NAST'S EYEJDR ART.
The Caricaturist Sketches
Outdoor Washington.
KOYELYIEWS OF STATUES.
Unlucky Babies Who Get Kisses In
tended for Baby McKee.
BASEBALL COT IN THE COLD STONE
ICOBEEErOKDKKCI OF TH DISPATCH.I
Washington, May 10.
OOD morning, Th."
pa yZ You trill notice I am
An 4mi ftf etiY, in.
timacy with Mr. Nast
that I address him by his
first name. He was walk
ing alone near one of the
beautiful circles that
abound in ihe 'Capital
City, his hands thrust to
the profoundest depths of
his trousers pockets and
his mind lost in serious
contemplation of some
subject gravely important
to the peace of his artistic soul.
"I was thinking," said he, "what a
charming city "Washington will some day
be."
"Is it not a charming city now?" I asked,
a little piqued.
"But it will he more charming by and
by."
What will make it so, Mr. Nast?"
"A little more street ornamentation. I
notice a good beginning in the pretty vases
of flowers that ornament many of the
street doorsteps, but they only make more
conspicuous the lack of other street orna
mentation." "What ornamentation?"
"In Paris it is against the law to throw
bits of paper and other litter into the streets.
Here the law is not so stringent, or at least
it is not so strictly enforced. The people,
therefore, should set out not only vases ot
flowers but waste-baskets (they migh orna
ment them with pretty ribbons, you know),
and then, here and there, at convenient in
tervals, they might place oh, a good many
useful ornaments, hand painted porcelain,
or peach-blow, or a "Worcester, or even the
plain brownstone kind almost any sort
would do.
"Then, think," continued Mr Nast, while
his aesthetic imagination pictured the scene
as such ornamentation would make it
"only think what a delightful city Wash
ington would be!"
I was glad to find Mr. Nast in this frame
of mind, for I had long wished to take him
about and let him see some of the art works
of our national city.
He was pleased with the suggestion I
made and gladly accompanied me to Lafay
ette Square, where the bronze figure of old
General Jackson sits proudly erect upon its
noble rampant steed, sits proudly erect sa
luting, with hat in hand, the sinking sun.
I thought maybe Mr. Nast could tell me
wbr the stern old General should salute
Pennsylvania Avenue After JVajf Arrival.
the sinking sun in these days of civil serv
ice reform.
With a delicacy of which I felt proud, I
brought Mr. Nast into the presence of this
work of art by degrees, as it were. That is
to say, I led him round to an easterly ap
proach, that he might reserve the full front
CHRISTOrnEB COLUMBUS
elevation for the climactric view.
"There is one thing I like about this Gov
ernment," said he.
"And what is that?"
"It carries its protection principles into
the realm of art with gratifying consistency
and reassuring faithfulness."
"Protection?"
"Yes. Ion't you see Sow it protects its
art V Look at the cannons about that statue!
I like that. Might not England or some
other nation with free trade notions take it
into her bead to come over and steal this
statue, for instance ? I like any nation that
protects its art."
I had tome difficulty in keeping Mr. Nast
from breaking the peace by taking off his
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hat and giving three cheers for fheStarsand
Stripes.
By careful degress and easy stages I led
Mr. Nast round to the westerly side, or
rather front, of the statne. At each step he
stopped and looked with freshly-kindled in
terest and a newly-stirred emotion, for each
view struck him as a new idea. Finally I
turned him suddenly and let the full front
view present itself to his wondering gaze.
It fairly took him ofi his feet
Just then a guide came along and ex
plained, that this statue was made from
bronze cannons captured "by Ole Hick'ry
hisself at the battle of Noor Leans" and
pointed to the four cannons ranged about the
pedestal to prove the story. Mr. Nast, in a
bewildered sort of way, isked:
"Did I understand you to say the statue
was made from these four cannons here?"
"We were so near the White House that
Mr. Hast wanted to step over and take a
look at it.
As we approached the main portico we
saw a little child playing under the watch
ful eye of its nurse. A tall man, with an
office-hungry look, came up the walk. He
turned his eyes toward the Mansion and saw
the President looking out at a window.
Suddenly he stooped and picked the infant
up. Its cries and straggles were of no avail.
Eagerly he put a fond, parental kiss upon
the little darling's cheek, and vanished
hopefully within the portals of tire Man
sion. "Is that Baby McKee?" asked Mr. Nast,
"Law! no, sab," said the nurse; "dis am
one o' de chillun I'm de fonn'lin's home,
HE THOUGHT IT
sah. I brings 'em obah hyar to play in de
grass an' grabble ebery dav. But I done
recon I'se got to quit bringin' hvar, sah, fo'
deyjes gits kissed pretty nigh to death
whenebah Presiden' Harrison am looking
out dis way. I doanee what gits inter all
de men dat dey alius goes to kissin' all de'
chillun 'bout dese ground's every time de
Presiden am a lookin' at 'em." And
aunty mosied indignantly away with her
crying charge.
