KNOUTED.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7728, 6 December 1890, Page 2

KNOUTED.

BT MOQBE.

Mmc Ardloff was a slender, bloed-halred littl© who once Used to dance lightly in the ball-rooms of tbe Champs. ■Bljrßeee, and chatter gaily of the thiagrs of the boulevard; but ehe now no locgerfalt interest in anything. Paris has to her a Siberia, an nnchapgine reality. Nine months but of every year a blank, mournful snows, /white 'silence* "extending from horizon to horizon; then 4 .brief respite* .when the fields caught flower, and colour rushed through every valley and over every hill, and tnnumer« able insects buzzed in the green under wood of, ateppee—eueh ia Siberia. She h&a married Count Ardloff, the Governor of Tobolsk, to save her father from ruin; but this child of the asphalt thrived but poorly in the desert, and her Jrasbaßd saw, and with fierce anger, that she could not endure her present life; saw there was nothing in common between themJjufc the charm of marriage_by which he held her.

" Scratch the Russian and you will find the Tartar." Nothing can be more true. Primitive races can but ape the eenUmental and* refinements ot feeling which our lives, and \Oount Ardloff could not pass the gulf—the impassable" &ulf—the guM made by f oentnvte* of elvißvation which lay between fiim and Mis wife." He could hold her to hie bosam,bat even thea she seemed to be nearer to Vanca, a young Polish officer, than to him*' - ; - " i ' •' -' And yet no friendship could be purer ; they were -merely exiles , who talked of th*lr dtetant bpuies, their lost friends and their abandoned dreams. Bat ,«ach sentiments are little understood in Siberia and ugly little rumours oo|DOsrQ|ng Mme. Ardloff and young Vanca had began to be wbitpered—the end of a phrase hissed slightly and a concluding smlldiamed somewhat serpen t-wlse— that was all* - • ■ ' • Count Ardloff watched and waited, as «ujpioloua and fierce a£ a wild eat Hβ was a man about fifty, his beard was strong and gray, ana he stood like a Heroiuea, Five years passed in Paris had lent him a divguis* which, in his ordiaary moods, perfectly enabled hi,m to bide his Tartar character, and when she married him the bright French girl little thought that a few glasses of champagne & alight contradiction would transform the elegant gentleman on whose arm she Itanedlnta a savage Cossack. Now a fierce gleam shot from hie eyes fa they fell upon bis wife, who, lying back in her easy-chair, sat languidly listening to Vane&'ii clear voice. It mattered not fco the Count what they were saying. Hβ did not stay to consider whether they planning an elopement or talking of the Smtteror. Mβ merely hated her for jappesring to be so intimate with one of 'his officers. She belonged to him; she was his property—* property he had acquired because' tt had pleased him to do so. What, than, did she mean by thinking of or concerning herself about anyone else I These were the Count's thoughts as he took the carda that has been handed to him ana shuffled them through his strong fingers* Some eight or c. dozen gentlemen it* fhe uniform of the Russian army were grouped around him, a lady eat at the pfafio;*and couples were seated-under the greenery of the exotic plants with which the reoesaes of the room ■ were filled. There was not much conversation, the interest of the company being apparently <*entered in the Count. Every now and fehen someone passed across the room and, siter watching th« t&tfe fat X few ralnufce*. would murmur stitne Words of sdal&tton. %cry phra«e began or ended with " x our Exceiiency and was rounded °%!UfafrOafcat patd very lltfte afeteation to hie flatterers. When he bad flaiehed dealing, as he threw down the last card, he glanoedjageih in the direction where ihia wife wtja sitting. , ' ' , Aβ Bh* Uatenod to tlieyoune Pole her Atfeltade srrew more and more abandoned. He spoke to her of his past life, of a lost lov«; And tJi& accenta of regret with which he narrated his experiences reminded her of BoW she had suffered eltfiiiar deceptions {of how her aspirations ¥ id glad ketone haO, like his, periahid. bey spoke of those sad, eternal truths which facfepfetr , of lover* faaey they alone iiare but which have moved all pastgenerations,as tH6f will doubtless shove mlTtht&tt which are coming to birth. tai*a«a**aoulhas<jea«fedtobe ftrhatlt is weiNS Vanca and Mate Ardloff in the contemplation of thepast fcaffit they were only «o much conscious of each other as each helped the other to realise their separate Uvea. * Tn£ oattef wprid had ! faded frofit them, and In eh* iosinukticg emotteft , wislob dsew them together she leaned her. hands over the edge of the en&k and, following the movement Jjald^eav&ry;' be iddk the iOle i had played wttfc If* . ■ U At fehiii sfea ef intimacy the Oonars «wefe fiaußed vits(iictively t and he called to m *iI«J iHfpMleafciy . . "itatte, 'nrlii- you om@ toejshiattpastnel*'r r . i~~ r "■■■" "J" answering, she told Vanca to ring the bell. Instantly earn-; p]l?3 wltEaeff^ueS^ftndtQfen.iorgettlftg "gfoVe, stopped to sjieak to a friend. His |Sfe«!fc|r^l ,s9: warn him with;;* lppk, bufc tefora a -word could be said tbe Pole had walked across the room, still the focal glove is luaflngere. witoft ««ftata aocchalactia that would iiawe angered a njanfebaoCoaafe Ardloff.. A'grim scowl Hia face, and he whispered something to an aide-de-camp who stood near him. The officer left the room. . o««oato Wall* ttl»

