The Free lance., February 01, 1898, Image 17

i 898.1
a dagger. But before the blow could fall her eyes fell upon the
half-hidden portrait. That instant she paused. Then the arm
was slowly lowered. The wild light died from her eyes, and into
its place came another past and present seemed to be struggling
for the mastery in her mind. She passed a trembling hand across
her eyes. Then, with a rush, as of a mighty torrent, reason and
memory came back. It was her portrait, and she was not Lonia
Romanoff. She was his wife. And she had come there to murder
him. " Oh, God !" and the dagger fell clattering to the floor.
Leopold started to his feet like a flash. But an instant his
glance rested upon the face of his visitor. Then, with a glad cry,
in which the pent-up longing and passion of years found expres
sion, he moved toward her.
" Elda," he said, in a voice of infinite tenderness, " Elda, you
have come back to me back from the dead," and he tried to
take her hands.
" No, no 1" she whispered hoarsely, drawing back. "Do not
touch me. Look, Leo, I would have murdered you." And she
pointed to the dagger where it had fallen. " Oh, Leo, let me
escape; let me go back. I cannot stay with you. lam accursed.
I am a Nihilist !"
. She paused a moment, breathless. But he did not heed her
passionate words. In spite of her protestations, he caught her in
his arms and kissed her reverently.
" You are my wife, Elda," he said, " and I love you." And
she knew that her paradise was regained.
Then, while the firelight danced and played on the walls,
she sat upon the divan, with his protecting arm about her, and
told him the story of her life during those eleven long years.
How a blow from a flying timber had destroyed her memory of
the past; how she had been carried away by the stream and cast
up on the sand bar; how she was found and adopted by a peasant
family; how she journeyed to St. Petersburg in search of employ
ment; and, finally, how she became associated with the Nihilists
and was chosen to kill him. As she finished a spasm of fear
crossed her face.
" Oh, Leopold," she cried, " I have broken my vow. And
death is the penalty. Your life, as well as mine, is in danger."
" Have no fear, little one," said Leopold. "We shall escape
The Passing of the Tyrant