But I had started out to show the art fea
tures of Washington to Mr. Nast, so I drew
him -away down Pennsylvania avenue and
pointed with just pride to the statue of Ben
jamin Franklin which surmounts a bio
graphic pedestal at the intersection of Tenth
and D streets and the avenue.
Mr. Nast stood before it no, behind it
in rapt admiration of this marvelous worn
of art. A profane and irreverent young man
passed and flippantly said: "Old Ben looks
as it he had been out with the boys last
night," But Mr. Nast heard nothing of
this. His mind was not open to such
worldly words. His sensitive soul was
stirred and he stood upon the heights with
the grand old philosopher who had lived
long enough among men and had dealings
enough with them to convince him that hon
esty is the best policy.
CA1LTXG FOB JUDGMENT
Ab! breathed Mr. Nast, "if only all
the men of earth nad the hindsight to see
this great philosophic truth, how happv the
world might bel If in the great Tinman
race we could all start even and live npon
the glorious plane of policy, what a noble
family we should bel
"Bt the way," said Mr. Nast. arousing
himselffrom hisphilosophicreverie, "speak
ing of policy reminds me that somewhere on
this pedestal there ought to be an admoni
tion to passersby to take out one in some
insurance company. It is an excellent op
portunity going to waste." And as it the
thought of this great oversight on the part
of these enterprising American corporations
M&5&XK3$k "" -T & - -i?V8s2b8SB&&Q
I'M T - K
THE HTTSBURO DISPATCH
offended his artistic sensibilities, Mr. Nast
walked sadly away.
"We next went to the Capitol, for it was
Old Hickory JXlipted.
there I intended to point out to him the
piece de resistance o f our national art. As
we were passing up the central steps to the
eaBt front of the majestio edifice, Mr. Nasi
"WAS BABY M'KKE.
seized my arm convulsively and I felt a
shudder pass over bis mortal "being.
"Sir," said he, when he had recovered the
power of speech "I will go no farther; I
will see no more of vour "Washington art."
""What's the" matter, Th?" 1 asked.
"Sir, when the people of the United States'
become so crazy over baseball that the Gov
ernment erects at the very entrance to the
Capitol the main entrance at that the
figure of Mike Kelley in the act of calling
The Franklin Statue.
on the umpire for judgment, I renounce all
allegiance to the country and decline to
spend more of my time looking for art treas
ures in such aland."
"But, Mr. Nast," I said, "that is Chris
topher Columbus, the discoverer of
America."
"Christopher Columbus be hanged, sir,"
said he, the fire of indignation leaping from
his eyes; "it is a ball player." And Mr.
Nast raised his hat in a jerky sort of way,
and said: "I wish vou a very good dav,
sir."
I turned and cast a very critical eye upon
Columbus, and slowly, butssrelyandsadly,
arrived at the conclusion that Mr.Nast had
really made a discovery second in import
ance only to the one made by Christopher
himself. "Willis B. Hatvkiks.
PBETCH AND AMERICAN "WOMEff.
Their Wonderful Adaptability and the Effect
In aiesalllnncei.
"I have often been struck," says Max
O'Bell, "with the resemblance that exists
between French and American women. It is
the same subtlety, the same suppleness of
mind, the same woDderfnl adaptability.
Place a little Freneh milliner in a good
drawing room for an hour and at the end of
that time she will behave, talk and walk
like nny lady, In the room. Suppose an
American, married to a woman much below
bis status in society, is elected President of
the United States; I believe at the end of a
week this wile of bis would do the honors of
the "White House with the ease and grace of
a high-born lady.
"In England ltris just the contrary. Of
course, good society is good society every
where. The ladies ot the English aristo
cracy are perfect queens, but the English
woman who was not born a lady will seldom
become a lady, and I believe this is why
mesalliances" are more scarce in England
than in America and especially in France.
I could name many Englishmen, standing
at the head of their professions, who cannot
produce their wives in society because these
women have not beenable to raise themselves
up to the level of their husband's station in
life. In France the mesalliance, though not
relished by parents, is not feared so much,
because they know the young woman will
observe and study nnd very soon fit herself
for her new position.
Tom Heed's World-Wide Fame
New York Eenld.
The Czar of Bnssia has sent for a full
cargo of Tom Beed's rules. He thinks they
ire just the thing for him to bring to bear
on the Anarchists.
-" :'-a'fjc)P fer
.S- 111 iiA
Pittsburgh sunday,
CLARA BELLE'S CHAT
The Papa ot a Famous Beauty Con
verted to the Idea of Rouging.
PADS OF THE ATHLETIC MAIDEN.
A Champasne Luncheon to Bettlo a Dispute
About an Actor's Face.
PEETTI EOBBEKS AT THE BENEFITS
COHHESFONDEHCE or TITS B1SFATCH.
New Yobk, May 10.
OCIETi is suffering
rom amateur elocu
tionists and vocalists,
whose artistic sins
are covered by char
ity, for they read and
sing for benevolent
causes, ostensibly.
