay was In tho
country one summer, an Important
piece of official business was pending,
and ho arranged with Washington that
any news that might arrive about the
matter should be telegraphed to him
in cipher.
Day after day he waited, nut no
telegram came. One morning, hap
pening to go to tho lonely little tele
graph office, ho said to tho operator:
"I suppose you have received no
dispatch for me?"
"Why, yes, sir," tho operator re
plied, "there was a dispatch for you
tho othor day, but It was all twisted
and confused. I couldn't makJ head
or tail of It, bo I didn't think It ftaia
any use to sjnd It up to you."
m "'wr Krtr r r trjr j&3BbFA
FROM WJ. BRYAN
WHAT HE SAYS ADOUT THE
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
IT IS REALLY A GOOD THING
Somo Planks He Regards as Stronger
Than Others Imperialism, He
Thinks, Will Be the Leading Cam
paign Issue.
LINCOLN W. J. Bryan on Thurs
day mndo public tho following state
ment relating to tho democratic plat
form adopted at St. Louis:
Tho plank on Imperialism Is posi
tive, strong nnd satisfactory to tho
entlro party and this question be
comes tho pnramount Issue of tho
campaign.
The tariff plank Is good, but It wns
mndo so on a close vote In tho com
mittee nnd largely against tho oppo
sition of Mr. Parker's adhorcnts. Tho
,v mMmfy7u&z&B&?z'jj
i Wm
iiiisnt ,iH77yv''yry v- ' ' - -r' - m -"
ii iris MtATf S m
HENRY GASSAWAY DAVIS.
Democratic Nominee for Vice-President of tho United States.
plank which was voted down favorod
"a wise, conservative and business
like" revision, made "with duo regard
to existing conditions." The commit
tee thought that theso qualifying
words emasculated tho plank nnd loft
It so weak as to give no hope to tar
iff reformers.
Tho anti-trust plnnk Is a good ono.
It demands tho enforcement of tho
criminal law against the trusts; It
demnnds the abolition of rebates and
discriminations, and it demands tho
withdrawal of Interstate commerce
privileges from tho trusts whon once
convicted. Tho plank is infinitely su
perior to tho republican plank, and
with a president who desired to de
stroy tho trusts would be a sufficient
plnnk, but ns this trust plank was
also substituted by the full committee
there Is reason to fear that It may
not be In keeping with the Ideas of
tho candidate.
Tho labor plank Is nil that could
bo desired. It declares against gov
ernment by Injunction; It favors arbi
tration and tho eight-hour day, and
denounces tho methods that havo
been resorted to In tho Colorado
strike, but as these planks were add
ed in tho full commltteo somo uncer
tainty exists as to tho candidate's
position.
Tho platform doclaros In favor of
tho reduction of tho army. Upon this
the committee was unanimous. Tho
sub-committeo roported a plank In
favor of an Increaso of tho navy, but
this was stricken out In the full com
mittee. Tho platform has a plank In favor
of the enlargement of the scope of
tho Interstate commerce commission
and In favor of Irrigation.
On the whole tho platform Is good.
From a western standpoint Its great
est defect Is that It makes no men
tion of tho money question. An at
tempt was mado to Bccuro a plank op
posing tho melting of tho silver dol
lar, opposing the asset currency and
branch banks, and expressing a pref
erence for the United States note
(ordinarily known as tho greenback),
but, having refused to put In a gold
plank, tho commltteo was not willing
to have any phaso of tho money ques
tion alluded to. While tho motion to
reaffirm tho Kansas City platform
was voted down thero was a consider
able voto In favor of Its reaffirmation
and tho western members of tho com
mittee, together with a few from the
south, Btood together and secured
enough changes In the platform to
mako It a presentable document and
worthy of the support of tho party.
Kansas Com Crop Poor.
TOPEKA, Kan. F. D. Coburn. sec
otary of tho Kansas board of agricul
ture, Friday made public a report re
garding the condition of Kansas corn.
Mr. Coburn has received a report from
3very county In the state. Ho sas
that on account of tho backward
spring, cold weather and floods the
corn Is In a ragged, uaven and impor
feet condition. Under tho most favor
able conditions for the remalndor of
the soason, says Mr. Coburn, tho yield
n the aggregate will be far below the
Isual.
DIG STRIKE IS ON.
Thousands of Employes Drop Worlc
and Walk Out.
CHICAGO As the rosult of a dis
agreement, ono of tho most extonslvo
strikes In tho history of tho meat
packing Industry in tho Unltod States
began Tuesday in Chicago, Omaha,
Kansas City, St. Joscpn, Mo., nnd oth
er cities whero largo packing plants
nro located. It prolonged, tho strlko
Is expected to causo widespread In
conveniences, possibly equaling . tho
anthracite coal famine of two years
ago. Tho unanimity of tho strlko was
complete, ana moro than 45.000 em
ployes nro directly Involvod. In Chi
cago alono 18,000 men nro on strlko.
Tho effect of the strlko on tho food
supply of tho country nnd tho prlco
of ments Is being earnestly discussed,
notwithstanding tho announcement
Monday night Uint the packing houses,
contrary to aomowhnt general expec
tations, will continue operations with
out any cIobo down, employing what-
ml
ever help may bo obtainable. How
much alleviation In tho furnishing of
supplies to the public this courso may
afford is a matter of wide variation of
opinion.
