Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 140: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE BROTHERHOOD OF SILENCE. 133 pulled the trigger, but the charge in the pistol did not explode. That is what you thought when you leaped back and raised the hammer for another trial. But it was even worse than that, for there was no charge to explode; the pistol was not loaded. Your poor mind, so overburdened, had forgotten the most necessary thing of all, and you had not prepared your weapon for the work it had to do. “You discovered your error too late; but the Czar had discovered it also. ‘ He was bigger and stronger than you, and with a bound he was upon you. He seized the pistol and tore it from your grasp, and then, while he held you, bending backwards—for you were still weak, and he always was a giant— he brought 1t down again, and again, and again upon your unprotected head, until your brains were battered out, and spattered hemecives upon the floor, the walls, and even upon the ceiling of the room. “And then, when you were quite dead, killed by the hand of the Czar himself, he, covered for once in his life with real blood, blood that he had shed in person and not by deputy, staggered to the door, called for assistance, and fainted.” Again she left me, this time crossing the room and throwing herself upon a couch, where she cried softly, like one who has an incurable sorrow, which must at times break out in tears. After all, tears are the safety valves of nervous expansion, and there are times when they save the heart and the brain from bursting. I knew that, and I left her alone to “ cry it out,” at least for the moment; but I knew that she had not yet told me quite all; that there must be a sequel to all this, and I was soon to hear it. | Presently the sobbing of the princess.ceased, and after watching her fora time, I left my seat and went to her. * Princess,” I said in a low tone. She raised her head from the pillow and looked at me, and I have never seen such a combination of emotions expressed in one glance as there was in her eyes at that instant. “There is more?” I asked. ) . “Very little more. I have not yet told you why I ama Nihilist, and that is what I began this story for. Yvonne was my most intimate friend. I loved her as I would have loved—no, better than I would have loved a sister. Her brother, Stanislaus, was my betrothed. We were to have been married within the year when Yvonne was taken away. Now you know all; ” and she turned her head away again. “No; not all yet,” I said. “ What became of the officer who made all the trouble? ” “He returned,” she replied, without again raising her eyes. “Where is he now, princess? ” “ He is here.” “Here? In St. Petersburg? ” é¢ Yes.” “Do you know him? Do you see him?” “Yes, frequently. He was here last night.” GOH GoOOO ‘SS COLNT