f 
 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tliis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
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 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924022160281 
 
Cornell University Library 
 PS 2779.S5W5 
 
 The white lady of Khaminavatka :a story 
 
 3 1924 022 160 281 
 
The White Lady 
 
 of Khaminavatka. 
 
The White Lady 
 
 of Khaminavatka 
 
 A Story of the Ukraine 
 
 By 
 
 Richard Henry Savage. 
 
 Author of "The Masked Venus," "Checked Through," "The Lost 
 
 Countess Falka," "A Modern Corsair," " For Her Life," 
 
 " In the Shadow of the Pyramids," 
 
 " In the Swim." 
 
 Chicago and New York: 
 
 Rand, McNally & Company, 
 
 Publishers, 
 
Copyright, 1898, by Richard Henry Savage. 
 All rights reserved. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 a kherson vendetta. 
 
 Chapter. Pages. 
 
 I — A Contested Election. The Barren Victory, . . 5-22 
 
 II — A Palace of the Steppes . . 22-46 
 
 III — Easter Eve at Bratskoe 46-75 
 
 IV — On Hostile Ground 75-94 
 
 V — Stolen Kisses , 95-112 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE. 
 
 VI — Xenia's Plan, ' 113-131 
 
 VII — The Red Danger Light 131-156 
 
 VIII — Princess Vera's Visit. Down the River, . . . 157-185 
 
 IX — The Foot of the Foeman. Betrayed! 185-214 
 
 X — Xenia's Stratagem. With the Dead! 214-239 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 PAYING THE PRICE. 
 
 XI — The White Lady of Khaminavatka 241-263 
 
 XII — A Weaving Spider 263-286 
 
 XIII — A Watchful Quartette. Arcady's Recrudescence, 287-309 
 
 XIV — At the New Post Station. A Woman Scorned, . 309-336 
 XV — The Midnight Surprise. Love's Miracle. Back 
 
 from the dead 336-37° 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 A STORY OF THE UKRAINE. 
 
 BOOK I.-A KHERSON VENDETTA. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 A CONTESTED ELECTION.— THE BARREN VICTORY. 
 
 "Barin ! They have taken the road before us. What 
 are we to do ?" cried Ivan, the coachman, as he reined up 
 his smoking steeds at the crossi'oads. 
 
 The sleeper awol<e with a start, and lazily contem- 
 plated the womanish form of Ivan, in his long blue robe, 
 decorated with silver bell buttons, — the quaint low silk 
 coachman's hat, — his flowing golden beard alone saving 
 his visible claims to sex. 
 
 Here, on the sloping knoll, the roads from Bratskoe 
 and Khaminavatka joined, and the rival noble houses 
 used the same track over the steppes, to the cheerless 
 town of Novokrainka, nestling in a stony low valley, by 
 the cheerless banks of the muddy Bug. 
 
 "Drive on slowly. Let one of the men gallop down 
 into the valley. If he finds them already there, let him 
 come back and warn you, and, we will then, — go on to 
 the Post Station." With an air of affected unconcern, 
 the master sank back upon his pillows, and the tchet- 
 viorka moved slowly on. 
 
 One of four well mounted Cossack outriders had 
 dashed down into the glen, and Ivan cast his eyes anx- 
 iously backward over the brown steppe to note the posi- 
 tion of the three khibitkas following smartly on, with 
 the master's luggage. 
 
 5 
 
6 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 The four splendid black Orloffs proudly bore that 
 silver star in their foreheads which marks the haughtiest 
 lineage of the blue blooded trotters of the Don. 
 
 They were matchless, in Kherson, — in all of New Rus- 
 sia, — even in the broad Ukraine, — and, would have found 
 no peers on that vast steppe which sweeps along from 
 China to the Danube. 
 
 The heavy caleche was of luxurious appointments. 
 The richness of the silver mounted harness, — the splen- 
 did covers and weather hood, — all indicated the grand 
 seigneur on his travels. 
 
 There were two light trunks strapped behind, a larder 
 and mess chest under the driver's box, and, — ^within the 
 caleche, — His Excellency Pierre Alexis Dumont, the 
 manor lord of Khaminavatka, was stretched out, repos- 
 ing comfortably upon well wadded cushions and pillows 
 of down. 
 
 Lanterns for night driving, a couple of pistol holsters 
 and a superb English double rifle evidenced the thought- 
 ful traveler. 
 
 The peasants, but two years liberated from serfdom, 
 were all well armed, for, in these ante-railroad days of 
 sixty-five, there were yet wild men prowling upon the 
 lonely wastes across which for a thousand years the 
 mounted Asian barbarians swept into the open doors of 
 Europe. 
 
 "A cool one, the master," mused Ivan, as he slowly 
 guided his four steeds, harnessed abreast, down a steep 
 cut road, winding through a little rocky glen, into a 
 meadow where a dozen houses were clustered. 
 
 It was a sink in the rolling, seemingly sterile, prairie, 
 treeless and all forlorn, which stretched from Elizabeth- 
 grad to Kharkof, and, from Woloczisk to Odessa. The 
 home of the conquering Tartar, the Cossack's strong- 
 hold, the theater of forgotten wars. 
 
 Ivan's back stiffened with pride, as the Cossack out- 
 rider came briskly trotting back, throwing up his hand 
 in a warning signal. A half dozen traveling carriages 
 were now grouped in front of a clump of willows in the 
 hollow, where a priceless spring gushed forth and pretty 
 Marika, the belle of the farm steading, was loud in her 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 7 
 
 coquettish laughter as the single carriage drove slowly 
 by at half pistol shot range. 
 
 There were a dozen men, — the hated clan of the Rado- 
 vichs, — clustered around the all too willing fair one, as 
 Pierre Dumont raised himself on his elbow and harshly 
 cried, "Drive on quickly — to the Post Station." 
 
 With a frightened glance, Ivan, essentially a man of 
 peace, then saw his master loosen his holster revolvers, 
 and grasp the famous double rifle which had slain so 
 many Ukraine wolves and Volhynian elk. 
 
 Bears from Tambov, and — other and nobler game had 
 fallen before the muzzle of that dreaded gun. 
 
 But, as the four Orloffs crowned the hill, Pierre Du- 
 mont laughed bitterly and dropped his rifle. 
 
 "The cowards would never dare to face me," he 
 sneered. "I shall beat them yet, — ^for all their family 
 rally." 
 
 And — so, it fell out, that while the hostile Radovichs 
 sullenly stared, open eyed, Pierre Dumont calmly drew 
 out his cigarette case, a marvel of Outchinikoff' s handi- 
 work, clustered with monograms and jewel studded. 
 
 The Lord of Khaminavatka was hidden in blue smoke 
 wreaths as his carriage drew up before the cheerless post 
 station on the farther hill. 
 
 His eager retainers were all clustered around as the 
 station keeper's whole family rushed to the front of the 
 squalid whitewashed mud hut in acknowledgment of 
 the unexpected honor. 
 
 "Feed your horses, get me a samovar, eat your own 
 suppers and we will then drive on," curtly ordered the 
 master, as Tourko, his valet, nimbly hopped from his 
 perch at Ivan's side. 
 
 The carriage had been artfully swung around to fend 
 off the evening winds of the steppe, and the nimble valet 
 flew to prepare his master's supper, opening a mess 
 chest whose silver service bore the crest of the proud 
 Dumonts 
 
 Dogs, pigs, ducks and geese clattered in a huddle 
 about the squalid stone station house, whose sheepfold, 
 barnyard and stable were marked with outlying moun- 
 tains of animal refuse. 
 
8 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 The black and white post, the official double-headed 
 eagle, and a pretentious inscription^ marked the Post 
 Station, in whose doors a couple of Jew peddlers timidly 
 eyed the lord of two hundred thousand acres. Their 
 flowing gaberdines and corkscrew curls bespoke them as 
 under the ban. Specters, homeless and houseless, — not 
 within the pale of the law. 
 
 The station keeper, cap in hand, his red shirt flaming 
 out over his dark trousers and high boots, murmured 
 his obeisance while the four Cossacks drove off a half 
 dozen huge wolf-fanged Cossack watch dogs, their griz- 
 zled manes rising truculently over their massive shoul- 
 ders. To his profound salaams, Baron Pierre returned 
 only a curt nod of sufferance. 
 
 Xenia, his wife, quickly throwing a gossamer shawl 
 around her bared bosom, now humbly approached, with 
 a plate bearing bread and salt ! The spell of a remark- 
 able beauty lingered on her wistful face, and a fierce 
 flame of vigorous life still shone in her burning black 
 eyes! 
 
 She had not forgotten a May night but a few years 
 ago when the Lord of the Manor had led her out, under 
 the white Kherson moon, into the lindens, after a vil- 
 lage peasants' ball. For then she was renowned far and 
 near as the peasant queen of the Kherson. Beautiful 
 still, — though wretched ! 
 
 Pierre Dumont dismissed them both with measured 
 coolness. He had forgotten all but the presence of his 
 hated enemies clustering below him there, in the shel- 
 tered glen. 
 
 With cold, steely eyes, the burly man of fifty gazed 
 out over the lonely steppe, now glowing like burnished 
 copper in the last rays of an autumn sun. 
 
 The sheep and cattle were slowly wandering home- 
 ward, and the far away shouts of the herdsmen sounded 
 shrill in the silence of the coming night. 
 
 Far away rolled the horizon of the treeless waste, now 
 shorn of its harvests. In the east, a pale, sickly moon 
 was vainly struggling to blend its rays with the radiance 
 of the dying sun. 
 
 With sepulchral significance, the Tartar Kourganes 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 9 
 
 dotted the unbroken plains, those bald, round mounds 
 telling of all the fierce life which had burned itself out, 
 in past ages — here in this lonely land ! 
 
 A land of silence, and of sorrows ! A land of thrilling 
 memories too! For, the spell of the past was steaHng 
 over Dumont as he brooded over his enemies near him — 
 and — the coming struggle of the election for Marechale 
 de Noblesse' at Elizabethgrad. 
 
 While the valet deftly lit the carriage lanterns and 
 spread a portable table in the caleche, Pierre Dumont 
 wandered out alone on the shorn steppe. 
 
 There was little to indicate the richness of the fifteen- 
 foot black loam of the granary of Europe. The brown 
 breast of the waste was stretched to receive the autumn 
 rains, and open to the winter snows. Clad in a dark 
 surtout of the finest black broadcloth wadded with cot- 
 ton, with gloves and turban of priceless sea otter, the 
 manor lord faced the chill breeze. The Russian noble 
 was indeed a stately presence. 
 
 His athletic figure, — his sun-browned visage, — his 
 gleaming dark eyes and close curling black hair and 
 beard, proved a man of marked resolution and energy. 
 
 But, standing alone this night, a human dot on the 
 great steppe, his heart failed him. The utter loneliness 
 of the scene palsied his iron heart. 
 
 Born in the superb family castle on the Ukraine steppe, 
 — educated at the University of Moscow and later at 
 Heidelberg, — he had gone out into the great world, but, 
 his heart had throbbed ever for the wild, lonely land of 
 his birth ! And, a golden-hearted woman had once made 
 this loneliness a Paradise to him for long years. 
 
 On this cheerless night, he heard again her last whis- 
 per, "Pierre, I love you!" But, — life and love said Good 
 Bye as that, dear voice was stilled forever. 
 
 The Lady of Khaminavatka now slept the sleep which 
 knows no waking in the splendid family chapel, nestling 
 under the walls of the stately chateau builded by his 
 grandfather, — and, the childless widower had at last 
 turned to social ambition as an occupation of his later 
 years. Lord of a dozen manors in Podolia, — Bessarabia, 
 — Volhynia, and Tambov, he clung fondly to the palace 
 
10 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 on the steppes where the beloved woman who had lain 
 upon his heart lay buried near him, her folded arms 
 crossed on her gentle breast. 
 
 In the days of the new dispensation, — the freeing of 
 the serfs, — Pierre Dumont had remained to minister to 
 the two villages of eight hundred and twelve hundred 
 souls, on his paternal estates. 
 
 They were struggling along in the transition period 
 from serf to freeman, and the hasty bounty of the Czar, 
 the gift of an unexplained freedom, was as yet merely an 
 untried experiment, the Mir system slowly developing 
 into life. 
 
 A Marquis by birth, of an historic French family, — 
 an Excellence, — a noble bearing the highest orders of the 
 Russian crown, — he had given up his lonely life to tree 
 plantation, — to improving his estates, — to lifting up the 
 sad, stolid Little Russians and the New Russians around 
 him, — and he watched from afar the brilliant career of 
 his only brother. Major Serge Armand Dumont, a glit- 
 tering courtier, now Major of the Chevalier Garde Regi- 
 ment, the unforgotten heroes of Austerlitz. 
 
 The night winds sighed around him, as one bright 
 star, the planet of Love, swung up over the darkening 
 steppe. 
 
 "I can do good here, — to my poor people, — as Mare- 
 chale de Noblesse," he sighed, — "and, — I will always be 
 near her ! 
 
 "It was her life work — to raise up the hapless Kherson 
 peasantry !" His face hardened as, with a wild flourish 
 of whips, a dozen carriages swept by. It was the caval- 
 cade of his rivals, the Radovichs. They were hastening 
 on to defeat the only ambition of his darkened life. 
 
 "Canaille 1" he muttered. "I shall conquer you, — for 
 all your gathered clansmen." He slowly retraced his 
 steps, for the little train of his own retainers had toiled 
 up out of the glen, and Tourko, at his side, now sum- 
 moned the lonely man to his repast arranged in the cur- 
 tained caleche. 
 
 Half an hour later, the four black Orloffs were stretch- 
 ing away over the steppe with their tireless stride, and 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. II 
 
 the little Post Station relapsed into its lethargic mo- 
 notony. 
 
 When Pierre Dumont dropped his head on his cush- 
 ions, his last order was for the four armed Cossacks to 
 keep a hundred yards in advance of the tchetviorka, as a 
 living buflfer between himself and his foemen. For, 
 treason and thirst of blood haunted his steppe path now. 
 
 On, under the starlight, the caleche moved, threading 
 the beaten track over the forty cheerless versts of lonely 
 waste stretching to Novokrainka. 
 
 Tourko and Ivan, on the box, both armed to the 
 teeth, in bated whispers, talked in whispers under the 
 lonely stars of the hereditary feud of the Dumonts and 
 the Radovichs. 
 
 Before them, in the road, the four watchful Cossacks 
 rode, ready for an attack — ^their forms a dark blue in the 
 thin blue night air. 
 
 Both the gossiping retainers knew that the assembled 
 nobles of Kherson would soon choose either a Radovich 
 or a Dumont to be the four years leader of the aristo- 
 crats ! For two weeks, the beautiful city of Elizabeth- 
 grad had been convulsed with the cabals of the as- 
 sembling boyars. 
 
 "They outnumber us," sadly said Tourko, with a sink- 
 ing heart. "The Barin will succeed," proudly answered 
 Ivan. "He never fails." And — ^then, the old grizzled 
 coachman, lighting his cigarette, recounted the num- 
 berless victories of the Dumonts over the hated Rado- 
 vichs. For, fortune and honor clung to the Hne of the 
 Dumonts. 
 
 The simple servitor's chronicles only went back to the 
 time when Catherine the Second had rounded out the 
 work of Elizabeth and Peter the Great! In a land with- 
 out literature, — a land where the Cossack horse spurned 
 with his hoofs the dust of the forgotten brave, — ^the 
 scheming Potemkin and bold Orlofif, lovers^ both of the 
 Imperial Sphinx, — had rolled back the Turk forever. 
 
 In 1761, — New Russia was born, and the Cossack 
 horde, moulded of fierce Tartar, — brave Magyar, — ^wild 
 Slav, — brutal Turk, — cunning Asiatic, and stolid incom- 
 
12 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 ing Russian, had replaced the Mongol hosts now fading 
 away into the twilight of history. 
 
 Ivan knew by family tradition of how the Bulgarian, 
 Serbian, and Russian border nobles had crowded over 
 into the steppe land, — how the open hand of Catherine, 
 at the dictate of her amorous heart, had showered crown 
 gifts of domains upon French refugee, German Ritter, 
 and all proper men who caught that softened, roving. 
 Imperial eye. 
 
 The two henchmen were, like all the two thousand 
 souls at Khaminavatka, heirs of the border vendetta 
 which had followed the coming of the Dumonts and the 
 Radovichs to opposite sides of the Mertvovod, the 
 Dying Water. The north and south banks had been at 
 war for a hundred years. 
 
 The old General and Marquis Dumont had located the 
 north bank of the priceless stream, and left his vast pos- 
 sessions to his two sturdy sons, fortunately married to 
 Russian aristocrates, long before the two Radovich 
 brothers had appropriated the southern side, and builded 
 their two family strongholds at Bratskoe, and, at the bend 
 of the Mertvovod, — the last but a mile and a half from 
 the watch tower of that superb chateau of Khamina- 
 vatka, which was the pride of all the Kherson. 
 
 The third generation had found these powerful rivals 
 still more deeply embittered and, only the stain of blood 
 was now needed to raise the sedgy boundary in flame 
 and fire — a guerre a I'outrance. 
 
 "If Barin Serge were the master, — there would have 
 been blood enough shed before now," hazarded Tourko. 
 "Yes," sadly replied Ivan, crossing himself. "Only 
 that dead angel Barina Elise, — and the master's lifelong 
 sorrows, have prevented many murders. Besides, — 
 since the Czar has taken away his souls — he has no one 
 left to fight for him !" 
 
 And — then, Tourko, fingering his revolver and Cir- 
 cassian dagger, cried "Wait and see." 
 
 The long night wore away, only the howls of the sum- 
 mer-starved wolves broke the silence, and, in peace, at 
 the flushings of dawn, the caleche crossed the rickety 
 wooden bridge over the channeled Bug at Novokrainka 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 13 
 
 The home of the trading vultures who fatten on the Rus- 
 sian peasant. 
 
 On cheerless, stony plains, a few hundred thatched 
 mud huts were clustered among some rugged knolls at 
 a bend of the treacherous muddy flood. 
 
 In all the squalid city of three thousand souls, were 
 only domiciled a hundred Russian soldiery and officials, 
 — the whole population being the orthodox Polish cult 
 of Jews who trafficked in usury and, with glib cunning, 
 fattened upon the toil of the flaxen-haired, thick-headed 
 Russian peasantry of a hundred and fifty square miles. 
 
 Cringing, cajoling, and insinuating, with their own 
 secret mails, — places of safe refuge and banking arrange- 
 ments, herding in their synagogues and bath houses, — 
 this pliant, docile, cowardly mass, without labor easily 
 controlled the destinies of the Russian peasant woman's 
 little annual marketings by usurious craft and ate up the 
 profits of the million rouble grain crop of the haughtiest 
 noble. 
 
 In the smaller Kherson towns, a single police officer 
 and a squad of a dozen soldiers alone represented the 
 Czar, and, with wise acumen, — these sly Hebrews 
 avoided Elizabethgrad, — Kharkov, and the greater 
 Ukraine cities, where the sheen of the bayonets of the 
 marching regiments was as stars on the sea. 
 
 Masters and tyrants of commerce, — these ruling slaves 
 dominated a city where the hundred and four Russian 
 holidays of the year were increased by the Jewish Sab- 
 baths and feasts, and a fanatic religious rivalry killed all 
 pulsing prosperity. A death in life — the parasite fatten- 
 ing — the country decaying. 
 
 As Ivan proudly drew up the caleche before the one 
 Russian inn, at this City of the Dead, Excellence Pierre 
 Dumont sprang nimbly from his ambulatory couch. 
 
 In ten minutes, over the samovar, the noble had 
 learned all from Peter Petrovitch, the obsequious land- 
 lord. 
 
 There were no longer fears of any untoward collision, 
 for the high road to Elizabethgrad, a hundred and fifty 
 versts, was thronged with travel. And — the Radovichs 
 feared the Czar's strong hand ! 
 
14 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 The prettiest of Kherson maids, in richly embroidered 
 white jacket, with trimmings of red and blue, beaded 
 necklace, and collar with Greek cross, blue and red head 
 dress, with yellow apron and crimson sash, hastened to 
 serve a breakfast as lavish as good will could make. 
 
 In the courtyard, the Cossacks and servants soon 
 groomed the hardy horses, and — at nine o'clock, the 
 train of baggage wagons joined the traveling nobles' re- 
 tainers. 
 
 Pierre Dumont's jeweled fingers had long been busy 
 with a sheaf of letters and telegrams, when he drew forth 
 his cigarette case and interrogated the landlord, the son 
 of an old family intendant. 
 
 "Who went up ?" demanded Pierre. 
 
 "All their force, Barin," answered the innkeeper, 
 "General Andre Radovich; — his cousins from Tiraspol 
 and Wosnescenk; — the Barin Alexander, — the mad Ar- 
 cady, — and, all their available relatives. My wife came 
 back from Elizabethgrad only yesterday. 
 
 "The Princess Orbeleff and Barina Radovich are giv- 
 ing dinners and suppers daily there. The Princess has 
 brought the young Barina Magda down too, from the 
 Catherine Institute, and the young Barin — Ivan of the 
 Guards — is to bring all his Petersburg friends to help 
 them in the election." 
 
 "Indeed !" growled Pierre Dumont, "a mighty array, — 
 surely. Bring me a dozen telegraph blanks, and see that 
 all my people are ready to go on at noon. I shall push 
 ahead as soon as I can." He was eager for the clash 
 with his hated enemies. 
 
 Pierre Dumont's brow was black when he had fin- 
 ished his nervously scrawled telegrams. For the long 
 deferred wave of blood was rolling slowly on toward 
 them, at last ! 
 
 "I must trust to the Government's hidden influence, — 
 to Barbe Federoff's matchless diplomacy — or, — else — 
 all is lost. And — Serge must come down at once to 
 Elizabethgrad." 
 
 The letter of the Major, his only brother and heir, told 
 him of a mad rencontre at mess, after which Barbe Fe- 
 deroff's son had put a ball through the chest of Lieu- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. IS 
 
 tenant Ivan Radovich of the Preobajenskys. A fatal 
 rencontre ! 
 
 The troubled noble sighed for his widowed sister, the 
 mother of the young family fire eater, for the offending 
 Wassili Federoff was already on his way to Siberia, to 
 serve ten years as an officer of the Siberian Battalion. 
 
 Pierre Dumont's main social reliance had been his 
 widowed sister Barbe Federoff — ^the leader of the Eliza- 
 bethgrad noblesse, and the mother of the youthful duel- 
 ist, a Lieutenant of the Chevalier Garde — under the eyes 
 of his uncle Serge. 
 
 "La danse va commencer! It had to be" — sighed the 
 anxious noble, who well knew the hot blood of the pow- 
 erful Radovichs. "They will now try to revenge this 
 happening upon Serge," he mournfully decided, as he 
 drove away through the crowded streets where the chat- 
 tering Hebrews were holding their morning money 
 marts. 
 
 But, every one of his retainers had their orders as to 
 sudden quarrel, and — the ten men, with the three khibit- 
 kas, were bidden to hasten on traveling by night and day 
 into Elizabethgrad. 
 
 "No man's land !" sighed Pierre Dumont, as he dashed 
 along to where the matchless Swedes were swallowed up 
 by fiery Peter's hosts ! 
 
 "Since the days of Pontus, and the old Greek domin- 
 ion, — since the time of the Odyssey, — ^this open door of 
 Europe has been held by Ostrogoth, — Bulgarian, — 
 Petcheneges, — Magyars, — Poles, the hordes of Genghis 
 Khan, — the fierce Turks, the roving Cossacks, and, now 
 — mighty Russia. 
 
 "There's not a handful of dust which is not made up 
 of the wind-blown ashes of warriors, and the Roman 
 and Scythian struggled here to fill the insatiate maw of 
 the tomb !" 
 
 The shadow of olden days of horror drifted down upon 
 him and his mind was tenanted with all the fierce unrest 
 which has from time immemorial haunted the dwellers in 
 this lonely open battlefield of the ages. For the lonely 
 steppe casts its shadows upon the human soul ! 
 
 In the two days which followed as he sped along, un- 
 a 
 
16 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 ceasingly to his goal, he had already resolved upon his 
 course. "I will protect Serge from their vengeance," he 
 fondly thought. "He is young, the Benjamin of our 
 scanty tribe, for — at twenty-eight — there is surely life and 
 love before a man !" And, he revolved a thousand plans 
 to circumvent his hated rivals now in the lead ! 
 
 It was in a mood of great indecision that Pierre Du- 
 mont drove slowly through the embowered streets of 
 Elizabethgrad to the mansion of his sister Barbe Fe- 
 derofl, the widow of the leading crown judge of Southern 
 Russia. 
 
 The beautiful city of the plain was now thronged, and 
 the sight of this luxury by the Ingul, — the rich streets, — 
 the splendid suburbs, — the frowning bastions, — and the 
 crowding military awoke his flagging ambition. 
 
 The fertile plains, with their studding windmills, — ^the 
 splendid arsenal, — the crowds of richly clad merchants 
 haunting the fair, — the legions of cavalry and all the 
 bustle of a splendid city reminded him of the grave hon- 
 ors of Marechale of noblesse of a vast province. 
 
 With its local excitement of the election, crowds of 
 Jews, peasants and shopkeepers aided the clamor of 
 the curious burghers and the military, as the splendid 
 chargers of Pierre Dumont paced solemnly up the main 
 street of the quartier de noblesse. 
 
 The gleaming domes of the churches, — ^the luxury of 
 the villas, — the splendor of boyar wealth, all made up an 
 attractive scene, as the Lord of Khaminavatka drove 
 within the courtyard of his widowed sister's splendid 
 residence. 
 
 At the threshhold of the mansion, he was clasped in 
 the arms of Major Serge Dumont, who had hastened 
 from Petersburg to console the sad-eyed woman of 
 sixty, now mourning over the blighted prospects of her 
 hot-headed heir. 
 
 Serge Dumont was a knightly figure, in the splendid 
 undress uniform of the Chevalier Garde. 
 
 In the rich prime of early manhood,— his athletic form, 
 winning grace and impassioned, earnest face told of his 
 legitimist ancestry, the very flower of the old regime of 
 France. The fiery heart of his beautiful Russian mother 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. \^ 
 
 beat in the young soldier's breast as he drew the head of 
 his house away for a secret conference. 
 
 "Barbe!" cried Pierre. 
 
 "Is bowed down with WassiH's mad freak! Never 
 mind!" hopefully cried Serge. "We will have him back 
 next year! The Grand Duchesse has promised me his 
 pardon! The duel was really unprovoked — and — I am 
 anxious to avoid further trouble for you — Pierre. 
 
 "To leave you — alone — here — with these unforgiving 
 Radovich miscreants is an agony! Be guided by me! 
 The Czar is determined to stop duelling in the Guards 
 Regiments ! 
 
 "But the whole force of the Imperial Government will 
 be thrown in your favor! You must remain here with 
 Barbe! The election is to-morrow afternoon. 
 
 "Leave all to me! If there was a collision here — ^we 
 would all be ruined! We must not be the aggressors!" 
 
 "The Princess Vera Orbeleff" — doubtfully said Pierre. 
 "She is queening it here for the Baron Radovich — and, — 
 the General is already at her side." 
 
 "Listen, Pierre!" laughed the Major. "There is a 
 mystery in the power of the Princess Vera on the Neva. 
 You remember that the Minister of War is my god- 
 father." 
 
 Pierre nodded his head gloomily. 
 
 "Well! I have a letter of three lines from him for the 
 Princess! General Radovich is to be made an Aide de 
 Camp of the Czar! His brother will not be Marechale 
 de Noblesse ! For, the Minister is a bachelor and — must 
 not be compromised! She has long sought this for 
 Andre Radovich — as she is to spend her summer next 
 year at Bratskoe — en visite — for — the fascinated old 
 Minister will inspect Southern Russia." 
 
 "And, — the Imperial Aide de Camp!" cried Pierre. 
 
 "Will play sheep dog for his master! Leave all to me! 
 Go to Barbe — console her! I shall muzzle this fiery lit- 
 tle champion of Venus — and — she will do as I say!" 
 smiled Serge. "Centre la force, il n ya pas de resist- 
 ance." 
 
 It was late that night when handsome Serge Dumont 
 returned from a magnificent ball which was given on 
 
 2 
 
l8 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 neutral social ground, — by one of the greatest nobles of 
 the Kherson. 
 
 In the intervals of the mazurka, the Princesse Vera 
 Orbeleff found time to listen to a few words whispered 
 by her enemy's brother which made the cheeks of the 
 golden-haired angel paler than their wont! 
 
 The score of cavaliers of the Radovich factiori never 
 knew the magic which caused the daring little social free 
 lance to whisper "a demain," as Serge Dumont escorted 
 her to her seat among the flower of the opposing faction. 
 But, there was a turn in the tide — and — Serge slept hap- 
 pily. 
 
 It was at the dinner table on the morrow, where Pierre 
 Dumont faced his matronly, widowed sister, in an ex- 
 pectant silence, that Major Serge burst in, his face 
 wreathed with the smiles of victory. 
 
 "It is over — Pierre," he cried. "Thirty-five votes to 
 eighteen, — but — I beg you one favor in return. Beware 
 of our enemies. 
 
 "The Radovichs left the Salle de Noblesse in a body — 
 and — have gone home without even waiting for the Ball 
 to-morrow night! They mean some mischief — and — I 
 have a mind to apply for a three months' leave and, go 
 home with you! I fear for your safety!" 
 
 "Nonsense," cried the new Marechale de Noblesse, 
 "the Czar's servant is sacred — and — Khaminavatka is a 
 fortress !" And — the brave Serge sighed and stifled his 
 brooding fears in the joy of victory. 
 
 It was immediately after the splendors of the ball 
 which crowned the unlooked for success of Excellence 
 Pierre Dumont that the handsome Major Serge departed 
 for Saint Petersburg, and — strangely enough, his car- 
 riage overtook that of the Princess Vera Orbeleff, who 
 had been summoned by telegraph to the Neva, to be the 
 first to apprise General Andre Radovich of the favor of a 
 grateful Czar. 
 
 The blue eyes of the aristocratic intrigante were 
 dreamy as she leaned back in her britzka, murmuring 
 "I can wait," — for— the sudden defeat of the Radovich 
 clan had brought clouds upon her rosy present, but, with 
 true Muscovite patience — "she bowed to superior au- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 10 
 
 thority." But, the little intrigante was dreaming of fu- 
 ture favors of fickle fortune. 
 
 And, widowed Barbe Federoff — her dark hair silvered 
 with past cares and present sorrows, clung to her favorite 
 brother, as he said adieu a week later. 
 
 "Promise me — promise me, Pierre," she sobbed, "that 
 you will only trust your own people! These Serbians 
 will never forget their defeat — they will never forgive the 
 duel in which my poor Wassili wounded their kinsman." 
 
 And, so — ^blind as mortals are, Pierre Dumont went 
 his way to the lonely steppe, where he was the lord of 
 two thousand souls and no shadow lingered upon his 
 brow, as he thought of the future four years to be con- 
 secrated to the lifting up of the peasantry of the vast 
 domain where the mad Peter, — the madder Charles, and 
 the renegade Mazeppa, had fought with their horses fet- 
 lock deep in blood. The field where Sweden's sun set 
 forever. 
 
 It was three weeks after the strangely decided election, 
 where the invisible finger of a Czar had turned the scales 
 of fortune, that the new Marechale de Noblesse was driv- 
 ing slowly homeward over the steppe toward the lonely 
 palace whose lights were now shining out defiantly to- 
 ward the hostile camp of the Baron Radovich, far across 
 the bend of the sedgy Mertvovod. 
 
 The defeat of the hostile clan in the election of the 
 nobles had been received with general rejoicing among 
 the Kherson people. 
 
 The Serbian race of noble interlopers was still re- 
 garded as hostile by the Russianized Cossacks of the 
 region, who looked upon the gentry of the Danube as 
 aliens, whereas Pierre Dumont represented three gener- 
 ations of pure blooded Russian mothers and only one 
 alien grandfather of French blood, a gallant strain and 
 always welcome, — and — he was the idol of the Kherson 
 villagers. 
 
