AT THE CZAR’S REQUEST.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue VIII, 23 February 1895, Page 178

AT THE CZAR’S REQUEST.

Eschricht's Novel, * Parson Streeeius,* Recently Suppressed by Emperor William at the Behest of Alexander HL Translated from the German and condensed by Countess Cora Slocomb di Brazza-Savorgnan.

»HE sky, with the dnnea and chalk cliffs of the Island of Oesel, had been washed by a violent thunderstorm. Sunlit raindrops sparkled on every spray of heather and little, gurgling streams ran from among their roots seaward. In other countries it was already evening, bnt here, so near the Arctic zone, the sun stul stood high in the heavens, the sand birds twittered and the swallows sang. Parson Streeeius felt as peaceful as the world around him. Dark, mysterious currents swept through the Baltic past his island parish and rendered its approach dangerous, just as the fateful streams of destiny surround the lives of men, driving them whither they will not. He, too, had battled with them when yonng. An epidemic had devastated his large German parish and swept away his wife, his only child and all that were most dear, leaving him stranded with two little orphan nieces as sole survivors of his family. He would have at once abandoned the desolate scene of his wrecked happiness had not duty compelled him to remain and earn the wherewithal to provide for his helpless wards until a fresh field offered ; and it was with intense relief that he accepted a call to the insignificant Protestant community on Oesel. Here, time and new associations softened his sorrow, years of faithful service caused him to be respected by the orthodox Russians and beloved by his parishioners, and his benignity enabled him to eschew all political and religious friction, so that the future seemed to stretch before him serene as the expanse of bine waters that girdled the horizon. How powerful he still looked as he strode across the dunes, pausing from time to time to add a blossom to the delicate heath flowers he never failed to cull on his rambles for his pretty niece, Carloecha, who managed the parsonage and its dependencies like an experienced matron, and assisted him in nis work among the sick and destitute, so that she had no time to wander afield. J ulinka was more often his companion. She bad developed into an artist, brilliant in mind and in person, the very spirit of joy, with all the graces of her playmates. * How the girls love this portion of the island,* bethought, as he approached a strip of yellow beach, bounded at either end by chalk cliffs. Suddenly he stopped. His eye had been caught by a large, dark object amid the flotsam and jetsam that strewed the shore. He recognized in it the body of a drowned man. and dragged it to where the sand was driest. Taking off hie coat he worked with the dexterity born of long experience, until a spark of consciousness came into the Clark eyes and a sigh escaped the blue lips that sounded like * lesabel.’ Again the stranger swooned, but encouraged by this evidence that life was not extinct, Streeeius felt that he should transport him to the parsonage, where the proper restoratives could be administered. As though responding to his thought, a faint sound of calling came to him across the dunes in the unmistakable voice of Jappe Tolki. This man was by birth a Finn and wrecker, by profession a horse breeder and dealer, overfree in the use of the branding-iron which had gotten him into trouble more than once. His every action was inspired by self-interest or low cunning, and his thoughts had left their stamp upon his features. No love was lost between him and the parson, for Strec-. cius had many a time saved a poor parishioner from his usurious dutches. Tolki was out with his grooms in pursuit of some stray colts, and after a parley consented to lend the parson a horse on which, with the assistance of its groom, he succeeded in binding the inanimate form and carrying it safely across the dnnes to the parsonage. The foundling was put to bed in a thoroughly heated room and under the action of powerful restoratives presently opened his eyes and moved his head from side to side, observing the strange surroundings and unfamiliar faces with the uncertainty of dawning consciousness, murmuring the while, ‘lesabel, lesabel.* At last, with an effort he aroused himself and seemed to grasp the situation. Striving to rise, he cried : *My God, my God 1 Where am IT Who are yon ? Where is lesabel ? We sprang into the water together !’ At a sign from their uncle, the girls, who had been assisting him, left the room, and the youth then told the parson his story. By name Axel Wendland, he had been a theological student in a city of Poland, where he had fallen in love with a yonng girl of the aristocracy. He said her parents had had nothing against him, save that he was poor, and be had studied long and faithfully in the hope of obtaining his degree and their approval. The time of waiting seemed endless to both, and one day the girl had come for him and together they had fled to the coast and sailed in a little sloop for Gothland, where they had proposed to be married by a pastor who was lesabel’s relative. A storm struck them and drove them from their course. lesabel had been overcome by fear,.and they had decided to jump together from the boat ere it was demolished. He had sunk with her in hie arms. Where was she ? The parson answered with a considerate reserve which, however, indicated his fears of a fatal eventuality ; and the sick man abandoned himself to grief, vociferating that he would not live unless his lost love were restored to him, and weeping pitifully because he was not strong enough to rise and search for her himself. When the calm of exhaustion superseded the violent outburst in the sick room, the parson started in pursuit of lesabel. On the beach, not far from where he bad found Wendland, the girl and the boat bad been washed ashore ; but all his efforts to reanimate her proved futile. He hid the body, therefore, among the drifts, beneath a light covering of sand ; it was richly clothed, and if Jappe Tolki or hie men passed that way they would be tempted to steal the garments while he was away fetching Julinka and a cart.