These performers im
itate professional act
resses not only in
manner, but also in
'LAP "making up" their
i faces with paints.
These examples have led to a suddenly free
use of artificial colors on girls' faces, and
that is the whim of the movement. It has
been observed that a famous beauty, whose
raven hair, almond eyes and marble white
throat have combined to reduce a. small
army of men to the state of helpless adora
tion, owes a large share of the pink luster of
her cheeks to such appliances as are put up
so cleverly by the French in neat boxes.
One old crab of a man made the remark in
the hearing of her father, that if she would
stop putting rouge on her face she would
not be so stared at by strangers who saw her
on the street. The father accordingly put
on his glasses the next time he saw his
daughter and examined her carefully.
"What is that red stuff on your cheeks,
my child?" he asked, wetting his finger
and rubbing it over the girl's face.
"That's nothing, papa," she replied,
"only a little pink powder that is all."
HEB PAPA COKTEBTED.
"Go and take it off at once," exclaimed
the old gentleman.
"But, papa," interposed the girl.
"Not a word," shouted her father, "but
do as I bid y l."
The humiliated beauty went to her room
and washed her face thoroughly. Then,
after shedding a few tears, she went back
and knelt down before her father, implor
ing his forgiveness for being so foolish as to
paint her cheeks. The old man put on his
glasses once more and scrutinised his
daughter's face.
"You've taken it off, haven't you," he
said.
"Yes." replied his daughter.
"Well," said he, after a moment's pause,
"for Heaven's" sake go put it on again."
The famous belle now rouges her cheek
with the sanction of her doting parent.
A young lady wearing the latest thing in
waistcoats tooled a pair of glistening bay
horses down Fifth avenue, turning into one
of the cross streets and drawing up in front
of a well-known gymnasium. Her groom
sprang to the horses' heads and she, with
the grace and speed of a bird, leaped to the
ground and hastened inside the building.
Two minutes afterward she had donned a
gymnasium suit, and then for an hour she
exercised on the parallel bars, the arm and
leg weights, swung clubs and took a half
mile dash around the running track.
BEAUTY AT THE BATH.
She then pulled a heavy shirt known as
a "sweater" over her shoulders and hur
ried down stairs again. Next she wrapped
a soft pink robe about her and tip
toed across a hallway into a marble-lined
bathroom. Throwing aside her robe she
placed herself under a shower bath, and
pulled the cord, puffing and slapping her
self as the icy spray deluged her. Then,
with a little cry of excitement, she ran
across the floor and flew bead foremost into
the placid and cool plunge bath. Here she
disported like a naiad for five minutes or
more, and then pattered back to her dress
ing room, getting into her street clothes
with interesting rapidity, and, with a care
less brush to her wet hair, flying out to the
street, where her cart awaited her.
Whipping up the horses she sped away to
Forty-second, and got out at a door bearing
the sign of a boxing prolessor. Bunning
upstairs she called out a bright good morn
ing to two men who were lying about in
fighting togs, and stepped into a side room to
make herself ready. Presently she came
forth attired in the same manner as at the
gymnasium, and, pushing her white hands
into a huge pair of boxing gloves, squared
off before the herculean professor. For
some moments the spat of the gloves kept
up a regular music, the girlleading straight
from the shoulder, and the professor, at her
invitation, landing firmly on her pretty
face. Agile as a cat and strong as an Indian,
the fair fighter danced gracefully about,
darting forward and jabbing a vicious blow
at the teacher's nose and getting away with
a light tap on the jaw.
THE OBJECT OF IT ALL.
Three rounds of two minutes each satisfied
the athletic maiden, and then the professor
called his wife from upstairs to giva her a
rubbing down. When she appearad in her
street clothes again there was an unorna
mental straightness about her dark brown
hair, but her face was as clear and healthy
as a rose leaf, and she stepped about like a
young bantam. She next drove to a res
taurant and drank a bottle of stout and ate a
hard cracker. After this she went home and
lay down for a half hour. For luncheon she
had a steak, baked potatoes, rolls, and ale.
At 4 o'clock in the afternoon she was gal
loping through the park on a thoroughbred
hunter. The other day this vivacious crea
ture was asked why she was doing such
rigid work.
"I am in training to become a healthy,
wholesome, long-lived wife and mother,"
she replied. "Jack was stroke in his col
lege crew, you know, and I mean to be a
wife whom he will be proud of."
This is one girl out of many in society
that are running athletics into the ground.
An old sporting man said at a dinner table
the other night that he thought the best
girls had decided to show that New York
can be populated with Sullivans instead of
dudes, and were takingson muscle for the
good of the next generation. But it is far
more probable that the passion is a plain
fad, unrelieved by real athletic ambition.
AN ACTOE'S BEAUTY.
Two young women, in analmost deserted
Broadwav car, were discussing a man read
ing a newspaper in the corner furthest from
them on the opposite seat, "I'll tell you
that is B ," said one, naming an actor who
is famous for his physical beauty, and who
passes most of the time in which he is not
acting in tearing up uninvited love letters.
