The Rockdale banner. (Conyers, Ga.) 1888-1900, March 18, 1891, Image 3
LOLA PULASKI ■i J -OK The Victim of Circumstan¬ tial Evidence, l story of Nihilistic Plottings and Crimes. _______ by LEON EDWARDS. (-CHAPTER XVI.— Continued.] The cell was damp and cold, and he shuddered as he felt for the little hand she extended to him. she “Why did you venture here?” j a to talk Avith you, ’ said i “To sinking see you; his voice to the key she Ivan, lia “Oh! ’is Ivan, who Ivan!” struck she this sobbed. bloAV. “3 I fear it you work, and was assigned the once, once, I felt that I could do it; but my arm grew powerless in liis presence. “Lola,” he asked, earnestly, do yon think I am a liar ?” “Then you will believe what I tell vou?” doubt.” * “Without “To shield you I intended to slay ^“ 3 And I begged you to hold back. ” “You did, Lola, but Mulek, the trai¬ tor and that coward and snake, Peter the student, stung me into taking an oath that General Paul should die by my hand. I—I have been desperate.” “And with good cause, Ivan, still— still Lola, I did not strike the “Still, I should be judged in blow, and as though heaven I do not know who did, I have a suspicion.” that—glad to hear “I am glad to hear that,” she said. Then, after a pause: “Lance told me to-night the General was dead; Avhat have you heard?” “I have heard the crowd on the street saving he Avas dead, but that cauuot be true.” “Why not, Ivan?” “Because there are guards stationed on the streets leading to the hotel 'where he lives, and they forbid all sleighs passing that Avay. I heard two soldiers talking, and one of them said: ‘It was the picture of that woman that he wore over his heart that prevented the bullet from going deeper. > ft “Did the soldiers say what woman’s picture it was?’kshe asked, eagerly. “No; that Avas all I heard. ” “But you heard people speak aboul me?” “Yes; the people are convinced that you fired the shot, so that whether the General dies or gets xvell it will go hard Avith you if the real culprit is not found; e\'en then I can see but one way to save you. ” “What is that, Ivan ?” “It is a way that is in my powei alone.” ! “Then you Avill tell me?” “I cannot; Avait till the time for ac¬ tion comes,” said Ivan, with a resolute ring in his voice. She half understood him, and was in the act of reaching out her hand to im plore him to do nothing rash,when her the purpose Avas changed on hearing tramping of approaching men and the jingling of bells, Avhile Lance’s coarse voice could be heard calling out: “She is in cell three.” “Some one coming to see me,” said Lola, here. quickly. “You must not be found Lance is helpless at present. Get under the bed. ” The steps stopped before the door, and the gleam of a lantern flashed through Ivan the grating. Avas as quick to act as Lola was to comprehend the-situation. He darted under the little cot and Lola rose and stood in a position so as to screen him, for the key was grating The door was thrown open and Lola saw the night turnkey standing beside Count LinAvold. Miss Pulaski,” said the Count, with a frigid bow, “I have come to talk with y° u - “And I am ready to hear you,” she replied, his Avith a manner quite as haughty as own. “These are not pleasant quarters foi the a lady,” said the Count, glancing aboul dim cell. “They “People are not of my choosing.” who plan crime should ex¬ pect such a residence. But it is not ol this I would talk. I hear that you deny Paul?” being the assailant of Genera] “I do, most emphatically.” “Do you know who the assailant is ?” “If I did,” she replied, “I would not tell at this time. ” “In-deed!” “I have given you my answer, sir. u hat more have you to say, or ha\ r e you come to feast your eyes on anothei °f your helpless victims V ” * I here bv order of the am J Czar.” Did he s°nd , you to see if my quarters taste ere of sufficiently his wretched to suit the He sent serene take mightiness?” me to you to General soldier = TV V dying, V saM and that gallant young is his last request 8 6 * 16 " oman dealt the fatal blow ” eral Paul may . have requested u ^ * it timtuV T V e aLe’ ’i ni When V 18 you a se * say aQ d that you he know in “Tf e 8 that I am his slayer.” It is the privilege of the desperate p Ba / "hat they please,” said the Count, showing bis teeth. And the privilege Q f cowards,” she danger e orted, “to attack where there is nc of defense.” “You arc not lieFiug your case, woman. " young “It is folly to mend shattered mir a ror or a broken eeg. M / case is as bad as falsehood, treason, and treach¬ ery can make it. What more can you