 For, Russia in eight hundred years has assimilated the 
 Varangian, the Dane, — Swede, and Norseman, — the 
 German and Austrian, — the adventurous English and 
 Scotch adventurers, — and — over the graves of the ruined 
 race of the Nogay Tartars, and the children of the 
 
20 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Khanates — the Cossack moulds the Tartar and Asiatic, 
 and — the orthodox Russ follows on obliterating all — 
 save the unhappy Jew and the hated Pole. 
 
 For, against the rocks of religious fanaticism, the 
 burning tides of interest, greed, ambition, power, love or 
 lust are beaten into vapory foam! Eternal decrees of 
 Moloch hatred in the name of a varying cross! The 
 Pole shall pass away — the Jew be ground into the mire 
 of misery, such is the cold creed of the orthodox Mus- 
 covite. 
 
 Proud, brave and haughty, Pierre Dumont had ig- 
 nored the affectionate warning of sister and brother! 
 His mind never reverted to. the ominous silence of the 
 Radovichs, either the defeated candidate at the bend of 
 the Mertvovod, — or the complacent widowed General of 
 Bratskoe. Personal fear was no part of Pierre's com- 
 position, though he disdained all forms of military life. 
 Grand seigneur he was born — lived and so — ^would die 
 complacently. 
 
 The time of allotting the fields, and mapping out the 
 plowing of twenty thousand acres had come, and — alone, 
 the Marechale de Noblesse had followed his burly In- 
 tendant, Nicolas Boursakoff, over the darkened plains 
 now enriched with a three days' soaking rain. 
 
 The stout superintendent led the way in a little pony 
 cart, while the noble, traveling alone, guided a pair of 
 his favorite Orloffs, in a light Americaine — a skeleton 
 trot.ting buggy. 
 
 It was in the dusk of evening that the Lord of the 
 Manor found himself at the farthest angle of his do- 
 mains, and then, — dismissing his Intendant, who drove 
 over the fields homeward, he turned his flying steeds 
 toward the Post Station, where he had encountered his 
 sullen rivals on the way to their Waterloo defeat at Eliza- 
 bethgrad ! 
 
 It was dark when he reined up before the little station, 
 and called out for some one to receive a packet of be- 
 lated letters. 
 
 Some unforgotten passion of her girlhood brought a 
 tender glow to the handsome Xenia's face as she gasped, 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 21 
 
 "My God! Barin! Alone — at night — out on the steppe! 
 There are bad people !" 
 
 But, the noble only laughed as he handed her a five- 
 rouble note in return for a glass of tea carefully decanted 
 in her child's silver christening cup. And, with burning 
 eyes, she followed him, her bosom heaving in a vain un- 
 rest. 
 
 As the clicking heels of the trotters echoed down the 
 glen, the woman with flaming eyes ran back to her 
 squalid hut and covered her head with her apron, in an 
 agony of tears! She had heard vague rumors of a 
 bloody vengeance upon the man whom she had once 
 loved. 
 
 "I dared not tell him. If I had only dared," she mur- 
 mured. For the village beauty had never forgotten that 
 night stroll in the white moonlight — ^the one romance of 
 her whole wretched life. But she knew that only beat- 
 ings, perhaps murder would have repaid her for her 
 daring interference. 
 
 She was on her knees before the icon, praying for his 
 safety, as the splendid blacks dashed along the cut road 
 by the rocky gorge far below her. 
 
 The Orlofifs soon sniffed the water in the glen and 
 sprang nervously along the homeward road, straining 
 the spider-web harness with every bound of their sin- 
 ewy limbs ! It was chill and dark in the gloomy gorge. 
 
 At the darkest angle, the driver essayed to check their 
 headlong gait, for the Marechale de Noblesse had been 
 wandering back in the old time, and his horses had 
 gained a terrific headway. 
 
 A sudden crash, as the steeds were hurled to their 
 knees, by a heavy barrier of twisted ropes, then came the 
 clatter of two maddened animals racing away for their 
 stables, ten versts away. 
 
 There was a twisted mass of wreckage scattered in the 
 road — a bruised and stiffening form lying on the rocks 
 thirty feet below, and — a miscreant who stole down in 
 the darkness, and muttering, "It is well," fled away, re- 
 moving all the evidences of a cowardly murder I 
 
 It was daylight when the corpse was found by way- 
 
22 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 farers, and removed to Xenia's humble bed, with its piled 
 up pillows. 
 
 There was no sign or whisper of foul play, and — a 
 month later, — Major Serge Dumont resigned his com- 
 mission in the Chevalier Garde — and, — a new Lord 
 reigned at Khaminavatka! 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 A PALACE OF THE STEPPES. 
 
 Major Serge Dumont was seated, alone, in his quar- 
 ters, in the magnificent Caserne of the Chevalier Garde 
 at St. Petersburg, a week after the untimely death which 
 made him the head of his house, and the Lord of Kham- 
 inavatka, as well as a half dozen other manors. 
 
 The first flakes of winter snow were falling in the 
 streets and the darkness of night added to the settled 
 gloom of the mourning man. 
 
 He was gazing upon a pile of letters and telegrams, 
 and the ticking of a French clock smote upon his weak- 
 ened nerves. 
 
 "It is all over," he sighed, as his eye rested upon the 
 trophied cuirass, eagle-crested helmet, gauntlets and 
 crossed swords of his beloved Regiment, surmounting 
 his mantel, where the picture of the dead Pierre seemed 
 to call him away to the death in life of the steppe. He 
 was at a crossing of Life's pathways. 
 
 He sprang to his feet as a timid knock sounded upon 
 his door. As he threw it open, a veiled woman glided 
 into the room. 
 
 "You!" he stammered, as, with a quick motion, the 
 Princess Vera threw ofif her disguise, and showed him 
 her lovely mutine face. 
 
 She sank into a chair and softly murmured, "You 
 would see no one — I was forced to come to you. I stole 
 away from a great dinner party — for I mean to try and 
 keep you now!" 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 23 
 
 The young noble gazed at her exquisite beauty, — her 
 matchless form draped in the clinging silks, — her marble 
 bosom bearing its superb necklace of Volga pearls. 
 Their eyes met, and the bravest intrigante of Petersburg 
 burst into tears^ as she noted the young man's haggard 
 face. 
 
 "Tell me all!" she simply said. "There is one thing 
 that I can do for you — you must not be left alone in the 
 world! I presume that you will give up your Regi- 
 ment." 
 
 A sob broke from the soldier's heaving breast. "I 
 must! There is poor Barbe, — alone, — no one near her 
 now — and, — the dead man seems to call me away! We 
 were all born there, — on the steppe, — at Khaminavatka ! 
 I must go — and take his place as head of the family." 
 
 In half an hour he had told her all. The court beauty 
 could picture to herself widowed Barbe Federoff, alone, 
 in the great halls of the palace of the steppes, standing 
 by the coffin of the dead Marechale de Noblesse. 
 
 For, with no railroads to aid, it was a three weeks' 
 journey by post chaise^ to the family home, Wassili was 
 already near the Urals on his way to his Siberian station, 
 and Major Dumont's resignation and settlement of his 
 accounts was a matter of slow detail. So the widowed 
 sister had buried their dead alone. 
 
 "It all seems so incomprehensible, so maddening" — 
 muttered Serge. "My sister has telegraphed that be- 
 yond the home people, and our own retainers, none will 
 be asked to the funeral! The village pope at Bratskoe 
 is our own domestic chaplain, and — with his acolytes 
 and choir he will be the only one asked." 
 
 "None of the noblesse?" demanded Princess Vera — 
 with a frightened look. 
 
 "Not one" — sadly answered Serge. "There can be no 
 line drawn between friends and enemies^ by my brother's 
 open grave ! I could not be there. He will be placed in 
 the vaults in our chapel — ^where — I shall lie some day, 
 please God, beside him." 
 
 There was a growing bond of sympathy between them 
 as the Major recounted the meager story of the mys- 
 terious accident, and the maimed rites of the last obse- 
 
24 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 quies of the man who had gained a barren victory. He 
 sank back into a chair and covered his face with his 
 hands. It seemed a poor and pitiful ending to Pierre's 
 career. 
 
 He lifted his haggard face, as the dainty woman laid 
 her hand on his arm, and whispered softly, "You may ask 
 yourself why I came to you — I knew Pierre in the old 
 days — ^when I was a mere girl — and he a young 
 cavalier, like yourself. And — he was kind to me, — kind 
 — and — tender." 
 
 There were tears in her voice as she whispered, "I 
 know your family pride — I now know all your sorrow. 
 And, — I have tried to soften this blow. Listen. The 
 Minister of the Interior has appointed the old Prince 
 Youresief to be Marechal de Noblesse — to succeed your 
 brother, on the telegraphed nomination through the Gov- 
 ernor of Kherson by a majority of the nobles! There 
 will be no new election!" 
 
 Serge Dumont breathed a sigh of sad relief! Thank 
 God! none of his hereditary enemies would be in 
 power for four long years! There was time to take up 
 the battle later — and — perhaps — to rebuild the fortunes 
 of his house. 
 
 There was a crimson flush flooding Vera Orbelefif's 
 pale cheeks as she handed Major Dumont two papers. 
 "These may be of some use to you in your helpless 
 tangle now," she said, dropping her eyes. 
 
 The young noble gazed, in surprise, at an official or- 
 der restoring Lieutenant Wassili Federoff to the Che- 
 valier Garde Regiment. "The telegram for his return 
 has been sent on to Ekaterinberg," murmured the 
 beauty. 
 
 "So, you will have your nephew and heir back in the 
 old regiment, and, next to the throne again. You must 
 telegraph this to his mother! Young Ivan Radovich is 
 rapidly recovering and he has applied, through his 
 Colonel, for Federofif's pardon, admitting that he gave 
 the first insult!" 
 
 "Does General Andre Radovich know of this?" 
 hoarsely cried Serge Dumont, grasping her rounded 
 arms in his shaking hands. It was the ignominy of 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 2^ 
 
 death to accept favors at the hands of the recently pro- 
 moted Aide de Camp to the Emperor. 
 ' In his heart, already lurked grim suspicions of a sullen 
 vengeance following the defeat of the family enemies at 
 Elizabethgrad. "I'll not accept it from him." 
 
 Vera Orbelefif glided to her knees by his side. "Take 
 it — Serge!" she pleaded. "From me! Before God — I 
 begged it from the Minister of War — myself!" 
 
 The young man raised the trembling woman and 
 kissed her pallid cheeks, leaving their marble aflame with 
 a sudden rose of shame. 
 
 "You darling woman!" he softly said. "You have 
 saved a mother's heart from breaking." 
 
 He paced the floor in an unwonted agitation as he 
 read the second paper. It was a plenary leave of absence 
 for a month, with permission to him to turn his bat- 
 talion over to the Senior Captain, with leave to resign, 
 and then to settle his accounts within three months. 
 
 "Why did you do this, for me?" he faltered. "Be- 
 cause" — she cried, through her choking sobs, "I was the 
 sport of the Clubs, at the Emperor's Coronation! My 
 family jewels were in pawn, for forty thousand roubles, 
 and bets were made that I could not appear at Moscow. 
 
 "Your brother was then a Court Chamberlain! He 
 heard of it. One night — he brought to me all my jewels 
 — and — Serge — I swear to you" — she gasped — sinking 
 to her knees, "he never even touched my lips! For, — 
 he was faithful to his dead wife!" 
 
 Serge Dumont only saw her through a mist of tears as 
 she threw her shrouding disguise around her. "I must 
 go — now — for your sake" — she murmured. "And — the' 
 Minister, — the General, — must never know." 
 
 The knightly noble kissed her trembling hands. 
 "Loyal a la mort," he gravely said. "God be with you!" 
 
 She stood, a reluctant Peri at the door, and, then, a 
 beautiful wraith glided to his side. 
 
 "For my sake — for the sake of the dead — ^promise me!" 
 she pleaded. "You will not follow up this old feud — 
 this border vendetta!" The strong man shuddered in 
 an ecstasy of grief. But, the loving and beautiful woman 
 would not be denied. 
 
26 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 She clung to him with a frenzied eagerness. "You 
 are young — Serge. You will marry — some bright- 
 hearted, lovely girl! 
 
 "There will be laughing child voices in the old Park — 
 little feet wandering again in the leafy paths!" 
 
 And, the splendid woman, a leaf whirled along in the 
 storms of Life, clung to him, until he framed his promise, 
 "I will never lift a hand to strike the first blow! The 
 past shall be buried in my brother's grave!" 
 
 But, he had drawn her to his side, "swear to me. Vera, 
 that you know nothing of any foul play!" His soul was 
 shaken with a suspicion that she was making amends for 
 a hidden crime. 
 
 The trembling beauty gazed frankly upon him with her 
 sorrow-haunted eyes. "By all the womanhood that's 
 left to me — I swear that I know nothing — and — I would 
 sooner die than lead you to your dishonor." 
 
 She clasped his hands and cried "For Pierre's sake!" — 
 and — the loyal man whom a veiled murder had made 
 the chief of old Marquis Henri Dumont's line, echoed 
 from his shaken heart, "For Pierre's sake!" 
 
 "I shall see you next summer" — she whispered — "for, 
 I go to Bratskoe," — and — her lips framed that sweetest 
 of Russian salutations, "Do swidanya!" 
 
 She was gone before Major Dumont lifted his weary 
 head, and, lighter than the falling dews of night, her 
 footfall echoed on the stair. 
 
 The lonely soldier followed her retreating footsteps 
 with a throbbing heart. 
 
 "The Russian woman's bosom of snow hides a fiery 
 and a loyal heart," he muttered. "The wild life of the 
 Neva has not yet driven the primeval angel out of that 
 stormy little breast. Gallant little gamester in the fierce 
 play of Life — a reckless soul — but — yet — a woman — but, 
 yet — a woman!" 
 
 With a smile, he picked up Vera Orbeleff's lace hand- 
 kerchief lying at his feet, and thrust it in his bosom. 
 "And so, — she loved Pierre — and, — was silent! Did ever 
 man know aught of woman — the wavering feverish- 
 hearted angel, hovering between earth, heaven and hell, 
 the changeling who knows not herself!" 
 
 It was midnight before Major Dumont parted from 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 27 
 
 his Senior Captain, and, at dawn, with a hurried adieu 
 to the chosen half dozen comrades of his lieart, the heir 
 of the Dumonts sprang into his carriage for a fifteen 
 hundred mile ride. 
 
 His body servants were all left behind to pack and send 
 on the treasured "disjecta membra" of his quarters, and 
 he was fifty miles away on the Moscow road, before Vera 
 Orbeleff woke from the dreams of a palace ball to won- 
 der at the huge basket of Parma violets speaking of the 
 man who had. given her the pledge of a life. 
 
 With trembling fingers she opened the note, and, when 
 she gazed upon the matchless diamonds of the ring 
 which fell flashing before her, she bowed her head in a 
 prayer. 
 
 "God grant that he may never learn — what I do not 
 know — but, what I fear he may some day learn!" 
 
 And — the sparkling diamonds were wet with tears as 
 pure as ever woman shed, while Serge Dumont's letter 
 rested upon the restless heart whose chords had been 
 thrilled by every storm of Life. And, so the new Lord 
 of Khaminavatka sought his steppe kingdom ! 
 
 Far away, in the bleak Kherson land, now veiled in 
 snow — a lonely woman thanked God and the Czar for 
 the news which gave back to her the son whose career 
 had been blighted by the sudden quarrel with Baron 
 Radovich's heir. 
 
 The messenger had ridden sixty versts at a hard gallop 
 from Novokrainka, through the cheerless night, and 
 Barbe Federofl looked out of the chateau windows to the 
 chapel where the stately Pierre slept among his fathers. 
 
 "I have buried our dead," she softly said. "I must go 
 home now to Elizabethgrad, and greet Serge, who must 
 find his house in order!" 
 
 In a half an hour, sturdy Nicolas Boursakoff, the In- 
 tendant, — the wrinkled old housekeeper Chuchinka, — 
 Anna Ivanowna, her pretty niece, — the gardener and 
 head forester, — as well as the stable chief, were all gath- 
 ered to hear the Chatelaine's orders for the reception of 
 the new lord of the manor. 
 
 Widowed Barbe Federoff, Excellence, and Doyenne 
 
28 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 of the noblesse of Elizabethgrad, went softly over the 
 great chateau alone, in a fond adieu. 
 
 Her eyes were filled with tears, as she recognized every 
 corner dear to her childish games, — every nook of the 
 gardens and the park was visited, where her bright-eyed 
 brothers had often laid in wait for their velvet-eyed baby 
 sister! 
 
 Alas! One had laid his life down at Inkerraann, and 
 she had just seen the calm face of the next, sealed behind 
 the marble slab of the vacant niche in the chapel. 
 
 But, at dawn, conducted by the watchful Boursakofif, 
 Excellence Barbe Federoflf drove out of the splendid 
 courtyard, where five hundred loyal peasants stood un- 
 covered to greet the Lady of Khaminavatka. It was a 
 sad and stately parting. 
 
 With averted eyes, the old noblewoman shuddered as 
 her swift steeds swept down through the glen where 
 Pierre Dumont's body had been found. 
 
 Pious hands had already reared a huge cairn of stones 
 with a Greek cross, but the bereaved woman never saw 
 it. When the carriage paused at the Post Station, Xenia, 
 the watchful, awaited her old mistress to kiss the hands 
 which had showered benefits on her in her girlhood. 
 And — the old patrician was the sister of the man whom 
 she had madly adored, looking up from her mise^\^ 
 
 With the frank manner of the Russian aristocrat, Ex- 
 cellence FederofT told her former serf of the expected 
 arrival of Major Serge Dumont. Xenia paled and cov- 
 ered her eyes with her hands. 
 
 Tears trickled through her fingers as she sobbed, "Tell 
 the Barin not to ride the steppe alone! 
 
 "There is Boursakoff, — there are twenty Cossacks, — 
 and a dozen outriders always in the stables! Out there, 
 yonder, parted our dear, dead Barin with Boursakoff on 
 that fearful night! If he had only driven home with him 
 — he would have been alive to-day!" And poor Xenia's 
 eyes were filled with blinding tears. 
 
 When the Intendant was about to mount the carriage 
 box, Xenia whispered to him, "Nicolas Nicolaivitch! I 
 must see the young Barin — when he comes!" 
 
 The poor woman stood in the door of her squalid 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 29 
 
 home, gazing after the splendid equipage as it whirled 
 away. 
 
 "Dare I tell him all?" she murmured! The fatal mis- 
 take of that last night of Pierre Dumont's life returned to 
 accuse her. "I will!" she cried. 
 
 For, at night, when the winds howled over the steppe, 
 — her vodki sodden husband sat late with old Moschka, 
 the Jew rag merchant, and the peddler, and talked with 
 a gaunt, homeless fugitive who crept to the station to 
 drown his remorse with the fiery alcohol! 
 
 The man, boor, brute and murderer, who had set the 
 snare to take Pierre Dumont's life. 
 
 For the love of the man who had once walked with 
 her in the white moonlight, Xenia, the one time village 
 beauty, now drudge and slave, vowed to use all a Rus- 
 sian peasant woman's cunning to guard her new master — 
 and to avenge the beloved dead. 
 
 Born a serf of the Dumonts, she hated the prosperous 
 dwellers in the meadow below who gained roubles where 
 the humble Post Station received kopeks. 
 
 Only the footsore plowmen and reapers from Kief, — ■ 
 only the Jewish wagon peddlers, and tramping peasant, — 
 the conscript and the returned soldier, — the shepherd 
 and the moujik wayfarer, halted at the bleak little station 
 on the hill. 
 
 But, the riddle was plain to her, at last. 
 
 "1 must be careful !" Xenia mused, as she returned to 
 her drudgery. Her husband had been a serf of General 
 Radovich at Bratskoe — and — she knew that death or 
 maiming awaited any manifestation of sympathy with 
 her old masters. 
 
 A grim smile played upon her features. 
 
 "Moschka will tell me all!" she reflected. For, she 
 was the custodian of the vodki carboy, and her little traf- 
 fic of rags, feathers, wool and peltry was safe from her 
 drunken husband's eye! "Yes! Moschka will tell me 
 all!" she cried, as she lost sight of the retreating carriage 
 upon the snow-clad steppe. 
 
 The stern-faced Excellence Barbe was thinking of but 
 one thing, as the Tartar gravemounds glided by. "My 
 
30 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 boy! My boy!" throbbed in every pulse of her intrepid 
 heart! 
 
 Serge's telegram had told her that the Chevalier 
 Garde would still have an officer of the proud old blood! 
 The lonely patrician woman had already canvassed in 
 her mind, all the great heiresses of the Kherson. 
 
 "Not now, — not yet!" craftily decided the widow, "but, 
 after Easter, I will ask Serge to come and visit me! He 
 must marry, and lead the noblesse of the Ukraine!" 
 
 In her fond fancy, she saw her own spirited son, in ten 
 years, a Battalion Chief of the Empress' Own! and, 
 Wassili should go onward and upward to honors, and — 
 a place near the throne. 
 
 Rosy dreams of the future stole into the proud old 
 lady's heart. 
 
 The anxious mother never knew how Vera Orbeleff 
 had pleaded with a leaden-eyed voluptuary to release the 
 hot-headed young officer from the doom of ten years' 
 service as a Lieutenant in the Siberian Battalion. 
 
 But, the Petersburg elegante had gaged herself, body 
 and soul, to soften the anguish of the sister of the man 
 whom she had loved from afar, — the one fixed star of 
 her stormy life. 
 
 Two weeks later, Madame Federofif's beautiful man- 
 sion on the Kovalevska faubourg was dressed en fete, for 
 the telegraph had noted Serge's arrival at Krinkov, and, 
 Lieutenant Wassili FederoiT was even now, once more 
 clad in cuirass and eagle-crested helmet, on guard at the 
 Winter Palace. 
 
 There was no happier heart in the seventy thousand 
 dwellers of Elizabethgrad, the beautiful city which 
 leaped into life in 1754 at a mere whim of Peter's am- 
 bitious daughter, the easy-going Empress Elizabeth. 
 
 The bells were gaily ringing from the clustered domes 
 of the dozen churches on a fete day, the Imperial Palace 
 of the city was crowded with an assembly of the noblesse 
 — as Excellence Federoff waited, in her carriage, in the 
 grand park, two miles from the bastioned walls, till her 
 outriders on the roafl should bring to her side, the 
 new Lord of Khaminavatka. 
 
 Together, drawn tenderly heart to heart, the brother 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 31 
 
 and sister drove back to the gaily illuminated mansion, 
 where all the domestics waited to salute the rising sun, 
 the new head of the lordly line of the Dumonts. 
 
 The first care of the new Lord of the Manor was to 
 telegraph to Bratskoe, for Intendant Boursakoff to send 
 carriages and a dozen Cossacks out to meet him at 
 Elizabethgrad. 
 
 A well mounted lad always awaited at Bratskoe, the 
 post and telegrams for the now desolate Chateau de 
 Khaminavatka. 
 
 When the brother and sister had finished their heart 
 communing. Major Dumont remembered that in some 
 strange way, he had neglected to describe Vera Orbeleff's 
 risquee evening call, and her mysterious agency in Was- 
 sili's return. 
 
 "Women never seem to understand these things! It 
 is just as well!" mused Serge, tugging at his moustache. 
 And — the new lord forgot also to tell of his compact for 
 peace in the future. 
 
 The greater nobles of Elizabethgrad were astonished 
 at Serge Dumont's calm demeanor, in their visites de 
 ceremonie, for all these fiery nobles had decided that 
 blood would flow upon the arrival of the young veteran, 
 whose valor had been proved as a boy, carrying the 
 Czar's colors at the Alma. The lex talionis was their 
 only law. 
 
 Only one gilded youth, the wild Prince Cheremetief, 
 hazarded a meaning sally. "If you are lonely this win- 
 ter, Dumont, you should make peace with la Baronne 
 Radovich! There is but one beauty in Kherson! The 
 little Baroness Magda is the star in our winter skies! 
 Happy man! You are the nearest neighbor!" 
 
 The Lord of Khaminavatka coldly answered, "I have 
 two thousand souls, and twenty thousand acres to watch 
 over! I shall become the 'country gentleman' for once 
 and all! The mazurka and the sword go together, out 
 of my life!" 
 
 "Ah! You will pose for un homme serieux," sneered 
 the wayward young prince. "Time enough for that when 
 you are fifty! Remember, the old saw, 'Si la jeunesse 
 savait — si la viellesse pouvait!' I will give you just six 
 
 8 
 
32 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 months to surrender! I may ride over and see you! 
 There's only eight nobles in two hundred square miles!" 
 
 Serge Dumont had murmured something about a 
 year's mourning, and, the light-hearted, boyish Prince 
 galloped away, a superb figure on his splendid Ukraine 
 charger, followed by two beautiful ghostly white Rus- 
 sian harehounds, with dark pleading eyes, the very poetry 
 of animal beauty. 
 
 Anxious to reach his birthplace before the wild winter 
 storms might hide the tracks over the naked steppes. 
 Serge Dumont drove eagerly down through the crowded 
 market to take up a new life and enter on a wider sphere 
 of human duty! 
 
 The gilded luxury of Petersburg, with the pompous 
 laziness of palace life, had palled upon the spirited sol- 
 dier, whose blood had bounded at the "pas de charge," 
 and whose pulses leaped up to the sound of the singing 
 bugle! The idle roulade of fashionable vice, the too easy 
 intrigues of the boudoirs of the Neva left all the mech- 
 anism of a vicious life a la mode exposed! The trap 
 was ever visible, even if the bait were gilded. And — 
 there was a fresh and vigorous sensation in the cool 
 blasts of the steppe. 
 
 The storks had already left their village haunts and 
 were winging their way toward Egypt, — the trees were 
 now bare and leafless, — as Serge Dumont traversed the 
 bleak, snow-clad steppe. 
 
 His sister's last sage counsels were still ringing in his 
 ears, even the message of the sorrowing Xenia had been 
 faithfully delivered, and stout Nicolas Boursakoff added 
 his hint! "Xenia will know if there was any foul play! 
 She was a beautiful 'hexe' once, — a village witch! It is 
 a good soul — and — her advice is right. 
 
 "The Barin must not ride the steppe alone! We shall 
 see what God sends us!" 
 
 The young noble gazed earnestly at the honest, red- 
 faced Kherson peasant! Nicolas, the Intendant, was 
 master of every trick of the Cossack, every peasant wile 
 every art of the Little Russian. Serge laid a heavy hand 
 on his shoulder. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 33 
 
 "Do you think that my brother was foully dealt with?" 
 he suddenly demanded. 
 
 "Nitchevo!" dubiously answered Nicolas, crossing 
 himself. "It was the Devil's work that he left me that 
 night! He would drive those devil horses. We shall 
 see!" — and — not another word would he utter. 
 
 The young soldier noted the Intendant's advance and 
 rear guard, of armed Cossacks, — the trailing flankers, — 
 and he held his peace. 
 
 He was now going out into the wild life of the track- 
 less plains, his birthplace, where men and women were 
 rugged and real, compounded of his own natal dust! 
 "Nicolas!" abruptly queried the young Excellence, the 
 madcap Prince's words haunting him. "Have you ever 
 seen the young Barina Magda?" 
 
 The stout servitor slowly said, "A day star — an angel 
 from heaven is she!" 
 
 And, strange thoughts of his enemy's daughter 
 haunted Excellence Serge Dumont long after he had 
 passed through squalid Novokrainka, and, until in a 
 blinding snowstorm, he drove up to the door where 
 Xenia, his brother's silent worshiper, watched for his 
 coming with burning, tender eyes. 
 
 There was a crowd of wayfarers thronging the Post 
 Station, and a brutal husband dogging the anxious 
 woman's every step. Before the horses had rested, and 
 Serge Dumont had eaten Tourko's cosy dinner, Xenia 
 stole to his side. 
 
 "If the Barin will remember me, when I send for you 
 to come, I shall have something to tell you !" Her finger 
 was on her lip, and her haunted eyes betrayed a mortal 
 fear. 
 
 A strange suspicion took possession of the startled 
 man's soul ! He was nearing the place where his brother 
 had been done to death ! "I will have the Intendant pass 
 here, once a week," he said, in a whisper. "You are of 
 our village! He can send out a khibitka, and you can 
 always come back to your old home! There — you can 
 come to the chateau and, see me!" The woman's bosom 
 heaved with a sudden emotion and raising the young 
 pfficer's hand, she kissed it, in serflike fealty. 
 
34 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Trust to Xenia ! You shall know all yet !" she timidly 
 said, and— faltered, "Never ride the steppe alone! There 
 is the mad Radovich — and " 
 
 She fled away, as a hoarse voice called her, and Serge 
 Dumont drove gloomily down into the Valley of Death. 
 He was haunted by grisly visions of an unpunished 
 murder. 
 
 There was no word spoken as Boursakofif drew up the 
 chafing steeds. Through the blinding snowflakes, down 
 the glen, the Lord of Khaminavatka could see the rugged 
 cairn, with its outstretched cross, marking the spot where 
 his unavenged brother died. 
 
 At his side, bare-headed in the storm, stout Nicolas 
 Boursakofif, with trembling lips, murmured a prayer — as 
 he crossed himself in memory of the dead ! 
 
 Serge Dumont leaped from the carriage and clambered 
 down the steep cliff to where his brother's body had 
 rested, in his dying agonies. The young Major, now the 
 Lord of Khaminavatka, pressed his lips to the rude cross. 
 
 "Barbe suspects nothing, thank God!" he murmured, 
 for the strange conduct of Xenia had opened the door 
 to the gravest suspicions of foul play. 
 
 Twenty-two years younger than the dead Marechale 
 de Noblesse, Sel-ge was at the Military School when 
 Pierre Dumont had unconsciously captured the burning 
 heart of Xenia, the proud Kherson village queen. 
 
 "There is some mystery in all this!" he sadly mused, 
 as he climbed the cruel stone-fanged hill to his carriage, 
 and gave the signal which bore him whirling on through 
 storm and drift to that palace of the steppes, in which he 
 was born. 
 
 "Princess Vera's fine hand has been in this whole af- 
 fair," he reflected. "It is she who has had our friend 
 Prince Youresief nominated as the new Marechale! 
 This and Wassili's recall will prevent any further clash 
 of the Dumont and Radovich clans." 
 
 "The Intendant seems frightened — and — this child of 
 the steppes, Xenia — alone — seems to have a hint of the 
 hidden deviltry. I must see her soon — and — alone!" 
 
 His impending loneliness dawned upon him! The 
 near presence of three embittered enemies. As fbr Gen- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF K^AMINAVATKA. 35 
 
 eral Andre Radovich, and the Baron, the vendetta was a 
 heritage dearer than all their rich lands on the Mert- 
 vovod! 
 
 There was, too, the disgruntled duelist, the severely 
 wounded boy lying at St. Petersburg. But, more dan- 
 gerous than all of these — was "The Mad Radovich" — the 
 younger brother of the two dignitaries, who had riotously 
 thrown away a superb inheritance. 
 
 At thirty-five. Baron Arcady Radovich was a broken 
 and ruined spendthrift. Gambling, horse racing, little 
 trips to Nice and Paris, not unattended — 'gypsy girls^ and 
 fantastic follies had left him a charge upon his two 
 brothers. 
 
 Careless in dress, — sunk to be the associate of peddling 
 Jew and prosperous moujik, the ruined young noble was 
 already the hero of two fatal duels, and the disgrace of 
 his family name. 
 
 "WassiH!" thought Major Dumont, as the flying 
 steeds crowned the hill! "He might resign and come 
 and live with me." 
 
 But, the new Lord of the Manor recalled the stern 
 pride of the stately widowed mother. Barbe Federoff 
 had laid away all the savings of fifteen years to gild the 
 marriage of her son^ with some dainty, princely Peters- 
 burg heiress. 
 