"And I say it isn't," rejoined the other
girl. "I know his face perfectly well, and
that is not he."
"Well, I know his face also, and I insist
that it is he."
"But, my dear," persisted the little
blonde, "I have a dozen pictures of him on
my bureau, and do you think I could be
mistaken?"
"You might," said the other, who was a
brunette. "Pictures do not always look
like a person."
"But I have sat in a box, Marie, within a
week and he has looked square at me. Do
you imagine I would forget his eyes. That
man over there is nothing like him."
"Why isn't he like him?"
"That man is ugly and the actor is beauti
ful. I would never look at. that big, red
faced, unshaven fellow, a second .time,
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1890.
while a mere glance of B. sets my heart
beating like everything. Eeally, Marie, I
think it remarkable that you should be 60
blind as to think that horrid-looking man
is B."
The man with the newspaper smiled to
himself. He was overhearing much of the
girl's conversation.
"Well, I am willing to bet everything in
the world I'm right," insisted Marie. "I
will make you a bet and prove it to your
complete satisfaction."
WOULD BACK THEIB OPINIONS.
"What shall it be?" retorted the other,
flushing with half indignant determination
to back her opinion to any extent.
"A luncheon with champagne."
"Done. How are you going to settle
it?"
"I am going to ask him," and Marie was
pale and trembling from i nervous resolu
tion. She rose from her seat and approached the
man with the newspaper. He sprang to his
feet and doffed his hat.
"Permit me," said he, gazing into the
girl's eyes with his prettiest stage smile, "to
save you the trouble of asking any ques
tions. You have won your bet. I am B.
the beautiful actor not so beautiful, I am
very glad to say, while riding in a Broad
way horse car. To avoid the suspicions of
your charming friend, who insists that I am
too ugly to be B., let me beg you to accept
my card. And at that luncheon to-day
would it be too much for me to hope that
one glass of champagns may be sipped with
my name breathed on the brim. Good morn
ing." The stalwart fellowstepned quickly to the
platlorm and thence to the street. Both
girls looked at each other without speaking
for a full minute. Then the blende snatched
the card that the actor had placed into
Marie's hand. The name was correct,
"I've lost sure enoucb. Marie." she said.
"I ought to have known the moment he be
gan to speak he was the beauty again."
The girls alighted in front of a fashion
able restaurant and disappeared within its
doors. Marie's hand clasped the card of the
actor. I could imagine the romantic and ex
citing luncheon that the two pretty disput
ants enjoyed .in their solitude, and I am
sure that the whole bottle of wine was
pledged to the name ot the handsome player.
WILES OP THE ACTBESS.
Some of those magnificent actresses who
charitably devote their valuable services to
selling flowers at theatrical benefits are too
shrewd for any sort of use. One of the pret
tiest that ever tied 10 cents' worth of violets
into a $5 boutonniere was disposing of her
wares with splendid success the other day
when it was observed by a few of the more
watchful loungers that she was a party in
an ingenious little trick that successfully
pulled the wool over the eyes of the good
nntured public. By the side of her table
stood a young man who has a mental ac
quaintance with a wonderfully large num
ber of men-about-town. As a gentleman
would stroll near to this yonng man he
would speak out of the corner of his mouth
to the pretty actress behind the flower table,
and she would then call out:
"Ob, Mr. Smith, can't I sell you a bou
tonniere?" The passer-bv. on hearing himself nallpd
by name, would stop short and, looking at
the radiant face of the actress, would ap
proach her and enter into a delightful con
versation over the beauty and fragrance of
flowers in general and ot the cluster on her
breast in particular. Very often the pre
cious cluster would be detached and sold at
a double price. As the purchaser went
away he wondered how that stunning woman
learned his name. He did not imagine for
a moment that the young man at her side
had imparted it to her.
AN UMBBELLA COMMON PBOPEBTY.
One incident will show how charmingly
presumptuous these fair flower actresses can
be. A young fellow had bought a bunch oi
roses from a girl whose blonde loveliness
can be fonnd reflected in many hundred
cigarette packages, and had gone away leav
ing his umbrella leaning against the pretty
one's table. A full hour passed before he
remembered his loss. Then he strolled over
to where she still beamed upon her patrons
and asked her it she bad seen his umbrella:
"Why, was that lovely umDrella yours?"
asked she, contributing upon the young man
one of her irresistible smiles.
She was informed that it was, and, if she
had it, it would be acceptable to its owner.
"Oh, isn't that funny," laughed the act
ress. I found that umbrella, and thought it
would be a lovely idea to raffle it. I put it
up, and it brought 517."
u.ne young man was naturally much
chagrined, but he pocketed his wrath, when
to appease him, the fascinating little robber
Einned a bunch of pansies in his coat with
own fair fingers. Claba Belle.
THE BREAD WE EAT,
White Flour Lacks Itlnny Things Necessary
for a Proper Food.