danger two Cossack soldiers entered the aD&raatnt. The company gave way WMore then&#thdrawittg into groups and lines. Van«i had his baei turned to them, and ta»itffi tapped feu* fetal glove wand and TOaed bi» flogs**. H© stood m if lo*t la jwrcke, fflcaSW a mawbla .iwsafKe* the atilteaea °i!£« &lm, &mt ea the Coesaeiw,TSP#R»feott|jo j sslse him h& tosaedi His i met theirs: he ss&vkia back precipitately, bafcwith » <ittlet mwemeafc the e§ldi«rs laid bands epon him. X» a low voi«e »c aide-de-camp said:-« . -i.V order of hlsßxI bewildered, Vane* pushed the soldiers from him, and, stretching lorttrhUhands, appealed to the Count. " How is this, your Excellency," hj» n cried, #Odry; v i ani giallty of nothing. There mast be some uwstafee." , «, „ # Count Ardleff stood Srdaife tall.lv <«*! vlndicflve, thte ifßht of *the faittß shining full on hie high, bald forehead; _ : "beard lower part of hie square face; Vanca cried one more word joi. appeal and then etppped puzzled, ; ; Mote. Ardlon* rose,. pale and trembling, bat her husband motioned her away. - The gueata remained Iα rnvt, still «9 the figures of a-frieze, and, at a sign from the officer, with a movement of shoulders, the j I Coseacke forced the Pole team the rooEO. IJhe ecenewaa very sbotU , ' Iramediately after the Count apoka of indifferent thioge, and glasses or pagne were handed round. Mme. Ardlofc ' stared vacantly, unable to collect her thoughts; till, suddenly seeing the Sdove r winch. Yanca had the teastra of his arrest dawned upon her and she trembled violently, and so agitated was she cbafr she could scarcely: to guests. ; The Count, however, dlsmiased them rapidly, speaking all the while about the approaching summer and the naniber of convicts that hadeaCaped from the mines and the Emperor. When husband and wife, were alpne the» Count picked up the glove aad handed it to the Countess with an ironical smiley and, without alluding to what had: happened, said that it was vexy jate, and advised' her to retire to her room. x "* " ;

She obeyed without answering. She knew something horrible was going to happen, and, stupefied with fear, she mounted the staircase. He stayed behind to give an order, and, mastering her fears, He was talking In the hall below to hia aide-de-camp, and she heard him say that Vanca must be at once degraded to the ranks, and berhearfc t*»e prospect of his Escaping With so slightr a punishment. Her emotion was so great that she did not catch the next pbra.se, and when she heard again her husband was telling the officer to have all in readihe would be at the barracks at nine next morning. -."-, .-"■ ■<*-*■ There was something strange in this and Mme. Ardlofl went trembling to her room. The shadows seemed livid and the .lamp, burnt luridly and, oppressed with -the horrors of the evening, 'sue;. saJ5 in the! silence, afraid to go to bed. Through the frozen window panes she could see glistening the wide snows of the Siberian winter. Wearily ahe asked, herself why she had been condemmed to i live In these impassable'deserts.* The howl of a dog broke the stillness of the night, and it sounded in her excited mind-like the last dying cry of some poor one unjustly done to death. What was to; become of Vanca? Why could she not save him? Save him I Was there need for that? Starting to her feet,'she strove'by an "effort of will to rid herself of her terrors. Then? shaking with iorebodlugs add regrets, she undressed; out a hundred "fancies assailed her imagination and gavei life to the figures on tapestry, to the shadows on the floor and, white, Hker a ghost in a tomb, she lay restless in her; large-bed.,; != - -jj »;;, } i Sleep fled from her until at last she felt into a deep, dreamless torpor, from which, toward morning, she was awakened by a heavy tramping of feet in? the corridor. A moment after her husband entered. He was attired In the Russian military cloak and his hand was oa his sword.' " ; 44 Get dp," he said, impatiently; "I want: you to come out with mc. I have ordered the sledgei'* ~• ■-• ....:- . \ "■ .; :* '.J I " Why should 1 get up at this hour I It! ,is only just daylight and I am very tired?* '*Jam sorry you are tired, but I want you to come to the barracks.'* Remembering the' Order she had heard given over night Mme. Ardloff • turned pale at the mention of the Word barracks. Twenty times she. frit an Indefinite desire rising up within her to throw herself into his arms and beg of him to be merciful; but he looked so implacable that her courage died away, and she feared that any interest she might show for Yanca would only still further prejudice his chance of escape. Wrapping her long, blue-fox fur mantje around her, she ..told . hlpl she was ready. He looked to see if she; had forgotten anything. Her handkerchief lay on the table, and as he handed it tocher his attention was attracted by a flacon de sel volatile. „ - :■