 There had always been a Dumont in the Chevalier 
 Garde since the glorious holocaust of Austerlitz! The 
 rival house had their son and heir in the Preobajenskys — 
 and — Barbe Federoff dreamed of seeing her stately son, 
 standing, sword in hand, beside an Empress of Russia at 
 a Moscow Coronation. 
 
 The lonely night winds wailed around the young Lord 
 as he swept over the well remembered steppes toward his 
 palace. 
 
 "There is old Major Peter Petrovitch Assamoff" — he 
 reflected — "a one-legged regimental hero of Inkermann 
 will surely not fear these fellows. I will ask him to spend 
 the winter with me — as my Secretary. He will be an- 
 other face at the table — at any rate!" 
 
 But, a stern family pride overcame the lonely patrician. 
 
36 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 as he recalled his stately brother's noble career of twenty 
 years. 
 
 "I will follow in his footsteps — and — carry on his work 
 alone," — he vowed. 
 
 For, the swift chargers had now borne him along over 
 the well remembered plains of his boyhood. 
 
 Serge knew them well in the dreary, wolf-haunted 
 ghastliness of the winter snows, — in the emerald blush 
 of the budding spring,- — in the dreamy solstice splendor 
 of the early summer when man and maid were bewitched 
 with love's soft craze. 
 
 He recalled the bare, brown autumn when the shorn 
 fields opened their bare bosoms to the chilling blasts 
 from Lapland and the Urals! A panorama of Dame 
 Nature's every mood. 
 
 But, Serge Armand Dumont loved the steppe, with 
 all the singular devotion of the Russian country noble. 
 There, the great white stars hung splendid lamps of love 
 on high, in the sapphire night ! 
 
 He had often hidden, himself, a frolic boy, in the half- 
 grown, rustling wheat! He had walked into the maze 
 of ripened stalks as a six-footer, and — been lost to his 
 laughing friends. 
 
 "There is a wild life of our own here" — he murmured — 
 and, he reflected that he was "primo inter pares !" "Here 
 I devote myself- — to a life on the Dying Water!" he 
 vowed. 
 
 His heart throbbed strangely as he descried, after two 
 hours' driving, the great avenue of Khaminavatka's 
 plantations stretching out, its noble line for miles, due 
 north into the trackless steppe. Then, the cross forests, 
 now leafless, whose every tree had been nurtured with 
 care. 
 
 Boursakofif chirruped to the flying steeds as the great 
 windmills appeared, their silent arms gleaming ghostly in 
 the starry night. 
 
 Down a gentle slope, past the hills crowned with Tar- 
 tar grave mounds, the road led between vast storehouses, 
 — then the huge barriers of the sheepfolds, the long ma- 
 sonry walls of the great stables, and there — to the left, 
 nestling in the valley of the Mertvovod, was the peasant 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 37 
 
 village, with twinkling lights in every window 1 For the 
 Lord of the Manor was expected! 
 
 They had left the village of the German colonists a mile 
 to the west, where twelve hundred souls slumbered in the 
 unthinking rest of the tired peasant hind. 
 
 They were now in the great square before the main 
 gates of the chateau, and. Serge Dumont could hear the 
 rushing of the waters in the glen below, sweeping down 
 to join the Bug, now a mighty torrent roaring to the sea. 
 
 There was the Intendant's office, and the bronze bell 
 was clanging a mighty peal as every window of the 
 square of the workshops leaped into living light! A 
 hundred wild Cossack sheep dogs added their fierce 
 clamor to the notes of the bell, and — distant echoes, 
 across the Mertvovod — there — beyond the blue rolling 
 line of the far hills told the young Lord that his foemen's 
 night guardians were also awake. He was now on the 
 line of the debatable ground — his foe's stronghold in 
 sight. 
 
 The huge gates of the chateau courtyard were quickly 
 swung open, and a cheer went up from five hundred 
 throats as Serge Dumont alighted at the grand entrance 
 at the northwest corner of the chateau. 
 
 Serge rubbed his eyes as the whole beautiful lines of 
 the palace of the steppes sprang out in golden radiance 
 against the soft blue murky darkness. He saw a huge 
 four-storied castellated chateau of three hundred feet 
 upon a side, traced out in lines of living fire — a fairy 
 spectacle. 
 
 The vast basements were groined like a fortress. 
 Builded of hard red brick, cemented in gray finish, the 
 octagon tower on the southwest corner, — My Lady's 
 Bower^ — and the superb greenhouses on the eastern 
 front told of tender solicitude for the white-bosomed 
 rulers of this Paradise of the Steppes. 
 
 The whole household was marshaled there in the great 
 library, as Serge Dumont received the bread and salt 
 upon the silver salver from gray-haired old Chuchinka, 
 his childhood guardian. 
 
 He knew every homely face, — the Gardener, — the 
 Master of the Stables, — the Foreman of the Mechanics, — 
 
38 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 even the pretty Anna Ivanowna, the niece and destined 
 successor of Chuchinka, the housekeeper, and — as he 
 passed on with a word to all, in the great salon, the priest 
 from Bratskoe and the Chief of Police, brave in his best 
 uniform, awaited him, with the governmental physician. 
 
 There was a superb feast set out in the great dining 
 room, through whose glass-panelled eastern walls, the 
 magnificent wealth of the greenhouses was visible! 
 
 They led the new Lord of the Manor to his place at the 
 head of the table! But^ as he gazed upon the welcome 
 banquet and laid his hand upon his brother's chair — 
 
 "The room seemed filled with whispers, — " 
 "As he looked at the vacant seats." 
 
 For, of all the bright and loving band who had gath- 
 ered around the old mahogany, in the dear old well- 
 remembered days — there was not a beloved eye left to 
 shine tenderly upon him, not a voice to speak the name 
 dear to him in childhood. 
 
 Calling Tourko, Major Dumont hastily said, "I will 
 use my mother's rooms! Attend me there!" His mili- 
 tary shadow, grizzled old Sergeant Michael Michael- 
 ovitch, was already standing "on duty" behind his mas- 
 ter's chair. 
 
 Calling Nicolas Boursakofif — the Intendant, — the Lord 
 of Khaminavatka said, "Take my place and, — do the 
 honors." 
 
 The physician, chief of police arid village pope were 
 already seated at the table. Preceded by two servants 
 with silver candelabra, through respectful lines of silent 
 attendants, the young man moved on, as in a dream. 
 
 Around him in tall glass cases, was displayed the mag- 
 nificent plate of the Dumonts; his foot alone echoed on 
 the inlaid floor, as he left the dining room, for a sudden 
 hush had fallen on the company. 
 
 On, through the great drawing rooms, their ceilings 
 frescoed to depict the starry heavens, — pausing before 
 bust and picture, — before martial bravery and fading 
 loveliness, the young master moved slowly, wrapped in 
 the tender mantle of his boyhood memories. 
 
 There in the great library, with its columned volumes, 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 39 
 
 — its twenty thousand silent voices of the mighty dead, — 
 he paused, and sighed for "the touch of a vanished hand 
 and, — ^the sound of a voice that is still." 
 
 In all the sudden splendor of his altered fortunes, — in 
 all the easily devolved wealth of a half dozen manors, — 
 Serge Dumont's heart went back to the unforgotten days 
 of life and love here — at Khaminavatka. And, he was, 
 in heart, a boy again! 
 
 And, moving as one in a dream, he passed on through 
 room after room, haunted with vanished loveliness, sigh- 
 ing, "I have been so happy here — so happy — a double 
 happiness for — she was with me." He remembered his 
 first sweetheart. The strong soldier shuddered as he 
 moved up the grand staircase, for the great hall clock 
 seemed to signal with its hollow ticking — "Never again — 
 never again!" The pretty little countess whom he had 
 worshiped as a boy of seventeen loves, had joined the 
 choir invisible. 
 
 His heart stopped beating as he recalled loving arms 
 which had- once clasped him here, under the vaulted 
 dome of the grand old chateau, builded with two interior 
 galleries around the interior dome. 
 
 The last fibre of his heart was thrilling with unforget- 
 ting and unrequited love as he murmured with white lips, 
 "There is nothing left to live for now." For, in the lonely 
 night, the shadows of the vanished joys fell darkly upon 
 his struggling heart. He murmured, "There must be 
 some light shed upon my life — I should go mad here! 
 This old castle is haunted with the memories of the be- 
 loved dead who have only left silence and gloom behind 
 them." 
 
 They left him alone, in the beautiful salons, sacred to 
 the memory of his gracious and beloved mother! The 
 stout old sergeant well knew his master's moods ! 
 
 A samovar, — a crust of bread,- — a glass of wine and 
 water made up the soldier's frugal supper, while from 
 below rang out the merry voices of the guests who hon- 
 ored the new master's coming. 
 
 Standing at the western window. Serge Dumont could 
 see the gleaming in the soft dusky night, of the chapel 
 walls, there over the glen so dear in his boyish days. 
 
40 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 His never-forgotten mother, — his stately father, — his 
 noble brother, the soldier of Inkermann, and Pierre, too, 
 all lay there, lost in the darkness of unbroken dreams, of 
 undisturbed rest. 
 
 He gazed around the rooms whose very walls had 
 voices, and — as the peasants in the courtyard broke into 
 the plaintive chorus of the sad songs of Little Russia, the 
 new Lord laid his brows upon his mother's table and 
 forgot the present — in a heart-wakened memory picture 
 of the past! 
 
 For, Love had consecrated every niche of the great 
 palace of the steppes to the man who had heard there, in 
 his happiest days, the voice of tenderness and whose lips 
 had thrilled to the kiss of unselfish love. 
 
 "He will be a good master, the Bariri," cheerfully ex- 
 claimed the stout Intendant Boursakofif, when the Ma- 
 jor's factotum brought downstairs an order to regale the 
 peasants ad libitum. 
 
 And — so it fell out, while the patrician walked the floor 
 into the night watches, the happy toilers made the night 
 a memorable one. For — there was a new hope to them 
 — in the young soldier's hearty liberality. 
 
 In the dining room, Boursakoff, with his three guests, 
 drank the foaming champagne and toasted the new mas- 
 ter. "It will be lonely here, Nicolas," slyly muttered the 
 village pope as he passed his glass. 
 
 His face was a replica of the pictures of the beloved 
 disciple John! His long golden hair framed his blue 
 eyes and saintly visage with meek majesty. 
 
 Alas ! For, the saintly ideal ! Father Adrian was only 
 thinking of the basket of champagne which was the gift 
 de rigeur for a sacerdotal visit, and hoping that Boursa- 
 kofif would not fail to strap it on his little pony droschky. 
 
 "If — if — the Barin would make it up, with Barina 
 Magda Radovich," mumbled the Chief of Police, who 
 was drinking "on a system." 
 
 "Madness!" cried the Bratskoe Doctor, striking the 
 table with his hand. "There is blood and hatred in the 
 mother's milk of these enemies." "Love plays strange 
 tricks, in the month of May," stubbornly cried Nicolas 
 Boursakofif. "Hatred is only cold love, — ^turn it over 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 4I 
 
 and warm it — it glows like a redhot horseshoe! We 
 shall see — we shall see!" 
 
 The lights were one by one put out at last^ in the great 
 courtyard, the ferocious Tartar sheep dogs crouched at 
 every corner, — the night watchman with noisy rattle 
 and deafening cry made his hourly rounds, — for — there 
 were hundreds of thousands of roubles of property ex- 
 posed in the great thatched-roof storehouses, every one 
 with its ladder ready, for stripping the roofs in case of 
 fire, in the treeless and waterless land. 
 
 The palace of the steppes was left silent, save for the 
 slipping bare feet of the forty pampered domestics, — 
 some seeking the wine bins, — some stealing away to love 
 rendezvous, — and others huddling together to talk in the 
 dark of the stern-faced young Barin. 
 
 The drowsy watchman, stealing back after a visit to 
 the rejoicing peasant village, only four hundred yards to 
 the east of the chateau enclosure, was astounded to see a 
 tall figure in the tower over the southwest corner of the 
 huge darkened palace of the steppes. 
 
 In the eerie midnight, the half-tipsy Cossack fell upon 
 his knees and crossed himself, for the "sheeted dead" 
 seemed to have returned to revisit the glimpse of a strag- 
 gling moon. 
 
 In all his future relations of this strange occurrence, 
 the conscience-stricken nioujik never dreamed that Serge 
 Dumont was that night watcher! But, there he stood — 
 sternly gazing across at his foeman's home. 
 
 Some spirit in his feet had led him to go over the vast 
 old palace in the darkness, and his boyish memories soon 
 led him to the lonely tower on the roof. 
 
 There, alone, — in the silent night, — the words of Nico- 
 las Boursakofif returned to the agitated watcher. 
 
 He thought only of his enemy's daughter as he watched 
 the long line of lights marking out the Radovich man- 
 sion, two miles to the southwest, across the now raging 
 stream. 
 
 Two red lights gleamed at the main gateway, a mark 
 of an evening gathering. 
 
 "They make merry while I come to a lonely house!" 
 bitterly mused Serge — for well he knew the red lights 
 
42 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 marked the path from Bratskoe, three miles due east to 
 his enemy's stronghold. 
 
 "A breeze of morning moved" — his eye caught a fair, 
 clear star, and the words returned to haunt him now. 
 "She is a day star, — an angel, — is Magda Radovich!" 
 
 In the uneasy dreams of this first night of his su- 
 zerainty, Serge Dumont was haunted by the shadowy 
 face of His Enemy's Daughter! 
 
 The clanging of the Intendant's bell at dawn aroused 
 both the dwellers in the humble village, and the fortunate 
 retainers in the palace sheltered there, in the sloping dell 
 of the Mertvovod by the plantations fostered for three 
 generations. 
 
 Boursakofif started, in surprise, as he made his first 
 morning round, to see the martial figure of his new 
 master, standing equipped for riding, on the grand south 
 outer stairway leading down into the gardens. 
 
 The old Sergeant had already found a cup of cofTee 
 for the restless Lord of the Manor, and the three sought 
 the stables to pick out Major Serge's riding animals from 
 the forty Ukraine horses awaiting him there. 
 
 "I'll take your choice, Nicolas," kindly said the Major. 
 "Let a horse be saddled for Michael! Get your own and 
 I will ride around the lines with you." 
 
 Already from the village, came the lowing of herds, 
 the bleating of sheep and the confused sounds of village 
 husbandry, for the peasants, under the new laws were 
 already master of their Mir lands, and, — their four- 
 footed possessions were waxing great ! In this unfenced 
 prairie, stretching for hundreds of miles, only white cor- 
 ner stones separated the fields of lord and village com- 
 mune. 
 
 In a brisk half hour's morning walk. Major Dumont 
 had already inspected two thousand superb sheep, and 
 twelve hundred sleek cattle, with a breeding herd of three 
 hundred horses. 
 
 "I find all in superb order, Nicolas," remarked the 
 young Barin, as he noted the enormous stacks of straw 
 fodder, — the huge pyramids of corn husks — and the enor- 
 mous piles of valuable wood, painfully dragged from 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 43 
 
 Bessarabia, or hauled from the sporadic forests of lower 
 Kherson. 
 
 "It is all the work of Barin Pierre," said the Intendant, 
 stifling a sob. "We look to you — alone, now, two thou- 
 sand souls ! You will need a month to inspect the store- 
 houses, magazines and shops. We have fifty thousand 
 poods of rye bread, — there is the wool,^the grain, — the 
 stores for two years, — the American field machinery, — 
 the EngHsh-fitted shops." 
 
 While the Intendant spoke. Sergeant Michael had 
 brought his master's furred riding pelisse, gloves and 
 turban, and the three rode out into the village. 
 
 There was a model Kherson village, a monument to 
 the dead Pierre's labors of twenty years. 
 
 Each family had a roomy one-storied cottage of sun- 
 burned bricks, the exterior well cemented and neatly 
 whitewashed. 
 
 Raised a few feet from the ground, with substantial 
 board floors, and glazed windows, the gay curtains and 
 window flower pots spoke of comfort within. 
 
 Cattle byre and sheepfold, the piles of fodder and 
 compost fuel, — told of a provision for the winter. 
 
 As the Manor Lord rode through the village, the 
 proud old Starost, met him bareheaded, and conducted 
 him into the interior of notable dwelhngs. 
 
 The cheery corner oven stoves,— the piles of pillows, — 
 the ceilings hung with yarn and tow,- — the hissing samo- 
 vars and corner Icons told of the modest thrift of the 
 villagers. For while none were rich, few were poor in 
 comforts. 
 
 In the long winte~r to come, men and women were to 
 be busied with the home fabrication of every needed 
 article of clothing, while, to the light of the rape-seed oil 
 lamps, — the maids sang as they fabricated the matchless 
 Russian linens, laces and embroidery. A humble con- 
 gress of happy laborers. 
 
 "There is a pattern village," proudly cried Nicolas. 
 "We buy nothing save a few needles, buckles and but- 
 tons — a little cutlery^and a few poods of iron and steel 
 for the village forge. 
 
 "Everything else comes from the warm, black bosom 
 of the steppe. 
 
44 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "This thrift is all your brother's work— precept and 
 example! And,— in thirty years,— the Chief of Police 
 at Bratskoe has never taken a man or woman out of our 
 villages." 
 
 Serge Dumont's clouded face brightened! "There 
 must be a panacea for vain sorrows, — for useless repin- 
 ing," he mused, as he galloped down to the garden en- 
 trances to the south of his lonely steppe palace. 
 
 It came suddenly to him that in work, — useful occupa- 
 tion, — daily husbanding of his time, — he would find his 
 surcease from useless grieving for the inevitable blows of 
 misfortune. "I shall follow in his footsteps," he vowed, 
 as he sped on through the now leafless arbors and or- 
 chards where he had played as a sun-burned child of the 
 steppe. And his heart grew lighter as he rode on with 
 wind-blown hair. 
 
 The path led around below the chateau, with its noble 
 southern faga'de, past the flight of marble steps where his 
 gracious mother had often gathered her delighted guests 
 and familiars about her ! 
 
 With a sigh he rode up the knoll, and crossed the head 
 of the glen leading down into the magnificent park, 
 where the blue lake gleamed out below him^ with its 
 Swiss chalet, all deserted, until the storks should return 
 from Egypt. It was a noble park and pleasaunce 
 ground. 
 
 The two followers were gravely silent, as the young 
 noble sprang from his horse, and approached on foot, the 
 octagonal chapel, whose groined roof and black marble 
 pillars covered the beloved dead! 
 
 The Intendant, drawing a key from his bosom, silently 
 opened the door, and there, alone on his knees before the 
 exquisite marble altar, Serge Dumont prayed for the re- 
 pose of the souls of those whose beloved dust reposed 
 beneath his feet. 
 
 Raised on a huge mound, the temple stood over crypts 
 entered by a subterranean tunnel, only opened when one 
 of the family was gathered into the sacred circle of the 
 departed. 
 
 In silence, the master guided his horse down the gleij 
 into the park of two hundred acres, 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 45 
 
 Sheltered under the northern banks of the Mertvovod, 
 the great trees sighing in the autumn winds recalled the 
 loving provision of the gallant old Marquis Henri Du- 
 mont. 
 
 All was leafless and bare now — the formal alleys of the 
 beautiful grounds knew no light foot of beloved woman, 
 — the vista echoed to no merry shouts of bright-eyed 
 children ! 
 
 But, as their horses' hoofs rang out on the frosty earth, 
 Serge Dumont could recall the dreamy splendor of the 
 May nights^ when the luxuriant foliage hid the chateau, 
 as far as its airy citadel rising above the mullioned 
 eaves, — when the voice of Pan was heard in the rustling 
 reeds by the river, and bud and blossom, the blowing 
 rose and laden bee told of the rapturous month of love. 
 
 His stern and rugged heart softened as he recalled all 
 the witchery of these perfumed nights of summer, when 
 the very steppe had its murmuring voices of peace and 
 love, and poppy and blue cornflower wreathed the brows 
 of the full-bosomed maids of Kherson. 
 
 He thought of the immortal provision of Nature — the 
 years recurring "with an equal splendor" — the artist 
 hand of God — with a "touch impartially tender," making 
 this lonely winter desert to blossom as the rose. The 
 mad love of the steppe had come back in its olden charm. 
 
 He had galloped on in advance, through the lower or- 
 chards, — the wood plantations, — the nurseries and the 
 outlying grounds silently, till from a high knoll, he 
 looked across the barrier of the Dying Water to see 
 Barin Alexandre Radovich's great walled enclosures, 
 gleam out white and red, in the pale winter sun. It was 
 an enchanting vista. 
 
 There, two miles away, was a vast square of buildings, 
 with faint blue columns of ascending smoke. Huge 
 mounds of straw, hay and fodder were traced along the 
 frosty hillsides ! 
 
 To the south, the gleam of a copper roof, the reflected 
 sun from gaudy vane and gilded ball, told of the ram- 
 bling old mansion of the Radovichs. 
 
 Across the diyiding river was a straggling forest, the 
 oiifshoot of the Khaminavatka park, for wind-blown seeds 
 
46 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 had sought the enemy's meadows to join, in a peaceful 
 union, — the stately grounds of the palace of the steppes 
 to the meadows and pastures of the Radovichs with a 
 yearly increasing embryo forest of volunteer growth. 
 And, so — Nature's truce shamed the bitter heart of man! 
 
 There was a walled enclosure, behind the distant man- 
 sion. My Lady's Garden ! 
 
 The young noble's fancy returned to the Day Star of 
 the Dying Water — the beautiful Magda. 
 
 "Do they remain here all the winter, Nicolas?" Serge 
 absently demanded. "Yes! Barin," replied the In- 
 tendant. 
 
 "It is said the young Barina will not go to Court until 
 next winter. They are not rich, but General Radovich 
 has already secured a great contract for horses for the 
 army for his brother, the Barin — and, — so — next winter, 
 there will be chests of roubles in the old mansion." 
 
 It was after a fifteen-mile ride on his own grounds, 
 that the moody young patrician returned to his first 
 breakfast in solitary state. He was now called on to 
 make his presence known to the nearest gentry, to go to 
 Bratskoe and legally file his papers of succession, and to 
 take on the daily cares of the lord of two thousand souls. 
 
 He dispatched a few letters and — then sat vacantly 
 wondering in the library, if "Magda" was the heiress of 
 the family hatred! 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 EASTER EVE AT BRATSKOE. 
 
 Two months after the coming of the new lord of the 
 ■manor, the whole of the Kherson noblesse knew the 
 proud and dignified reserve of His Excellency Major 
 Serge Dumont. It was a delicate attention of the ven- 
 erable Prince Youresief to bring the elite of the vicinity 
 to make a formal visit to the young recluse. And, .roy- 
 ally were they welcomed. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 4; 
 
 The only hiatus in the delegation of boyars was the 
 narrowed clan of the Radovichs. And, no bright-eyed 
 women mingled with the train of visiting nobles, as the 
 stern Barbe Federoff was grimly keeping her mourning 
 for a year. The stately hospitality of Khaminavatka 
 honored even the traditional Russian and Polish wel- 
 come, which is incredible in lands of colder calculation. 
 But, there was no fair patrician woman to welcome the 
 visitors in the lonely red castle of the steppes. 
 
 In fact, even the new Marechale de Noblesse was glad 
 to see the long line of sleighs at last ready to leave the 
 courtyard, for, shadows clustered even around the sculp- 
 tured fireplaces brought from far-away Italy. 
 
 Sturdy Boursakoff was a tireless representative of his 
 sad-eyed master, — old Chuchinka, with pride, displayed 
 the marvels of the Khaminavatka plate, crystal and 
 linen. The choicest wines of Europe, — the rarest to- 
 baccos of Syria and Havana, — all the treasures of larder 
 and cuisine, failed to lift the gloom from every heart. 
 But, the cup went round with no merry laugh — no 
 bright-eyed women's smiles sweetened the foaming wine. 
 
 The men gathered in little knots, clinging to their in- 
 timates, in the corners of the grand old chateau, with its 
 seventy vast rooms. 
 
 Vague rumors were whispered from mouth to mouth, 
 for in this lonely, bookless prairie wilderness, whose su- 
 perstitious peasants neither read nor write, — ^where a 
 newspaper, even in original folds, brings a thrill of fear — 
 the news travels abroad only through peasant gossips, — 
 village visits, — chattering maids from the nearest chateau 
 — lying governesses, drunken coachmen, or pert valets. 
 The rare meetings of the clubs of the nobles alone offer 
 an opportunity to exchange court gossip at second hand 
 — or else the friends meet on infrequent visits. 
 
 The retainers of the visitors stole gladly out at night 
 to join the village girls in their sewing congresses, where 
 song and story, — ^jest and legend animated the flying 
 fingers plying the needle with inimitable skill. 
 
 The larger village, five miles to the northeast of the 
 gloomy palace, was populated with the descendants of the 
 foreign German, Bulgarian, Serbian and Polish peasants, 
 4 
 
48 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 lured in as colonists by the large-hearted Catherine II. — 
 following that dreamer Potemkin's gorgeous schemes 
 of exploiting the wastes of New Russia. 
 
 And, soon alarming stories of the cause of Pierre Du- 
 mont's mysterious death were retailed by these hetero- 
 geneous dwellers, — neither serf nor peasant of the soil, — 
 only cross-bred sojourners, in a strange gloomy land, — 
 whose pall of silence, — whose weird loneliness chilled 
 even the gay recruits from the marshy Danube. Mirth 
 and laughter seemed to be silenced before the vast out- 
 spread loneliness of the Ukraine wastes. 
 
 Every moujik had his tale to tell, — every colonist, — 
 some surmise of dark import. 
 
 One social feature confirmed these ugly stories, for 
 Serge Dumont had been showered with medals, decora- 
 tions and the civil grade of General and Excellence upon 
 his retirement from the Chevalier Garde. It was a sort 
 of salve to the wounded feeHngs of the bereft family. 
 
 But, all these were only barren honors, — apples of 
 Sodom, and, clearly intended to isolate the young lord 
 in a mantle of useless dignities. He was as cut off now 
 as Napoleon on the gloomy rock of Saint Helena. 
 
 When all the visitors but the chivalric old Prince 
 Youresief had gladly departed, the whole countryside 
 knew of the grim silence of Dumont, as to his brother's 
 death, — the cold aversion of the Radovichs, — and the 
 singular solicitude of the Governor General of Kherson 
 to maintain peace upon the lines of the Mertvovod. They 
 had waited with bated breath for a second tragedy. 
 
 It had been at the solicitation of his host, that Prince 
 Dimitri Youresief waited to escort young Dumont to 
 Bratskoe, and to be his sole legal witness in the filing of 
 the interminable legal papers so dear to the Russian 
 heart. 
 
 They sat together in the great dining room, where the 
 drawn curtains shut out the gleaming winter snows, lin- 
 gering over the evening samovar, and, the ten o'clock 
 light supper. 
 
 With due respect, the Intendant, Housekeeper and the 
 pretty Anna Ivanovna had all retired — leaving the two 
 nobles alone, over their cigarettes and fine champagne. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 49 
 
 The kindly old Marechale took his young friend's 
 hands as they rose for the good night salutations. "I 
 knew your noble father, Serge," he slowly said. "This 
 will be a death in life to you — here! You are not the 
 man to sink into the life of the country noble ! You had 
 a courier to-day! 
 
 "Tell me if I can help you! I am too old to advise! 
 Advice is useless — you know it! You might go away 
 for a couple of years! There is always — Paris — and, 
 Boursakoff is a man in a million ! You are rich, — young, 
 — you may forget!" 
 
 The young Master of Khaminavatka smiled sadly. "I 
 can not understand it all! To-day I learned that my 
 nephew Wassili Federoflf has been made Junior Aide de 
 Camp to the Grand Duke Athanasius at Moscow. My 
 sister Barbe has received the blue sash and a diamond-set 
 order! 
 
 "Why all this? No! I have a work to do here — and, — 
 I will stay and do it! My poor people must, at least, 
 find a protector, if not a man to replace Pierre. For, I 
 can learn to work — and — ^what I can not do, for myself, 
 I may be able to do, for others." 
 
 He had grasped his old friend's hands, in a sudden 
 access of. gratitude, and — his lip trembled as he went to 
 the window and slowly drew the curtain. There shone 
 out before them the chapel, clear cut in the blue starlight. 
 "That keeps me here!" he solemnly said. 
 
 With a quick intuition, old Prince Youresief pleaded 
 with the stern young soldier. "Promise me. Serge — that 
 you will not be rash, — that you will keep the peace, — 
 here, — on the Dying Water." The old man was visibly 
 affected, for he had heard of the drunken boasts of the 
 Mad Radovich, the only man who had dared to revile 
 the dead noble. And, the veteran scented blood! 
 
 "I have already made that promise, mon Prince, 
 though — I know not why" — drearily answered the young 
 Major — "but, I now renew it to you — as my father's old 
 comrade and boyhood friend." 
 
 Serge had not dreamed of the artful tenderness of Vera 
 OrbelefT who had hastened to separate the returned 
 younr duelist from his possible enemy, the heir of Serge's 
 neai est neighbor — the brother of the Day Star. 
 
so THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 But, the stormy-hearted court beauty was secretly 
 working far away, to repay her own unsettled debt of 
 gratitude, and to guard and guide wherever her white 
 hand could avert the clash of the rival nobles of the lonely 
 Kherson. 
 
 Prince Youresief felt a load lifted from his heart as he 
 read the truth in the young man's eyes. "I can only trust 
 to you, Serge- — not to them — and, — so, I sleep content!" 
 
 The courtly old noble sought his room after one last 
 appeal^ "This lonely life must be lightened! You know 
 our quaint Little Russians, — our stubborn New Russians. 
 
 "Sad, stolid, patient, — devoted, — even their songs are 
 melancholy! When Summer folds her golden wings — 
 there is the chill autumn. 
 
 "The dead winter, the stormy spring ! You must have 
 women's faces around you! You are no coq du village! 
 You would not lead an ignoble life?" 
 
 Then, Serge smiled sadly. "Work is my panacea! 
 I thought of having an old regimental friend come. But, 
 why doom him to a St. Helena of the steppes. I have 
 here our own magnificent library. 
 
 "Barbe sends to me all the reviews and journals. 
 Boursakoff and I are busied every evening with our cam- 
 paigns for the production of wheat, millet, buckwheat, 
 rape seed! 
 
 "There is the peasants' work to allot, — the accounts, — 
 the machinery, — the stores. I have laid out a regular 
 campaign! With old Chuchinka and that bright niece 
 of hers, I am proposing now to inspect the whole con- 
 tents of the chateau. 
 
 "Our family papers, — the pictures, the dear memorials 
 of the beloved women of our race, — and — ^when I can 
 face it — there are all of Pierre's papers to arrange — a 
 sacred duty. 
 
 "And — moreover, I will have two daily trips afield 
 when the spring plowing begins. There is also the park, 
 — ^the gardens, — and the plantations to inspect! Besides 
 this, — the care of our cattle, sheep and horses all furnish 
 varied occupations! 
 
 "So — my dear old friend, I now take up as a sacred 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. Jl 
 
 duty, the round of work which is the peasants' destiny. 
 And — mon Prince, it is not always winter, — ^you know! 
 Our lonely steppes have their carpet of flowers, — ^the 
 nightingale sings sweeter here in Kherson, than by the 
 Bendemeer." There was an air of resignation, if not of 
 content, on the brilliant young soldier's face. 
 
 The old Prince walked slowly up the grand old stair- 
 case, and, a memory of forgotten springs, of summer 
 days long fled was in his shaking voice, as he softly said, 
 "It is not always winter, — no — not always, — winter!" 
 
 He was going soon to the shore where it is always 
 night, but, as he parted with the gallant young noble, he 
 wondered what beautiful woman, with softly shining 
 eyes, would come, with springing step and gleaming, 
 graceful form, to chase away the winter from Serge Du- 
 mont's heart. The old man dreamed strange dreams 
 that night! 
 
