BY NEVA'S WATERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 72, 24 March 1908, Page 6

BY NEVA'S WATERS.

- Being- en Episode-of the Secret-History of Alexander the First, Czar of All- the Russiaa. . - - , JOHN r/cARLING. AUTHOR -OF fXHB-eBADOW OF THE .CZJUK," : ."THS -VIKDfC'S SKDXL " " THE WETSD PICTUBB. ,

CHAPTER TOCTl.—Continued,

"So he intends merely to wound him," murmured De yaucluae as he walked slowly back to the cabinet. "Ah, but accidents may happen! it were better for Pauline that ne were dead. It is the only way to save her from " The sound of light footsteps came tripping along outsiue the cabmet, and tue iiesu moment his, daughter appeared. On seeing, her fatner Pauune sprang forward to Kiss him. i'uii of a pitasurabie excitement, she did not notice that he gave her but a cold reception. '\ah! moa pere, why were you not at the masquerade to-night to witness my triumph? See, 1 bring nome the C7.tra given as the prize for the daintiest costume. Do I not look beautiful?" she added, placing the ornament upon her dark hair ana glancing with pardonable pride at her image in the mirror. " 'Twere better if you were less beautiful!" There was in Ms words an intonation that caused Pauline to look hard at him as if she were trying to read his thoughts. He returned her look, and for a few moments they stood gazing at each other. Pauline did not, however, seem at ail ds concerted. " Mon pexe, how grave you are! I will show you by and by that you have reason for joy." '•' Pauline, my mind is made up. Witiin ] a few hours we set out for Lovisa." "Lovisa! In Finland?" "And thence to Sweden. You and 1 are leaving St. Petersburg for ever." " For ever! That is a long time, mon pere, especially when 1 have the finest reason in the world for remaining in ! Russia." " Your reason —I—know it well—for remaining is the very reason that induces mc to remove you." A smile of "triumph appeared on her lips. " I fear -that you misapprehend the* situation. Kay, lam sure you do. When you hear all i have to say you will change your mind." " Nothing that you can say will induce mc to change my mind. You will set out first; I will follow later Lord Courtenay will perhaps -accompany us — at least I will do my best to persuade him. It will not be safe for iiim to remain in Russia any longer." " Why, what new piece of mischief has chat knight errant been doing? " " This morning at eight o'clock he commits the most daring deed of his life." Pauline elevated her pretty eyebrows in surprise. "A daring deed! He did not tell mc of it to-night. 'You are more in Ms confidence than I am. You have a story to tell, is it not so? Eh, bien, tell it mc. See, lam listening. I am, as the English say, all ears." , "Had you returned two minutes earlier you would have met Lord Courtenay.' , " What! has he been here? " " He was in this room with a story that should interest you—you, perhaps, more than any other person," said her father drily. "At the masquerade Lord Courtenay chanced to.meet a certain lady.".: '' ' " I was hoping that he would." " A lady whose true name he has never -beenablejto learn." - "JEer"r:eticence on that point is a- high tribute to his sense of virtue. She knows very well that on Mb hearing it he would have no more to do with her." "What! You know the lady?" "My enemy. Siberia would now be my home could she have her way." '■' Who is she ? " " That's a surprise I'll keep in reserve. You shall. learn by and by. Continue your story, mon pere." "Do you know that this lady is loved by Alexander? " "You should put that remark in the past tense," said Pauline with an odd smile. " This favourite of the Czar was ■so gracious as to bestow a kiss upon Lord and, unfortunately for her, -the Czar himself witnessed the act." Pauline laughed softly. - " The very result desired by mc," she said. "You are pleased. Yes, I can quite comprehend your motive in wishing that this lady should forfeit the Czar's regard. You will not find the sequel so pleasing. The Czar and Lord Courtenay came to words." '"Over the lady! Strange, when matters were taking a course acceptable to all three! And I suppose that Lord Courtenay, so bold before the face of Paul, was equally bold with Paul's son." ■ "He did not know at the time that he was speaking to Paul's son, since Alexander would neither remove his mask nor disclose his identity. But Lord Courtenay has learned his name since." "And what was the end of the affair?" "The end comes this morning at eight. when the Czar and Lord Courtenay cross swords!" In a moment Pauline's airy manner was gone. She rose from her seat, trembling in every limb, but sank down again apparently powerless. "A duel!" she gasped. - "To the death! Such is Alexander's determination." "A duel!" she repeated in hollow tones. "Between those two! Oh, it can't be! You say this to frighten mc. Emperors don't fight duels." . "Alexander acted, perhaps, .on the spur of the moment in giving a challenge to the finest swordsman of the day, but having given it he'll keep his word." "Lord Courtenay must be persuaded to -withdraw." "Pshaw! As well bid the sun not shine! That his opponent is the Czar lends added zest to the figfit." . Pauline shuddered. *- "He dare not kill the Czar." '•'Not purposely, perhaps; but in the hot excitement of " ;