When the parson and his niece reached the fateful strand they saw that Tolki bad in truth been there. The boat and all that it contained was gone, bnt the hiding place of the beautiful corpse was undisturbed. They disposed it reverently amid the green heather, and Julinka seating herself near, portrayed the girl's sweet, tender face as it lay appaiently asleep upon the dune. She had often executed similar work for the parson, that the relatives who sought news of a drowned traveller might see his face again; but never before had she been so deeply moved. The task accomplished, they laid lesabel on the eart and bore her to the church, whither all the islanders were .summoned. No one could identify the remains; the parson read the service for the dead, and they were consigned to the earth in the strangers* corner of the graveyard. Axel Wendland slowly improved, how slowly only those know who have nursed one possessed by a desi e to di*-. Julinka was almost as attentive to bis needs as Carloscba. She had long planned a flight into the world; life on the tiny island, with its tiny aims, oppressed her. * Unde,’she said one day. * it is time for me to gc. Taat stranger is an enchanter. Little Carloscba, the wise, is half in love with him already, and Julinka, the foolish, must fly away or she will be ensnared by his sad eyes and dark enrls. He is fascinating despite his lack of animation. I must go to the great cities where women who have talent are appreciated. I will soon send you lots of money, and meanwhile you must give me the wherewithal to atari in life.* The old man shook his head. * I know, I Know I Yon never have anything, but Carloscba, the thrifty, has savings hidden in every corner of the house. Bid her bring them and empty them into my pockets.* It was always thus: Carloscba did the work and Julinka enjoyed the results. While the preparations proceeded, the parson found an advertisement in a newspaper referring to lesabel, and as the Polish address given would not be far off the route to St. Petersburg, be considered it best that Julinka shonld herself carry the picture to the lost girl’s home. lesabel’s family lived in a princely castle surrounded by the homes of rich relatives. Julinka told them of the storm, the b->at and the corpse. She did not find occasion to mention Wendland’s part in the tragedy, and a romantie and totally unreal tale presently grew ont of the meagre information she had vouchsafed the parents. lesabel was dead. Julinka had saved her features from oblivion, and, in gratitude Julinka should be treated as her substitute. The hospitable Poles would not hear of her leaving them until they should themselves take her to St. Petersburg ; and meanwhile they loaded her with presents, invitations, and, best of all, otders for portraits. . . Axel Wendland was well at last, and the time had come for him to leave the island. The evening before hie departure he walked with Carloscba across the dunes to the spot where he bad been washed ashore, and seating himself upon the sand his memory carried him back to the loss of bls love, while hot tears rolled down his cheeks Carloscba laid her hand upon his shoulder. Sweet, pretty Carloecha, who had nursed him so faithfully 1 As she looked at him what a tenderness was in her soft eyes I With a sensation of intense triumph he jumped up and eaught her in his arms, kissing her passionately. A strange glow rushed through the girl’s veins at his touch. She threw herself upon his breast and clasped her arms about bis neck. Was it possible? An instant before he was crying for another I How beautiful the other face had been I She remembered it as it lay in the chapel. The Polish girl 1 ai clnng around his neck with her warm, loving arms, too, as they sank into the waves—the waves in which she had died for love of him I Carloscba opened her eyes and looking seaward saw the same face with an expression of menace upon its white features rise slowly above the water and float towards her I Too late, lesabel 1 Baek into thy grave, lesabel I Thou hast been conquered by the living I Sweet were the moments that followed. Much was said and many lovers* vows exchanged, so that the hour was