do than take the life you have done so much to curse V” she asked, with a glow in her dark eyes that alarmed the Count. "Come with me,” he said, stepping back from the door. “I am ioolisli tc bandv words with you.” alone while she Lola asked tob.; left put on her hat and cloak, and the Count and the night turnkey withdrew a few paces and talked in low tones. Hastily throwing on her hat and cloak she stooped and whispered: “Patience Ivan; I must go. Lance will come back and release you.” She reached him her hand and he pressed it to his lips, but did not utter a word. She went out; the turnkey locked the door behind her, and Ivan could hear the steps of the three receding down the corridor in the direction of the prison reception-room. here,” he “It is very uncomfortable thought, “but Lola stood it and so can I, till Lance gets an opportunity to re¬ lease me.” He sat on the bed, and as it was very cold, he wrapped a blanket about him, and he listened eagerly for the foot¬ step of the bearded giant. He could hear the hollow coughifig of prisoners in the cells near by, and occasionally he heard a groan that seemed to come from a broken heart. Hour followed hour of intense dark¬ ness, and yet no Lance came. He could not think he was entrapped, and yet his suspicions were aroused. He dare not cry out; there was nothing for it but to rem ain still, and this he did till the cold, gray dawn came .from the corridor through the bars of the cell. CHAPTER XVII. THE AVOUNDED MAN. So prominent was General Paul as a soldier, a noble of the empire, and an attache of the Czar, that his attempted assassination spread the greatest alarm and consternation through the capital. “They Avill not hesitate to strike at the Emperor next,” was the exclama¬ tion Avith which the higher classes greeted each other, Avhen they stopped to discuss the neAvs. When the Czar heard that Lola Pulaski Avas General Paul’s assailant he could not credit it. Either the report was false, or else Count Lin wold’s story of the General’s attachment for the girl was. Even General Paul himself had de¬ clared to the Czar that he loved this girl, and it Avas only reasonable to be¬ lieve that she knew of this love and returned it. The pistol had been placed directly against General Paul’s heart, and fired. That it would have killed him in¬ stantly there cannot be the slightest doubt, but the force of the bullet was checked by a portrait, in a case, of the woman who. was supposed to have fired the pistol, became known,- and it The fact soon formed a subject for general com ment. As it was, the bullet struck through the breast, and lodged in the muscles, just aboA r e the heart. The shock would have killed most men, but.the General was young and strong, and- after the bullet was ex¬ tracted, he regained consciousness, and began to rally, vivid recollection of He had a every thing that happened, up to the mo ment the shot Avas fired, but from that time on, till the bullet Avas ^removed from his breast, all was a blank. Whether prudently or not,. he was told that Lola Pulaski was his assail-’ ant. it W as understood by the General’s ; attendants that the Czar ordered that ! this be done. The General insisted with all the g mp l ia sis he Avas capable of, that it was a man who fired the shot. , ' He did not attempt to explain why Avas found in front of Lola’s hoese, and that she was arrested in the act of bending over him within a minute after the shot Avas fired. “It is my wish,” he said to the phy¬ sicians, among whom -was Dr. Mulek, ‘that the Countess be brought here at once.” “My daughter, Elvira, your be¬ trothed!” exclaimed Count Linwold, who happened to be standing near the wounded man. “No, sir,” replied the - General. “I want to seethe Countess Pulaski.” “The Countess Pulaski!” cried Count LinAvold, and the physicians looked from one to the other, as if to indicate that their patient was raving, and echoed: “The Countess Pulaski!” “Aye, gentlemen,” said the young soldier, “that is as much her title as Czar is that of Alexander the Second, onr most gracious sovereign. But, as 1 the name seems to shock you into j loubting my sanity, I’ll be plainer, if j j you desire it.” ' said Count Lin “We do desire it,” j wold. “Count Linwold!” “Yes, General.” “Pray, by what right do you adopt j the royal we? Speak for yourself, sir, and do not ape your master by inti j ma ting that you are more than one I ma n. You have angered me enough, j __» “I am sorry for it, General; pray calm yourself.” I not live; it is ! “These men say may j my Avish to see