 In his younger days^ he himself had waited, with beat- 
 ing heart for a gliding footstep, in the old chateau here, 
 in the brave spring time of his life! A generous, loving 
 heart had beaten upon his own, here, in the mingled 
 ecstasy of an unforgotten love, — and, — down below the 
 lonely steppe palace, — there, — in the shaded park, she 
 had stolen out to meet him, bringing eternal sunshine in 
 her smile and the promise of heaven in her steadfast eyes ! 
 
 But, — long ago, the cruel steppe had called back the 
 beloved to its cold embrace, and the long grass had with- 
 ered for many a long year above the silent heart which 
 had once beat for him alone! 
 
 And — the old house was still haunted with her gra- 
 cious, abiding presence, so, — the lonely dreamer whis- 
 pered in his uneasy sleep. "I have been waiting, Duis- 
 chinka — for you — so long, — so long!" 
 
 When Prince Youresief parted with his host, next day, 
 at Bratskoe, he bore away Serge Dumont's promise for 
 a lengthened return visit at his own magnificent domain 
 of Bobrinetz. 
 
 With true Russian craft. Prince Youresief gave the 
 Intendant his own secret orders as to Serge Dumont's 
 safety. Boursakofif pointed to the dozen well-armed 
 
S2 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMll^JAVATKA. 
 
 Cossacks and grimly said, "There are twenty more on the 
 road! There will be no more accidents!" 
 
 "Do you think!"— began the startled noble, but, the 
 stout Intendant stolidly crossed himself. "I know, — I 
 think nothing! It is all as God wills! I am only a poor 
 fellow Christian," and,— the Prince forebore to add to his 
 own forebodings or strengthen the rumors growing 
 blacker daily. For, he well knew that spy and lounger 
 were watching them now, keenly. 
 
 The official business was duly achieved without any 
 awkward rencontre, though from the straggling main 
 street of Bratskoe, with its gaudy wooden church, — and 
 unkempt Post Station, — the fine villa of General Andre 
 Radovich was clearly visible. 
 
 Within the massive walls, the old soldier voluptuary 
 had gathered up the spoils of many a visit to happier 
 lands beyond the far frontier,^ A fortunate bend of the 
 "Dying Water" fertilized the beautiful gardens of the 
 Emperor's Aide de Camp, and, statues of mystic import 
 gleamed in the bosky grounds. 
 
 Strange tales were told by peasant man and maid of the 
 orgies in that Liberty Hall, when the tables gleamed 
 with the gamblers' gold, — when the lips of lawless Love 
 kissed the bubbling champagne, and the Tzigane girls, 
 in their wild abandon, recalled the Islands of the Neva, 
 to the circle of mad boyars gathered around Andre Rado- 
 vich's board. 
 
 A few villagers and peasants gazed out from the dou- 
 ble windows of th£ low masonry houses, at the passing 
 equipages of Prince and Excellence, and, — in the little 
 vodki shops, the loungers talked with bated breath of the 
 coming of the new Barin. 
 
 In the two thousand dwellers of the little Kherson 
 market town, there was not one who knew not now the 
 whole story of the vendetta, — for, the tide of sluggish 
 years had only blackened the hatred between the Du- 
 monts and the reckless Radovich clan of the Danube. 
 It was the one stock in trade of the unwearied local 
 gossips. 
 
 Serge Dumont was a knightly figure as he said adieu 
 to his beloved Mentor, while the Chief of Police, with 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. S3 
 
 pride, marshaled four of his eight rural gens d'armes to 
 escort Prince Youresief on his homeward way. 
 
 As they clasped hands for the last time, a splendid 
 sleigh, drawn by four wild black steeds swept out of the 
 alley leading to General Radovich's villa. 
 
 There was no mistaking the two men on the front seat. 
 The General's flat gold shoulder knots bore the Imperial 
 eagle^ and both Serge and his guest touched their hats 
 to the visible mark of the White Czar's personal dignity! 
 For the Czar's trusted servants divide his awful majesty. 
 
 A gleaming pair of roving black eyes kindled at Prince 
 Youresief's courtly salute, for Madame la Baronne Rado- 
 vich was still "un peu coquette." 
 
 Serge Dumont hardly noticed the slender form beside 
 the fur-clad matron — for the girl's face was hidden in a 
 Russian filmy winter veil, but, the Prince gravely said, 
 "Mademoiselle Magda expects her wounded brother to 
 remain until Easter, so I am told! She should really 
 be at court, the winter is long enough here!" 
 
 As the Master of Khaminavatka drove swiftly home- 
 ward, the old Prince followed him with his kindly eyes. 
 "It is not always winter, — I hope not, my brave Serge," 
 he muttered as he drove out to face a thin, fierce, scatter- 
 ing snowstorm. And, Excellence Serge returned to 
 face the speaking loneliness of his home. 
 
 The returning guests were now all well on their home- 
 ward way, traveling in little knots of intimates, and, they 
 bore with them many stories of the haunted chateau of 
 Khaminavatka. 
 
 Brave men spoke of doors that were opened and shut 
 by no human agency,^of heavy-treading feet, — of 
 strange sounds in the state chamber — of soft, wailing 
 sighs, and of gleaming nebulae of light in the darkened 
 rooms. Bold enough when dashing over the steppe, 
 watching for prowling wolf, or "illegal man," these 
 brave nobles were all tinctured with the superstitions of 
 their Kherson foster-mothers, and they gave credence to 
 the ghostly legends. 
 
 Tales of the familiar spirit of the house, — ^the Domo- 
 voy, — legends of the youth-destroying Rusalkas,- — stories 
 of the weird Vodyany, were bred in the bone with these 
 
54 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 fearless boyars, whose lonely half-million square miles 
 of steppe is marked with the twenty thousand Kourganes 
 whose heaped-up mounds cover Greek and Byzantme, 
 Nogay Tartar and the fierce sons of Genghis Khan. A 
 land of tombs and lost histories! 
 
 "It is not all right at Khaminavatka," was the ominous 
 verdict which soon spread itself from one end to the 
 other of Kherson. 
 
 And — yet — no man dared to formulate these growing 
 rumors in direct charges, — mere suspicions were base- 
 less, — but, to the four winds was carried the uneasy 
 query, "What will Serge Dumont do?" 
 
 The villagers of Khaminavatka did not hesitate to af- 
 firm that mystic lights danced around the lonely family 
 chapel, and, that the rude cross on the cairn where Pierre 
 Dumont died had been seen all aglow with crimson i 
 fire, by aiifrighted travelers. The affrighted peasants 
 shunned the spot where Death had dragged down their 
 proud Lord! 
 
 But, one human being in the valley of the Mertvovod 
 was ignorant of the rumors now carried on from tea 
 house to Post Station, — spread abroad by the Starosts 
 and "White Hairs" of the nearest Mirs, — and gossiped 
 over with pilgrim and peddler, by the autocratic "elder 
 women" of the villages where the snows now lay thick 
 upon thatch and shed. 
 
 A sense of sickening isolation came over Serge Du- 
 mont as he walked his lonely library after his return 
 from Bratskoe after parting with Prince Youresief. The 
 important legal formalities of the day forced him, at last, 
 to take up the duty of examining the working room of 
 the man whose death had brought him a half dozen fiefs. 
 
 There were vast arrears of correspondence as to the 
 other estates, — there were matters affecting the two thou- 
 sand souls who had just been generously hurled out of a 
 fixed slavery into an uncertain liberty. 
 
 A single stroke of the pen of Alexander II. had made 
 twenty-two millions of serfs, as free before the law, as 
 before their stern masters, — and, one-half of the arable 
 land of Russia had been dedicated to the support of five- 
 sixths of the subjects of a generous Czar, whose heart's 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 55 
 
 blood paid the price of disturbing traditional conditions. 
 The cold revenges of Fate for a golden deed of noble 
 charity ! 
 
 After his lonely state dinner, the young Lord directed 
 the illumination of the hitherto sacred rooms. Seated 
 at his brother's desk, he toiled alone, in an effort to fa- 
 miliarize himself with the work before him — a labor of 
 love. 
 
 In the dining room, the Intendant awaited within call, 
 the summons to aid his master. 
 
 The night was dark and murky, the cottony flakes of 
 snow drifting down cheerlessly. Already the fierce 
 watch dogs had been loosed in the courtyard and the 
 rattle of the watchman was heard without. 
 
 The great room, hung with arms and trophies, was 
 silent, and, every nerve of the young master was thrilled 
 with the tension of loving memories of the man whom 
 all mourned. 
 
 Suddenly, Serge Dumont sprang to his feet! There 
 was a blast of cold air in the room, — a rattling of the 
 casements, — the wild Tartar dogs without howled in 
 chorus. A hollow voice seemed to whisper in Serge 
 Dumont's very heart, "Come, — come quickly," a voice 
 which froze his blood with fear. 
 
 With a single bound, the excited man was halfway to 
 the door. 
 
 There he was confronted by Boursakoff, white-faced 
 and trembling. By his side, a drenched and shivering 
 object, stood a peasant lad of ten years. "Speak, young 
 man! Speak out!" cried Dumont, starting at the sound 
 of his own voice. 
 
 "She sends for you! Xenia!" faltered the Intendant. 
 "Her husband is away at his village! He will be drunk 
 for a week! The man you want is now there, — at the 
 Post Station!" Boursakoff dared not raise his eyes to 
 his master's. But, a mad desire for vengeance had en- 
 tered the soul of the mourning brother. 
 
 "Take that boy to the housekeeper! He is to be kept 
 here — and, treated like my son! Get out the sleigh, the 
 best horses! Let no one know! Take robes, — arms, — 
 
S6 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 vodki! How long will it take us to drive there?" It 
 was the call of Fate ! his soul was in arms ! 
 
 "We came over from Bratskoe in a half an hour, — we 
 can reach the Post Station easily in an hour!" harshly 
 cried Boursakoff. "Where will you meet me?" 
 
 "At the stables!" Dumont cried. "Remember, — on 
 your life, not a single word! Stay, — take lanterns, — put 
 no bells on the sleigh." 
 
 "The wolves" — stolidly demanded Boursakoff. "Take 
 all our dogs! They will quietly follow you," sternly re- 
 plied Serge. "Go! Now!" 
 
 In five minutes — Serge Dumont leaped into the sleigh. 
 He had caught up his hunting rifle, and grasped a heavy 
 belt with both his army revolvers. Throwing on a huge 
 hooded cloak, he had stolen out of the servants' entrance. 
 And — no one had marked his exit! 
 
 With a wild snort, the horses sprang away, and, not a 
 word was exchanged between the two men until they 
 had cleared the fringe of plantations, two miles to the 
 north of the chateau. It was a dark ride upon a name- 
 less errand! 
 
 "Get down and light the lights now" — said Dumont, 
 "for I want no shooting at the wolves." There was the 
 ring of an anticipated vengeance in his harshly strained 
 voice. "We can put them both out, when we get to the 
 glen." As the Intendant grasped the reins, five armed 
 Cossacks streamed out of the darkness like shadows. 
 
 "Back!" yelled Dumont. "Not so, Barin!" stoutly 
 answered Boursakofif. "They can hide in the glen, and 
 only come up to the Station when all is over. I have 
 my whistle." 
 
 "Then, — not a shot to the wolves, men," fiercely said 
 Dumont. "Use only your whips and your swords. The 
 dogs will hold them off." 
 
 Away over the smoothly packed snow, — the silent 
 cortege dashed madly along! The wind of night blew 
 in their faces and congealed the beards of the two men 
 in the sleigh! 
 
 It was a wild ride for life and death! For, already 
 the wild-blooded coursers scented the wolves trailing 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 57 
 
 along on either side when half the distance to the fatal 
 glen had been covered! 
 
 The five Cossacks had stolen up to the flanks of the 
 flying horses and, — streaming gallantly along — the great 
 gray Ukraine sheep dogs showed their erected manes 
 of coarse yellow and black hair. Their fierce eyes shone 
 out yellow in the night and their triangular jaws were 
 fanged with teeth ready to close in the death grapple 
 upon the throat of any wolf bolder than his howling 
 mates. Such an escort might be the train of the Wild 
 Huntsman himself! 
 
 It was only at the edge of the fatal glen that the whole 
 pack of hungered wolves madly dashed in upon the 
 equipage. Serge Dumont never knew how the hungry 
 beasts were fought off, for all the men were busy in that 
 desperate fight! 
 
 Silently, the huge sheep dogs closed in upon the star- 
 tled enemy, while the Cossacks with knout whip and 
 sword disabled the boldest brutes. 
 
 Down through the glen, at full speed, the sleigh dashed 
 on, the frantic horses eyeing the twinkling light gleam- 
 ing from the Post Station on the hill beyond. 
 
 There was no sign of life in the farm houses in the 
 meadow, and, — it was only Dumont and Boursakoff who 
 knew that there beside that twinkling light, the faithful 
 Xenia waited to keep her oath of fidelity to the man 
 whom she had once loved. 
 
 The wail of the bafifled wolf pack died away behind 
 them, — the exhausted horses rested their bleeding limbs 
 as they panted up the steep hill. 
 
 "Stop!" cried Dumont, and, called his retainers near 
 him. "Four of you ride up and surround the house! 
 You, Ivan, hold our horses ! Boursakoff and myself will 
 go in! Then, — all wait for my signal." And — none of 
 the bold riders knew the secret of the dread quest. 
 
 They were nearing the Post Station now, and, — as 
 Serge Dumont leaped from the sleigh, he saw a dark. 
 shadow lingering at the window of the squalid station. 
 There, with her face pressed against the pane, Xenia 
 waited for the sound of horses' feet! 
 
 Well she knew that only vengeance would bring any 
 
58 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 sane man out on the steppe, in this howling night, but, 
 her heart burned with hotter blood than ever quickened 
 the bosom of her who waits for the long-denied lover of 
 her heart. She recalled the white moonlight of her girl- 
 ish triumph — and, — her dead patrician lover! 
 
 The door gave way with a crash as Serge Dumont, his 
 eyes ablaze with a merciless hate, leaped into the room, 
 followed by Boursakoff, pistol in hand. 
 
 Two drunken moujiks lay prone in the corner on a pile 
 of sheepskins, there were some children sleeping on the 
 huge corner oven stove, and, — in a corner, by a blinking 
 candle, old Moschka, the Jewish peddler, cowered over 
 a vodki bottle with a forbidding-looking peasant. 
 
 Dumont sprang to Xenia's side, his hand upon his 
 pistol belt! "Where! Where!" he hoarsely cried, and, 
 as the woman raised her shapely arm^ she cried, "That is 
 the man, take him, — take him away!" But, with a 
 frightened yell, — the startled scoundrel dashed through 
 to the rear of the house and plunged down into a ravine. 
 — Boursakofif dropped his pistol on its cord! 
 
 Dumont was on his heels in an instant, the Cossacks 
 spurring their horses to the crested bank. "Don't shoot! 
 I want him alive," yelled the noble. And then, the 
 crazed fugitive fled away from the avengers of blood! 
 
 There was a rush, — the sweeping by of heavy bodies 
 leaping madly along in the chase ! The lacerated Ukraine 
 sheep dogs, maddened with the taste of blood, their huge 
 jaws opened, bounded down into the ravine! 
 
 There was a wild yell, — a chorus of savage growls, — 
 a confused melee of struggling, maddened animals, — and 
 then the sound of a frantic struggle for life below them! 
 
 It was five minutes before, — ty the light of hastily 
 caught up flambeaux, — the avengers of Pierre Dumont, 
 reached the bottom of the ravine. 
 
 There was left only a hideous shapeless mass, torn be- 
 yond all semblance of manhood, for the wild Cossacks 
 had cheered their ferocious dogs on to the chase of the 
 fugitive, and only too well, had the wolf fanged brutes 
 responded. 
 
 Serge Dumont was sickened at heart, when he re- 
 turned to the station and lifting the senseless form of 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 59 
 
 Xenia, bore her to the one corner of the hovel which was 
 her own. 
 
 An hour later, the Lord of Khaminavatka drove down 
 the glen under the escort of Boursakoff and three of the 
 Cossacks. 
 
 Two remained to guard the devoted woman until, on 
 the morrow, the Intendant could return and remove her 
 and her two children to the permanent protection of the 
 chateau. 
 
 In the intervals of her wild sobbings — Xenia had dis- 
 closed her dangerous secret. She had seen Arcady Rado- 
 vich often giving the dead brute money, — and, the Jew 
 peddler Moschka had been the bringer of many secret 
 messages ! Since the death of Pierre Dumont, — the man 
 who had just died under the fangs of the wildest dogs 
 on earth, had been spending rouble on rouble in the ef- 
 fort to obtain drunken forgetfulness. — For, he had earned 
 the right to divide Arcady Radovich's purse! 
 
 The old Jew peddler had scuttled safely away into the 
 darkness before the station was thoroughly searched for 
 him. "My husband knows nothing," sobbed Xenia, "he 
 only wished this villain to spend his money with us — and 
 — whoever was paying him, the murderer only lurked 
 around here for safety and hiding. 
 
 "As for Moschka, the Jews never divulge their secrets ! 
 Fear will seal his lips, but, after the death of this man, 
 I can not stay here! My husband would beat me to 
 death! Say nothing — Barin, say nothing! They will 
 think it an accident! How many poor pilgrims, — how 
 many strange peasants — have been torn to pieces on the 
 steppe by those fearful dogs ! Give me a home at Kami- 
 navatka with my boys ! I will slave for you — and — per- 
 haps some day — I may find out the rest! There is a 
 peasant woman here to help Anton!" 
 
 Xenia's kisses were warm on the young noble's hand 
 as he departed. "Remember," he kindly said. "You 
 will have a home for life, and, your little boys shall be 
 taken care of." 
 
 In silence, the tired horses picked their way down the 
 glen, but, they trotted along merrily, for the storm was 
 behind them. Serge Dumont felt the hand of Provi- 
 
6o THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 dence in the singular accident which had balked his ven- 
 geance. 
 
 He was busied with making ready for the waiting 
 wolves, as he passed the spot of the mysterious accident. 
 It had been his intention to carry the suspected man 
 away as a prisoner to Khaminavatka, and — first fore- 
 armed by Xenia's disclosures, to frighten all the truth 
 out of the guilty wretch. But man proposes — and — God 
 disposes! It was too late to question the past now! 
 
 For, now, all hope of direct evidence had vanished for- 
 ever. He doubted not of some cowardly foul play ! Per- 
 haps an obstruction in the road, perhaps the harness 
 craftily cut^ or the carriage slyly injured. 
 
 There was now no certain clue save the fractious Or- 
 loffs whose equine memory forbade them to willingly 
 pass the fatal spot, and, the sealed lips of that silent 
 mangled wretch whose body was left to be buried on the 
 steppe by the Cossack guard at daybreak, in a concealed 
 spot. 
 
 The three outriders were now directed to freely use 
 their carbines and pistols on the wolf pack and both 
 Dumont and the Intendant soon found use for all their 
 fire arms as they bitterly fought their way over the 
 prairie back to Khaminavatka. 
 
 The gleaming lanterns aided in frightening the feroci- 
 ous pursuers who followed stoutly over the snowy steppe 
 until the roused dogs of Dumont's own village came out 
 to aid the survivors of the courtyard guardians. For, it 
 had been a sore battle — the Kherson wolf was king of 
 the dreary winter night! 
 
 Three of the wild champions had been torn to pieces 
 by the wolves, and the death of each of these grim fighters 
 had allowed the sleigh to gain a well needed half mile 
 toward safety — when they drove into the courtyard at 
 midnight, the saddened lord of the manor, called his men 
 around him. 
 
 "Not a word of this occurrence to any one! Each of 
 you will have a twenty rouble note, when you return to- 
 morrow with Xenia and her two urchins!" 
 
 Serge Dumont was safely hidden in his own room 
 when he grasped Boursakoff's honest hand. "Take your 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 6l 
 
 rest, my brave friend! Get away to-morrow and bring 
 the woman and her belongings safely here. A fifty rouble 
 note will soon silence the husband. 
 
 "As for our own doings- — God means that it should be 
 buried in the silence of the grave — all this strange mys- 
 tery of sorrow. We were too late !" When his tired head 
 fell upon his lonely pillow, he murmured, "Arcady Rado- 
 vich is only a half crazy debauchee! He may have 
 hatched up this coward plot, — but, — the Barin, — the Gen- 
 eral, — they are surely above midnight murder!" 
 
 It seemed to him as if a sigh sounded in his ears, and 
 he was awakened in the night by the loving pressure of 
 a hand upon his brow. He was in the keeping of restless 
 spirits in this sorrow darkened old chateau. 
 
 He sprang from his couch, lit the lights and kept a 
 vigil until the dawn, for, — devoutly orthodox and super- 
 stitious, — he felt that the beloved dead were near. 
 
 Alone in his state chamber there, it seemed as if the 
 eyes of his gallant brother moved in the picture which 
 now shone down upon him from the wall. "We are but 
 living ghosts, we poor hoodwinked mortals; to the be- 
 loved dead, all is known, — and they, — viewless to our 
 eyes — may be more alive than ourselves." And, so say- 
 ing, he knelt and prayed for peace for the beloved dead — ■ 
 for the unexplained murder had been terribly avenged. 
 
 The sickly gray of a winter morning awakened him, 
 from a sleep of exhaustion, long after Boursakoff, stolidly 
 silent, was half way to the Post Station to bring the 
 anxious Xenia to a home of peace and plenty. It was 
 hours before he decided to seal the whole affair in his 
 bosom and prevent the declining years of his sister being 
 racked with a vain sorrow. 
 
 With dogged resolution. Excellence Serge Dumont 
 then applied himself to the labors of the cabinet, and vain- 
 ly waited, day by day, for any inquiry as to the missing 
 man or any suspicious movement of the concealed ene- 
 mies behind the vendetta. 
 
 It was two weeks after the death of the wretched in- 
 strument of a coward vengeance, that Xenia, — now rosy 
 and contented in her girlhood home — stole into the room 
 where Serge toiled at his brother's papers. 
 
62 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 With downcast eyes, the faithful woman laid a twenty 
 rouble bill on her master's desk. "My husband has sought 
 me out here! He brought me this, from Arcady Rado- 
 vich who wishes me to come over to Bratskoe and to sec 
 him. What shall I do?" She was pallid with fear. 
 "They will kill me," she faltered. 
 
 "Xenia!" gravely answered her master. "If you ever 
 leave Khaminavatka you too may be lost, on the way 
 home! Send the Intendant to me! You are to remain 
 within the lines of our village, — the park or my planta- 
 tions. 
 
 "For I wish to know nothing more now, and, — you 
 would surely lose your life. They only wish to find out 
 the fate of that poor wretch — for their own safety. The 
 vengeance of God can wait! I will guard you with my 
 Hfe! Remember, stir not a foot!" 
 
 An hour later, the humbled station keeper was escorted 
 off the grounds by the Intendant. His interview with the 
 young lord of the manor was a decisive one as to the 
 future of Xenia and her children. 
 
 "Remember. Anton Antonovitch," sharply cried Serge 
 Dumont. "You have beaten your wife half to death, and 
 have starved your children. You can come once a year 
 to see them at Easter, at my Intendant's house! Here 
 is a hundred rouble note! Do not forget that our dogs' 
 teeth are sharp. 
 
 "I hear that you have been selling unstamped vodki. 
 Would you Hke to lose the Post Station?" 
 
 When the cringing scoundrel readhed the end of the 
 plantation, he turned and shook his fist with a vow of 
 vengeance. 
 
 "I know whose rope threw your brother into the glen," 
 he growled; "and there will come a day, when you shall 
 die too!" But, all unconscious of his vile enemy's oath, 
 Serge Dumont returned to his solitary labors. 
 
 He murmured, "If Arcady Radovich knew of that 
 black deed, he now only wants to assure his own safety! 
 Nothing could be proven, I must be content to protect 
 this poor woman — and, — trust to time." 
 
 The gloomy winter days wore along, bringing to Serge 
 Dumont a hundred varied occupations. His evenings 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 63 
 
 were passed with Boursakoff the Intendant m arranging 
 the vexatious questions arising from the Pandora gift of 
 freedom to the serfs. 
 
 Sent at an early age to the Page School — thence to 
 the Petersburg Military Academy, — the young noble was 
 practically a stranger to .his own people. 
 
 For court and regimental life was a glittering pageant, 
 — a social Paradise, compared with the dull martyrdom 
 of caste, imposed upon him among the snows of the 
 steppe. And — he soon found that he had overestimated 
 his power of filling up his own life. 
 
 The first duty of returning the ceremonial visits of his 
 guests was later supplemented by a fortnight spent with 
 Prince Youresief at Bobrinetz. The vast mass of Pierre 
 Dumont's papers had been all digested after the labor of 
 a month, and all the documents of the dead Marechale de 
 Noblesse duly turned over to his successor. 
 
 It was the work of an accomplished polyglot to exam- 
 ine many documents from the officials, nobles and colon- 
 ists of the eleven different nations now mingled in the 
 Black Earth Zone, — and a score of dialects and varied 
 tongues were spoken at the market fairs of Bratskoe. 
 And grave lines of care now streaked the young officer's 
 brow. 
 
 There were interminable conferences with men of the 
 Zemstvo, — the village Starosts, — the Elders,- — the Brat- 
 skoe pope, — the Chief of Police,- — and all the varied 
 agents, — commissioners,— valuers, and tchinoviks, at- 
 tempting to set in motion the cumbersome plan of set- 
 ting the sloted conservative serf communities into an 
 autonomic motion. The work of Sisyphus, to drill lib- 
 erty into the doltish ex serfs. 
 
 Timid,— ignorant,— dismayed by the loss of an accus- 
 tomed dependence — the serfs had all neglected the fitting 
 preparation for their own farming, many fell into drunk- 
 enness and others feared to make arrangements for carry- 
 ing on the farming of the huge estates now crippled. It 
 was confusion worse confounded— "The old order chang- 
 eth, giving place unto the new" — and Serge's heart, brain 
 and temper were sorely tried. 
 
 In all the new duties of managing his other estates, 
 
 B 
 
64 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 the young noble was aided by the acute experience of 
 Madame Barbe Federoff, to whom the Intendants of the 
 other estates reported. 
 
 This skilled help, — with many inspections of the distant 
 estates by the faithful Boursakoff, — soon enabled the 
 neophyte to carry on successfully his study of the so- 
 called agricultural system, — the favorite three field plan, 
 — and all the methods of revolving spring, summer, and 
 winter crops as well as fallowing the weakened fields. 
 And, he dismally toiled on alone with a dreary heart. 
 
 It was not long until Dumont learned that the Cos- 
 sacks of the Don, Volga and Dneiper, — the descendants 
 of Russian colonists by chosen Tartar mothers, were wise 
 in their generation to confine their riches to superb flocks 
 and herds, and, to avoid those pretentious attempts at 
 agriculture which seemed to be foreign to the mysterious 
 steppe. For, Nature, itself, seemed to be averse to the 
 reconquest of the grass grown steppe. 
 
 The silent warfare of ages had conquered the forests 
 eager to spread south and east — the gigantic grasses and 
 annual plants leaping to life under the fervid summer 
 suns had smothered all tree growth, — and, grain high 
 enough to hide a horseman, grasses and weeds twenty 
 feet in height, had been the marvel of his boyhood. The 
 wind and sun aided to drive northward the trees from 
 the bare plains. 
 
 There were other occupations for Serge Dumont in 
 the lonely steppe palace than his daily routine of cares. 
 As the winter dragged away, he had with reverent hand, 
 examined all the memorials of his patrician race. 
 
 Every corner and nook of the vast edifice had been 
 visited, and, vacant chambers, full of dust resounded to 
 his footfall, in the three storied galleries above which 
 had been the old "terem" or woman's department, after 
 the style of Peter the Great. 
 
 He marvelled at the forgotten riches, — at many 
 quaint memorials of departed beauty, — at all the flotsam 
 and jetsam of the waves of Time which had died away on 
 the steppe. 
 
 There were storied relics of the Dumonts de la Roche 
 which had escaped the bloody holocaust of the French 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 65 
 
 Revolution, — touching memorials of the legitimist nobles 
 who had hurled themselves into alien armies to revenge 
 the murder of an anointed King. And gentle shades of 
 the past returned to his romantic mind in gazing on these 
 sacred treasures. 
 
 In these solitary rounds, gazing out of the dust encrust- 
 ed windows at the distant family stronghold of his foe- 
 men, — the descendant of the gallant old French line mur- 
 mured, "We are all sojourners here, interlopers! They 
 are as truly to the manner born as I ! The blood of twen- 
 ty nations has watered these steppes, a very No Man's 
 Land — only an open place of arms for battle and murder 
 and strife! 
 
 If they belong to any one by right, it is to the Cossacks, 
 who are descendants of the surviving first adventurers 
 and their Tartar brides. 
 
 For back of their unwritten history is nothing but the 
 funereal Kourganes, where mortuary vases, tear vials, a 
 few ornaments, and crumbled weapons tell of the uncon- 
 quered horsemen who ruled these lonely plains ! The lost 
 romance of races buried in the womb of Time ! 
 
 In vain old Chuchinka had protested against yielding 
 up even to the master her treasured keys. Basket after 
 basket were reluctantly brought to light by the pretty 
 Anna Ivanovna. 
 
 The old housekeeper grumbled "Seventy years I have 
 seen the Easter sun here, and Barin Pierre never asked 
 for a single key." 
 
 But the old woman yielded, for from Elizabethgrad to 
 Odessa, — from Kharkov to Woloczisk, the fame of the 
 stern silent young soldier had gone abroad as one who 
 had a heart of gold and nerves of steel. All obeyed — and 
 — all loved the honest, fearless noble. 
 
 Boursakoff vainly tried to instruct his young master 
 in the forgotten legends of the old mansion. He was 
 but a few years older than his lord, and his youth and 
 manhood had been passed in the Intendant's home, with- 
 out the chateau grounds, where he had succeeded his 
 father. 
 
 A huge bronze bell hung in front of the comfortable 
 structure both residence and office and, thereon, the 
 
66 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Boursakoffs, father and son, had wakened the neighbor- 
 ing village for seventy years, at four in the growing dawn. 
 Faithful and true, they were but sturdy yeomen. 
 
 In that time, every evening, at ten, by the samovar, in 
 the great dining hall the Boursakoffs had taken the orders 
 for the next day. 
 
 So, with due regard for his elder sister. Serge Dumont 
 made no further eflort to pry into the unwritten history 
 of these vacant rooms, where burning love and keenest 
 sorrows. Love's haunting handmaidens, had waited upon 
 the fresh young hearts which had failed here, — in the dull 
 round of icy winter, — glowing spring, — burning summer, 
 and gloomy autumn. 
 
 For their heart histories, their silent sorrows, were all 
 locked in the stilled hearts now crumbled back into steppe 
 dust. 
 
 One day, in searching through two splendidly decorat- 
 ed rooms, on the east side of the chateau, on the highest 
 tier, under the shadows of the lofty roof promenade and 
 air well. Serge Dumont found a narrow door skilfully 
 concealed behind the false screen of a great mahogany 
 armoire. 
 
 It soon yielded to his vigorous blows and a gust of 
 foul air made him quickly recoil. With a suddenly 
 aroused curiosity, he descended and found that the walls 
 were windowless without, the passage along the interior 
 dome was without any doors, — and the whole masonry 
 artfully concealed the very existence of rooms along a 
 third of the eastern side of the third gallery. 
 
 In an examination of the roof he found three circular 
 windows let into the ceiling, covered with broad plat- 
 forms, long hidden with the wind blown sands of the 
 steppe, and now crusted with ice. 
 
 Provided with candles, it was not long until the master 
 stood within the secret apartments. He had carefully 
 locked the doors behind him, spurred on by curiosity and 
 yet, faithful to the unbroken seal of the dead years. For 
 it seemed that he had no right to violate this secret haunt 
 of his older progenitors. 
 
 He stood at last within two rooms filled with the debris 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 67 
 
 of ancient furniture and marvelled at the completeness 
 of the hiding place. 
 
 Memories of the old days when spy and secret agent 
 lurked within even the highest family circles returned to 
 him. "Perhaps a secret retreat where the hidden family 
 matters could be talked over, free from spying eye— ancl, 
 — far from eavesdroppers." 
 