late even for Oesel when Wendland took Carloscba in his arms for the last time and pleaded : ‘ Promise me one thing. Tell no one, not even the parson, of our vows. After my sad mishap let me this time earn enough to support my wife ere I claim her. To-morrow we part, let our sweet secret remain between us.’ * It makes no difference. I have you, and that is the best.* The weight of the great happiness which bad come to Carloscha had made her thoughtless for once, bnt Wendland had hardly left the island when her conscience told her that it would be dishonourable to keep her engagement secret from her fatherly guardian. The news perturbed him ;he had no confidence in the character of the man he had saved. * Carloscba,’ he said, * my Carloecha, th< n dear, true child 1* God give it that thou has promised thy hand to a good man, to a man who will know thee at thy full worth, else later thou will have unhappiness. And God give him strength to work as a true servant of His, else thou wilt hope and wait in vain.’ She answered vehemently, * I will love him. No matter how destiny tries me it will find me strong and true, for I have his love in my heart. He has given me boundless happiness 1 Now may misfortune come 1’ And it came—came as though she bad called for it. Jappe Tolki knocked at the door and entered with a sly grin, intended for a genial-smile. Yean before he had been found guilty of fraud and horse-stealing and condemned to banishment in Siberia ; bnt for some unaccountable reason be had been exculpated. Many said it was because he and his family had joined the Greek Church, the Government religion; but as it all occurred on the mainland, nothing positive was known save that for a time after his return he had avoided alike his neighbours and the places of worship of the rival religions. With much cordiality and many details he explained to the parson that the object of his visit was to prepare for the marriage of his eldest son and a lich Protestant from Ahrensburg, who with her relatives would soon arrive at the Tolki farm.

Streccius grew grave, although the paper® that the Finn handed him seemed right enough. Tolki's eldest son was a small official in St. Petersburg, who oiled the Government wheels in the interest of the inhabitants of Ahrensburg, whither he was frequently called on business. It was years since he had visited the island ; many asserted that he was a zealous proselyte of the Greek Church. And even if this were mere gossip why did Tolki ask Streccius to solemnize the marriage when his second son was a Protestant divine and it would be only natural that he should officiate at his brother’s wedding? The bride's family was one of the best in Ahrensburg. Tolki was fond of display, and it was preposterous that he should prefer the little church wedding on the island to an imposing ceremony and feast in the city. Tolki plausibly explained away every objection, and it only remained for the parson to publish the banns and trust that some objecting voice would be raised or some incriminating evidence reach him from the mainland, if all was not as it should be. The Greek Pope, with whom he consulted, shared his doubts and they sent for the religious records of the Tolki family; but ere these reached Oesel the bridal party came to the parsonage begging Streccius to perform the ceiemony, as old Tolki was desperately ill and nothing would procure him comfort save the knowledge that his son’s marriage had been happily consummated. As, apparently, every regulation had been complied with and the wedding had been fixed for the morrow, Streccius perforce consented. The following day was Sunday, and the bride, her husband, and their respective families attended the Lutheran Church accompanied by old Tolki, who had been miraculously restored to health—a few hours after blessing the union. The parson had prepared a sermon from the text, ■ Give to Csesar the things that are Ctesar’s,’ with the object of awakening the patriotism of the islanders, who were loudly grumbling over a fresh tax. He explained at length how Christ had tanght cheerful obedience, and how he had especially bidden the Jews who came to him agitated by what was an usurious impost, to be submissive to the will of their superiors. Protection of life and property and many other good things came from the Government in return for the money it required, and he had finished by saying : * How much more are these words applicable to you, as yon have on the tax money tne picture of your own Emperor ?’ The people had seemed deeply moved by his eloquent words, so that while changing his robes in the sacristy, the good man felt consoled—almost forgot the news he bad received on entering the old church that had caused bis anger to rise as he observed Tolki in the congregation. He found the wedding party waiting for him m the porch, and Tolki greeted him with an invitation to the banquet. The parson declined sharply and then exclaimed : * How darest thou appear here before God ?—thou who hast lied to Him in the person of His priest 1 I asked thee, Jappe Tolki, in my official capacity, hadst thon become of the Emperor’s faith viram jpuolesta ? and thou didst swear. Doubly hast thou lied, perjured thy selfand sinned against thy God in Heaven ! Away from me, and may thy unclean foot never cross this threshold again I’ Rage deformed the face of the Finn as the parson explained to the bride’s family how he had just received proofs that the old man, his wife, and the bridegroom had been for years Greek Catholics. The strict Protestant father was heart-broken at the cruel deception which had been practised to steal his daughter, from him and secretly registered a vow to punish the Finn and eave the parson from the persecution to which he had unwittingly exposed himself by blessing a mixed union. At present, however, there was nothing to be done but leave for home. So he begged his daughter to leave her husband and join him and her relatives. But the girl refused ; she had been fascinated by the clever man ; and Tolki’s sneer, * A wedding is a wedding,’ expressed her views. Jappe Tolki was not of the kind to brook interference with his plans. All the village had witnessed the scene at the church door and he determined to doubly punish Streccius for the scandal his words had awakened. He had long wished to see his second son, Parson Tolki, established on the island ; and his first move caused the summoning of Streccius by the Synod, to answer for the mixed marriage, and the sending or this young clergyman to fill the vacant pulpit. Carloscha could not help associating the estimable young divine with his crafty father, and oonduded that he had had a hand in her uncle's undoing, whereas in reality he had welcomed the call as a summons to protect her during the elder parson’s absence. He had secretly loved her for years, and hoped that some day he could earn her affection. He had thoughtfully arranged that his bright young sister Thilo should accompany him to the parsonage, trusting that her companionship would relieve the anxiety of Carloscha; but to her his presence was a desecration of her uncle’s parish which she would not condone. She left the parsonage for the isolated cottage of a devoted old German shepherd, which was little more than a hovel; and neither the pleadings of her friend Thilo, nor the offer of parson Tolki to leave the island, would induce her to return to her former home. Nobody on the island but sly old Tolki knew that the worthy clergyman would never return, for he lay already in one of the noisome dungeons of an impregnable fortress P rl son, having been arrested in Ahrensburg, spirited away and_ locked up without a trial, on the grave charge of having called the Czar, his benefactor, • a Tiberias,’ in a sermon preached to the islanders already disaffected by the new taxes. This was more than enough to condemn the righteous man to perpetual imprisonment and death by inches, and Tolki had known it when he bad travelled to the mainland and in conjunction with a bcught confederate "fought accusation against the worthy divine. Th® winter advanced and no news came to Carloscha either from her uncle or her sister Julinka. Jusb before her uncle s summons to the Synod, Julinka had written and announced the arrival of Axel Wendland at the Polish castie, saying that be was studying again at the theological seminary in the neighbourhood and was a constant and welcome guest in the house, from which he and Julinka Knew that he had robbed the greatest ornament. Carlos- ? ’ aß we “ M her uncle, bad been shocked at the news ; either could understand how those they loved could participate in such a breach of hospitality, and for weeks her sole consolation came from the fact that Julinka and the oles had started for St. Petersburg and left Wendland M e -I° P Brene h «» studies. Mail seldom arrived at icebound Oesel in winter, but at la t hiJ. U,, i er came on Government business and brought with m a letter from Julinka to Carloscha and one for Parson