Lola Pulaski, Countess of Warsaw, before I die. I should also like to see her old father, the noblest and most deeply xvionged man in tlio empire; but I suppose that I, too, will be cliarg d with treason if I ( ask for too much.” ,. “I T shall , ,, see that Miss Pulaski is i brought li ve at once, said Count Lin- j wokl, leaving the wounded man’s loom, \vd .1 Aiondeitill courtesy ox man ner and malignant bitterness of heart, j lhat Lo,a might he conducted with ; safety the Count went in his own sleigh for her | He vas - ount m rank, but m cun- i mng he was a very prince or shrewd- ; ness and foxy craftiness. j He was determined to find out Lola’s | feelings for the General He knew the General s feelings foi ; her only too well. I He aa as unfortunate m the Avay he | approaclietl Lola m her the cell, and as we | have seen he stung into madness. He determined to be more politic j when they got into the sleigh, for at once, with well-feigned sorrow, lie be gan to depiore the misfortunes that had come to the poor girl. ‘I am indifferent to your sympathy J' 0 ?/ ia ^°> s ^ e sau ^ with spird. But it you are capable ot feeling the pity you profess, go to your mas ir, the Czar, and tell him that my father, now within the walls of the Neva , prison, is an innocent man. Even if j he were capable of thinking treason, the age and infirmities brought on by years of cruel tortures in the mines of Siberia would incapacitate him from raising his hand against the Czar.“ “Miss Pulaski, I Avant to help you, and I Avill promise to see that you and your father are freed on one condition,” said the Count, with a manner that showed he did not believe Avhat she had just said. “What is the one condition?” she asked. “That you and your father leave the empire and never return to it.” “How long will you give me to think of that condition?” “Twenty-four hours, and I will fur ther see that ail you are provided with money to pay your expenses and es tablish you in a new home. ” “Money!” she repeated, bitterly, “Let the Czar restore the estates of which my father was plundered and we shall have money to help the poor; but only in this way can we accept it * Erom the Czar.” By this time the flying sleigh hotel, drew up before General Paul’s private and a line of soldiers at once formed on either side. Ignoring Count Lin wold’s proffered arm, Lola Avalked into the hotel by his side; nor did she seem at all confused by the battery of eves that Avas turned " ' upon her. The Count left her in a beautiful sitting-room, hung with arms and bat Mongois, tle-flags captured from the Turks and while he Avent in to announce her arrival to the General. She had been sitting there but a few minutes when Dr, Mulek came out and offered her his hand, but she did not appear to see it, though she answered his bow with a cold nod. “I am sorry for this, Lola,” he said, “but you did your work well.” “It is not my Avork,” she replied. “That’s right,” he said, with a know-, ing laugh, “stick to that, for I ' can see if .the General recovers he is bound to help you out. I shall see Madame Berger and the fair Elizabeth in the morning. Any message to send?” ' “Not bv von' Vou ” she renlied “And have no word to "send to Peter?” - “None, save that I wish he and all like him were under the iee of the Neva ” . “You are angry-” for ’ that * She did not < reply, at mo ment Count Linwold appeared at the door . , and motioned for her to follow So far Lola had She W wjndgtfull about to: j cool, but now, as was ! come face to face with General Paul, her steps became unsteady and her ( lin« asben ’ P w£en o-vpav she first Elvira, read of General Paul’s j engagement to the daughter she of | Count Linwold, Lola felt that could strike dead at her feet the man lia.l jl -ivrrr, ip Tiav lipart ind criiellv i ' ,cast h her aside, f but ut now, ow m n his nis AAC ea ■ ness, all the old love surged returning into her soul with • the force of a ; tide, l’i and for the moment her brain * leeled and 1 the |i p Axaits walls bent bent and anti floated lioa e like flexible things before her distoited ■ vision. 