Science Amateur.!
Bread has been called the staff of life, and
yet this figure of speech, in view of the kind
of bread that most persons eat, is a decided
misnomer. The ordinary white flour, which
forms the basis of so much food that is
eaten, is principally a starch compound,
and contains only 3 of the 15 elements that
go to compose the body, namely, carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen.
To prove that white flour does not meet
the requirements of the body, Masendie fed
it wholly to a number of dogs, and at the
end of 40 days they died. Others to whom
he gave the wheat meal, at the end of this
time, were in first-class condition. More
than half of the children under 12 years of
age have decayed teeth, owing to the insuf
ficient supply of the required mineral in
gredients, and this deficiency is caused as a
rule by eating white bread.
Dyspepsia, constipation, loss of nerve
power, and many other diseases are pro
duced by improper feeding. Snlphur is re
quired for the growth of the hair, yet while
flour does not contain a trace; the phos
phates are also notably lacking, and as these
substances are absolutely necessary in the
animal economy, then, arguing a priori, the
use of bread as ordinarily prepared should
be interdicted.
Wnen flour is made of the whole grain of
wheat, we have an article of food which
contains all the elements that the body re
quires for its support; and this flour should
be universally used in spite of the false
esthetic taste that demands a "white loaf."
THE PEINCE OP WALES' INCOME.
Nearly S300.000 for Hli Use From the
Ducliy of Cornwall Last Year.
Wexford Independent.
The balance sheet of the Duchy of Corn
wall show payments made last year for the
use of the Prince of Wales amounting to
63,593 6s 4d. In addition to rents and
profits accruing in Cornwall, there goes
into the balance sheet a sum of over 1,200,
the produce of royalties of coal mines in
the county of Somerset.
There are two generally unsuspected
sources of revenue for his Eoyal Highness
which appear in this account. One is profits
arising out of the office of Havenor, which
reached the sum of 121sl0d. The office
of Havenor, it is explained, deals with the
proceeds of the sale of unclaimed wrecks.
Any wreck found on the coast of Cornwall
and not claimed becomes the property of his
Boyal Highness the Duke. Another source
of profit is the seizure of the personal estate
of any person domiciled in Cornwall and
dying intestate without kin. Last year the
Prince of Wales did not benefit a copper
from this source.
The Most Magnificent Bear).
The late Mr. Hope, of England, owned
the most noted pearl of modern times. It
weighed 1,800 grains, and, although not per
fect in form, was of such enormous value
that no market price was ever put on it,
The Bussian royal jewels comprise the
most magnificent collection of pearls in the
world.
mat
A ROMANCE OF RUSSIA AND SIBERIA.
BY PRINCE JOSEF LUBOMIRSKI,
Author of "Safer-Hadji, a Story of TurkJstan," Etc.
TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN FOB THE DISPATCH
BY META DE YERA.
SYNOPSIS OF FREYIOUS CHAPTERS.
The story opens in St. Petersburg with an interview between Colonel Palkln, aid-de-camp of
the head of the gendarmes, and Mr. Onophrl Schelm. head of the dlvtslon of political affairs
under the Minister of the Interior, Count Perowski. Both are ambitions and cordially bate each
other. Palkin announces a conspiracy that Schelm knows nothin" of. Connt Lanln, aid-decamp
of tbe Emperor, enters announcing the order of St. Vladimir for Palkin. in reward for his
skill, and a censure upon Schelm for his ignorance of the conspiracy. Jam is the daughter of
wealthy Alexander Wernin. Count Vladimir Lanln is in lore with her and she accepts him.
Previously Schelm has asked Wernin for Jana's hand. She, thinking to humble Schelm, has
Count Lamn send to him an invitation to their wedding, as her answer to bis request forber
band. Wernin learns of tbe insnlt just too late, tries to intercept the invitation, but falls.
Schelm receives it, and his anger knows no bounds. Wernin trembles, for Schelm's power is al
most absolute. An old schoolmate of Schelm's, Miller, of Millertown, evidently in abject poverty,
calls on him and asks a loan to put him in shape to attend a law banquet. Schelm abruptly dis
misses him. Miller goes to Vladimir, who accommodates him and goes with him to the banquet.
There tbey meet Schelm, who hides his bitter anger successfully and alludes to the wedding in
vitation. Because Nicholas Ponoff was not at hand just as be wanted bim, Schelm discharges
bim. On Popoff are dependent his aged mother and her child, living in one of the poorest dis
tricts of the city. Popoft returns to them desperate. His sweetheart Helen, and Miller drop in
and Miller leaves all that Is left of the money Vladimir gave bim. Nicholas vow revenge on
Schelm. Miller calls on Schelm, again penniless and hungry. Schelm gives him 10,000 rubles for
which Miller binds himself to bis service absolutely, and thus becomes tbe tool of Schelm in a
roost outrageons conspiracy against his benefactor, Vladimir Lanin. Schelm needs more money.