"Speak the truth, mon pere," interrupted Pauline, with an indignant flash of her eyes. '"Say that you are hoping to see the Czar killed 1" "That is my hope." "Why?"

"Can you ask why?" returned the Marquis. "To preserve the honour of Pauline de .Vaucluse. And that is fhe reason why I, her father, am acting as Lord Courtenay's second. Can he have a more suitable one?" "Your daughter's honour was never at hazard," said Pauline haughtily, rising to her full stature and facing her father. ''Do you think that I would ever consent to become the Czar's mistress? You doubt my w0r3,1 see." Taking from her bosom a small scroll of parchment, she unfolded it, and held it before the eyes of the Marquis. "Perhaps this will convince you. Here you .have the reason why I have consorted so much with Alexander." The iMarquia took the scroll in both hands, which trembled with suppressed agitation. Though there was not much writing on the scroll, he had to read it several times before he could grasp its meaning. And when at last its meaning was grasped, his face wore a ghastly smile, the half-believing, half-sceptical smile of the pauper, when suddenly told that he is heir to stores of gold. "You see what a traitress I have been to your diplomatic policy? But you forgive mc, mon pere; is it not so? You give up Napoleon from this day henceforth. The Bourbons must be your fiiends now as they once were." "Can this bo true?" murmured the Marquis hoarsely, lifting his eyes from the document to his daughter's face. "There is the signature. You have seen it many a time, and should know whether it be genuine." Bewildered, the Marquis sank upon a sofa: A new feeling stole over him as he contemplated his beautiful daughter—a feeling of admiration bordering upon awe. "Then," said he, '"'who on earth is the lady whom Lord Courtenay met at the masquerade V "Did you say that Lord Courtenay has been here V '•Yes/ , "In this room?" "Nowhere else." "And didn't notice that?" said, Pauline, pointing to a lady's portrait hanging upon the wall.

"My God!" gasped the Marquis, more startled than ever. "Is that the lady?" "None other. Now you see why this duel must not be. , '

It was past five o'clock when "Wilfrid sprang from the coach on the Viborgroad and disappeared down the narrow path that wound through a forest of pines', while the vehicle continued on its way northwards.

After a few hundred Spaces the path opened out into a little clearing in the middle of which stood a rough log cabin, such as the Russian peasant raises with his v own hand. Ornamental (sarving marked the eaves and door-posts, and on the straw vthatcV rested heavy stones, placed there, to prevent the cottage from being unroofed by tempest. .. The tenant was already at work preparing a pile of timber for charcoal burning. Wilfrid liked the look of the man, and felt that any trust placed in him would not. be betrayed.

First hailing the fellow with a cheery "G.ood-niorning," 'Wilfrid -went on to speak of the Baroness Runo, at the mention of whose name the peasant's eyes glistened with a grateful light. It was clear that if he could do anything to serve her. or her friends he would do it. So Wilfrid in a few words explained the object of his visit, without, however, mentioning the name of his august opponent.

how, good Ruric, you understand my position. The Baroness's father, who is my second, advised mc to leave the city before him Jest the authorities should, stop the duel by arresting mc." "Surely, surely,"' nodded the man "Twas wise"

"ToJi,,-, a,clear head and eye I must have two hours'. sleep. But while I sleep what is to prevent my enemies from coming upon mc?"

"Little father, they shall not do that. I .will keep watch for you." '•'Good! Well, then, while I rest in your hut, do you from the shelter of the trees keep an : eye upon the road near the eighth verst-post/" and should anything suspicious'occur come at once and rouse mc. You shall have rouhles for your trouble." i,

"It is enough reward for mc," re turned Euric, "to know" that I am serving a friend of the Lady Pauline."

He led the way into' his hut, which consisted of one room only, with furniture of a primitive type. Ruric lived all alone, it seemed, having neither wife nor child. .

Left to himself Wilfrid sat down upon a wooden bench and soon dropped off into unconsciousness.

(To be continued daily.)