1 She would have fallen had not Count Linwold touched her arm and said, in his oily voice: | “Miss Pulaski, here is General Paul.” , | But another voice thrilled her heart j and restored her to reason. “Lola. Lola, I am here!” It was the voice of General Paul, weaker than when she last heard it, but sweeter to her than all the music of earth. that Suppressing the cry rose to hex lips, she sprang forward, and seizing bis extended hand, she exclaimed: “Oh, say that it was not I who did this foul deed!” I “I have said it, Lola he replied; md in the presence of these witnesses, md i before i tiMTOii hea , T reiterate ’ vmi are j - hnoeent. \ Then turning his face to Count Lm wold, and the attending physicians and nurses, the General continued: “Please to leave me alone with this young lady for a few mmuts. The people in the room obeyed him, “1 bed and let , a rit him hold her 1 hand. ±r f ° the For some seconds neither could 3 peak; the gallant soldier was more iinner\ an f ? ed than ever he had been on the „ a 6 voice by telling He began in a low h«, not of bis wound or his frith in her innocence, or even by asking her how she came to be found so close to him when 1he officers discovered him, but of his connection with the Countess Elv ira Linwold. g e declared that the published an rl0 uncement of his betrothal to that [, l( ]y was as g rea t a surprise to himseil ls R see med to be to the world. »j do not cou i d not love her, Lola,” lle said , with sup p ress ed passion, ‘after I had given my heart to you. ” “Love and marriage do not neeessar p £ together among the nobles of » sh „ rei i ,i: p(1 ’ « But lhpv s iall g0 together in my ease, for I am determined to wed you at onoe . Do not stop me, Lola,” said the General, restraining b her. « The doctors B it is verv doubtful d j reclvei ._» “ 0 h, I pray heaven they may be mis taken!” she cried, and then added, Avitli nmch of her old calmness, “But no moiv of this suBject of mari . ia ge.” “But I must speak of Avhat is upper most in my mind. Should I die, 1 want you to reap all the security the w j d0 AV of the Prince of Moskeva should p ave under the empire. Should I live, life Avill be Avhat it never was before, perfected bv an unselfish love.” “No,” she replied, “it cannot be. Yon are the son of the man Avho so wronged Q1 y f a ther. I cannot help loving you, [ mt j cau h e lp mar rying.” CHAPTER XVIII. AT MADAM BEROEK’s. Br. Mulek, 1 the „ student , , , and . eter Colonel Orloff, the lover of Elvira Lin "’old, met at the Cafe d’Amerique the morning after Lola Pulaski’s visit to General Paul. The three men Avere m a private room and they talked over the subject that Avas exciting all St. Petersburg that morning. the Doctor, “By jove!” exclaimed “General Paul shows more force near the jaws of death than he did Avhen lie was a well man.” “Hoav so?” asked Peter, while the Colonel knitted his bushy brows and pulled Avith more vigor on his cigar. “Why. the Czar sent to know if there was anything he could do for him, and he sent back Avord that lie Avanted Lola Pulaski and her father released until an examination could be held.” “And did the Czar comply?” asked Colonel Orloff. “By the mass, he did; and this morn ing old General Pulaski was released." “Where are they noAV?” queried Peter. “I do not know, but I should not be surprised if a search discovered them at their old quarters.” Colonel “See here, Dr. Mulek,” said Orloff, speaking like a man who is giv big utterance to something that he has been deliberating over physicians for some time, “you are one of the attend in g on General Paul?” “I am; I have to take two hours with him every night ” replied the Doctor, 1 need not tell you that certain peo P^ , e no ^ P ra y ^ or General s re covery.” that.. „J, lou am administer a "’ are medicine to the General ?” , > ‘Ido. . And. while m attendance, you hold his . life in your hands ? ’ ‘A es, Colonel. ” Then if this man lives you will be false _ to oath, said Colonel your Orloff, striking the table. • .Doctor Mulek gasped and looked one to the other of his compan ions, as if t he ; did • not comprehend the full import of the words he had just heard. At length lie managed to say : I I fully comprehend v you, and 1 thank you for ^suggestion. asked ’ the “But Avill you act on it?” Colonel, reaching oat hie hand. JlwiU,- replied the Doctor, with empnasis . After tins ttcy spue in low tones about Ivan Berger, and the Colonel but little knew that his wish was al ready complied with when he said i ‘ I would left hand it that fe llow were dead or m prison. I hen followed a discussion of their plans for the assassination of the Czar which Colonel Orloff had perfected, hid but a\ wtich hicfi fie Iip wmpA s.emed reluctant reiuciant to taka direct partin. Colonel Orloff hated the Czar, not , because he hated tyranny, lor at heart ( J ™ himsfelf ™ ? / a tyrant, but because the Lmperor tiact aeciuea cided teas thafc certain certain estates that Avere m litigation be Longed to Count Orloff, the Colonel’s 3ousin BM ■y*. . these