 The chill fresh air drifted in from the windows which 
 he had opened in the adjoining rooms, and he made 
 haste to conclude his examination. 
 
 On the wall of the second room, a mouldering picture 
 hung. 
 
 Serge tore it down and bore it out of the hidden cham- 
 bers, carefully closing the bursted door and locking the 
 old armoire which had perhaps made its procession from 
 Paris to Poland, and down to the lonely steppe. 
 
 "This shall be my secret alone" — he murmured, as he 
 detached the quaintly gilded key of the old armoire. For, 
 by _ the dying light of the day he gazed upon the faded 
 picture. 
 
 A woman's face was dimly shadowed there, — the plead- 
 ing wistful eyes still bright with the reflected light of 
 love. 
 
 "Ah I It was not always winter here!" the lonely man 
 cried. "And Love led this beauty once to her hidden 
 Paradise. A forgotten face — but, a woman with a heart, 
 T— for she loved — and, suffered — else, why this passion 
 locked prison, under the roofs? And he marvelled at the 
 wistful tenderness of that long forgotten face. 
 
 For days after, in his cabinet de travail, the young 
 noble watched the pleading loveliness of that misty fad- 
 ing face, for, true to her tryst of the vanished years, — the 
 Lady of the Picture faded away to join her dead lover 
 behind the veil of the past. And, so Love avenged the 
 violation of its sanctuary. 
 
 "She was young and beautiful — too young to have seen 
 Love's roses fade! Pray God she died in an unbroken 
 dream of happiness!" mused Serge. 
 
 And as he consigned the now meaningless canvas to 
 the flames, he vowed to keep her secret from all men, as 
 a tribute to the romance of the old. 
 
68 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVAtKA. 
 
 Not even Boursakoff, on his return from a voyage to 
 Tambov, ever learned the history of this discovery, 
 though the master returned by stealth to confirm his 
 theory that some beloved one had lingered there in a 
 bower where fond heart beat against burning breast. 
 
 The exterior had either been cunningly devised or else 
 skilfully altered to hide the existence of the two rooms. 
 And, whether fear, jealousy or necessity had led to the 
 choosing of this refuge the young noble never knew — 
 for the dead lovers guarded their secret — even in the 
 tomb. 
 
 Serge Dumont's breast was stirred by strange news 
 upon his Intendant's return. With a distrust of the post 
 at Bratskoe, where every official was an adherent of the 
 powerful Radovichs, the young noble's intimate corre- 
 spondence was all sent to Excellence Federoflf at Eliza- 
 bethgrad, and, the stout henchman was full of news and 
 important mail commissions as he dashed up to the door 
 in his troika sleigh. 
 
 Even before he had fulfilled Madame Barbe's varied 
 injunctions, with a grave face, Boursakoff told the story 
 of an important discovery. 
 
 "Anton Antonovich, Xenia's worthless husband, has 
 taken unto himself a wife ad interim, from the Radovich 
 village. 
 
 "And I have learned through a faithful watch long set 
 by me, that the woman is the sister of the man who was 
 torn to pieces by our wild dogs on that awful night. 
 
 "The station keeper swears vengeance for the refuge 
 that you have given to his wife. And — week by week, 
 this mad fool Arcady Radovich, comes over to the farm 
 houses in the meadows, and steals up to confer with 
 Anton. 
 
 "They believe that you have spirited away her brother 
 to bring him up in accusation of the Radovichs, for, — 
 they know nothing of his death. 
 
 "And, old Moschka, too, has been haunting our vil- 
 lages for weeks, well supplied with vodki money and 
 spending it with a lavish hand." 
 
 "How do you know all this, Nicolas?" gravely de- 
 manded his master. "I am to marry Marika," blush- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 69 
 
 ingly admitted the Intendant. "You know, — the hand- 
 some girl of the little village in the meadows — and^ — she 
 is good and true to me! 
 
 "For God's sake! Barin, be watchful; they mean to do 
 some harm to you ! I shall see that you do not ride the 
 steppe, alone!" 
 
 Serge Dumont was striding impatiently up and down 
 the room. "So! They do not even know the man is 
 dead ! True ! Old Moschka fled to the front — the other 
 two men were in a drunken stupor, and, — Xenia is as true 
 as steel ! They must never know ! I thank you — and, — 
 Marika shall have the handsomest outfit in the Kher- 
 son!" And, long they talked of the means to circumvent 
 the desperate clan. 
 
 It was an hour later when the two men separated, and 
 the lonely man opened his heaped-up dispatches! The 
 very last letter was one which brought him to his feet 
 with a sudden exclamation. "Vera Orbeleff !" 
 
 He recognized the intuition which had caused the 
 shooting star of Petersburg winter to send the document 
 to his august sister. 
 
 As he read the four pages, his brow darkened and he 
 dropped the letter upon the floor. "If it were not my 
 birthplace^ — if Khaminavatka did not hold our beloved 
 dead, — I would sell it, and remove the whole family be- 
 longings to one of the other estates!" But, his words 
 were vain, for, from his window he saw the family chapel ! 
 "Pierre, my mother, my father — lying there — no, — I will 
 never leave the Mertvovod, I swear it!" 
 
 And, he sat down to marvel upon the tidings from the 
 woman who was now one of the most powerful in Russia, 
 the Egeria of the War Minister, a mighty functionary of 
 vast wealth and boundless power. He read again her 
 words. 
 
 "Vera Orbeleff is a beautiful witch," he mused. "Now, 
 I understand why Lieutenant Ivan Radovich has sought 
 out Wassili Federoff at Moscow to heal the breach 
 caused by the duel ! This is all her diplomacy !" 
 
 There were grave tidings, too, of the mad Radovich, 
 Arcady^ the fool of the whole countryside. The dashing 
 
70 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 court beauty warned him of the undying enmity and 
 bufning hatred of the declasse noble spendthrift. 
 
 "You have kept your pledge to me," she wrote, "and, 
 I must bid you beware of this man! He is capable of 
 anything. There is but one bright side to all the picture. 
 You owe the ending of the feud between the two young 
 duelists to Magda Radovich, who wrote her brother a 
 letter which she showed to me. 
 
 "She will be a Maid of Honor next winter, and — she is 
 an angel at heart! A gentle spirit of Love and Peace. 
 That you might know her, your enemy's daughter, I 
 send you her picture^ which I obtained from her brother! 
 
 "And, now, for young Wassili's sake, let there be 
 peace upoii the Mertvovod! I shall see you there my- 
 self, when the roses come to your wonderful steppe! 
 
 "Till then, beware of Arcady Radovich — I will watch 
 over you — and — guard you! The rest— depends on 
 yourself alone! My last word^it is Magda who wrote 
 to me to warn you of her half-crazed uncle's intended 
 treachery^never ride the steppe alone! 
 
 "Of course, I know your fearless nature, — it is only to 
 prevent another mystery that I send you the heartfelt 
 words of your enemy's noble daughter!" 
 
 Serge Dumont siezed the forgotten packet, and, there, 
 alone, in the halls of his proud old line, looked upon the 
 face of his enemy's daughter. "The Day Star of the 
 Dying Water!" he murmured. "I shall see that face 
 some day, — I shall thank her for the words of white- 
 winged peace." 
 
 And he softly repeated Prince Youresief's words, "It 
 will not be always winter. Serge." 
 
 There were shuffling feet upon his threshold, and, 
 with a sudden motion, the Lord of Khaminavatka hid 
 the sweet-pictured face in his bosom. 
 
 Late that night, his valet heard his strong, resounding 
 tread in the great state chamber, and, if a fair young girl 
 had gazed out from her maiden chamber, that gloomv 
 winter night across the Dying Water,— she could have 
 seen the lights in the mul Honed window, where the ene- 
 my of her race, gazed over the darkened stream, with her 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. fl 
 
 picture pressed upon his heart. It was a sudden pas- 
 sionate fancy which enthralled him ! 
 
 "Where have I seen those eyes before?" Serge mur- 
 mured, as he sought a brief rest, and then it all came 
 back to him, — the eyes of the picture of the Forgotten 
 Lady— the queen of the hidden bower whose existence 
 was now known alone to him. 
 
 "The same — the same!" — he cried, and so, he fell 
 asleep murmuring "It will not always be winter." 
 
 There came at last, the magic touch of Spring, and a 
 brooding peace had reigned in these last two months 
 along the Dying Water. Serge Dumont knew of the 
 visit of the young dueHst of the Preobajensky, and of his 
 departure for Kief, for the watchful Boursakoff secretly 
 dispatched a faithful boy daily to Bratskoe, only eight 
 versts distant, his whole leisure being spent in a lynx-like 
 watch of every movement of the cat-like Arcady Rado- 
 vich. 
 
 In these months of comfort, Xenia, the Post Station 
 drudge, had bloomed out again into the beauty of 
 rounded womanhood^ and, with her children around her, 
 sat, softly singing at her sewing, the chief of the needle- 
 women of the chateau. 
 
 Loyal Boursakoff often led her aside to confer over 
 the slightest movement of their hidden foes, but, all slept 
 in peace, for ten armed Cossacks watched the chateau, 
 and whenever the Lord of the Manor rode abroad to the 
 now busy fields, there was a scattered platoon of the 
 bravest horsemen in the world in sight of his every 
 movement. 
 
 In far-away Petersburg, her passionate heart throb- 
 bing under her silks and laces. Vera Orbeleff watched 
 keenly over the two rival young patricians. 
 
 She was happy at heart, for the great War Minister 
 had added his injunction for a total cessation of all brawl 
 between the two yOung stars of the rival regiments. 
 "Let nothing unseemly occur— on your heads— -young 
 men! I never forget"— he growled. And, the youthful 
 officers implicitly obeyed him. 
 
 The stormy-hearted Vera wondered at Serge Dumortt's 
 cold and stately words of thanks to her ! 
 
^2. THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "If he had only a heart— perhaps— there might be a 
 ■way" — but, the summer queen misjudged the man who 
 often rode the Mertvovod now with his eyes fixed on the 
 distant gardens of the Radovichs, where the tender leaves 
 of Spring were beginning to throw their veil of green 
 over the blasted fields. She had cast the spell of an- 
 other upon him unwittingly! 
 
 There were hundreds of peasants toiling now on both 
 banks of the Dying Water— for April brought the re- 
 awakening of dormant nature. The snows had melted 
 in a trice. The lean cattle, sheep and horses rejoiced in 
 their release from the dark shambles and mouldy straw 
 of the winter months. 
 
 The fresh young grass was shooting everywhere^ and 
 in the vast plantations of Khaminavatka the woods were 
 growing fragrant. The voice of Spring whispered of the 
 coming of the Summer Queen. 
 
 There was Spring in the heart of the young Master as 
 he galloped from field to field, followed by the energetic 
 Boursakoff seated in his single sulky. The happy days 
 of Easter were approaching and the deyoted Russian 
 peasants yearned to see the end of their seven weeks of 
 black fasting. 
 
 The faithful storks were all winging their way back 
 from Egypt, by their own mysterious pilotage seeking 
 their own chosen fields across the thousand miles of 
 dreary land and fifteen hundred miles of pathless sea. 
 
 In the park and gardens of the chateau, a crowd of old 
 men, boys, girls and women were singing at their work, 
 while the lowing of the released cattle, — the bleating of 
 sheep, and the neighing of horses was borne afar upon 
 the thin, pure air. 
 
 A mysterious hum of hidden forces told of Nature's 
 wondrous alchemy which can bring from the same acre 
 of ground, in succeeding years by kindly magic, every 
 blessing of fruitful earth. The undying creative spirit of 
 the Earth was working its marvels beyond the mind of 
 puny man — a thousand paradoxes in a single field! 
 
 There was a smile upon Serge Dumont's stern face, 
 for in work, blessed work, he had at last found his 
 panacea, and the shadows were lifted from his darkened 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 73 
 
 heart as he listened to the singing voices of the Spring! 
 
 The days flitted busily away until Easter Eve brought 
 the crowding faithful to the five-domed church of 
 Bratskoe. 
 
 Loyal to his family traditions, the young Boyar rode 
 over in the hush of the evening to join the devout ortho- 
 dox in their hushed watch in the darkened church. 
 
 The peaceful calm of a reawakening Nature brought 
 back to all the Mystery of a Risen Lord. 
 
 On the year before. Serge Dumont had watched in 
 the darkened gloom of the vast Isaac's Church of Peters- 
 burg for the first lighted taper, the boom of the bells, the 
 bursts of melody telling of the Risen Saviour. 
 
 Lord of a half-dozen manors, here, in the little green- 
 roofed church, filled with dark-veiled women, and prayer- 
 murmuring moujiks, among the lowly of the earth, he 
 now reverently awaited the appearance of the village pope 
 with his little train of acolytes. Serge Dumont had left 
 his faithful guardian, the watchful BoursakofT. He was 
 alone, for his escort of Cossacks had pressed forward in 
 the dense crowd, each one bearing an unlighted taper to 
 catch the first holy light at midnight. 
 
 The incoming crowd pressed the young noble' into 
 the corner of a little chapel, and his mind wandered far 
 away from the simple worshipers. 
 
 His heart lingered around the chapel where his beloved 
 dead lay at Khaminavatka, and, he suddenly remembered 
 his duty to send a carriage for the rustic pope to come 
 and bless the magnificent Easter table in the old mansion. 
 "I can ride home with the Cossacks," he thought, "and, 
 leave Boursakofl to conduct the Pope, in my carriage." 
 He had forgotten his dormant enemies, the Radovich 
 clan, until an imperious whispering voice near him re- 
 called the presence of General Andre Radovich, the 
 haughty Imperial Aide de Camp. 
 
 "It is the truce of God! His House is large enough 
 for all," mused the young noble as he edged his way 
 through the throng to an altar on the other side of the 
 humble temple near the door. 
 
 A faint twinkle, a mere spark of light, — burned there 
 on a tiny taper! The gorgeous ceremony of the last 
 
74 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 year returned, for he could but faintly descry the grace- 
 ful lines of a kneeling woman's form. 
 
 Here was no golden iconastos, — no priceless malachite 
 pillars, — no icons blazing with jewels, — no lamps of solid 
 gold, — no vast balustrade of solid silver, — no golden- 
 framed holy doors, no magnificent holy table with price- 
 less pyxis. It was a humble temple. 
 
 Princesses, — kneeling Duchesses, — here were non.e, — 
 no groups of glittering Generals, — no court beauties in 
 ball attire, hidden beneath the mourning robes. 
 
 "But, God is as near this peasant girl kneeling at my 
 feet," he fondly thought, "as in the House Beautiful, 
 where an Emperor kneels." The peace of the quiet hour, 
 — the throbbing of the rugged hearts around him,-^the 
 hushed awe of a waiting world, stilled his proud heart. 
 
 He forgot all hatred, all enmity, and, there, before 
 God's Holy Altars, he waited for Light, Life and Risen 
 Love. 
 
 The bell clanged above him, the voice of song arose, 
 and lights began to gleam out in the main church be- 
 yond the trapeza. 
 
 "Christos voskres," rang out from all the village bells 
 and the stately soldier bent his head to light his taper 
 from the candle 'held out to him by the woman who had 
 risen to her feet! The melting music thrilled all hearts. 
 
 "Christos voskres," murmured a sweet, low, thrilling 
 voice as at his side, and, then, the man who bore her 
 picture on his heart, saw the beautiful face of his enemy's 
 daughter — the Day Star of the Mertvovodl 
 
 They were alone in the secluded corner, and, with a 
 sudden inspiration, he answered, "No istine voskres." 
 
 The words had gone out between them which made 
 them, one in heart, for a brief happy moment, — the 
 sacred salutation, "Christ is risen." "He is risen in- 
 deed." 
 
 It was the holy seal of a sudden love. 
 
 The beautiful, pleading eyes tempted him! It was al- 
 ready summer in his heart as he kissed her on each cheek 
 in the devout salutation of the Orthodox! 
 
 Then, with a mad impulse, he pressed his lips to her 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 75 
 
 own and murmured, "Beautiful darling! Angel of peace 
 and love!" 
 
 Before he could recall himself^ they stood beside each 
 other in darkness, for the tapers had fallen from their 
 trembling hands. 
 
 The little train of acolytes was already beginning to 
 follow the bearded pope around the body of the church. 
 
 Torches flared out, tapers were twinkling all over the 
 assemblage, and salutations and happy cries resounded 
 on all sides. 
 
 A gentle hand stole into his own. "Leave me — you 
 know the dangers," the trembling girl whispered. "They 
 are all here on the other side of the church." His voice 
 trembled with emotion as he murmured, "Swear to me 
 that we shall meet again!" 
 
 "Go, I beg you," the girl cried, covering her face with 
 her veil. "You shall hear from me, tomorrow, at your 
 own home!" 
 
 "Angel one!" was Serge Dumont's despairing whisper 
 as he caught her hand, and pressed it to his lips. 
 
 He drew off a little ring which was on his slender fin- 
 ger and dropped the seal ring of his fathers in her hand. 
 
 Then, darting out of the church door, he sought the 
 Cossack horse holder. "Find Boursakoff" — he sharply 
 cried. "I have orders for him!" 
 
 In ten minutes, the Master of Khaminavatka was 
 madly galloping homeward. "It is the will of God," he 
 cried, as he raced along. 
 
 There was a bird singing in his awakened heart now. 
 And, the old Prince's words came back, "It is not always 
 winter. Serge." 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 ON HOSTILE GROUND. 
 
 When the interior of the church was one golden glow, 
 and the Pope, with his train, slowly passed around the 
 whole circuit, kissing the sacred icons, and devoutly 
 
^t THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 kneeling at the altars, the haggard eyes of Arcady Rado- 
 vich sought in vain for his hereditary enemy. 
 
 He scanned the little group of the petite noblesse, — he 
 fiercely wandered along from altar to altar, and noted 
 the graceful form of his lovely niece as she made the tour 
 of the sacred places. His own knee was never bent in 
 homage, he had gone on beyond faith. 
 
 The peasants slowly parted to allow the detested young 
 noble to pass, and they noted, with glee, that the few 
 seigneurs who had ridden from forty to eighty versts 
 each, artfully avoided giving Arcady Radovich the kiss of 
 peace, obHgatory on all good Russians for three days. 
 
 As for the haughty women of rank, — a corporal's 
 guard of beauty, — by a pious fiction, they did not see 
 him! 
 
 The debauchee's wasted form, — his mean, wolfish face, 
 — narrow-eyed and low of forehead, repelled even callous 
 strangers. 
 
 The faded uniform of an Infantry Captain decorated 
 the stooped figure. 
 
 With instinctive horror, the fresh-faced peasant girls 
 shrunk away from the wretch who had been for long 
 years the terror of the unprotected girls in the neighbor- 
 ing villages. 
 
 NoWj his "droits de Seigneur" were only a horrible 
 memory, for the mighty Czar had at last given to them 
 the ownership of their own bodies! 
 
 Here, in the stronghold of an Orthodox Church, its 
 altars faced, with an awful defiance, the man who would 
 pollute body and soul. For, here, God protected both 
 body and soul! 
 
 After the sacred procession, — the disappointed oaurien 
 soon joined the family group^ who were cynically watch- 
 ing the Pope now moving down the lines of votive offer- 
 ings ranged near the walls, and blessing the fruits, flowers 
 and Easter food. 
 
 With holy awe the peasants saw the blessed holy 
 water sprinkle the huge loaves of Kulitsche, each bearing 
 its lighted taper, — the towering white cheese, — the plates 
 of comfits, — colored eggs, — honey pots and dainties 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. ^^ 
 
 touched but once a year. It was their feast of the first 
 fruits of the year! 
 
 General Andre Radovich, in a new gray uniform, with 
 the white St. George's cross, — was busied chivalrously 
 complimenting his vivacious sister-in-law, who had now 
 thrown off her shrouding black robe, and appeared a 
 radiant vision in complete ball dress, for the secret edifi- 
 cation of Colonel Milovitch, who had ridden frorn far 
 Wosnecenk to be near the woman whom he secretly 
 adored. 
 
 The other aristocrats were merrily departing now to 
 their midnight feasts, and the shouts of droschky 
 drivers and khibitka lads rose discordantly without. 
 
 Arcady turned to his leaden-eyed brother, the gloomy 
 Baron Alexandre, who secretly suspected the reason of 
 Madame la Baronne's unusual display of charms. 
 
 Bald, sullen and dejected in manner, the heavy-set 
 Baron Alexandre for years had been fighting the losing 
 fight of a southern proprietor, and, now paralyzed with 
 the loss of his serfs, he cursed the generous Czar, even 
 here in the house of God. 
 
 "Did you see Serge Dumont?" wearily demanded the 
 Baron. 
 
 "No!" roughly replied Arcady. "He is not even 
 orthodox — a French upstart — and, — a coward! He 
 feared to face us all here together! He did not dare to 
 come here tonight!" 
 
 "Pooh, Arcady! You babble," said the Baron, "Re- 
 member your own regimental record ! 
 
 "You would never face this man, and, — you know it! 
 Find Magda now, and, let us go." 
 
 The scorn of his brother's words awakened the sleep- 
 ing devil in Arcady's heart. "I have sworn to follow him 
 to the death — and, — I will !" he growled. 
 
 "Then, if you do face him — your own life will be the 
 forfeit! I am tired of this old feud!" replied the Baron. 
 "The General warns me that our interests at court will 
 suffer if there is another 'accident' on the Mertvovod. 
 
 "So keep your tongue within your teeth. You bun- 
 gled that business of Pierre." The two men fiercely 
 eyed each other! 
 
78 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "There will be no bungling the next time," swore 
 Arcady, who was humbly dependent on the bounty of 
 his elder brothers. 
 
 He strode over to where Magda Radovich lingered on 
 her knees. "Enough of this mummery," he roughly 
 said. "We are no praying moujiks! Your father wants 
 to leave! Our supper is waiting for us now." 
 
 The pale-faced girl glided to her mother's side, in 
 silence, and, then- — her pale cheek flushed as she saw 
 Colonel Milovitch, lingering rapturously over his Easter 
 "kiss of peace" privileges. 
 
 When the heavy dragoon turned toward the young 
 girl, with a vulpine smile, — she fled out of the church to 
 where the eight police guarded the equipages of the 
 aristocrats. 
 
 The carriage of the Lord of Khaminavatka was waiting 
 there, with the honest-faced Boursakoff in charge. 
 
 "Your master?" she whispered timidly to Nicolas 
 Nicolaivitch. 
 
 "Gone home, Barina," answered the Intendant. "I 
 wait here to conduct the pope to-morrow at three to 
 bless our Easter bread." 
 
 The graceful girl fled away with a newly born hope 
 in her gentle bosom. 
 
 The town was ablaze with lights, the streets were full 
 of merrymakers, and the clangor of the merry pealing 
 bells was deafening. They sang a song of peace and joy! 
 
 The villa of General Andre was glowing in a blaze of 
 glory, and, — first in the family carriage, — she awaited in 
 silence the party who were to make up the General's sup- 
 per table. 
 
 "The pope comes to our house at eleven — and — goes 
 over to Khaminavatka at three! He will be the safest 
 messenger! But, he must suspect nothing!" she mur- 
 mured, as she nestled in the carriage. 
 
 The village priest was to be a convive at the General's 
 midnight board, and, as the Baron's mansion was but 
 three versts from Bratskoe, — the hour of eleven would 
 give him time to first complete his pastoral visit there, 
 and at three, depart for the last of the three seigneurial 
 houses in his parish. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 79 
 
 A pleasant fee of fifty roubles and a basket of cham- 
 pagne awaited him at each of the patrician homes. 
 Easter was the liumble priest's happy harvest time, 
 
 Magda was strangely silent during the ride to the 
 villa! Girl as she was, she could not ignore the tender 
 hand-clasping of the burly Colonel, with the gaudily 
 dressed matron, who only feared of all things on earth,™ 
 her own daughter's clear, unflinching eyes. And, 
 though knowing little of the world, the young girl in- 
 stinctively despised the amatory Colonel. 
 
 In half an hour^— the merry company were at table! 
 In the rambling villa of General Radovich there was that 
 union of oriental display and western modern elegance 
 which makes the high-class Russian country house a 
 most romantic abode. 
 
 Seated at her uncle's side,-^now appearing a Diana in 
 plain white,—- the young beauty's only ornament was the 
 gold chain and cross which proclaimed her orthodox 
 belief. Her debonnair Uncle Andre saw the sudden 
 bloom of the Rose of Life in her lovely face ! 
 
 "You are bewitchingly beautiful, to-night, Magda," he 
 kindly said. "Have you been to the river to pluck the 
 golden P6roun's flower — the magic fern blossom, which 
 gives you all the secrets and the treasures of the earth,— 
 the blossom which opens its golden heart as the Easter 
 bell rings." 
 
 The fair girl dropped her eyes in a sudden confusion, 
 for the golden blossom of Love had opened in her lonely 
 heart at that joyous peal. And, she feared for this price- 
 less secret! 
 
 The feast in the villa was a merry one, and Magda 
 spoke but little, until the belated pope arrived. 
 
 Then, her gentle dissimulation flattered the happy 
 priest, for- he knew not that fate had selected him to be 
 the first messenger of a love bred between the deadly 
 lines of an undying vendetta. 
 
 It was four o'clock .when the family carriage of the 
 Baron swept along through the streets of Bratskoe for 
 the twenty-minute drive between the brothers' strong- 
 holds. 
 
 Something in Magda Radovich's heart told her of a 
 d 
 
80 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 suddenly opened gulf yawning between her and her 
 mother. 
 
 For, the champagne-quickened Colonel leaned over 
 the Baroness' hands, planting heated kisses there at part- 
 ing, and the Day Star of the Mertvovod heard the parting 
 whisper, "I will come over with the priest, — in the morn- 
 ing, — my golubtchik!" It was a rude awakening to the 
 innocent girl — a sad enKghtenment ! 
 
 In the darkness, the tender-hearted girl faced her des- 
 tiny. "I never could tell my mother — after this," she 
 sorrowed. "Uncle Arcady is only a ruffian — and Gen- 
 eral Andre a man of the world — a wild noble of the old 
 time. Brother Ivan surely must not know, — there would 
 be another duel — and — my poor father — he is hopeless 
 and heartbroken." 
 
 Even an unsophisticated blossom of the Catherine In- 
 stitute could not ignore the shrouding gloom of Baron 
 Alexandre's daily life. 
 
 For, all men knew that the country noble occupied that 
 uneviable position of the Doge of Venice who had a very 
 handsome wife, inordinately fond of other men. 
 
 Magda's last possible refuge was the Princess Vera 
 Orbeleff, who had showered benefits upon the lonely girl 
 at the Catherine Institute, but, she shrank from unfold- 
 ing, even to that Princess Charming, the secret of the 
 magic flower now blooming in her virginal heart. 
 
 On the Princess Vera's visits to that palatial school 
 across whose threshold no layman can tread save the Em- 
 peror, — Magda had too often seen General Andre's glit- 
 tering uniform in the carriage of the generous little pas- 
 sion flower. 
 
 "She would surely tell the General — my father would 
 soon know — and — then Arcady and Brother Ivan would 
 be as raging wolves." 
 
 Already proudly loyal to as suddenly conceived and 
 as perilous a love as that of Romeo and Juliet, the lonely 
 girl knew that she could trust the pope alone — for the 
 village prelate would hear her confession, — and — then 
 the awful seal, the unbroken seal of the Church would 
 hold her disclosure sacred till death. Love strangely 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 8l 
 
 born had made her the champion of the lonely man now 
 worshiping her silent picture. 
 
 With a throbbing heart and a sad sigh, the young 
 Baroness silently parted with her mother, when they 
 reached the mansion on the Dying Water. 
 
 Lili Radovich knew that her unsullied daughter in- 
 stinctively despised Boris Milovitch, for the acute dra- 
 goon, — a past master in Love, — had whispered "Beware 
 the young pigeon! She has eyes and ears — and^ — her 
 wings are now fully grown!" 
 
 The reckless rake recognized an enemy in the clear- 
 eyed girl. With a listless "good-night," the mother left 
 the girl, who sought her own nest, far up in that corner 
 of the mansion, whence she gazed out alone, and saw 
 the palace of the steppes gleaming with lights in every 
 window. 
 
 She fell asleep, with a prayer on her pure young lips 
 for the man who had come so strangely into her life. 
 Her father's mortal foe ! 
 
 Across the sedgy Mertvovod, — Serge Dumont was re- 
 turning from seignorial visit to his own feasting village. 
 He had watched the twinkling white light in Magda's 
 window and wondered if her graceful shadow was thrown 
 upon the walls of that room which her young beauty 
 made a treasure house. 
 
 By his order, the old chateau held the whole household 
 in its vast dining room on this Easter night under the 
 austere guidance of old Chuchinka, jealous of her au- 
 thority and wondrous to behold in her one silk dress, 
 and her bunch of keys on the well-known silver chain. 
 
 When he entered his own apartments. Serge Dumont 
 had made a visit to every well-remembered icoUj where 
 gleaming gold and silver veiled the tenderly smiling faces 
 which had so often looked down upon his departed dead. 
 A new saint had entered the calendar of his heart. 
 
 He knelt and swore to be true to the love which had 
 so strangely become the one purpose of his life. 
 
 Without, the younger peasants of the village, gathered 
 
 in the courtyard, were singing their plaintive carols as he 
 
 entered the great dining room, and with his bejeweled 
 
 hand, offered the wine to his wrinkled old nurse, — the 
 
 6 
 
82 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 aged Chuchinka, and all the elder servants who had 
 watched him in youth bestride his first Cossack pony. 
 He was "servus servorum" on this solemn feast! 
 
 There was, too — a waiting delegation, — the Starost^ — 
 the Elders, and the "White Heads" — all ready to con- 
 dtict the Lord of the Manor over to the village, where 
 every window now gleamed with festal light! The long 
 seven weeks' fast was done, and in each humble cottage, 
 the festal Easter supper was spread. 
 
 The hardy steppe toilers rejoiced in Easter, for was 
 there not the June fast, — the long maceration of the flesh 
 from November first to Christmas, — before these stolid 
 believers who regularly fasted all other Wednesdays and 
 Fridays of the year. A hard and dreary burden of faith! 
 
 But, the blessed summer time was now coming on, 
 and the village lads and lasses of Khaminavatka all 
 thronged the larger houses as the young Manor Lord 
 gravely passed on to visit the houses of the principal meti 
 of the new Mir. 
 
 In every interior visited, was the same general house- 
 hold arrangement, — the doubled windows, — the hooded 
 door porticos, — and the bright potted plants in the deep 
 window recesses. 
 
 Divided into two Or three rooms, — ^the principal one 
 showed its corner shelf with the silver-framed icon, and 
 its burning lamp, — the pictures of the new Czar and 
 Czarina — for Nicholas the broken-hearted had given 
 way to the great Alexander II. 
 
 A gigantic corner stove of whitewashed brick, above 
 which, on a platform, urchins and the feeble were already 
 sleeping, on the coveted "palati," filled a corner in each 
 grand living room. 
 
 A wide board platform surrounded three sides of the 
 rooms, piled high with gay pillows ; and, on a huge, long 
 table, — surrounded with stools, — the feast was every- 
 where spread. 
 
 Mountains of "piroghi," the favorite meat-stufifed pies 
 — ^the Paschal lamb and fowls, — pork and platters of 
 buckwheat kasha,— with bowls of "braga" beer,— bottles 
 of vodki and flagons of oil abounded. Foaming quass,— 
 cauldrons of bortsch,— cabbage soup, and the aristo- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 83 
 
 cratic cigarette, with piles of Tartar tobacco, made up the 
 remainder of the provincial display. 
 
 The men of the households were all busied in ex- 
 changing Easter gre-etings with all new comers, and the 
 sound of rustic music floated gaily out from the opened 
 windows. 
 
 In every home, .where triple families were united under 
 the Khozain — the Family Administrator, — or the Bol- 
 shak — the "Big Fellow," — the young noble exchanged 
 friendly greetings with the household patriarch, — tasted 
 the viands,— drank a drop of vodki, — and then left his of- 
 fering of crisp roubles, welcome vodki or the coveted 
 cigarettes. 
 