, ?*;W"e may want thW," he.eaidt agd slipped it into her pocket. rt Wha v do gaa mean?" «h«isaid, tarn-; ing suddenly; "are you going to murder " To murder you 1" he replied* laughing cynically i " what nonsense i° v v And half pushing her before htm they descended the staircase. She tried several: times to realst him, hut he got! her into the sledge. "To, the barracks," he cried to the coachman, and he safe down beside his wife and arranged the rugs. .'-..' During the drive neither spoke a word. His face was clouded in a sort of sullen moodiness, and, terrified, she looked down the dazsHug perspectives of the out-lying streets. ■ The barracks were situated at the further end of the eastern suburb. The horses cantered briskly, and aoon. a large building appeared. It stood alone: all round stretched the white expanse of the steppes; .and the eledge passed a large gateway into-the barrack square, which' had been cleared of snow. The officer who was waiting to receive them helped the Count to descend. Mmo Att?ioff*fas told to remain Seated.. : '.' > Immediately after a trumpeter blew a call and a file of men marched to within a) few yards of the sledge and formed them- , selves into a double line. ~ ;

"Front rank, quick march," cried the: officer. When they had gone.eight paces 1 he cried" Halt!" and then gaVeflle'order, " Bigbt about turn." Vanca; was then led forth. , He walked between two soldiers. He.was naked tor the waist and behind him came the executioner. He carried in his hand the barbarous knout, and over his Shoulder: dangled its seven cruel lashei. Iq Russia, an officer of the army cannot be flogged, but he can be.degraded to the, ranksln 24 hours. This is what happened, in the present case. Vanea was now a common sdldier and was waiting to receive the fifty, lashes ,to which he had been sentenced. ' -• _ • And the faahlon Of sdmlnleteTirig y the knout in Kuesia is as follows.; the. con- . deraned man is forced to, .walk; • between "two sofdiere; before him, holai&k a s*fc£d ! pointed afc his breast, is anrofficer, who stej>9 fecttklward with a≤ alotr a.fad fwecise pace, which regulates the strokes which tatesecatlonfei? admlaistets. So are the loaded thongs, armed at, the -end wiih sharp iron hooks, tfcat at the tenth or eleventh bio«f the , most robust fail; fainting to the ground. Sometimes, however, the executioner is merciful and kills the victim outright, but mere, ettW'txr taj ferbi&dea W strifce with-hie fall force fend the mangled being is carried to a hospital and cured of hia wounds, and .this is re' peated- U&Sil he ba* received? his full punishment. ~ •. . : j Such is Russia—and fof Vanes an was now prepared J the soldiers stood in line, the executioner twirled his lashes, only an officer to tead&he way remilaed to be appointed. It. Was for Count AMloff to do thk. ■ v . Hβ looked around ; there were half-a-Aemn men standing arotmdMm, any one of whom he might have chosen. As he glanced from bur to the other, hia attention was attracted by a man who, from a doorway afcjthe othe* *ittd oftmimtt&kyluKliWaeeagerly witching: - y '"- - " Whotia thafc maal" asked ths Count, r ~ 3?h4 mAniwas It --wsa MAbSMa brother. " What are yoa waitiftg; ftbout the doorway forf ■ —.*-■•>-> , "I was waiting to-eee if Tour Excellency would pacdan my poor ferather," replied the Pole '*" '■•"* '■■■ J - Jt >**'* *<■ 9