Nicholas Popoff overhears him say so ana offers to get 100,000 rubles by forgery. Schelm ac
cepts, intending to betray PoponT immediately be gets tbe money, because the discharged soldier
has beard too much. PopoS biines tbe money, but, suspecting Schelm, gives him all the 100,000
rubles instead or retaining part. It was Bcbelm's plan to get rid of him by prosecuting him for
retaining money. Lanin fs married and spends his honeymoon at Crimea. He does all in his
power for Miller and makes Popoff his Secretary. After their return Lanin displays jealousy
of Count Palm, of the French Legation. Jana is angered. Afterward in Miller's presence she
tells of a woman's clnb to which she belongs. Madame de Dugarcy. of the French Legation, is
the head of this woman's club. It is to meet Saturday at 10 o'clock. Miller arranges to meet
Lanin at tbe theater that day. Then Miller goes to the meeting place of conspirators against the
Czar. He officiates, saying tbe Ace of Clubs, who Is President, is detained. The meeting shows
tbe conspiracy is of great power. The Ace of Clubs has hitherto been unknown to the conspira
tors. Tbey demand to know bim, when Miller, forced at last into close quarters, says be will
bring '"The Ace of Clubs" to tbe next meeting. The conspirators adjourn, to meet for final ac
tion at the same hour Jana's woman's clnb is to meet. Schelm manages to get an order for 200.
000 rubles to carry out his plans under pretense tbat It is necessary to bribe tbe leader of the
conspiracy. Then he plots with Miller to eet Vladimir Lanln into the room of the conspirators
when the arrests are made. Miller suggests to Vladimir that all is not well at Jana's woman's
club and arouses his jealousy. At the theater Miller arranges so that Vladimir overbears a
conversation in which the clnb is spoken of in a suspicions manner. One of the conversational
ists drops tbe street number of the room in which the conspirators meet in such a connection
as to lead Vladimir to believe it is tbe street number of Jana's clnb. He also drops tbe pass
words to the conspirators' meeting. Vladimirand Miller hasten to the bouse indicated. Vladimir
wild with excitement. He gives the password and passes himself off as tbe Ace of Clubs. He
is hailed by the conspirators as their unknown but powerful leader, and just as they are rushing
up to him Colonel Palkln and his gendarmes break into the room and arrest tbe conspirators.
Jana and Madame de Dugarcy harine finished with their club matters, go to the theater, where
they were to meet Vladimir and Miller. Not finding them, they co to Jana's borne. There
Colonel Palkln and his gendarmes hasten and search tbe house. Madame de Dugarcy goes to
Wernin's home and informs him of the arrests. Tbe old man is broken-hearted. Popoff tells
him of the forgery episode and Jana promises to intercede with the Czar. According to Miller's
understanding with Schelm, he was to be arrested along with Vladimir, whom he betrayed, and
then Schelm was to pay him and secure bis release so he could flee from Russia. Miller and
Vladimir occupy adjoining cells in tbe awful dungeon called a prison. Schelm visits them,
tauntinc Vladimir and rejoicing in his revenge, and paying Miller the price of his dishonor. In
stead of freeing Miller, however, Schelnvbreaks his word and leaves him to be sent with Vladi
mir and the conspirators to Siberia. Being caught in the act of conspiring, no trial is held.
Madame de Dugarcy makes an investigation and solves the whole plot. Jana is shocked to
learn that Vladimir doubted her, bnt realizing the details of the plot, sees how he was wrought
upon.
CHAPTER 3X
At 7 o'clock Mr. Schelm received the
Count and his daughter with that cold and
stiff official air which he assumed with his
subordinates. The Councilor offered him a
million rubles, then half of his whole for
tune. Jana proud Jana humbled herself
before him, and with tears in her eyes
begged for mercy. It was all in vain.
Schelm, whose eyes beg3n to sparkle as he
exulted in the offers of the old man and the
humiliation of Jana, who knelt before him,
only answered coldly:
"I am out of the question now. But calm
vourselves. The Czar is merciful. The
criminals will be sent as colonists to Siberia.
That is the limit of punishment."
"But you know that Yladimir is inno
cent," exclaimed Jana.
Schelm removed his spectacles and played
the part of an astonished man to perfection.
. "Innocent 1 He? Thence of Clubs, the
head of the conspiracy?"
'Enough of this farce, this hypocrisy,"
cried Jana, indignantly. "You revenge
yourself for an innocent jest, and your re
venge is terrible. You alone have invented
tbe whole conspiracy, or, at least, with
devilish cunning, managed to involve my
husband in the affair I"
Schelm piously folded his hands.
"I appreciate your grief, madame, but I
cannot help you. Calm yourselt; go home
and send for a physician."
He rang the bell and a clerk entered.
"Please accompany these visitors down.
Pardon me; my time is not my own."
"Be careful, Mr. Schelm," said Jana.
"We shall fight till our last breath."