Tolki announcing the secret incarceration of Streccius. The young man immediately rode over to the cottage and broke the bad news to Carloscha, telling her some enemy of her uncle bad been at work and he intended to leave the island at once, seek out the good man’s friends in Ahrenburg, and arrange, if possible, for his escape. Flight, they knew, was the only road to freedom left, for no cry could pierce the fortress walls or rise from their humble homes to that quarter from which alone an honorable liberation could come. Julinka’s letter to Carloscha was full of her joyful life in St. Petersburg. She wrote that she was sought after by the highest in the land, money poured in, and success crowned her every effort. She filled pages with news of Axel. He had followed her to St. Petersburg: and she confessed that weak, miserable, and vacillating as she knew him to be, she loved him with her whole heart. Poor Carloscha knew, too, that Axel was weak, and realized that he could not long resist the eharms of her brilliant sister. She seized the opportunity of the returning courier and wrote telling him of her misfortunes, and that, worst of all, Julinka loved him. She begged that be would explain to her about their betrothal, and help the poor sister to quell this unfortunate passion. Then followed tender expressions of unalterable devotion, passionate love and longing, the outpouring of which brought her in some sort of solace. Alas, Julinka’s letter had been long in reaching Carloscha, and ere the answer was written, her influence had secured for Alex Wendland an honorable and remunerative Government position, and their approaching marriage had been publicly announced. The cry from the lonely girl’s heart reached Wendland on the morning of his wedding-day. He found it on his break-