 It was impossible to leave the village without visiting 
 the assemblies of the younger people, who now looked 
 forward, with burning hearts, to May — the month of 
 Love! For the Christening of the Cuckoos was over! 
 
 The belated sleeping ones of Palm Sunday had all 
 been merrily flogged with palm leaves, — and, the voice 
 of the nightingale calling to its beloved mate was feebly 
 heard in the budding grass of Khaminavatka. 
 
 Accordion and violin were everywhere droning out the 
 music of the dance, and the young lovers talked of the 
 festival of St. George's Day, — the blessing of the cattle, — 
 and, of the merry festivals of Lada — ^the goddess of Joy 
 and Love and Spring. 
 
 The jovial songs of "Lada,— Lada, — didiz Lada" 
 would soon ring out in the perfumed fields when the 
 steppe had taken on its dreamy summer witchery and the 
 young blood stirred in every heart. And, all their hearts 
 thrilled to the pulses of the Spring! 
 
 The quaint old folk songs resounded where the singers 
 watched the merry dancers, — in cosy cabins the story- 
 tellers were busy with relating the traditional glories of 
 the olden time, — and. Serge Dumont, having fulfilled his 
 manorial visits, and left a generous largesse behind him 
 everywhere — returned to the lonely steppe palace, where 
 his household was still feasting. And, only a sweet, new- 
 born hope consoled him — the thought of that girl with 
 the tender, wistful eyes — who had striven to guard his 
 life — even while a stranger. 
 
§4 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 A sympathy with this strange, proud, conservative 
 peasant folk stole into his heart! "They have many sor- 
 rows — and, few joys — save the brief time of early youth — 
 the fleeting delights of the summer season of life and 
 love — the one May month when the maiden's eyes are 
 dreamy, and the heart of man is hot and restless. 
 
 He had gazed on the stern toil-marked faces of the 
 brave, hardy peasants, who unflinchingly faced the priva- 
 tions and hardships which would appall all but a Rus- 
 sian heart. Rude — unlettered, — yet — loyal — devoted 
 and true. 
 
 Even in their crimes, faithful to their ingrained re- 
 ligion, — the starving murderer of the lonely steppe 
 throwing away the meat found in his victim's slender 
 wallet, when Lent made it a mortal sin to break the fast, 
 but — not to kill for lawful food. True to the letter of the 
 ironclad creed! 
 
 The dancing sun of Easter morning sent its mystic rays 
 early through Serge Dumont's windows, and, from sweet 
 dreams of one who was now all in all to him, the master 
 arose and wandered down into the garden, — threaded 
 the budding orchard, — and passed on into the great 
 park. 
 
 There were birds caroling even now, — the blackbirds 
 were all busy in the rushes of the Dying Water, — -and the 
 great gray-winged crows which came into Russia with 
 Napoleon's army flapped lazily away over the fields where 
 the plows were now busied on these days when a stern 
 orthodoxy did not add eighty saints' days and holidays, 
 to the fifty-two restful Sundays of the year. 
 
 He turned and gazed back at the old chateau. The 
 servants were already swarming around it like bees, for 
 old Chuchinka was dressing the Easter Table for the 
 coming blessing of the village pope. 
 
 It was the pride of her simple heart that in all the broad 
 Kherson, no such family display was made on this 
 blessed Easter morn as that of the groaning tables soon 
 to be set out in the great drawing room opening out upon 
 the southern portico — for the crowning glory of Easter 
 was to come, the blessing of the Food! 
 
 With a light step, the young master swung along 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 85 
 
 through the great plantations, to where, standing on a 
 grassy knoll, he could see the morning sunlight gleam 
 on the windows of his enemy's mansion, beyond the 
 purling Mertvovod! 
 
 The lean steppe seemed now to be glorified, for the 
 sunlight was in his happy heart! He mused for an 
 hour and then sadly turned away from the view of that 
 distant home beyond the water which Love had made 
 for him a garden of Paradise. 
 
 "There is no way — it is impossible!" he sighed. "I 
 can not go to her — and, — she can not come to me." 
 
 Too well he knew the fierce resentment of her bold 
 kinsmen, and — his own practiced eye told him there was 
 no safe means of approach to the Radovich chateau. 
 
 The country was all open and bare, — the river flowed 
 between — and — there were always hordes of Rado- 
 vich's shepherds and Cossack horse trainers, — there were 
 tribes of his ex-serfs, and bands of the wild, ferocious 
 Ukraine dogs who knew the figure of every lawful vis- 
 itor on the southern bank of the river. It would be a 
 madness to venture over there! 
 
 He wandered back into the park, now beginning to put 
 on its summer glories, and then, sat down on the steps of 
 a little Italian summer house by the lake, where often he 
 had seen his own graceful mother watching her merry 
 children, in the balmy summer evenings. 
 
 The door was swinging open, — the pretty haunt was 
 now deserted, and this cold neglect struck him to the 
 heart. For, it was to him, hallowed ground I 
 
 He entered and then, climbing to -the little platform 
 above the roof of the chalet, cast his eyes once more to- 
 ward his Mecca of Love. 
 
 With a sudden start, — he noted that a tongue of his 
 own growing forests almost joined the straggling woods 
 of the Radovich gardens, — at a bend of the Dying Water 
 where a few knolls covered the narrowed stream. And, 
 a mad idea seized upon him. 
 
 "I might get safely over there, — at night — there are 
 peasant skififs everywhere along' the banks, but, — it is 
 hostile ground! It would be utter madness — and — de- 
 
86 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 tection would only mean her broken heart — perhaps, the 
 death of one of us!" 
 
 With a bowed head, he wandered back toward the 
 chateau. Meeting the head gardener, a sudden impulse 
 led him to order the instant repair of the pretty kiosk 
 by the lake. 
 
 "Make two keys — one for you — one for me, and — put 
 it in perfect order. I shall have some books there — 
 some furniture — for the August days, when the open 
 park will be my home." 
 
 A childish memory came back to him of a cave, once 
 used by the old Tartars, hollowed in the soft limestone 
 rock of the Dying Water. 
 
 "I have forgotten the cave, Dimitri," he said. "Take 
 me to it!" It seemed as if he were a boy again in spirit, 
 as he mused. 
 
 "It is all overgrown with trees and brambles, now, 
 Barin!" answered the gardener, "but it has been en- 
 larged, and, is in good order. 
 
 "The Barin Pierre, whose memory may God ever 
 bless, used it as an icehouse, until we built our new ice- 
 house on the hill! Let me lead you there." 
 
 The two men walked along the inner skirt of the park 
 forest, until the substantial doors of the cave were seen. 
 
 "Here are the keys, Barin," said the gardener. 
 
 "Open it, and — leave it open. Give me the keys," ab- 
 sently said Serge. "I will come down and look at my 
 old playground some day. The air is foul and must be 
 cleared. You can burn some pans of sulphur in there." 
 
 The moody lover remained shut in his "cabinet de tra- 
 vail" until the hour of the dejeuner. 
 
 At his side, the exquisite old Russian silver cofl'ee serv- 
 ice remained untouched, for he was spellbound, gazing 
 at a picture which called up to him the one woman in 
 the whole world for him. 
 
 He had already revolved every plan of meeting the 
 Day Star, — his gift of God, — the angel of peace and love! 
 There were none of the neighboring nobles who now 
 socially invited the moody Baron — the mutine and 
 worldly mother! 
 
 In any formal ceremonies — there would be General 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 87 
 
 Andre, — the vindictive Arcady — or the sullen father at 
 her side^ even if Madame la Baronne were absent on the 
 artfully arranged visites where Colonel Milovitch ap- 
 peared always as a deus ex machina. 
 
 While he meditated — a courier galloped into the court 
 with Easter offerings, greetings and letters from his 
 stately sister and a bag of Petersburg letters. 
 
 "Barbe!" he thought. "She might aid me!" Alas! 
 He too well knew the stern and haughty pride of that 
 sorrowing woman's breast! 
 
 •'Impossible to tell her! She would lay her life down 
 to prevent such a marriage!" He left the letters un- 
 opened — for a wild project entered his mind! "If 
 Magda is named a Maid of Honor, — I could rejoin my 
 regiment! The Chevalier Garde are the Empress' own 
 bodyguards. I would always meet her at the court. 
 
 "The Winter Palace has its thousand corners — and— 
 with the favor of the Tzaritza — the Emperor's permis- 
 sion for our union, would crush down all opposition." 
 It was a tempting, a fascinating possibility! And, yet, 
 a hopeless idea! 
 
 For, he dared not face the abandonment of his duty as 
 chief of his house. There is only Wassili Federofl — 
 now," he sighed. "I owe a debt to Pierre — to my fore- 
 fathers, to my poor people — to the others who look up to 
 me. I can not abandon the Kherson, the home of my 
 gallant kinsmen. ■ Our love bears its own doom, in its 
 innocent birth! For, we are both chained for life — on 
 hostile ground." 
 
 He marveled at the impulsive accident of Magda 
 Radovich's sudden self-consecration. In his ignorance 
 of the unexplored recesses of that girlish heart, — he 
 knew nothing of the social renown of his own gallantry 
 and bravery at Petersburg. 
 
 It had been an honest tribute of her duelist brother to 
 Serge Dumont's splendid character as an officer which 
 had caused the romantic girl at sixteen to dream of the 
 flower of her foemen's family. And, strange chances had 
 unwittingly aided him! 
 
 Princess Vera Orbelefif had taken the young Catherine 
 Institute Beauty to witness the superb entry of Alexan- 
 
88 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 der II. into the city on the Neva, where the heavy crown 
 was placed upon the Czar's devoted head. And, Magda 
 had seen him there! 
 
 Riding at the head of his battalion, in all the bravery 
 of gleaming cuirass, silver helmet with its soaring 
 double eagle, — and all the superb panoply of the Che- 
 valier Garde, — the young Major, mounted on his splen- 
 did charger, seemed to her a newer Lohengrin, a very 
 prince of princes. 
 
 And, the aristocratic beauties who thronged the In- 
 stitute's halls were well dowered with brothers and 
 cousins in the two superb bodyguard regiments. 
 
 Serge Dumont's chivalry in the field, — his tenderness 
 to his soldiers,— his princely generosity, — all these sto- 
 ries had come home to her — and, — in the last months of 
 the excitable election scheming, — the demise of Marquis 
 Pierre, — and, the romantic duel of the two hot-headed 
 youths, — ^the man who now ruled her bosom had been 
 brought near to her in a thousand ways. And, Princess 
 Vera had carelessly made the young hero seem a demi- 
 god. 
 
 Moreover, even the fiery young brother had admitted 
 to his gentle sister that, wine and an untoward remark 
 alone had brought him face to face with Major Dumont's 
 nephew! 
 
 The leading officers of the Preobajenskys and the 
 Chevalier Garde had all labored to prevent the duel, in 
 which the two young Lieutenants were merely the in- 
 struments of a savagely refined code of regimental mili- 
 tary pride. 
 
 More than all, the gossiping Princess Vera Orbelefif 
 had made her correspondence with the prospective Maid 
 of Honor, only a chronicle of the manly self-abnegation 
 of the new Lord of Khaminavatka. 
 
 The fiery-hearted court beauty had confided to her 
 young protegee all the details of her own romantic visit 
 to Serge — and his single-hearted pledge that hate should 
 not loosen the red hand of vengeance upon the Mert- 
 vovod. 
 
 And, — so — ripe for Love's soft alarms, the bosom of 
 the lonely romantic girl was all unarmed against the 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 89 
 
 graceful enemy who had silently stolen into her heart. 
 It was a trick of the strange witchery of truant Love. 
 
 Their meeting had found her the secret guardian and 
 champion of the enemy of her house, and — their eyes 
 had spoken with the electric flush of two lonely and lov- 
 ing natures; that holy kiss of peace — had brought them 
 heart to heart. 
 
 The Master of Khaminavatka was soon summoned 
 from his futile musings to inspect the glories of the 
 Easter table, by the radiant Chuchinka, whose gathered 
 household stood in respectful awe as Serge, with due 
 ceremony, examined the whole magnificent display now 
 awaiting the annual blessing of the village pope. 
 
 Already, hundreds of devout peasants had gathered 
 along the south front,^ — the portico and esplanade being 
 crowded with their own modest belongings, the first 
 fruits of the dawning year. 
 
 Three great tables in the vast drawing room were all 
 dressed with the matchless Russian embroidered linen, 
 and groaned under a display of every product of the vast 
 estate. The place of honor was given to a lamb dressed 
 whole, — flanked by barons of beef, — hams, — varied 
 fowls, and every class of game available. 
 
 Rare flowers, — ferns and palms from the great green- 
 house, nestled among the sentinel rows of huge Easter 
 cakes, — the hollow conelike kulitsche, — the pyramids of 
 pashka curds, — the decorated Easter eggs, and all the 
 homely wealth of the larder of the chateau. And, holy 
 candles in forests, too, were there. 
 
 In the corners of the vast room, were four priceless 
 icons, gleaming with gold, silver and rare Siberian jew- 
 els, copies of Russia's most sacred pictures, — the Virgin 
 of Vladimir, — the Virgin of Jerusalem, — the Saviour in 
 the Gold Chasuble, — and the Virgin of the Don. 
 
 Without, the peasant singers, — the village skaziteti, — 
 and the wandering Kaleiki — were already chanting songs 
 of thepious Olga, and the great Vladimir, who destroyed 
 the famous idol Peroun, on that day when the heavens 
 and earth trembled for joy, and the temple of the Pagan 
 God became the Church of St. Basil, at holy Kief— the 
 
90 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 first Christian fane of Russia. It was an apotheosis of 
 the sainted dead! 
 
 There were hundreds of humble little household oiifer- 
 ings brought there to be blessed, — the beloved black rye 
 loaves, — a fowl here and there, — plates of Easter eggs 
 brilliant with color, — dishes of tshie, — and bowls of 
 salted cucumber,^ — black radishes^ and all the meager fare 
 of the toiling peasant, 
 
 Groups of light-hearted young people listened to whis- 
 pered legends of nixie and wood demon, the feared 
 Lyeshy of the forest, while waiting the holy father. And, 
 the spirit of Love hovered dangerously near all — on this 
 festal morning. 
 
 It was three o'clock when the carriage dashed up and 
 Serge Dumont at the threshold received the bearded 
 pope, who, gravely bowing and blessing the house, then 
 retired to the robing room, attended by the four acolytes 
 who had followed in a second carriage. 
 
 And, then, gathered around the tables, the mustered 
 household, each holding a lighted taper, stood in awe, 
 while the deep-voiced priest solemnly officiated in the 
 annual blessing. The peasants without were praying 
 on their knees, for scores had crowded to the opened 
 windows to participate in the solemn scene, and obtain 
 the coveted blessing of the holy man ! 
 
 When the last prayers were said, — ^the last person duly 
 sprinkled, and the voices of solemn song had died away, 
 — the Manor Lord escorted his reverend guest to the 
 south portico, where, for an hour, the assembled faithful 
 received the pope's blessing and saw, with heartfelt joy, 
 the last little offering sprinkled with the holy water. 
 
 Stout Nicolas Boursakoff distributed his master's 
 largesse, while, within, the joyous Easter breakfast was 
 made ready by the now light-hearted household. The 
 ban was lifted — and feasting was in order — in hut and 
 hall. 
 
 Boursakoff 's heart was troubled, for he dared not 
 cross the dead line of caste to tell his master of the mid- 
 night meeting with the Day Star of 'the Dying Water. 
 
 "As God wills," he muttered, crossing himself. "There 
 is a long life before them both! They will meet each 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 91 
 
 Other,— as the rivers run together," and, so, he held his 
 peace. For, he only suspected some friendly, girlish 
 warning of impending trouble! 
 
 But, within the chateau, while the now expectant pope 
 was being disrobed by his acolytes, and his mind was 
 firmly fixed upon the Easter offering so helpful to piece 
 out his meagre salary, — Serge Dumont, in his own room, 
 sat stunned with the wild delight of a sweet surprise. 
 
 He had watched the crawling clock hands, hopeful of 
 some sign from the woman whose sweet face now filled 
 his lonely heart. Alas — all in vain ! 
 
 But, all the obstacles, the fearful risks, had occurred 
 to him. "Their people are all known here, she would 
 not dare to send a messenger — and, — whom could she 
 dare to trust of our own?" 
 
 His heart -had been hot and mutinous as he stood be- 
 side the pope and bowed his head in unavailing prayer. 
 Blind — as lovers are! 
 
 For the control of his own heart had now left his 
 breast, his very heartbeat sounded on the other side of 
 the fatal river, — on hostile ground — where "the gift of 
 God" lingered. "My whole life is hers" — he murmured 
 — "and — here I will abide, and trust to the future — to see 
 her sweet face once more." 
 
 When the priest had entered his robing room, without 
 a word, he had placed a packet in Serge Dumont's hands. 
 "For you, — Barin, — with God's Blessing!" he murmured 
 as he disappeared. 
 
 Some prophetic instinct led the young noble to seek 
 his own room, and, with trembling fingers, he opened 
 the little packet. It was a mysterious gift — a nameless 
 one! 
 
 There was unfolded to his eager eyes an antique silver 
 Easter egg of old Moscow work — some quaint family 
 heirloom of the olden time. 
 
 The clasp yielded quickly to his touch and then he 
 read the letter which was enfolded therein, with eyes 
 burning with a sudden light. The "Day Star" had found 
 the pathway of Love! 
 
 The girl's simple words thrilled his very heart's core, 
 as he read. He kissed a dozen times the letters traced 
 
92 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 by her trembling hand. It was a message of peace and 
 love. And, the sunlight took on a brighter radiance! 
 
 For, she wrote, '"I must see you! There is life and 
 death in my message and, I dare not write it. I can not 
 come to you ! You might write to Princess Vera, but, I 
 could not write to you in return. I have thought all 
 night of every way, — and I dare not try to send you a 
 letter by any one with my disclosure. 
 
 "If you did write to Princess Orbelefif — the letter might 
 go astray. You know everything is opened by some 
 one or another in Russia — and, — a sealed letter would 
 be surely stolen. To approach me in public would be 
 my ruin and, do you no good. 
 
 "There is but one way! To-morrow night, and every 
 night, — till you come, I will be in the woods at the foot 
 of our garden, — the point nearest the river, .from eight to 
 nine o'clock. It is dark then! We have our samovar at 
 ten. 
 
 "If you will come tomorrow, then, put a light in the 
 little corner tower of the chateau tonight. I can see it 
 with my glasses. 
 
 "My window will be dark till I have seen your light 
 burning — then I will light up the window. It is the 
 highest one, on the corner nearest your chateau. The 
 light will burn for ten minutes. 
 
 "Cross the river from the point of your woods, at the 
 little knolls. You have only a few steps after you leave 
 the river bank. 
 
 "Say nothing to the priest. He does not know of this 
 letter! I can trust him this time, but — never again. 
 
 "MAGDA." 
 
 With an unmoved countenance. Serge Dumont met 
 the Pope at the table, where the Intendant and the aged 
 housekeeper alone represented the household. 
 
 The humble priest had achieved his last fatiguing offi- 
 cial duty, and, busied in the discussion of unaccustomed 
 luxuries — heartily applied himself to the wine glass. 
 
 He had seen with a secret glee, two baskets of the 
 coveted French dhampagne strapped upon the boot of the 
 traveling carriage, and only when he was out of the 
 plantation grounds, under the escort of Boursakoff, did 
 
THE WHItE LADY OF KHAMlNAVATKA. 93 
 
 he dare to open the envelope which the noble had slipped 
 into his hand. 
 
 "Five hundred roubles!" he muttered, aghast with a 
 sudden joy. "My salary for a whole year." And then 
 his head dropped in a happy slumber as he was driven 
 back to where his patient wife awaited her lord and 
 master. 
 
 The acolyteSj trundling along in rear, were amazed at 
 the possession of a twenty-rouble note each, and, there 
 was great joy in the priest's humble domicile that night. 
 For — Love had loosened Serge Dumont's habitually 
 liberal hand. 
 
 The two villages of Khaminavatka were now in the 
 wild ecstasies of the unrestrained Easter feasting, and, 
 the merry household of the chateau were left in posses- 
 sion of the lower halls with a carte blanche for every 
 pleasure. Serge Dumont v/as roving in a self-evolved 
 Paradise — the key to which was a simple girl's frankly 
 loving letter. 
 
 No one saw the master that afternoon, for, above them, 
 on the roof, — seated in the little corner tower, — he was 
 busied studying with his field glasses, the topography of 
 the hostile ground. 
 
 He rode out for an hour before the flaming sunset of 
 the steppe, and, the reins lay idle on the neck of his 
 favorite Orloff, as he artfully threaded the river bank, 
 screened by the knolls, and selected his point of crossing. 
 
 It was an easy task, for a little landing with a peasant's 
 skifif indicated the ferry, above the three great pools 
 where the imprisoned pike and carp were common to 
 the dwellers on both banks of the Dying Water. "Yes, 
 it is practicable!" he decided, his heart leaping up in a 
 wild secret joy! 
 
 Tourko and the soldier valet were both astonished at 
 the strange cheerfulness on their master's visage as he 
 dined alone that night in solitary state, for he had ful- 
 filled the last demand of orthodox etiquette and boyar 
 custom, and was free to muse upon the letter which 
 rested upon his heart. "The Easter sun has entered the 
 Master's heart," sagely said Tourko, to his chum. The 
 brave old sergeant crossed himself and cried, "It is an- 
 
94 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 other year now! There will be no more mourning— for, 
 Easter drives away all sorrows!" 
 
 The annual illumination of the whole chateau en- 
 livened the 'happy holiday, and — yet, none of the depend- 
 ents dreamed that the golden light, set in the little tower 
 by the Master himself, carried with it the birth of another 
 era on the Dying Water. 
 
 Alone there, under the stars which seemed to sing, 
 Serge Dumont gazed out over the boundary line, the 
 narrow thread of the Dying Water. 
 
 With his own powerful field glasses, he had located 
 the window, where the timid Day Star awaited his signal! 
 
 When the clear white light leaped out from that dark- 
 ened window, the happiest lover on earth crossed himself, 
 in a solemn oath. 
 
 "For good or ill — I come to you, my darling. The 
 print of your foot makes holy that hostile ground. It 
 was the stroke of Love on the silent Harp of Life ! 
 
 The retainers of both houses, the village peasants, even 
 the wandering wayfarer were reckless of all duty on the 
 morrow, for the second day of the three days' feast found 
 all cares cast aside. 
 
 And, so, there v^as no one wandering by the lonely 
 stream in the soft blue dusk of Easter Monday, as Serge 
 Dumont, simply clad in dark raiment, and all unarmed, 
 loosed the little skiff, and with a few strokes of the pad- 
 dle, leaped ashore on hostile ground. Fear seemed to 
 him as a vanished shadow of the past! 
 
 Striding through a sedgy ravine, he reached the shelter 
 of the straggling timber, and peered around him. 
 
 There was a white-robed figure gleaming there under 
 the trees. In a wild rapture, he sprang to the girl's side. 
 
 Her head fell upon his bosom, and, for the first time, 
 he felt the beloved's heart beating in ecstasy against his 
 own! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 95 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 STOLEN KISSES. 
 
 In a moment, the agitated girl struggled from her lov- 
 er's arms, and quickly threw a dark mantle around her! 
 Sheltered between the trees of the thickest clump, they 
 were almost safe from observation. 
 
 "Oh! My God," Magda cried. "The time is so short 
 and I have so much to say! You risk your life here, — 
 there is a path often used to the little ferry and some one 
 might straggle along. And, I will not have you come 
 here again. They seek your life! I learned all to-day! 
 Listen! It is to save your life that Love has made me 
 bold!" She cowered to his bosom, as if fearful of the 
 sudden appearance of her murderous kinsmen. 
 
 With his arms around her, the fearless noble listened 
 to the story falling from her lips — a story of shame — the 
 tale of the dishonor of a family. 
 
 The beautiful young patrician spoke alone of Arcady 
 Radovichj but, — with his own secretly gained knowledge. 
 Serge Du'mont knew that others beside the drunken 
 spendthrift must have been in the plot to entrap his dead 
 brother in some mysterious way. 
 
 "I must be safely back within the mansion in fifteen 
 minutes," fearfully said Magda, when her story was fin- 
 ished. "Ah ! My God ! There is so much to say, and, — 
 I never can see you again, here!" 
 
 Serge caught her to his breast in an agonized rapture. 
 "Life is not long enough, — the world is not wide enough, 
 —to hold us now apart ! I owe my life to you now ! 
 
 "Mine is yours forever! Tell me — that you will be 
 mine, — Magda^ — that you will never marry another!" 
 
 "I swear it. Serge, by the Holy Virgin Mother," she 
 whispered, but her voice rose to a faint scream, as a 
 burly half-drunken peasant burst upon them, stumbling 
 through the trees. 
 
 Dumont's arm was raised to strike him down, when 
 with a sly leer the moujik reeled away toward the river. 
 
96 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Lovemaking — my golubtchiks!" he babbled. "Fools! 
 There is but one thing in the world — vodki — vodki." 
 
 "Let him go," whispered Magda — "go in peace! He 
 knows us not! My God, your boat! He will find it at 
 the ferry!" 
 
 "Fear nothing, darling!" whispered Serge. "I 'hid it in 
 the rushes — and, even if he finds it, I can swim the nar- 
 row stream, in a few moments! But — you — you, my 
 angel! My God! How can we meet again. 
 
 "You must go in — now! It is the agony of death — 
 this parting!" 
 
 For he had not yet seen in life the face of his darling 
 save in the pictured silence of the gift of Vera Orbeleff. 
 The darkness hid all but her shining eyes gemmed with 
 tears. 
 
 "I must meet you. I must save you — ^but, how, how," 
 moaned the girl, now a loving fearless woman! "I will 
 take any risk! Let me think, — think!" 
 
 In a moment, she clasped her two hands. 
 
 "There is but one way, — one dreadful way! It must 
 be done! Next week, my father, mother and Arcady 
 go to Wosnescenk to the great Regimental Ball of 
 Colonel Milovitch! I can plead illness. Trust to me! 
 I will not go! Watch, then, for the light in my window! 
 
 "Answer it by lights in your summer house, — the 
 kiosk down in the park. I can see them from my win- 
 dow, through the trees, and no one else can! 
 
 "Come down to the bank as soon as it is dark, when I 
 answer your signal by darkening my room. I will cross 
 over with you, — in the boat, — and, stay till midnight 
 with you in the park. I can then tell you all. You can 
 have a carriage — there, and robes. I can drive along the 
 river bank with you— on your side ! Then — safe from all 
 harm, I can tell you all! 
 
 "There is no other way — Serge — to save your life — 
 and — mine!" 
 
 While Serge Dumont's brain reeled with the daring 
 self-abnegation of her plan, she drew his head down and 
 whispered to him the last of her dread secret. 
 
 The young noble's heart bounded in a sudden wrath. 
 "Wretches" — he cried — but, he caught her fondly to his 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 97 
 
 breast, and, showering kisses upon Jier lips, her shining 
 eyes and silken hair, he murmured, "Go, my heart's love! 
 my queen ! It shall be as you say ! 
 
 "Listen, when I am safe back at home I will extin- 
 guish the light in the tower — and then — light it again, 
 after a half an hour 1 Let your own room be dark, — and 
 — when you see the sacred light, then light your window 
 for ten minutes! We shall each know that all is well!" 
 
 And, crushing her in a last convulsive embrace, he 
 resolutely sprang away from her side, leaving loving, 
 burning lips that were clinging to his, in the agony of 
 parting. 
 
 Like the wolf of the Ukraine, he stole back through 
 the sedgy ravine, and a single bound brought him to his 
 boat, then — with a few strokes of the oars, he plunged 
 into the safe shelter of his own woods ! He was on hos- 
 tile ground no longer! 
 
 He raced along homewards, mad with a delirium of 
 happiness, — until he sat down upon the steps of the little 
 kiosk to rest for a moment! The sight of the scattered 
 artificer's tools there gave him a practical idea, a new 
 inspiration. 
 
 When he stole unobserved into the chateau, he sent 
 for the Intendant. 
 
 "Boursakoff" — sternly said his master, "the weather is 
 now becoming balmy. Take all the mechanics, and 
 have the kiosk in the park completely refitted, in three 
 days! Inspect the work yourself! I will send down my 
 books and all the furniture that I need there. Let noth- 
 ing prevent the work. I wish to sleep in the pure air of 
 the gardens, in these opening spring days!" 
 
 When the Intendant departed, the excited lover has- 
 tened up the stairway to the deserted galleries and made 
 his way to the corner tower, where the light of Love still 
 steadily burned. Blessed signal to meet his darling's 
 eyes! 
 
 In a moment, he had extinguished it, and, watch in 
 hand, waited below in the gallery with his night glass 
 trained upon the mansion where Colonel Milovitch was 
 even then making merry with his accomplice and dupe, 
 the mad Arcady Radovich. 
 7 
 
98 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Strange, wild thoughts surged through the lover's 
 brain, as in the darkness he revolved the disclosures of 
 the beautiful Day Star. But, he could only watch that 
 darkened window where he knew the impulsive girl was 
 now watching for the second signal. 
 
 At last, the half hour slowly crawled away, the longest 
 of his life. The golden gleam of light leaped across the 
 murmuring Dying Water, and then — he dropped his head 
 in an ecstasy of bliss, as the steady white light flamed 
 back across the darkness which divided them. "She is 
 safe — in her own retreat, thank God!" he cried. 
 
 For ten minutes, he gazed upon her answering signal, 
 and then, he softly whispered, "Good night, my own 
 darling!" 
 
 Slowly he descended the stair, passing first the empty 
 story left to regulate the heat in summer and winter, and 
 the vacant chambers of the two lower galleries where the 
 fond lovers had found an earthly Paradise in the past! 
 
 "If she were only here — what an Elysium" — he mur- 
 mured, for he saw, at once, the fatal situation of both< 
 To leave Russia with her, meant the final ruin of his 
 family — his own disgrace, — the downfall of the old line. 
 
 In his retired rank as Major of the Chevalier Garde 
 and civil General, he could not marry without the Em- 
 peror's permission — and the powerful General Radovich 
 — stood there, — a watchful lion in the path. 
 
 To approach Magda in open society meant ruin for 
 both, — perhaps an affray with the brutal Arcady, — a 
 duel with the fiery young brother, — or else a fatal ren- 
 contre with Baron Alexandre. 
 
 "Their blood shall never redden my hand," he vowed, 
 "save in her defense!" 
 
 Once, safely closeted in his great state chamber, he 
 then sat down to ponder over the strange disclosure 
 which had forced the loving girl to cross the lines of her 
 sex, and to meet him as frankly as a village girl steals 
 to join her lover in the magical moonlight of the month 
 of Love. 
 
 "We are trapped by Fate," he groaned. "Doomed to 
 a lifelong sorrow — for I can not give her, either name, 
 rank or protection. The Czar stands between us!" A 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 99 
 
 stern look came upon his face as he gazed out at his foe- 
 man's house, where the burly Colonel reveled with the 
 reckless Baroness. "They never would consent! They 
 would send her away and wall her up in a convent! 
 
 "Let me go over this shameful story," he muttered. 
 "Why do they seek my life? Why does Colonel Mjlo- 
 vitch plot with this desperate fool Arcady?" He then 
 sought counsel of Magda's sweet face in the picture, and, 
 a sudden inspiration came to him! 
 
 He leaped to his feet, crying, "By God! I have it! The 
 dragoon sees his way to Lili Radovich's side, if the 
 bloody vendetta goes on!" It was a strange, strange 
 story which the frightened girl had whispered to him, 
 while clinging to his breast on those hostile shores. 
 
 "My poor innocent darling!" cried Serge, as he gazed 
 at the girl's picture glowing there before him! "What 
 should you know of man's villainy,— of woman's hidden 
 vices!" 
 