"I shall move heaven and earth to dis
cover this infamous plot. Do you hear,
wretch ?" cried Wernin, furious at the dis
courtesy shown his daughter.
Schelm shrugged his shoulders and said
to the clerk: "Accompany this poor old
man and his daughter downstairs, and see
to it that they do not fall."
"Very well," said Jana. "We will go,
but beware !",,., llx , .
"At last I" said Schelm. "I have not
humiliated this proud woman enough yet.
I must crush her. Well, I wonder how
they will enj'ov the separation. Sometimes
these high personages escape us after all."
After ten minutes' profound meditation a
knock was heard at the door. In answer to
his "Walk in" a clerk handed him a letter.
"There is a man waiting down stairs who
wants to be announced at once. He has
written his name and says Tour Excellency
will no doubt receive him." .
"Nicholas Popoffl" exclaimed Schelm,
with a glance at the card. "Let hini come
up at once. When he, does come, look well
at him."
"Very well. Your Excellency.
"As soon as he is in my bureau you will
hasten to the nearest police station and ask
for two policemen: these you station at the
entrance of the Ministry. When the
stranger leaves me you will accompany him,
and, under some pretext, hand him over to
the police. You know him. I am sorry he
used to be employed here."
"I have-been here only two months.
"Then look at him all the more carefully.
He is a verv dangerous fellqw. Let himbe
searched carefully and bring me everything
that is found on him."
"Your Excellency," said the clerk,
"Colonel Palkin happens to be in the Min
ister's bureau, I might perhaps"
"Do what I have ordered," said Schelm.
"You deliver this man into the hands of
the police if I should not change my mind.
Tn that case I shall sav. 'I do not wish to ,
see anv one.' That will be a sign for you
to send the policemen back. Do you under-
'.i..'
awuui
"Perfectly, Your Excellency!"
"Now send the stranger upl"
"Hal hal" cried Schelm, delighted. "He
alone was still waiting. He comes into my
net of his own accord."
The clerk comes back ushering in Popoff.
He drew near Schelm.
"Ah! Is tbat you?" said Schelm. "What
do you wish?"
"A mere trifle, Count Lanin's pardon."
"Schelm sprang up from his chair.
"Count Lanin's! What have you to do
with Lanin?"
"I am his secretary. He took me in when
I was driven away from here. I wrote to
vou at that time that I should keen silent
unlets I was attacked. I have kept silent. 1
Now yon persecute my benefactor and rob
me of my daily bread. Yon will not
wonder if I defend myself, tberefore, I say
I ask for Count Lanin's pardon. Ston, I
expressed myself badly; I ask for docu
ments establishing his innocence and the
immediate stopping of all proceedings
against him."
"Ha! ha!" said Scheim, as soon as he
had gradually recovered from his first sur-
POPOFF COTEEED SCUELH 'WITH A PISTOIi.
prise. "Now I have the key of the whole
mystery in my hand I I allowed you to
finish your speech. Tbat ought tobaenough
for vou. If you wish for an answer here it
is: 'You are a rebellions and a dishonest
clerk! Away! Out of my sight!"
Popoff drew still nearer.
"I shall not go till I have what I want.
I have proof against you in my hands."
"Ha! ha! a eopy of a few lines! show me
your proof. The low clerk Popoff against
the head of division. That is laughable,
but I will take pity and talk with you as my
accomplice. The old certificate fs already
in my possession yours has no value. No
body will inquire about the means if the
end is onlv attained. That is what you
yourself said. The Minister will even
thank me for having acted thus. To whom
will you show vour paper? At best to some
subordinate official. You had bet
ter listen to me, my friend. Give me back
that paper and perhaps I'll pardon you.
Although it is of no value to any one, I
do not like my signature to be seen in the
world." . , , ,
"I shall only exchange it lor the freedom
of the Count."
"Are you insane?" cried Schelm. "Is it
for you to make conditions? I can have you
arrested, searched andstripped of every paper
you possess."
"You are right," replied Popoff coolly.
"In my hands this little sheet oi paper may,
be worth little enongh. but in the .hand of I
Count Lanin or his wife it goes quite far,
and if you do not do what I ask I shall hand
it to some one and tell the whole story to the
Emperor's aid. You can have me searched;
you will find nothing. Pardon
me," he added, as he noticed tbat Schelm
was reaching for the bell, "please do not play
with it I"
PopofTs voice sounded so threatening that
Schelm turned round. There he stood, aim
ing at his former chief, with a pistol in his
hand and his eye glowed with such irrevo
cable decision that Schelm was for the mo
ment paralyzed.
"Ha, ha! You thonght I would call on
you unarmed, Mr. Schelm. Yon were
about to ring, to have me arrested, searched
and sentenced to lifelong confinement. Yon
would search my papers in vain! I have
waited till the last moment, because I know
very well that if I take your life I jeopard
ize my own also. The moment, therefore,
you move or call I kill you like a mad dog.
