Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

THE BROTHERHOOD .OF SILENCE. 143 “Why shouki ©? I know.” “J am atfrasd that you do not.’ “One who would send my beautiful sister to Siberia—Bah! [ will aot talk with. you.” “ Have I been unmercifal except to those who are confessed mrurderers, and those who are only awaiting a chance to kill?” “No,” he replied relactanfly. “ Do you not see how impossible it is to accomplish what your people want to do by the commission of crimes? ‘You, who were one of the men waiting to kill me as soon as I came out of the house of your sister—what was your first thonght when my men fell apon and arrested you? Did you not think that your stster had betrayed you all to me?” CE Ves” . “ Did you not say so?” He hung his face in shame and answered: “ Yes.” “Ys that not the thought among your friends at this moment, and would the fife of your sister be safe from them ii she were in her own house tonight? ” “Tt would not.” | . “And yet, you call such people your friends—those who would without question put her to death on mere suspicion—to a death to which you have helped to condemn her by your foul suspicions, and the more foul utterance of them. Shame on you, ivan d’Eicheveria! Shame on yoa!” Pain contorted his face, and he was silent. “ Did you fire the bullet that so nearly killed me?” TI asked. “No, I did not do that, but I directed that tt be done. You would not ‘have escaped if I had held the pistol.” “Perhaps not. It is unimportant,.any way. Have you not wondered why I brought you to this house? ” “Yo torture me; that, at least, is what you are doing.” “TI bronght you here to save you.” “To save me!” ‘Yes; from the folly of your youth. - You are a man in years, but a boy in every act you comm. Have you manhood enough left in you to want to save your sister, who now, thanks to you, has two enemies to face? Russia would send her to Siberta, and the Nihilists would murder her. She would have sacrificed herself for you—she offered to do so. Are you as willing to sacrifice yourself for her? ” | “ God knows that I am.” “Will you prove it? ” “Oh, that I might!” . “You shall have the chance. [I cannot quite trust you, Ivan, or, for her sake, I would loosen your bonds and set you free now. But you would hasten to your friends and warn them of their danger, and by that act you would destroy your sister ferever—by that act you would kill her. She is safe and will be safe, if they are not warned of what is to happen tonight. Shall I set you free, and trnst to your ‘honor not ‘to po to them?” ecomilEcooolks COLNT