plotters ... well ii knew that there were scores of esperate men m St. Petersburg ready o kill the Czar, if cooler men only provided them with the certain means, and showed them the opportunity, Dr Mulek and Peter left Colonel . ^ Orloff in the Cafe d Amerique, and walked together to Madame Berger’s, Peter had not yet given up the hope of securing the hand, if not the love, of Lola Pulaski; but if he failed he was prepared to crush her through his as sociates, the Nihilists, in the event of her escaping from the meshes Count Linwold was carefully weaving about aer ’ It was the belief of these men that [ van Berger had fled from St. Pe ers b after the last mee ting of the Nihdists, but they were certaiu that, even if he were in the city, he would QO t or could not interfere with their schemes. Lee the patient attendant at the !>«», n. surprised when they naked for Lola and her father. She , hadnotheard , . , , of , the • ir release re I ase. believed they were still m Neva prison, and she wept at the bought m Elizabeth are home—they are always home. But, heaven help them, the fact lhat Air. Ivan is a fugitive is crushing them info the grave.” “I will see them, and I think I can sheer them up,” said the Doctor. As neither Lola nor her father Avas in the house, Peter declined to go up, so his companion went alone. Of late Dr. Mulek had not attempt¬ ed to conceal his love for the fair Eliz¬ abeth. He made it a point to talk of his lonely life and tell of his own ability to care for a wife every time he saw her. He found Madam Berger and Eliza¬ beth with red eyes, that spoke of re cents tears, and pale faces that told of a deeper anguish, still bending over their sewing. Avith Avhat to They met the Doctor him seemed warmth, so eager Avere they to learn if he knew' anything of Ivan. With a mysterious manner he told them that Ivan was in secure hiding in the city, and that his friends would soon send him to a place of safety, but before doing so the mother and! daughter Avould have a chance to see him. This vague information, had an ex¬ hilarating effect on the madam and Elizabeth, for they could imagine no reason for the man’s lying. Having placed them in better spir¬ its, the Doctor, Avitli consummate skill, presented his own suit. parried him, Elizabeth nervously till at length lie dropped all diplo¬ macy and asked her boldly to become his wife. “I cannot, I cannot!” she replied. “But why not?” “It is impossible!” natural “Why should a thing so as marriage be impossible?” asked Dr. Mulek, trying to take her hand. Elizabeth drew back, but did not ansAver. From behind a curtain a man’s voice thundered out: “Because, you dog, that lady is my betrothed 1” With the Avords the man leaped out, and Dr. Mulek Avas felled to the floor. He looked up aud saw the heroic form of Count Orloff towering above him. [TO BE CONTINUED.] A Two Million Blaze. A great fire at Rochester, N. Y., Sat urday, destroyed every store south of Fayette street, including the blqck, Pascoe Mont- fruit house, Journal office, Yates’ gomery flats, the Candee house, stables, etc. The loss will not be known for sev eral days, but will easily reach $2,000,000. ! Twenty-seven firms are burned out. Loss given is on buildings alone. About j forty families were burned out and lost their household furnishings, ATLANTA MARKETS. CORRECTED WEEKLY. Flour, Grain and Meal. Flour—First patent $6 50 ; second patent $6 00 ; extra fancy $5 75 ; fancy $5 50 ; family $4 75. Corn—No. 2 white 77c ; mixed 75c. Oats—No. 2 mixed 62c ; white 65c ; Kansas rust proof 67c. Hav— Choice timothy, large bales, 95c; No. ltimotly, largejbaies, 90c ; ch ice timothy, small baits, 95c ; 1 timothy, small bales, 90c; No. 2 timotn.v, small bales. 80c. Meal—Plain 78c; bolted 75c. Wheat bran— Large sacks $1 30 ; small sacks $1 35. Cotton seed meal—$1 30 per cwt. Steam feed—f 1 35 per cwt. Grits—Pearl $3 85. 4 c ’ “ ^. , inn *>. eas Levering's24%c. Green-Extra choice 23 *^c: choice 23 c; good fair 20c; common 18@10c. tsuga. -Granu a ed 0%o; off gwxnr white fated 6%c;powdero i 7%; cut loaf 7%c; 60c> N „Tme gs75@83c. Cloves 25@30c. Cm namon 10@12%c. AUspLe 10@Uc. Jamaica ^ illf ,„ r 18( ._ h ce Singapore good pep p r i6c. Mace $1 00. Lice—Choice 7}£c; 6%c; 5 ^@6c; ™P«;tcd Japan C@7c. gieese -Sl crSf uieddar/ 11% flats ll%c; tkm 9@10c. White fish, li If bbls $4 pails 6(J& Soaps—Talo". 100 bare, ' 75 lbs $3 00 3 75; tu'p. 60'bars, ntme, 60 bars, 60 lbs $2 00a2 25; tall w, 60 lbs $2 25a2 50. Gandif-s—Puraflne 11c; star 10c. 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