They will rush up as soon as the shot is
heard, arrest me, and then I shall tell all I
know, and they will soon find ont, in addi
tion, all I do not know. I count npon the
scandal being big enough to reach the high
est personages. I sacrifice myself, but I
save the Count and he will not let my
mother suffer, nor my betrothed, nor my
brother."
Schelm had lost his mind entirely and
turned deadly pale.
"To threaten me with a pistol hers
in the Ministry of the Interior such a thing
has never happened in Bnssia. You are
mad!"
"We must finish our business!" said
Popoff, raising his pistol.
"Tell me what you want!" stammered
Schelm.
"1 have told you twice the documents
proving Count Lanin's innocence.
"How can I fnrnish them when the Count
is gnilty! 1 know nothing I can do noth
ing I have no proofs."
"Enough!" cried Popoff, toying with the
trigger. "Will you do my bidding or
not?"
"I'll try, I'll endeavor, and after all I do
not care so much for him."
"What fools men are in the face of dan
ger," sneered Popoff contemptuously. "You
keep me waiting, hoping that somebody
may come and save yon. Do you think
I'll leave your room and be arrested as I
come out? I can find the papers myself.
They are there, in tbe concealed niche be
hind the portrait- of Alexander. Open it at
once!"
Schelm was beside himself. If looks could
kill men, Schelm's would have annihilated
Popoff instantly.
A second time Popoff touched the trigger.
Schelm bowed low as if to avoid the ball..
Almost unconsciously he went up to the
picture, touched the spring, and muttering
curses, opened the box.
"Now stop!" cried Popoff. "I'll find the
papers and return them when Count Lanin
is set free!"
Schelm stood there as if struck by light
ning and tried to master his fury. Popoff
stepped up to take the papers. This forced
him for an instant to turn the pistol aside
from Schelm's head. This was the critical
moment. The same instant Schelm sprang
aside, and with almost supernatural
strength, closed the swinging portrait of the
Czar, so that Popoff was almost crushed be
tween it and the wall behind.
Now Schelm laughed aloud and threw
himself into a chair to wipe the perspiration
off his face and catch breath.
Popoff, although struck bard, suffered no
injury. He tried to ascertain where he was,
and noticed that he wa3 imprised in a space
about six feet high and three feetwide. Soon
he felt sick and the blood rose to his head.
Evidently there was no ventilation. He be
gan to shout; then he tried to recover ths
pistol which he had dropped, but it was too
dark to see anything. Now despair seUed
him and he began to strike the wall with hia
fists, knowing that he would soon lose his
consciousness. Suddenly be felt an acuta
paiu in one hand. He had strnck something
harder than the wall. At the same time hs
began to breatbe'more freely and thought at
once that he must have struck a secret spring
which opened a concealed outlet.
"I am not yet lost I" he cried, joyfully.
Popoff was as cunning in mind as resolute
in action. He put as many papers as he
conld seize in his pockets and felt along the
passage which he had accidentally discov
ered. It was so narrow that he could only
proceed sideways. A little distance farther
on it took a different direction and Popoff
perceived a faint glimmer of light, which
came through a small opening from an ad
joining room, evidently connected with
Schelm's private office.
Soon Popoff was at the end of the passage
and could look into that room. The light
came from a lamp standing on a table and
the sound of several voices, conversing,
struck PopofTs ear. He hesitated, but sud
denly he heard behind him Schelm's voice
crying out:
"That man is the devil himself, he has
discovered the secret passage I"
For nothing in the world would Popoff
fall again into the power of his enemy. He
gathered his whole strength and burst open
the door. There was a great noise, a desk
was evidently moved in great haste and
Popoff found himself in a large, gorgeously
furnished and brilliantly lighted apart
ment. An elderly man in the uniform of a Gen
eral, the Colonel of the gendarmes and sev
eral officials looked at him amazed and at
the same time curious.
"The Minister!" exclaimed Popoff: "I am
lost."
"Who is that man? How did he get in
here? How does he know the secret pas
sage?" asked Count Perowski.
Palkin observed the newcomer attentively.
"Ho, ho!" he exclaimed. "I have seen
that man at Count Lanin's. He must be
one of the conspirators. Are they to be
found even in the Ministry of the Interior?
I recognize the man!"
He approached him, put his hand on hia
shoulder, and said:
"I arrest you."
"The Colonel of the gendarmes, Palkin,"
reflected Popoff "He is Schelm's bitterest
enemy. Now, I shall at least avenge the
Count and- get me a splendid generalship.
Yes, Colonel," he said aloud. "I am your
prisoner."'
Behind the furniture that had been upset
by PopofTs violent entry Schelm's fright
ened face now appeared."
"Hold him fast. Arrest him. He is a
dangerous man, a former clerk of mine. Be
has stolen secret papers from the Ministry;
he must be searched and the papers taken
from him."
"Pardon me," said Popoff. "I am ready
to confess all. I do possess secret papers of
the Ministry of the Interior and shall handijj
them over to Colonel Palkin, who will havYftr
the kindness to peruse them. The, head of
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