fast tray. * How horrible I* he mused ; * how crnel at this time of all others 1’ He was about to burn it, unopened, then decided to read it. As he did so he grew livid. He could not stand the upbraidings of his own conscience. He must confess all. Two or three times he started towards the door, then turned to walk up and down the room, groaning as one in pain. Presently his features became calm; he had for once arrived at a decision. His smile returned as he lit a candle and watched the flames slowly consume the letter until nothing was left but a little grey ash which he indifferently blew off the sleeve of his immaculate wedding garment. Julinka, too, was depressed on the nuptial morning. She had received a letter from Carloscha telling of her anxiety over her uncle’s protracted absence, and the Lutheran clergyman she had summoned to perform the ceremony had sent in news of the parson’s incarceration for treason, so that anxiety oppressed her. How could she rejoice when her dear ones were suffering ?—her uncle in a vile dungeon and her sister in a solitary shepherd’s hut 1 * What happiness I Axel and I have a home to offer Carloscha 1’ What consolation there was in the thought that she had influence now, much influence, and would be able to help her uncle. Meantime her poor little sister was suffering privation; she must join them at once, and Julinka sent off to her a telegram announcing her marriage to Wendland and begging Carloscha to come to St. Petersburg. . . . Streccius’ existence tn the fortress was one of extreme misery. He was exposed to no actual physical torture, but bis cold and dark cell was alive with vermin, his food contained maggots, and the foul water which was sparsely doled out to him emitted a stench. His only consolation was his righteous conscience and the fellowship of an estimable officer who had been in prison for years without knowing why, whose philosophical, cheerful disposition and acquaintance with the possibilities and impossibilities of Russian justice proved of invaluable assistance to the simpleminded man. It was he who acted as interpreter of the signs of liberation, and it was he who guided the wreck of the once vigorous clergyman when, on a certain winter's night, they round the doors of tbeir prison open and creeping out of the fortress entered a sleigh which stood waiting in the road. Young Tolki was the driver and carried them swiftly to the distant home of a friendly parson, where the poor man sought in vain to recuperate from his terrible ordeal

ere he was carried to the island, whence Parson Tolki hoped he could arrange for bis escape across the frontier. Streccius at once wrote a letter to Julinka, telling her of Axel’s engagement to Carloscha He had been made anxious ere bis departure for the Synod by the artist's letter about Axel’s constant visits to the family he had wronged, and he determined to write her of his secret engagement to her sister; but the sudden incarceration had effectually silenced him. ... It was the evening after the wedding. Julinka lay upon her sofa in the bright lamplight dreaming lazily of her own happiness and planning for tne relief of her dear ones. The bell rang and a letter was brought it. She seized it with an exclamation of joy; she had recognised her uncle’s handwriting, and this meant that he was free. She began to read with avidity, but horror froze her blood when she reached the part about Axel and Carloscha. She was forced to go over the lines several times ere she could grasp their Krtent. Terrible pictures of the future unrolled themselves fore her. There was not an instant to lose. She rose, rang, and ordered a carriage. She dressed hurriedly for travelling, while a maid packed a trunk. She enclosed her uncle’s letter in a fresh envelope it, sealed it, addressed it to her husband and laid it where he would observe it on his return. She had not added one word. Why should she ? It explained everything. Scourged by her remorse at having wronged her sister, though unwittingly, Julinka travelled night and day to reach the island. The telegram could not be stopped, but in the winter news was often delayed for weeks. She might arrive before it, and in any case she would be there to share Carloscba’s agony and help her nurse their uncle. Fate was not so kind. A Government sledge started from the mainland just as the dispatch arrived and bore it to the

village. Thilo Tolka did not delay an instant, but mounted and carried it on a full gallop to the hut. She was in her brother’s confidence and was sure it contained news of the old parson’s escape. _ Carloscha tore open the envelope in brightest anticipation, while Thilo and the shepherd were caring for the horse, and when she had read it she stepped back into the hut. As they entered they found her sitting before the open door of the stove gazing stolidly at the flames ; and in answer to their inquiries she explained in a low, hoarse voice that the _ telegram contained only a greeting from Julinka, in which she expressed the hope of being able to aid their uncle. The others concluded that the deferring of her hopes had unstrung Carloscha, already weakened and broken by the long months of anxiety and privation ; so Thilo penitently excused herself and rode home, as dejected as if her friend’s disappointment had been due to her. The shepherd pressed Carloscha to eat something and she struggled to swallow a cup of tea before retiring to her room. Here she listened until the stillness of the cottage told her that the old man had laid himself to rest upon the stove, as is the custom of the humble in Russia. She rose, opened her window noiselessly and stood looking out into the darkness, her hand caressing its rongh frame. How deliciously cool the night air felt upon her aching brow I It tempted her forth. She clambered through the little casement and started across the moors in the direction of the sea. It was snowing hard, and the farther she went the more difficult the way became. After what seemed an eternity she reached the dunes. She felt them beneath her feet. The snow in places was so deep she could barely struggle through, and in others the ground was firm ana hard where the wind bsd swept it clean. She stumbled and fell often, but dragged herself up again and still pressed forward. * Oh, it must I e near ! Yes, here it was I At last I’ and with a little cry from her breaking heart she sank down upon the ice-bound beach between the chalk cliffs. It was a soft, low cry, and yet it rang into the heart of eternity and reached the throne of the Most Pitifnl. On black wings the angel of Death fliw downwards. He divided the hurrying snowflakes and carried in bis unspotted hands her pure soul to God, where it was soon to be joined by that of her martyred uncle.