“PROMISE OF DAWN."
OUR SERIAL.
By
E. R. PUNSHON
{Author of ‘ The Crowning Glory.*' “ The Woman’s Footprint,” " The Solitary House," etc.. -?to.> CHAPTER XIX. As they hurried alonjg Oouut TTslcov aaid to Michael in a quick and nervous undertone that revealed all th« apprehension he had concealed so well: My wife. . . Vera . . . what did you . . see? . . . were they *' They were being forced to take part m the dancing that’s going on, but that was all, I think,” Michael answered. “ I don’t think they had suffered any actual ill-treatment, but there’s not a- minute to lose.” Trophim threatened he would hang us all on the spot- if my wife and the others did not join them,” Count Uskov said, “ that is why she—they consented. And Princess Greigh—and Miss Grove?” ”1 saw the Princess, 1 ' said’Michael. 111 Sho was dancing with Anton. He was very drunk. They had Miss Grove tied to the big statue of Rurik.” It. was to arrest her they* came here,’* answered the Count. “ Trophim accused her of teaching anti-revolution-ary ideas to the children of the peasants, of corrupting their minds, he said. They told her they were going to take her away for trial, and they put. her under guard, and when she told them their plundering and dancing were a. disgrace. Trophim said he would give her a good place from which to get a clear view of all that was going on.” “ How much time. Count, should wc allow you for getting round to your stat’on?” said Michael. y Three minutes, but perhaps you might make i.t five, to allow for delays.” “ No, no!” said Leonid, “ there is the little mother to think of. Five minutes is a. very long time.” Leonid’s impatience fitted with Michael* s mood, which he allowed to override h's judgment. * e Leonid ia right. We will all ent°r the ballroom three minutes after the Count and Mr Pskov leave us.” “ Well, that is all now, Michael Ivanovich. May God go with us all!” The other five hurried along together until they reached the small corridor leading to the service room, where Michael broke off. H aving reached the little service door he pushed it open, curious as to whafl was happening within the ballroom. Absorbed in their debauch, none of the revellers the slow opening of the door. Tile music, the dancing, the chinking, all were going on much as before, and on the settee where she had flung herself down in her despair Vera still crouched, with Trophim grinning b> her side, and holding one of her small white hands in his rough and dirty paw. Her mother, the Countess, was still being whirled round and round the room in the huge arms of Sergius Pe- j roslikov, that held her helpless, but old Anton > too drunk to stand up any longer, had collapsed on one of the chairs, and pulled down Princess Greigh to sit by his side. “ Mustn’t leave me,” he said grave ly, “ no, no, that devil Trophim—God will punish him—might see it, if you did. Shout i Long Live the Revolution 1* ” Rut that was a erv the. poo£. Princess, distracted by thoughts of her own position, and fears for her husband’s fate, had small inclination, to utter, and Anton shook his head sadly. It is a sin,” he said, as he tried to reach another bottle, and found it just beyond his finger tips. Three 4 or four of the peasants from the village, together with three or four of the peasant girls, wore dancing to gether one of the old Russian dances in the middle of the room, and others had formed a circle round to watch and applaud. All of these seemed comparatively sober, and appeared to be good-tempered and gay, so that their little group made a pleasant contrast tip the senseless orgies going on around. But too often Russian gaiety, even when it seems innocent and spontaneous, changes into cruel tragedy. A man will be dancing as if he were breaking the shackles that bound him % and suddenly a ferocious wild beast is let loose in him, and he will throw himself on all who come in his way, tear them to pieces, bite them, and destroy them.* vSo it was now, for in a moment, without any apparent cause, two of these gay dancers of the instant before were struggling together on the floor, tearing at each other’s throats, screaming with rage, frothing at the mouth. ’J’lio admiring circle ihat had been watching them scattered in alarm, and Trophim jumped un from _y era’s side with a great laugh. “Dance, dance, go on dancing, brothers,” he shouted, “ the Revolution rejoices, and it has a right to rejoice. for now everything is the people’s and the people’s alone. Dance, brothers, dance and drink, and let the English girl up there see. how the Revolution she plotted to destroy rejoices now that all men are brothers and all are happiy and content.*’ Trophim turned back to Vera, who when he jumped up from the settee, had risen also and was now standing looking wildly round. Seeing him turn back towards her she began to run, and at. once he was after her, laughing and shouting. Through the ranks of that dancing, drink in nr horde she fled, and after her he thundered in his heavy boots ; and as they watched the chase, from all the reveliers went up so loud a scream of cheering and of Ugly merriment that even the captive Sybil opened her eyes she had closed to shut, out the scene she had been placed there to watch, and Princess Greigh wrenched herself loose from Anton's detaining hand and cried aloud in horror and protest. and Countess TJskov tried in vain to free herself from Peroshkov’s enormous grip. (To he continued.}
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Bibliographic details
Star (Christchurch), Issue 16584, 17 November 1921, Page 5
Word Count
973“PROMISE OF DAWN." Star (Christchurch), Issue 16584, 17 November 1921, Page 5
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