" Pardon your poorjbrother," said Count Ardloff, with a bitter sneer: " I will show TcaiioWX bsriiOil. iM&MtjMr.Wrord and lead the way, and take care you don't v /. : T it 'A KTiO

■- .After one 4eep,- gaeetioalnjs; look, which I 60I& &£a*-4s!iao the Baeetan meent~-tar~toe: obeyed his knee and eai& as he hatted the ally : asid^ 1 ' ■'■ i -- : - : ' '•'-*-■ '■",■-' ■■ " ; - •:! " Dd Witlii tie as fdtt *m> btif I %IU not 1 86i*d & ttSiiatf? ieifeabiSed by batbarians I andjtoyjersedbyiieedfe." , : . i/. j '. S?en the Cossacfee esehaaged glances of 'SyffiMtliy, a&d had they feiiowd tKe wteoje Irtip i| wa| noS improbable ,tha* mm mighfc haVfe f©Tolfce<L Suffice fco say that for & jftomeas Hm& <ArSßt>ft £&£red for her hosbaod's saJSety* Sat hie fierce brutality ■-<, •• .v.r.: v - ' .<i .

dominated his soldiers, and the elder Vaneft was manacled and ft heavy guai| placed over him.

The scene that preeenlfd Iteell was this t Two files of soldiers. Ctams Ardloff com« manding, stern am' Implaenbie; one brother half naked jw»d bleodiog, the ofeher in Irons; a pale woman with agony written in her face, wrapped up tafnrs, and a pair of horses munching In their nose bags, unconscious o£ @ugbt else.

The officer took, another step back $ the seven thongs whistled in' , the air, and again tore into red furrows the lacerated flesh. AaVanca staggered forward, his face convulsed with pain, his eyes fixed on Mme. Ardloff, and they asked with terrible eloquence. "Oh, why did your beauty betray mef

NttdflJ""ttiimni! wst all power of ntterancej she strove m. send forth her soul to tell J w ,? iiainece6t3Bhe was. Then aabtner ( Mow fell , , and fchcsTblood squirted horrUly and the flesh hung ragged. It was (elckenfnß , , and frdm sheer horror and nausea Mme. Ardloff fainted. But it wan; her husband's intention that ehe should .witness to the end the rerenße he had no. carefully prepared, and diving his hand in; the pocket of her mantle he produced the bottle of sal volatile. With this he quickly restored her to consciousness, and then ahe heard him siring r*'Awake, awake, for I wish you to see how I puniah those who insult mc." Vanea had_now received nine strokes. Eβ was Tjut a r&w mais of quivering flesh. Hopeless and faintly, like one in a nightmare, Mme. Ardloff strove to speak, v ntil at last the worde long denied her roe© to her lips, but they came too late, and, mad with pain, the tortured man, with a whirling, staggering motion, precipitated himself on the drawn sword, and fell to the ground a corpse. , This wae unexpected. There were hurried words and a trampling of feet, and a deep silence, but. Mme. Ardloft remembered little. The imprecations the elder.brother hurled after her as she was driveii away sounded dim and indistinct daring the long days of delirium which followed this double tragedy, for on arrlv•ib&home she saw her husband make oub the order to* Yanca'a transportation to the naercury mines, • . :. , ' She : pleaded an«l prayed wildly, but the Court ohlyemiled grimly in reply to her hysterical supplicatlops. It seemed to her that the heaven should fall Co crush, that the earfch should open co receive, so- inhuman a monster. She raised her hands* she screamed madly, her though Is danced before, her, faded, and then there was a blank; and during several weeks, for her, Time stood stilL

Slowly her senses returned to her; slowly—through a dfm mist, through a heavy torpor that held her powerless and inert—they returned to her, and with them came the anastly remembrance of a terrible crime. The subjects was never alluded to. The affair was hushed up; but time could neither blot, nor tear this cruel page out of Mn>e» Ardloffs life. ' Her only consolation was the certitude that no pain was' in store for her greater than, she experienced, when, years after, In , a ballroom, a^St. Petersburg, Count Vatica, an old man with loogwnite hair and a life's sorrow, on his face, said to her:— ' .-;.■■•■ _• -->:. ;;,:.- •■■■-... .....■-:■-.' :

, " Madame, I hope yourchUdren are very