Tho packers declaro that hundreds
of men who could not bo provided
with places have been applying dally
for work. Tho walkout hero was
started by tho employes of tho killing
departments at the various packing
houses. Tho killers woro followed by
tho workers In other departments as
fast as the current of work left by
the slaughterers could bo cleaned up.
Thus as tho workers In each depart
ment disposed of tholr part of tho
work they threw off their aprons and
departed.
This consideration was snown tho
packers, tho labor officials stated, bo
causo It was not tho desire of tho
men to causo the employers any
financial loss as the rosult of neglect
ing meat that was on hand to bo
dressed. Watched by cordons of po
lice, tho strikers filed briskly out of
tho pncklng housos, carrying overalls,
rubber oooti and knives, cleavers and
steels.
Tho strikers wero greeted by crowds
of women and chiidron, many of whom
Jolneu .ands with tho workmen on tho
outward march. There was absolutely
no sign of disorder.
"How long do you think It will
last?" Inquired one man, looking qulto
serious.
"Dunno," replied tho striker, "ex
cept that President Donnelly snys
that tho men managed to hold out fif
teen months In Buffalo, and I guess wo
can do as much."
In South Omaha, at noon, 4,000 em
ployes of tho four packing houses in
South Omaha, Armour's, Cudahy's,
Swift's and tho Omaha, laid down
their tools, quit work and went on
strike.
This action was tho result of an
ordor recolved by Stephen Vail, sec
ond vice president, from Michael Don
nelly, president of tho Amalgamated
Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen's
Association of North America.
Fraud at Exposition Gates.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. William H. Ellis.
Charles H. Stiller, Henry Miller and
Edward Kloly, all of St. Louis, em
ployes of tho admission department of
tho World's fair, havo been arrested
and taken to tho World's fair pollco
station, where they will bo held pend
ing an Investigation of what Is believed
to be a gigantic conspiracy to rob tho
exposition company by ticket irregu
laritles.
Strike Felt in London.
LONDON Tho strike of the em
ployes of the big packing houses In
the United States has given rise to
the apprehension that tho Brtllsh con
sumer will soon have to pay more for
his meat. In au Interview on Wed
nesday tho London manager of Swift
& Co. saiu that unless a settlement of
tho strlko should be reachod shortly
tho price of meat would be bound to
rlso considerably In Great Britain,
adding: "You can hardly stop the sup
ply of a commodity without the mar
kets being atfected."
KRB AND -rvy
Refused to Listen.
"Pardon mo, sir," began tho foml
ntno victim of hard luck, who was
farced to solicit alms, as sho ap
proached tho crusty old" bachelor's
desk, "but I am a poor lono widow,
and
"You may as well break It off right
there," interrupted tho heartless o. b.
"I can't ubo any leap-year proposala
In my business,"
No, Ho Wasn't Henpecked, j
u
Mr. Scrapper Mnrla, I I
Mrs. Scrapper Tako that, you
brute, and don't lot mo ovor hear you
say that you aro henpecked again.
Philadelphia Tolcgraph.
A Different Kind.
Johnny Whnt does consclcnco
moan?
Teacher It Is something inside of
you that tolls you when you havo
done wrong. '
Johnny Ma said I didn't have no
conscience But I know I had. Only,
when I felt that way tho othor day,
doctor said It was grcon apples.
Brooklyn LIfo.
One Man's Grief.
Smlthklns I met Enpeck down
town to-day. Ho told mo his wlfo had
left him last week.
Mrs. Smlthklns Poor man! I sup
peso ho'u all broko up ovor it, Isn't
ho?
Smlthklns I guoss so. Whon I con
gratulated him ho Insisted on opening
a email bottle.
Cause and Effect.
Wlfo John, do you know that you
sworo in your sleep last night?
Husband Did I? It must havo
been when I had that horrid dream.
Wife What did you dream?
Husband I dreamt I was smoking
ono of thoso cigars you gave mo oa
my birthday.
' I'
His Method.
"Don't you know that it doesn't do
tho least good to apply abusive
eplthots to a political opponent."
"Of course," anBworod Sonator Sorg
hum, "it doesn't do any gqod. But ,it
assures your constituents that you aro
trying to do something to earn your
salary." Washington Star.
'1
Sho Was O. K. "
Mr. Knox (3 a. m.) My dearsh-hic-don't
be-hlc-cross. I'vo had a hard tug
of It.
Mrs. Knox I should think It would
bo a hard tug to carry tho load you'vo
got.
Too Sanguine.
Edna And after our marriage I aru
going to koop a cook.
Belle You aro too reckless, my
dear.
Edna Rockless?
Belle Yes. You should say you ara
going to try to keep a cook.
Practice Makes Perfect.
Shoo Clerk I'm afraid you can't get
theso shoes on, madam. Suppose you
try a slzo largor.
Mrs. O'RIlcy Nlvor do yez molnd,
young mau. Ol'll be oblo f git thlm
on afther OI wear thlm a tolm or two.
Plausible Theory.
Myor Who was It that originated
tho saying "tho unexpected always
happens"?
Gyer Don't know. Some fellow con
nected with the weather bureau, 1
Imagine.
Reason Why.
"But you Americans," protested the
Englishman, "have no ancestors to
whom you can point with pride."
"Well, that Is our misfortune rather
than our fault." replied the American
girl. "Most cX our ancestors came
from England, you know."