 He recognized the astuteness which had placed the girl 
 for twelve years in the Catherine Institute at far-away 
 Petersburg, while the wary mother queened it, unsus- 
 pected, in the lonely valley of the Mertvovod. 
 
 General Andre Radovich was always a winter ab- 
 sentee, and, often took a summer run over to the German 
 spas or Paris. 
 
 Lili Radovich's sullen-hearted husband sought his own 
 distractions at Kief, — Kharkov, — Odessa or Elizabeth- 
 grad, where the gay cercles de noblesse were all open to 
 him. 
 
 Serge Dumont, with reddening cheeks, remembered 
 how he had led the simple Boursakoff on to give 'his 
 master all the varied gossip of the countryside. The 
 common secret of the death of the wretch at the Post 
 Station bound them closely together. 
 
 "You see — Barin," finished the Intendant — "Barin 
 Alexandre himself is not a bad fellow at heart! He is 
 doomed to have this reckless Arcady hang around his 
 home — for the General will not keep the broken-down 
 fellow at the Bratskoe villa. 
 
 "It costs nothing but a few cigarettes and a little vodk' 
 to keep Arcady hidden away here, on the Dying Water^ 
 
100 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 and,— if he plays the rural tyrant,— it is only in their own 
 village! This, and — the excuse that he has only to wait 
 to see his horses grow is a pretext for the Sarin's long 
 
 3,DSCI1CCS 
 
 "And— so— Arcady, sly wretch, keeps his wild sister- 
 in-law's secrets, and is her go-between, — her letter car- 
 rier, — between Her Ladyship and the officers at Bo- 
 brinetz, Wosnecenk, Schmerinka and Odessa. 
 
 "It costs them nothing to travel, and — Arcady's in- 
 vitation always covers the open sihame. For, that woman 
 Lili is a Catherine the Second — a man eater. 
 
 "But,"- — he gravely finished — "since the black Colonel 
 Milovitch has become first favorite — he mounts guard 
 himself! And, Arcady is afraid of him. Milovitch is a 
 deadly duelist, and — his regimental camp at Wosnescenk 
 is the last decent circle open to Arcady. For, after all — 
 fool as he is — he is a Barin — of 'high blood. Once a 
 Captain — always a Captain!" 
 
 And, as he mused alone, this eventful night, on the 
 girl's broken story. Serge Dumont began to gather up 
 the missing links of the chain of infamy. 
 
 "It is easy to read between the lines. Baroness Lili 
 would gladly have her daughter sent away to an hon- 
 orable exile as Maid of Honor to the Tsaritza! 
 
 "Magda would then have her home in the Winter 
 Palace — her carriage, — five thousand roubles a year for 
 dress, — and, under the protection of her uncle, — an Im- 
 perial Aide de Camp, — and, by the favor of her royal 
 mistress, — be soon married ofif brilliantly, on the Neva! 
 Then, the mother would be easily rid of the budding 
 beauty. 
 
 "So — ^that one accusing face would be absent! The 
 projected contracts and business for her husband, gained 
 lay his powerful brother, would soon keep the Barin, 
 more than ever, away from home. 
 
 "The son's rank in the Preobajenskys ties him closely 
 to the Imperial pair — and, — with Arcady as her Lepo- 
 rello, — this female Don Juan can exploit her black- 
 browed Colonel Milovitch, at leisure, and so live in 
 luxury, a robust Messalina, here, on the star-vaulted 
 steppe. Yes! That is the whole game — ^to cover this 
 infamous intrigue!" 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. lOI 
 
 The interrupted story of the frightened girl told him 
 of a dark oath of vengeance already sworn by Arcady 
 Radovich against the new Lord of Khfiminavatka. 
 
 In wordy quarrels with his brother, the outcast had 
 cried out in helpless rage, "You and Andre are both 
 rich — you have your own homes! I may be chased out 
 of here any day. I fear to see the police ride up, at any 
 time. And, I know, too, that both of you will be glad to 
 be rid of me! 
 
 "I have no place to go, — no solid rank, — no money, — 
 and, — I will not let this Frenchman hunt me down like 
 a wolf! If he is once out of the way — then — there is no 
 one left, but the old woman, — and — that boy Federoff at 
 Petersburg. They would get all the property — and — 
 perhaps thank me — in their hearts. The — heir is usually 
 resigned to the blow of bereavement!" 
 
 Magda, nestling in her lover's arms, had told him of 
 her father's angry rejoinder — "Let me hear nothing of 
 it! I care not for your quarrels! Neither Andre nor I 
 will save you if you play the fool ! 
 
 "Lili can keep you here as long as you are useful to 
 her — but — remember — keep me out of your deviltry. I 
 never wish to hear the accursed name of the Dumonts 
 again. You stand or fall alone, — and — now — you 
 know it!" 
 
 "Then, Milovitch and myself will stand together. We 
 have a well-laid plan!" 
 
 "That's your own business," cried the Baron, as he 
 stalked away. 
 
 It was after the interruption of the drunken peasant 
 that Magda had gasped her last warning disclosures. 
 
 "I could not bear to see murder plotted under my very 
 eyes. Serge. I had sworn to Vera Orbelefif to warn her, 
 if there was a vendetta congress at any time in our 
 home! 
 
 "But — there was no time! It takes three weeks to 
 write, and so, I watched for you in the church. 
 
 "I stole away and hid by the door. I knew your figure 
 at once, as I had seen you — that day — with Prince Youre- 
 sief." 
 
 When her lover had released her from a crushing enj- 
 
102 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 brace, she whispered hurriedly, "I am only a helpless 
 girl — but — I can watch. To-day— after the breakfast — 
 Colonel Milovitch and Arcady went into the Httle smok- 
 ing room to play cards, drink and smoke, while my father 
 and mother drove into Bratskoe. 
 
 "I overheard the two villains — plotting. Listen. 
 There will be an invitation soon sent to you for the Regi- 
 mental Ball — at Wosnescenk. Arcady says you stole 
 some man away, and are hiding him, there, in your cha- 
 teau as a dangerous witness ! They wish to pick a quar- 
 rel with you at the ball^ and then, kill you. 
 
 "I was hidden in my maid's sewing room next to 
 them, and easily could hear all! Milovitch says^ that 
 you have no near friend or skillful second down there. 
 
 "He wants Arcady to force you to a quarrel, he will 
 strike you — you naturally would challenge him — they 
 name pistols at three yards — and — oh, my God — they 
 plotted that there would be no ball in your pistol — and, — 
 you would, of course, be killed at the first fire. 
 
 "And^ then Arcady said, 'Of course I would have to 
 clear out — and — this young devil Federofif from Peters- 
 burg would perhaps come down here and easily kill my 
 brother Alexandre — for — there never has been any bitter 
 quarrel between the General and the Dumonts. 
 
 " 'They are not neighbors! Of course — the boy would 
 not dare to challenge a General Aide de Camp to the 
 Czar!' 
 
 " 'The Baron must look out for himself — Arcady,' an- 
 swered Milovitch, with a horrible laugh. 'He has been 
 as deep in this thing as yourself. You and I are playing 
 the same game in life — each for himself I' 
 
 "And so, — and so, — Serge" — the frightened girl had 
 sobbed, "I have risked all to save you! — your innocent 
 life! I had no one to trust — and — you must know what 
 a woman's heart is now! For, I will not live here with 
 murder in the air. It must be stopped forever." 
 
 She had been pleading with him to go away, and leave 
 the Kherson steppe until drink or some revengeful knife 
 should end Arcady's worthless life. 
 
 "Trust to rhe in all things, my poor darling" — Serge 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 103 
 
 answered — "I can never leave the steppe as a coward! I 
 will not leave it, unless you go to Petersburg. 
 
 "Let me quietly think all over! I will accept the in- 
 vitation to the Ball — and — send a courier off with an af- 
 firmative answer. I will not be there — however — and 
 so — no quarrel can be fastened upon me! 
 
 "As for Colonel Milovitch, I shall avoid him. If he 
 seeks me out, I will name Prince Youresief as my second, 
 — and— then — ^tell him all this treachery, Vvrithholding all 
 names! 
 
 "One-half hour's interview of the old Marechale de 
 Noblesse with that brute Milovitch, and the Colonel will 
 soon know that he would lose his commission as a de- 
 tected plotter of murder. 
 
 "As for Arcady, — I' will never lift a hand against him 
 in quarrel — Youresief could easily frighten him into 
 leaving the country. 
 
 "I would have the Prince furnish him money on my 
 account to live upon — and — so, these sly plots will fall! 
 
 "But, you — when they are all gone — and — expecting 
 me there, you can come over to me, darling! I will have 
 the roads watched — and — we can make our plan — for — 
 at the last — I would 'have the good old Prince Youresief 
 go to the Emperor, tell him all, get a permission to 
 marry — and I would then — take you away to the sum- 
 mer of an endless love. I am rich and — we will go far 
 away — until the hand of murder is chilled and powerless 
 in death! 
 
 "Between your father, the General, and myself, there 
 shall be no bloodshed! I swear it!" 
 
 In the silent vigil of the night, there came suddenly to 
 Serge — the reason of Milovitch's crafty plans. "He well 
 knows the Dumont blood, — Arcady once a fugitive for- 
 ever, — if Wassili Federoff killed his paramour's hus- 
 band, — then the Colonel would soon be his successor — - 
 the woman who rules him, her property and the General's 
 friendship would be the bribe! Yes — ^that's the dog's 
 plan!" 
 
 It was easy to see that the ardent and inexperienced 
 girl was ignorant of the mystery of the death of Pierre 
 Dumont, the tragedy at the Post Station — and dreamed 
 
I04 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 not of the dark bond between her reckless mother and 
 the wild Colonel of Dragoons — gambler, — libertine, and, 
 — fire eater. 
 
 The easy familiarity of Russian country life, and Baron 
 Alexandre's pusillanimous complaisance was a complete 
 cover to an intrigue which even the village babblers in 
 Bratskoe recognized. For, Magda only feared her mo- 
 ther's neglect and egotistic pleasure hunting. 
 
 Shut off from all human confidence, by the self devo- 
 tion of his burning love, Serge Dumont vainly tried to 
 find a plan to make the Day Star of the Dying Water 
 openly and legally his own. 
 
 "I must wait^one single word — a careless glance of 
 tenderness — and, — we would be parted forever! Only 
 at the last — only to save her honor — or my life — dare I 
 confide, even in Youresief, the gallant old hero — as for 
 my sister — Barbe — or Wassili — impossible!" 
 
 When the longdrawn night was over, the young noble 
 leaped from his bed at dawn. His first charge was to 
 visit the chalet — in the budding park. 
 
 Already — the intendant was there — urging on the 
 artificers in the completion of the only refuge where 
 Serge could escape from the prying eyes of his crowding 
 domestics. 
 
 With a bounding heart, the lover sought the pinnacle, 
 and gazed over at the house across the murmuring 
 stream where his darling waited for him. He could 
 easily descry the windows which hid his darling one. 
 
 "Nothing shall part us but death, my own darling," 
 he cried, "God has given you to me — mine alone — ^by the 
 grace of His mercy." With a feverish haste, he returned 
 to the chateau, and, then, after his morning repast, called 
 up both Tourko and Sergeant Michael Michaelovitch. 
 
 He was soon busied in indicating the books, furniture 
 and personal articles to be removed to the summer house 
 by the lake, when two couriers dashed into the court- 
 yard. 
 
 Seated in his library, he read with a burning rage, the 
 Judas proffer of Colonel Michael Milovitch, in the florid 
 courtesy of the treacherous invitation to the Annual Reg- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 105 
 
 imental Ball — the work of the precious pair who were 
 joint heirs of Iscariot. 
 
 Five minutes later, the bearer of the missive rode back 
 wondering at the present which dazzled him by its liber- 
 ality. 
 
 "I will send Sergeant Michael, in due form, to-morrow, 
 down to Wosnescenk with a cordial acceptance," mused 
 Serge. "It will lull these plotting rascals into security 
 for — the whole Radovich family must be hoodwinked — 
 if I am to meet my darling — for one happy evening." 
 A grave trouble awaited him. 
 
 The letter which the second courier had borne across 
 the hundred and fifty versts from Elizabethgrad, told him 
 of Lieutenant Wassili Federoff's arrival at home, upon 
 an Easter furlough — and of the impending visit of the 
 grateful youngster. Here was an embarrassment. It 
 would prevent any stolen meetings on the Dying Water. 
 
 And, then. Serge Dumont felt at heart how love can 
 fill the honest heart with stratagems. 
 
 His reluctant fingers crawled slowly over the paper 
 as he prepared letters to both his sister and the happy 
 young pardoned duelist. 
 
 The accidental presence of a superb present of Out- 
 chinikoff silver, designed for Madame Federoff as an 
 Easter ofifering, enabled him to dispatch Tourko in' a 
 swift carriage, with the fatigued messenger, to prevent 
 the untoward arrival of the youthful officer of his old regi- 
 ment. For the presence of his gallant nephew would 
 balk every plan in the week of the lucky absence of the 
 Radoviches. 
 
 Blushes burned upon Serge's face as he saw his mes- 
 senger drive away, the Cossack's riderless horse trotting 
 freely after the road wagon. 
 
 The varied reasons which prevented the visit of his 
 nephew were piled up like Pelion upon Ossa, and broug-ht 
 a mild amazement into the minds of his hoodwinked rela- 
 tives three days later. 
 
 But the Easter ofifering and the promise of an early 
 personal visit to Elizabethgrad, with a substantial in- 
 crease of allowance to the young gallant, quieted both 
 
lo6 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 mother and son. "It would be my ruin to have him 
 here now," was the lover's inward apology. 
 
 Before the fondly contrived deception had worked its 
 charm, — the Lord of the Manor was installed in the 
 completed summer house and had also inspected certain 
 private arrangements concerning the old Tartar cave in 
 which he had recalled many a boyish enterprise of frolic 
 mischief as he explored its venerable galleries. And, 
 now, he only awaited the departure of his foes. 
 
 With the restless stride of the wolf, Serge Dumont 
 threaded his garden walks, and, in the leafy paths of the 
 vast park, awaited the departure of the Radovich family 
 for Wosnescenk. 
 
 With due military exactitude. Sergeant Michael had 
 acquitted himself of his formal delivery of the acceptance 
 of the conspirator's invitation to the Ball of the Dra- 
 goons, — and so the duel plot seemed to work like a 
 charm. 
 
 With a secret glee, the happy lover learned of the early 
 arrival at the military station of the Colonel and that 
 reckless young noble Arcady Radovich. 
 
 It was high time, for, as Wosnescenk was the head 
 of navigation upon the river Bug, already a pleasure 
 steamer from Odessa and Nicolauff had arrived freighted 
 With gay cavaliers and witching beauties to join in the 
 week's festivities of the regimental games, the dinners 
 and merrymakings and the crowning glory of the Annual 
 Ball. 
 
 Serge now found himself easily becoming an adept in 
 all the dissimulations of the scheming lover. It was easy 
 to send Boursakofif into Bratskoe in charge of Xenia, 
 the loyal hearted peasant woman to whom he had given 
 a secret commission to discover whether the household of 
 his enemy had yet departed for the merrymaking at Wos- 
 nescenk. 
 
 The Lord of the Manor confided to the keen-eyed 
 peasant woman his anxiety to find out all about the move- 
 ments of her dangerous husband, and to know if he was 
 lurking in the train of the Radoviches. 
 
 "Have no fear," he cheerily said, "Boursakofif will stay 
 with you and protect you! While they are away, you 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. I07 
 
 can find out the whole town gossip of Btatskofe." A boy, 
 well mountedj was sent into the party to bring back news 
 of the departure of Baron Alexandre and the composition 
 of his party. 
 
 And, so it fell out, that long before sunset, on the 
 evening of the -hegira of BaJroness Lili and her train, that 
 Serge Dumont, seated on the steps of his summer house 
 by the lake, knew that only the yoUng Baroness Magda 
 lingered on the other side of the watery dividing line. 
 
 He longed for the flash of that signal Hght, and his 
 heart leaped up in a wild bHss — "I shall hold her again to 
 my heart to-tiight!" 
 
 Fretting there, hour by hour, the proud hearted noble 
 revolved all his recent experiences of the wild, lonely, 
 social death in life of the Russian patrician of the steppe ! 
 
 He had suddenly forgotten the boasted panacea of 
 Work — blessed Work, for the wearing monotony of the 
 morbid life! A new sovereign remedy burned in his 
 veins, the fiery philter of Love — that Love for which 
 men lay down their lives, — the love v/hich will not be 
 denied. Love the king of all hearts, all times^ all sea- 
 sons! 
 
 "I was mad to come here to this peopled solitude, — to 
 dream that I could live without the companionship of 
 my kind," he mused, "for here man and woman only lead 
 the life of the contented beast — or else, — struggle against 
 woe, want and hunger in the garb of monjik and village 
 maid." 
 
 All the glittering allurements of the court, — the splen- 
 dors of the vast city, half Paris — half prison, on the Neva 
 returned to his mind. He sighed, in an expectant happi- 
 ness. 
 
 "There, in all that luxury, I walked alone,^— heart- 
 whole — and — 'here in this waste. Love has found me out 
 to light my darkened heart, with his unextinguishable 
 torch! If I had my compeers with me here, then — to 
 meet the Day Star in secret, were doubly impossible— 
 and — so, — now, blindly wandering, I have found the way 
 of life — led on by Fate — ^the guidance of the high gods I 
 I will tread the path to the end — for her own dear sake!" 
 
 Dreaming fondly of a future lit up by Magda's eyes, 
 
I08 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 ■he watched the dying sunset burn out on the meadows, 
 and the soft darkness wrap the woods where the nightin- 
 gale's throbbing heart gave forth the song of Love. 
 
 He had commanded his horses and the phaeton to wait 
 at the summer house, and, with a jealous mockery of 
 enjoyment^ he trifled with his dinner, until, armed in 
 secret, he strode down through the gardens and orchards 
 and Hghted up the interior of his chalet. His heart ticked 
 off every crawling moment ! 
 
 With jealous care, he had filled the carriage with 
 robes and ample shubas to disguise his lovely visitor. 
 Standing where the fretting horses neighed below him, he 
 saw across the dividing distance, the lamps of love shine 
 out in the Day Star's windows, — and — ^then all was dark ! 
 She was now awaiting him, and his soul was illuminated 
 with a fierce joy. 
 
 Dismissing his attendant, he drove steadily down along 
 the bank of the purling stream, to where, a few hundred 
 yards from the knolls, a deserted sheep enclosure gave 
 shelter to his steeds. It was a lonely and deserted line 
 of sheds and pens. Here he dismounted and hid away 
 his horses in tlie dark interior of the largest sheep fold. 
 
 The night was still and warm and calm, as he leaped 
 down the gravelly bank and ferried the little skiff across 
 the Dying Waters. 
 
 And, there, at the point of the fringing forest, a loving 
 goddess waited, with warm clinging arms to fold him 
 to a loving breast. "They are all gone — it is safe!" she 
 whispered, as they stole down to the murmuring stream. 
 
 There was no word spoken as the little skiff which 
 went over to the hostile ground with one, returned with 
 two, whose whole lives were sealed forever by the brief 
 voyage across the rippling stream. It was the death of 
 hatred and vice on the Dying Water! God's own peace 
 and love ! 
 
 In five minutes, muffled beyond all recognition, Magda 
 Radovich nestled to her brave lover's side as the steeds, 
 blacker than the night, moved slowly along under the 
 fringing arches of the great plantation. They were per- 
 fectly safe, for no one would dare to halt the Lord of 
 th? Manor. The white stars gleamed down upon them, 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. I09 
 
 as they poured out in burning words the inexpressible 
 tenderness of first love. 
 
 Out on the steppe, the cool night breeze sang to them 
 its lullaby, as Serge, covering her little hands with kisses, 
 told her of the mad plan which had haunted his midnight 
 dreams. 
 
 An hour later, sobbing with delight, the happy girl hid 
 in the friendly shade of the trees by the lake, while her 
 lover tethered the horses deep down in a dell of the 
 park! And— then, her light foot stole over the threshold 
 of the summer house by the lake, her lover at her side. 
 
 With prophetic care he had doubly closed all the win- 
 dows of the little "temple of Love, and as Magda gazed 
 around upon the miniature Trianon, Serge whispered: 
 
 "This is yourSj my heart, my life, my soul to eternity 
 — and" — he cried, clasping her to his heart, for she had 
 thrown off her heavy wraps — "You shall reign to the 
 end of our days here, — the White Lady of Khamina- 
 vatka!" He drew her eagerly to the farthermost room, 
 doubly darkened with impregnable shutters of solid 
 wood. "Here we are safe — " he cried — as he showed her 
 all the fastenings. 
 
 In an inner boudoir, where a silver Circassian lamp 
 hung. Serge Dumont gazed for the first time, in rapture, 
 at the living loveliness before him, for there was no fear 
 to part them now, and — lovingly he lingered in drinking 
 in the witching charm of her pure unabashed loveliness. 
 
 It was the time of the first roses of life — the hour of 
 stolen kisses sweeter than dreams of Heaven, dearer than 
 all the bright promise which hopeful youth had ever 
 painted. And, so, they made themselves a Paradise on 
 earth ! 
 
 Even in the delirium of his happiness. Serge Dumont 
 was touched to the heart by the loving girl's childlike 
 trust in his honor. He led Magda to a corner of the 
 room where beside a sacred icon, the picture of his dead 
 mother glowed still in all the loveliness of the dead past, 
 the flush of her bright unwasted youth. 
 
 "Give me your hand, darling!" he whispered, as he 
 slipped a worn circlet of gold upon her slender finger. 
 
no THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 His arm was around her, as he pleaded, "Repeat now 
 after me. 'Nothing but death shall part us!' " 
 
 In a sweet low voice, her head upon his breast, Magda 
 murmured, "Nothing but death shall part us." It was 
 the wedding of their souls. 
 
 It seemed as if the lips of the last Lady of Khamina- 
 vatka smiled down also, upon them, from the frame where 
 Pierre's girl wife still looked out from the cheating can- 
 vas, upon the Httle miniature Trianon where she had 
 queened it by the Dying Water. Lovely as the departed 
 queen was, the fair head bowed to receive the crown, 
 was fairer still. 
 
 The frank eyed girl who stood below the two pictures 
 was worthy to be the third of a trio of queens of the 
 Kherson. Magda Radovich was the heiress of all the 
 nameless graces of the Danube women^ — by the haughty 
 blood of her proud father. 
 
 And, the mobile charm of the Russian was the un- 
 conscious dower of her fiery hearted mother. 
 
 They were a noble pair of lovers, Serge, in the bloom 
 of early manhood at twenty-eight, his keen manly face 
 made resolute by gazing into the red flashes of the 
 enemy's guns. 
 
 And, the young Hebe clinging to his arm was glowing 
 in the unfolding flower of life at eighteen. 
 
 Her willowy figure of exquisite symmetry showed the 
 legacy of old Grecian graces still hallowing the Euxine, 
 the gifts of goddesses long forgotten under the saving 
 grasses of the steppe. 
 
 Her pleading dark eyes and wavy rippling hair, brown 
 with golden glints in the light — her rosebud lips, a very 
 chalice of Love — and broad unshadowed brow, gave the 
 contrasted charm of unbroken calm and rosy temptation 
 to her thrillingly earnest face. Serene, sweet, and tender 
 — a woman of infinite charm and a winning femininity. 
 
 In the seductive ease of the Russian patrician, with the 
 underglow of her Danubian ancestry, the uiiswept harp 
 of her life murmured to every fond touch of her lover's 
 trembling hand. Her tender eyes were fixed upon her 
 endangered lover. 
 
 "You must tell me all now — beloved Day Star," mur- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. Ill 
 
 mured her lover. "There must be a way to bring our 
 lives together. Love shall find a way." 
 
 In vain, Serge sought to gain the heart story of the 
 glowing girl whose heart had awakened so strangely to 
 Love, in making herself the secret guardian of her fa- 
 ther's deadly enemy — a man who lay under the ban of a 
 wild Kherson vendetta. A love that stretched out the 
 olive of peace across the bitter past to bless and to pre- 
 serve — a reflect of God's own healing mercy. 
 
 "Only you — Serge— let us talk of you, — of your safe- 
 ty," cried Magda, clinging closely to him. "For, they 
 will know, that in some strange way, you have dis- 
 covered their plot! Your absence from the Ball will be 
 construed as an insult. They will make it a pretext of 
 a future quarrel !" 
 
 "Not so! darling," smilingly replied Serge. "I have 
 already sent a courier, on the gallop, to Bobrinetz to have 
 Prince Youresief send me his private physician. 
 
 "For your sake, I have quickly learned to dissemble! 
 I shall send my old Sergeant then, down to Wosnescenk, 
 with a courteous letter of regret for my sudden illness, 
 and he will have my orders to wait and rest, and then to 
 come home, riding post, when your family party starts 
 out on its return. 
 
 "They must surely come through Bratskoe, and I have 
 a faithful woman watching there who, also, will instantly 
 send me a boy over on the gallop to warn me if any of 
 your family return from the festivities. So, by a mere 
 subterfuge, I will disarm them! While they are away, 
 we can surely meet here every evening ! I will lodge the 
 physician in the chateau, and, then steal down here to 
 you. I will come over to the forest to meet you every 
 night." 
 
 "Not so. Serge," firmly answered the fearless girl. 
 "Listen! I have absolutely no one now there to watch 
 me! I have a gala peasant girl's dress, mantle, veil and 
 all. I have my own little boat in the fishing pool below 
 the three knolls. So, — I can land in your woods, — the 
 foliage gets thicker every day, — and steal up to the old 
 sheep fold, where you hid your horses to-night. 
 
 "There, you can easily meet me — we are both perfectly 
 
 8 
 
112 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 safe on your side of the river, and — we can then walk 
 down here, througli the park, in five minutes ! No one 
 would ever dare to dream that I have crossed the river! 
 The evenings are becoming more balmy daily — and, — 
 even if I should be seen in my boat on the Dying Water, 
 no one would wonder! I am left to be mistress of my- 
 self! 
 
 "But, you — you, my own one, — a single glimpse of 
 your form on our side, and, then, — I would be sent 
 away. God knows where — perhaps — shut up in a 
 nunnery or sent away to the Danube to some of our 
 wild Serbian cousins. 
 
 "They are a rude and haughty race and it would be 
 death to follow me there! And — so — as you can not 
 come to me — I must come to you!" she cried, a lovelight 
 in her shining eyes. 
 
 "My own brave darling!" cried Serge, as he clasped 
 her to his heart, "It shall be as you will — until we are 
 made one!" 
 
BOOK II.-THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 XENIA'S PLAN. 
 
 They had talked in low caressing tones for an hour 
 when the sudden sound of voices in the garden alarmed 
 the rapt lovers. Magda turned pale and then, with a 
 sigh, fell fainting into her lover's arms. 
 
 It was ten minutes before his vigorous chafing of the 
 slender hands on which he showered frantic kisses, the 
 cordial which he forced between her pale lips, brought 
 back to consciousness the loving girl who was risking 
 honor and life in his defence. 
 
 Serge Dumont's breast was racked with an agony of 
 helplessness! Too late he saw the utter folly of dream- 
 ing that he could hold out a protecting arm over her. 
 
 As he gazed upon the pale and lovely face lying there 
 before him, his heart was filled with an infinite tender- 
 ness. 
 
 "My bright, brave darling," he murmured, as he knelt 
 at her feet. It was maddening to think that a single 
 gossip peasant, — or the first untoward happening, would 
 doom them to separation, — and — perhaps, blacken, for- 
 ever the fair name of the angel of peace and love. A 
 fearful price to pay! 
 
 In the opening season of the May month of love and 
 passion's delirium Serge well knew that the gardens, 
 orchards, park and plantation would be soon haunted at 
 night by the straying couples who stole away, regardless 
 of all risk or consequence, to murmur their vows under 
 the spreading trees so dear to the Kherson lovers. A 
 hallowed and time honored custom, in this land without 
 other shady nooks. 
 
 "There is no one to aid," he groaned, "for, the con' 
 
 8 113 
 
114 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 fidant soon betrays, — the fool always babbles and, cow- 
 ardlike, I must doom her to every risk for my sake! 
 God help me, I can do nothing — nothing!" It was a 
 case of absolute powerlessness ! And, in the anguish of 
 his heart, he swore to deny himself the bliss of gazing 
 upon her beloved face, until he could find some way to 
 shield the bewitching Day Star from harm. 
 
 From her innocent recitals, he saw that the girl merely 
 resented her mother's neglect of the sullen husband, 
 and, as yet, — her life was not darkened by suspicions of 
 the real relations of the Baroness with the crafty Milo- 
 vitch. 
 
 The long years spent at the Catherine Institute had 
 shielded the girl from any knowledge of the varied love 
 episodes of this country — Catherine II. — and the grim 
 game of deceit and vice had been played in her absence. 
 
 The young beauty's simple faith was self evident, for 
 she had answered all his questions as to the sojourn of 
 the family party at the Regimental festivities, with the 
 remark, "Colonel Milovitch insisted that Maman should 
 remain during the entire week, and, — so we are safe as 
 yet, — for he will surely escort the party home! 
 
 "There is no chance of any awkward surprise — only 
 — only we must watch Arcady, who is as sly as a fox. 
 
 "He might be sent back to spy on you — and so, — 
 detect my absence. But, as I detest him, and seldom 
 speak to him, he would not dare to demand an explana- 
 tion of me." 
 
 The young noble writhed in helpless anguish ! "Hope- 
 less, hopeless! _ All is dark! The General wishes to use 
 this brilliant girl to advance his position at the court. 
 
 "Her mother wishes to get her out of the way of her 
 own amourettes, — the father, disheartened and sullen, 
 will be only too glad to have the crown take up all the 
 expenses of this lovely child, in the brilliant shabbiness 
 of a Maid of Honor's place! 
 
 "Arcady and the young brother would leap to arms — 
 in case of detection, and my blood would be on their 
 hands— or, theirs on mine— and,— Wassili— he would fol- 
 low the feud— should I fall! My God! It is horrible-^ 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. nS 
 
 horrible!" Neither his loyal heart nor ready hand could 
 now avail aught to shield Magda ! 
 
 His bitter tears falling on the hands of his beloved 
 awakened the suffering girl again to the cares and sor- 
 rows which crowd the path of true love! 
 
 In a few words, he calmed her fears, and, kneeling be- 
 fore her, told her of the perfect protection of the chalet. 
 
 "No one ever enters here. I will guard you with my 
 life! And — " he added, with a sudden impulse, "I have 
 a retreat which no one would ever dream of — in case of 
 any sudden happening! The doors are all locked here! 
 I alone have the keys." 
 
 Wrapping a mantle around her, he led her, by a rear 
 door, out through the dense foliage fringing the little 
 cliff overshadowing the park to where the door of the 
 cave yielded to his skilful handling of a key. 
 
 Swinging the door, he led the astonished girl within! 
 When the door was secured by inner bolts. Serge Du- 
 mont flashed a dark lantern around the old Tartar re- 
 treat! 
 
 "Here you are safe — in any case — until I could escort 
 you across the stream! I have had this old hiding place 
 arranged to store away our family papers and archives 
 so as to escape the danger of fire in the chateau. 
 
 "There is an inside lock as well as the outside lock; 
 you shall have the keys to both, and, you could be put 
 across the Dying Water at any time^ in a few moments. 
 This is safety! I will have the interior made comfort- 
 able, and there will also be lights, food, and water here, 
 in case of any sudden betrayal." 
 
 In a few moments they returned to the chalet, where 
 Serge unfolded all the fond outpourings of an affection 
 now fanned into a glowing furnace. 
 
 "I see it all now, my poor darling! We must meet no 
 more — at the risk of your honor,— your liberty — and — 
 perhaps, my life ! If we only had a confidant — one faith- 
 ful friend — but — there is no one to trust here. 
 
 "Princess Vera is under the wily General's influence — 
 andj — Prince Youresief could only go to the Czar, at the 
 very last, and beg on his knees for a consent to our 
 marriage." 
 
Il6 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Serge — my beloved!" cried the girl, fixing her star- 
 like eyes sadly on him, "I must meet you— I must be 
 near you — always to guard you — to watch over you — to 
 save your life. We must find a confidant. I dare trust 
 no one! 
 
 "Our home is a sad one," she faltered. "You must 
 have some one who is true to the death! I see the dark 
 shadows closing down on us! 
 
 "And — I swear to you — that if discovered I will kill 
 myself rather than be led away to a forced marriage — or 
 a living death! My family will never consent to our 
 marriage. I know my mother's implacable hatred of 
 all your race! 
 
 "Why I know not, — but, — she is pitiless. My father 
 and the General are human beings, and they are reason- 
 able! 
 
 "But, Arcady Radovich would lash my dear headlong 
 brother Ivan on to madness with tales of his sister's dis- 
 honor. I, then, see nothing but, open graves!" 
 
 The loving girl buried her face in her hands and broke 
 into a storm of tears. The shadows were falling over 
 the strangely born lOve, nursed in fear and secrecy! 
 
 "Let me take you away, Magda!" cried Serge, his 
 heart swept by a wild storm of passion. "God has given 
 us to each other! I would die if we were parted by Fate! 
 Once abroad, — and — married, — you could defy the 
 hereditary hatred of your family! I would guard you 
 with my life!" He spoke, dreaming of the myrtled 
 shores of Sorrento and Amalfi — ^the lover's heaven on 
 earth ! 
 
 "Serge, my own!" cried the girl. "Think of the ruin 
 of your whole family. We could not even get passports 
 to leave! If we tried to we would soon be betrayed and 
 — blood would flow! You shall not be the sacrifice to 
 my poor charms! Your widowed sister, Madame Fed- 
 eroff, would be disgraced — her only boy would be 
 hunted down — for, your estates would all be forfeited, 
 and — , he would be left to face the vengeance of four 
 mercilessmen, alone! No! No! We must wait! Flight 
 is impossible, — marriage is equally impossible, until God 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 11/ 
 
 helps us — and — ^yet, my God, — Serge, I can not give you 
 up!" 
 
 She fell sobbing in his arms, and her head drooped 
 like a lily upon his throbbing breast. "No! Darling," 
 she murmured, "I must take the risk — and — ^you must 
 let me watch over you — until Arcady Radovich is no 
 longer here — a plotting human fiend. Once that he 
 were gone, my mother has no on,e to nurse her ven- 
 geance, — and, — to do her bidding! You must find the 
 confidant — for, we must have some one to help us — 
 some true heart, however humble!" The poor girl's 
 eyes -were dimmed with hopeless tears. 
 
 "If Vera Orbelefif were only here, she would help us. 
 She is free as the air. She is coming down in three 
 months with the General, and — it is she who is naming 
 me for Maid of Honor. She could move the General's 
 heart, if we were to meet her together! He is like wax 
 in her hands — and — I think that she might aid us! 
 
 "For, Serge, she loved your brother Pierre, and for 
 years she has told me all about you. Pierre had saved 
 her once from an utter ruin, and — if he had asked her, — 
 she would have been the happiest woman in Russia, as 
 his wife — to have been a very slave of Love!" Here was 
 the secret of the gay butterfly's reckless life — her little 
 heart story! 
 
 Serge Dumont started in surprise! At last the past 
 was made clear. He saw now, in an instant, the firm 
 white womanly hand which had reached out in the dark- 
 ness to strike at the life of the noble hearted Pierre Du- 
 inont — faithful to the memory of the dear dead woman 
 whose picture smiled down upon them. 
 
 For, in his brother's escritoire he had found a secret 
 drawer, wherein lay two or three faded letters! There 
 was no signature, but the outpouring of a reckless wo- 
 man's love had been followed by a letter breathing all 
 the curses of a scorned one. 
 
 It was Prince Youresief who had told him of the ball at 
 Kharkov where Pierre Dumont had first met Baroness 
 Lili Radovich. 
 
 The courtly old noble merely sketched the mad pur- 
 suit of the richest noble of the steppe, after his wife's 
 
Ii8 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA 
 
 death, by the wild hearted woman who hoped to be the 
 "prochaine amie" of the widowed Lord of Khaminavatka. 
 
 "Beware, my dear boy, of that dangerous charmer, the 
 Baroness Lili! She is a fiend incarnate in her jealousy, 
 and I know that she has hated Vera Orbeleff since that 
 quiet repulse of Pierre's. 
 
 "But, la Princesse Vera is the ame damnee of Gen- 
 eral Andre Radovich, and Madame Lili very justly fears 
 the only man in all the Ukraine who understands her. 
 
 "As for little Princesse Vera, — if poor Pierre had not 
 known too much of her Frou-Frou life, — perhaps — she 
 might have really won him over, for Vera Orbelefif's day 
 dream was to marry your brother, and to end the feud 
 forever, on the Dying Water! The devil who works the 
 wires is Lili Radovich — and — she is patient, pitiless and 
 persevering. She will cross your life — if she can." 
 
 It was all clear now, the careful tutelage of years which 
 had led Magda Radovich up to the secret worship of 
 Pierre's brother. "I can easily see the reason," mused 
 Serge. "If Pierre's brother were to mate with Baron 
 Radovich's child, — ^then — Madame Lili was check- 
 mated — and — the way was open to Pierre's darkened 
 heart. It has been the Baroness Lili's unslaked hatred 
 which spread the foul snare entrapping my poor brother 
 in the horrors of a seemingly accidental death." 
 
 The little mantle clock in the chalet, too soon chimed 
 eleven ! The sweet Cinderella of this soft spring night of 
 love started. "You must take me down to the river. 
 Serge," she reluctantly cried, "I have been thinking, 
 thinking! We must have a danger signal! If anything 
 occurs to prevent our meetings this week, as arranged, 
 you must show red lights here, — at the windows of the 
 summer house. If you drape thin red silk curtains here, 
 I can see the red light, if you drop them. 
 
 "The others can not see these windows from the first 
 and second stories of our house. 
 
 "And I will do the same! If you see a red light at 
 my windows, you may know that some unforeseen dan- 
 ger threatens — and — that I can not come to you!" 
 
 "And then, and then, how shall I ever hear from you!" 
 cried Serge, straining her to his heart, in a loving frenzy, 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. II9 
 
 "You must find a confidant, — a woman-— do you not 
 see?" 
 
 Her cool hand was on his burning brow. "She could 
 steal over the river into the grove and meet me. There 
 would be no suspicion, if I were seen, with any woman 
 lingering there, for, I know all the peasants for ten miles 
 up and down the Mertvovod! It must be one of your 
 own women! For^ my mother has a basilisk eye! Our 
 women dread her very footstep! She would suspect, 
 question — and — the poor victim of her wrath would die 
 under the lash! 
 
 "Who is here to question such a deed on our lonely 
 estate? Arcady would be her executioner! — and — then 
 —her merciless vengeance would fall on me later. I 
 know her strangely unforgiving nature! We have each 
 but one friend, — Vera Orbeleff is mine, and, — Prince 
 Youresief yours. 
 
 "Only at the last must either of them know. I would 
 sooner die than tell my mother that sweet secret which 
 would doom you to death ! Oh ! God be merciful ! It is 
 too hard! You, — you, — Serge — -must find a confidant! 
 I dare not write! 
 
 "I have no messenger — and — you shall not cross the 
 Dying Water! Swear it to me — on our love— unless I 
 bid you, — you will wait for me!" And Serge bowed his 
 head, and plighted his solemn faith to calm her loving 
 fears ! 
 
 There was the hUsh of a half an hour of speechless ten- 
 derness before the Lord of the Manor led the sorrowing 
 girl down to the little dell where the horses were tethered. 
 He had reconnoitered with care^and, then^-the balmy 
 night breeze fanned their brows as the fleet OrlofTs 
 sprang down along the river banks. 
 
 From the sheep fold, — ^to the margin of the purling 
 stream, was but a few steps, and, — after the skiti had 
 touched the hostile shores. Serge Dumont stood, in a 
 trance, as the slight figure was swallowed up in the dark- 
 ness! The night had swallowed up his darling! 
 
 "May God bless my own darling!" he murmured, as, 
 with powerful strokes of the paddle he soon regained the 
 northern shore! He drove slowly homeward around the 
 
120 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 plantation, and, in his lonely sorrow, of the parting, still 
 his soul was steeped in a deeper joy than he who hath 
 fed upon the honeydews of Paradise. "Tender and true," 
 he murmured, "Loyal a la mort!" 
 
 For murmuring trees, the distant nightingale, the sing- 
 ing stars, only spoke to him of the beloved, and his heart 
 went out in fond affection and recollection to the lovers 
 long since parted — the heirs of all the sweet sorrows of 
 the past, who had wandered here by the Mertvovod in 
 the old days tranced in the one bright thrall of life — 
 Love's ecstatic dream. Their shadowy memories 
 haunted him now. 
 
 He bore in his heart, now livened with the spring 
 breath of an ennobling passion her promise to meet him 
 when the silver stars swung up again from the under 
 world. 
 
 "She shall be mine — mine forever," he swore again, in 
 his heart of hearts — for he had been made her slave for- 
 ever by the accolade of those dear clinging- arms upon 
 his neck. The spell of a mighty Love was upon him! 
 
 He was still pondering upon the possible choice of 
 some trusty woman as a confidant, when he drove into 
 the court-yard from the north, having driven circuitously 
 around the whole plantations from the west to divert all 
 suspicion. And — no one had dreamed of his evening 
 tryst by the river! 
 
 As he entered his room, and laid away his arms, he 
 sternly muttered, "Thank God! I did not meet that 
 wretch — or, any of his hirelings, for his blood had never 
 reached the temperature at which men slay and spare 
 not, — when the clutch of their enemy's throat is dearer 
 than even the soft encircling white arms of the one be- 
 loved woman ! 
 
 The sound of hurrying feet startled him! He sprang 
 up as a bevy of frightened attendants burst into his room. 
 
 The foremost was Tourko, the valet, with the weeping 
 Anna Ivanouna. 
 
 "Poor old Chuchinka! the housekeeper," stammered 
 the valet, recovering his composure before his master. 
 "She fell dead at the supper table, and — so — we have 
 waited for your return, Barin, to give the orders." 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 121 
 
 With soldierly decision. Serge Dumont thought a 
 moment! "Bring me the stable master at once!" His 
 first thought was of the absent Intendant and Xenia, 
 away at Bratskoe. 
 
 "I must have Boursakoff," he mused, "and — Xenia is 
 the only sensible woman in the whole household ! I may 
 have a future use for her!" 
 
 When he had dispatched the Stable Master to send a 
 courier on the gallop, to order Boursakofif to return, 
 bringing the Pope from the village and Xenia, he turned 
 to the weeping Anna Ivanouna "Take me to her!" he 
 gravely said. 
 
 For his heart was smitten to see the last faithful one 
 of the old regime taken forever from him. 
 
 Only in Russia does the sacred bond between the pa- 
 trician and the peasant servant grow into a life union in 
 which fidelity and affection have their just reward. 
 
 But, the niece of the old duenna knelt before her mas- 
 ter! "Here are the keys, Barin," she sobbed. "No one 
 has touched them. Who shall give the orders to the ser- 
 vants now?" 
 
 "Until to-morrow, Anna Ivanowna, you will be 
 charged with the household! Then — you shall have 
 your rest for the month of mourning. Take up the 
 keys!" 
 
 And, then, with a heavy heart, the Master of Khamina- 
 vatka went down to gaze upon the kindly features of his 
 old nurse, now softening into the calm repose of death. 
 It was the snapping of the last cord binding him to his 
 boyhood's days. 
 
 His light was still burning in his study when Boursa- 
 koff dashed into the court-yard, and hastening in from 
 the stables made his report that the priest would arrive at 
 daybreak. 
 
 "Xenia?" queried Serge. 
 
 "Is here to await your orders." 
 
 Over the samovar, the two men talked of the future 
 disposition of the great household which had now lost 
 its directing head. 
 
 Serge Dumont was startled when Boursakoff lifted his 
 
122 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 head and said, "There is but one person fit to take 
 charge — and yet, the niece has her claims. 
 
 "If the Barin would allow me to advise, let Anna Ivan- 
 ouna take the under household and the table service, — 
 and — give to Xenia the general care of the whole cha- 
 teau, — and the discipline of the servants. I have known 
 her since girlhood. 
 
 "She is as true as steel, and — loyal to the death! She 
 would die for you — now that you have taken her out of 
 the hell on earth of that station, and — she has regained 
 her vigor, and even her youth and womanly graces, are 
 coming back to her." 
 
 It was on the morrow that Serge Dumont, after receiv- 
 ing the priest^ sat long with Xenia, in listening to her re- 
 port of the inquisition at Bratskoe. 
 
 When she had finished, the Master told her of the new 
 rank which had fallen upon her in the household. The 
 blushes burned upon her cheeks, and she trembled in a 
 silent trance. 
 
 Standing before him, the ardent woman seized his 
 hand and kissed it. "My Hfe is yours, Barin!" she cried. 
 "I will never fail you while I draw breath!" As she de- 
 parted to summon her new coadjutor, the young lover 
 suddenly sprang to his feet ! 
 
 "This is the woman whom we need — this loyal, brave 
 woman of our own village! I have found our conhdante, 
 — the one who is brave enough to cross the Dying 
 Water, and bear my messages ! 
 
 "And — ^if I should need to shelter Magda for a time, 
 here is a woman who would die in her defense. For, 
 sorrow has made her brave and silent!" 
 
 Before the funeral ceremonies of the aged housekeeper, 
 the Intendant, marshaling the whole household, had 
 placed the two women in charge of the chateau. 
 
 To the younger woman was given Chuchinka's pretty 
 cottage in the row of ofifices at the southeast border of the 
 vast enclosure, while the vigorous and stately Xenia, oc- 
 cupied the housekeeper's rooms in the chateau. 
 
 Silently, and with a firm hand, the grateful woman 
 took up her task, her bosom thrilled with the self-devo- 
 tion of a loyal heart to the young noble who had rescued 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. I23 
 
 her from the brutal domination of 'her heartless and 
 drunken husband. She had gathered self-reliance and 
 dignity in her lonely life at the Post Station. 
 
 The manor of Khaminavatka was excited with the 
 varied preparations for the orthodox funeral of the ven- 
 erated Chuchinka. Anna Ivanowna, the bereaved niece 
 and heiress of the old housekeeper's store, was to be re- 
 lieved from all duties in the first motith of her mourning, 
 as custom prescribed. 
 
 Already, the housekeeper's cottage was crowded with 
 the mourning women, for, out in the emerald fields now, 
 every man and available animal was busied with the 
 plow. 
 
 The vast herds of sheep, cattle atid horses were daily 
 driven to pasture, and the steppe was alive with men and 
 boys. 
 
 Serge Dumont blessed the negligent husbandry of his 
 neighbor and enemy, for only a few listless Cossacks 
 watched the careering herds of Baron Radovich's horses, 
 destined for the Czar's dragoons, in due time. The fields 
 were all fallow and left to grass. 
 
 "She is free to come freely to me, at least, for this 
 happy week of their absence," mused the impatient lover, 
 "but, in a month, the banks of the Dying Water will be 
 haunted with lovers, — strolling pilgrims, — wandering- 
 farm laborers, — and vagabonds, — for all wanderers seek 
 the cool banks of the only stream in a hundred square 
 versts! My God! What can I do! I can not live with- 
 out her now!" 
 
 He had ordered the most solemn funeral which the 
 country side covild olifer for his faithful old nurse. The 
 three days of public lying in state had begUn. Dressed 
 in her richest finery, on a catafalque in the open cottage, 
 with burning candles lighting the "Readers" whose in- 
 toning of the "Psalms" were to be ceaseless in the three 
 solemn days, — the faithful old duenna's face shone out 
 yellow above the white-draped catafalque. 
 
 The village priest had departed to marshal his choir 
 for the requiem and the "Everlasting Remembrances" 
 were to be chanted in superb state. 
 
 Already the whole country side gathered to pay the 
 
124 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "last visit," and even the passerby, nay, more,— the beg- 
 gar and wayfarer, — entered to join in the last salutation 
 to an orthodox soul, and receive refreshment or alms! 
 
 The village scribes were all busied in the preparation 
 of the letters to be sent throughout the scattered neigh- 
 borhood, — those quaint Muscovite missives, in which the 
 dead "presents compliments and hopes that you may live 
 long." To this euphemistic salutation, — the distant 
 faithful courteously answer, "May the Kingdom of Heav- 
 en be yours." The stately salutation between the dead 
 and the living, perhaps the only letter in the whole career 
 of an unlettered peasant man or woman. 
 
 Professional mourners were fast gathering, — the hand- 
 kerchief, — mortuary coin, — and nail parings for the last 
 journey were duly prepared, and all the vehicles of the 
 manor were now made ready for the last solemn proces- 
 sion to the Bratskoe church ! 
 
 For, after a service for the immediate friends, — ^there 
 was the long procession of bareheaded mourners to the 
 distant church, where before the Royal Gates, — with the 
 congregation bearing lighted tapers, the departed one 
 would receive in the dead hand, the blessed Confession of 
 Faith. 
 
 With brows crowned with the last coronet, with its 
 gold-printed text, after the last kiss of peace from all, — 
 when the Gospels were read and the lights extinguished, 
 — the simple homily of the village Pope finished, the last 
 anthems sung, — then, the return march to the open 
 grave, where these solemn final words would consign the 
 dead to eternal rest. The triumph of an orthodox ca- 
 reer. 
 
 "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, and 
 the wide world, and they that dwell therein." There was 
 the return march to the grave dug in the village cemetery. 
 
 Then, the wine glass of the Last Communion, — ^the 
 ashes of the incense, — cast into the open grave, — each 
 orthodox member of the family would cast in a handful 
 of earth, — after the priest. 
 
 The ladder set up at the side of the grave to assist the 
 soul in its ascent to Pleaven, — the filling of the yawning 
 pit, and,— after that the funeral feast,— the "trizna," 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 125 
 
 whereat, the guests would share the hospitality of the 
 manor, — and even the beggars and wanderers have a 
 separate feast, waited on by the family of the dead! All 
 these quaint formalities marked the stately exit of a hu- 
 man soul to the Great Unknown ! 
 
 Serge Dumont was alarmed to see the friendly peas- 
 ants of the Radovich manor begin to come streaming 
 over the dividing stream to the already notable obse- 
 quies. He had given the pope, the customary hundred 
 roubles already for the services, and the same sum, for 
 the forty days' mass and matins and the requiems. So — 
 the golden way was duly paved! 
 
 But, a burning fever now assailed him, as he realized 
 that for three days at least, it would be dangerous to 
 dream of meeting the brave girl who now ruled his 
 heart! He called Nicolas Boursakoff to his side. 
 
 "I am ill — sick at heart," he said. "It is impossible to 
 have Madame Federoff or Wassili here, — the distances 
 are too great — and — ^you — my faithful Intendant, must 
 take charge and represent me, in all the obsequies. I 
 rely on you — for the whole ceremonies, and, — I give you 
 a free hand!" The Intendant departed, covered with the 
 crowning honors of his life — to stand for the Master! 
 
 Then, seeking his rooms. Serge closed the doors upon 
 all. The blaze of the afternoon sun lit up the mansion 
 beyond the leafy banks of the Dying Water — and, hun- 
 gry-hearted, he watched through his glass, the windows 
 from whence the signals of love would blaze out that 
 night! 
 
 He writhed in his anguish 1 "My God! I must open 
 a way to her! In three or four days, the family will re- 
 turn ! There will be Milovitch, the roue, — and, the mad 
 Arcady, — crazed with rage by my escape from their 
 snare! I shall be closely watched — and — she — ^would 
 only rush into ruin — by any attempt. What can I do?" 
 He was desperate even now! 
 
 While he pondered upon a hundred futile plans, there 
 were hurrying feet sounding in the corridor, and the 
 ringing voice of Xenia aroused him. 
 
 "Open! Barin. — open quickly!" He sprang to the 
 door and saw a look of alarm upon the woman's face. 
 
126 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "What has happened?" he cried, springing up to meet 
 her. In a few words, he learned of the arrival of her 
 secret watch left at Bratskoe. 
 
 "Arcady Radovich came back, alone, to Bratskoe, at 
 midnight! He has neither gone home nor to the Gen- 
 eral's villa, but, has visited every haunt of the lawless in 
 the village, and left the town early to-day, with three or 
 four desperate fellows, and, has crossed over onto our 
 lands ! 
 
 "There is some great danger — Barin! He is hiding 
 somewhere near — perhaps in the plantations, — with his 
 villains! What must be done? You shall not venture 
 out, alone. Beware of going down into the park at 
 night!" 
 
 The young lover gazed at the woman's heaving bosom 
 and sparkling eyes. She had grown vigorous and 
 graceful under the easy comfort of all the past months of 
 peace and happiness. 
 
 "Was your husband with them?" Serge asked, anx- 
 iously. 
 
 "No! He is still at the station. There is not a day 
 that Marika does not send me word from the meadow 
 farms of his movements! He is there — with his new 
 wife, — drunken — and happy. You must send out spies 
 through the plantation and drive these wretches away! 
 Let your men go down the banks of the river, and creep 
 up through the ravines ! There is some deadly mischief 
 afoot!" The brave woman's cheeks were ashen pale. 
 
 "Not yet, — not yet, Xenia," said her master. Then, 
 with a sudden impulse, he took both her hands in his 
 own. "Would you do me a service, Xenia — one that 
 no mortal must ever know of?" he cried, his voice trem- 
 bling with emotion. 
 
 "I am a girl of the steppe, — your own," she proudly 
 said, and, drawing out her natal cross upon her neck 
 chain, she kissed it. 
 
 "On the cross, — I am yours, — ^to my death!" she mur- 
 mured, kissing it. Her eyes burned with a strange new 
 fire. 
 
 Serge Dumont bent his proud head. "Do you know 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 127 
 
 the Baroness Magda?" he whispered, as if loth to let 
 that beloved name pass his lips. 
 
 The fiery-hearted woman saw the secret of his heart at 
 a glance. She looked frankly in his eyes. "Arcady 
 often stopped with her at our station. She knows me 
 from her childhood — ^the beautiful Day Star!" 
 
 "I must have a letter reach her own hands, before sun- 
 down," the haggard lover said, speaking as if in a dream. 
 "And no one on earth must ever know but you! Can 
 you do it for me?" His whole happiness hung upon her 
 answer. 
 
 "What can not a Russian woman do for love, — for 
 those who love, — for those whom God has given to each 
 other?" said Xenia, with swimming eyes. 
 
 "But, they all know you — over there" — cried Serge — 
 throwing aside the curtain. "Arcady would maltreat you 
 — perhaps kidnap you for your husband's revenge." 
 
 Xenia laughed defiantly. "Is your letter ready?" she 
 asked. 
 
 "It will be in a half an hour," replied her master, his 
 heart leaping up fired with a new hope. 
 
 "Then, give me the key of your chalet," Xenia reso- 
 lutely said. "Come down there in half an hour. I will 
 be all ready — and, in another hour, the letter will be in 
 her hands! I know every winding of the river, every 
 corner of their house and grounds, — I used to play there, 
 as a child." 
 
 "I give you my life, my soul, my heart, my honor into 
 your faithful hands — Xenia — and hers," solemnly said 
 Serge. 
 
 "You are to take this ring and show it to her — and — 
 then,-~bring it back to me !" 
 
 The gallant-hearted woman kissed it reverently and 
 hung the ring upon her neck chain, concealing it in her 
 panting bosom. "I go now," she cried. "Let me be 
 quick, for Arcady will not dare show himself in the sun- 
 light! He is a sly fox at his tricks!" 
 
 Ten minutes later, while penning his letter. Serge Du- 
 mont saw Xenia gliding swiftly down the garden paths, 
 with a bundle under each arm. 
 
 When he approached the door of the chalet, in a half 
 an hour, the little house was locked upon the inside. 
 
 Q 
 
128 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Down in the gardens, the horde of boys, girls and 
 women were toiling, and laughter and merriment re- 
 sounded. 
 
 He knocked softly on the door, and started back, as he 
 sprang into the room. 
 
 For there, before him, insinuating and dashing, stood 
 a gaudily dressed Gypsy singer. 
 
 The glittering head dress, — spangled skirts, — ^the 
 bright colored bodice, — the tambourine, and two burning 
 eyes gleaming out of a dark waving m.ass of silken hair, 
 from the dusky countenance. 
 
 As the woman glided to his side, he marked the volup- 
 tuous grace and daringly exposed shapely form, the 
 charms which had once made Xenia, the peerless village 
 beauty. 
 
 She caught up a knife from the table and hid it in her 
 bosom. "Give me the letter, Barin! I must be gone/' 
 she cried, as she seized her tambourine. 
 
 She was crooning over half-forgotten Tzigane songs 
 and, the young noble marveled at her sinuous grace and 
 lissome body. 
 
 "I will hide behind the house, till you bring me the 
 key," she said. "When I return I will dress myself here 
 again, and — then — come direct to your room. Trust to 
 me!" 
 
 With a swift motion, she hid the precious letter deep 
 in her bosom, and then stole out of the door! When 
 Serge Dumont followed her into the fringing shrubbery 
 and handed her the key, she bent her head and kissed 
 his hand in silence! 
 
 There was a parting of the leaves, a swaying of the 
 bushes as of a gliding panther stealing on its prey, and 
 the false Tzigane girl was lost to sight ! 
 
 The young noble was astounded at the rapid trans- 
 formation of Xenia's whole appearance. In the au- 
 dacious semi-undress of the strolling singer, she was as 
 enticing as any of the wild-eyed young maenads who 
 work their witcheries upon the Guard's officers on the 
 Islands of the Neva, in the hot-hearted revels of Peters- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 129 
 
 burg. "No wonder they called her a beauty! She is 
 a hidden Venus!" he cried. 
 
 Back to his own splendid chambers, the Master wan- 
 dered, — his heart following his devoted messenger. "She 
 skirted the cliffs like a shadow stealing along," he mused, 
 and then all his memories of the adroitness of the village 
 girls in keeping a stolen tryst, came back. 
 
 "She is as keen-eyed as a lynx," he sighed, "but, there 
 are hidden dangers ! If they should find out her secret, 
 there may be death before her!" For, well. Serge Du- 
 mont knew that the voiceless steppe has its own horrible 
 secrets. She might never reappear — the first trench 
 would cover her forever. 
 
 The long afternoon wore away, and he was roused at 
 last from a fevered sleep, by the entrance of Doctor Boris 
 Yaroslaw, the confidential physician of that grand old 
 seigneur Prince Youresief . 
 
 Shame-faced at his deception, — Serge Dumont sub- 
 mitted himself to the silent inspection of the retired old 
 army surgeon. Yaroslaw shook his head doubtfully, as 
 he felt the noble's bounding pulse. 
 
 "What have you been doing with yourself, Major?" he 
 cried. "I shall have to order you at once out of the 
 steppe! It is either the old Tartar malaria — or else 
 some creeping fever. You must not wither up here 
 among these moujiks and half-human Cossacks. Come, 
 now — I shall order you over the frontier, for six months !" 
 A new fear smote upon the lover's hungry heart! He 
 was trapped by his own deception! 
 
 In vain. Serge protested that he had only sent the 
 courier to call the Doctor to aid the dead Chuchinka, 
 the venerable heirloom of fidelity. 
 
 The surgeon looked grave. "There is something 
 wrong either in your head or heart! I'll stay and give 
 you a good looking over!" Then, bending his bushy 
 brows on the secret lover, he sharply asked, "Have you 
 any mental trouble?" 
 
 Serge shook his head sadly. "You are ten years older 
 than when you passed out of the Regiment! This is a 
 Nova Zembla in winter, a flaming hell in summer, and 
 the raw spring and chilly autumn are malarial! God 
 
130 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 meant the Nogay Tartars alone, to inhabit these wastes! 
 
 "One word — if you sleep down in that park, where the 
 marsh exhalations linger, you will soon join your family 
 over in the chapel! Or, — go mad — like Arcady Rado- 
 vich! I met him this afternoon, half way to the Post 
 Station, riding along like a demon, followed by two 
 wretched-looking scoundrels! He is a disgrace to the 
 noblesse, and I shall see the Baron and General Rado- 
 vich and beg them, to get him out of Kherson." 
 
 "Which way was he riding?" languidly asked Serge, 
 with a secret alarm. "As the crow flies over the steppe, 
 straight for the ford on the Dying Water — evidently go- 
 ing back to the Baron's mansion! The station keeper 
 told me he had been there an hour before I watered my 
 horses." 
 
 Serge Dumont's face darkened. He saw the hidden 
 plot to spy out his every movement, and he registered a 
 vow to have every strange man chased of? the wide 
 domain. _ 
 
 "Boursakofif will fix that gang, — very soon" — growled 
 Serge — as his hungry eyes turned toward the distant 
 mansion where Xenia's life was in pawn. 
 
 "My God! If he should detect her!" groaned Du- 
 mont. 
 
 The splendid tete-a-tete dinner was over, and the 
 stars were swinging to the west, before the heartsick lover 
 heard aught of Xenia, the Tzigane of a day! 
 
 He had artfully retired to his rooms, and, was watching 
 the darkened windows of Magda Radovich across the 
 sullen flowing stream, when a dark-robed figure glided 
 into his room. "All is well" — she cried. Xenia's voice 
 trembled as she handed him a letter. 
 
 "I delayed at the chalet to take of¥ the stains and dress 
 — I would have been with you two hours ago, but, I met 
 Arcady Radovich at the ford. He was drunken, as usual 
 he took me for a strolling Zingara! I broke away — and 
 hid in the bushes till it was safe to return." 
 
 She was deathly pale— and never told her master of the 
 deep gash her knife had cut across the back of the brutal 
 noble's rufifianly hand, For, she had struggled in the 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 131 
 
 scoundrel's embrace and then, cut herself loose, — like a 
 Malay running amok! 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 THE RED DANGER LIGHT. 
 
 Serge Dumont, with glowing eyes, read the letter for 
 which Xenia had risked her lifeL and, then, his heart 
 leaped up in a wild vow of loyalty to death! He was lost 
 in a dream of the future until the tired woman, still stand- 
 ing before him, timidly handed him the key of the chalet 
 and the precious token of the ring so solemnly binding 
 the vows in the church. 
 
 "It is late, Barin," murmured Xenia, with downcast 
 eyes. "I must not be seen coming out of your rooms at 
 midnight!" For, she remembered even now, the jealous 
 frowns at her sudden promotion to her new master's side. 
 
 "Sit down, Xenia," gravely replied her master. "I 
 shall go down and sleep in the chalet! You can stay 
 here, and, — in the morning leave the rooms before day- 
 break! You have the keys of the whole house now. 
 Tell me now what you would do as regards these lurking 
 spies of Arcady's." And, Xenia, with reddened cheeks 
 and heaving bosom, obeyed him, 
 
 The resolute woman answered quickly, "Chuchinka's 
 funeral is day after to-morrow. You could do nothing on 
 that day. All are sacred then. Send out Boursakoff to- 
 morrow, with a dozen good men and all the dogs. Let 
 the whole plantation be well scoured. Gather up all the 
 stragglers and hold them here, in captivity. 
 
 "Then, — send for the Chief of Police at Bratskoe, — 
 hear their story first! After that let me see them first, — 
 then the Chief of Police can examine them. All the 
 illegal men and worthless ones have passed by our sta- 
 tion. I know the whole village of Bratskoe. 
 
 "If we find these fellows lying, then — let Boursakoff 
 give them a good lashing and turn them ofif the manor! 
 They will never return ! But, — you must not even men- 
 
132 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 tion Arcady Radovich's name. Let Boursakoff have a 
 score of mounted Cossacks kept busy riding around the 
 whole plantations. They will capture any one who tries 
 to sneak away ! 
 
 "Yesterday — you might have caught that wretch Ar- 
 cady, — to-morrow — you will not find him!" Her voice 
 had a fierce ring in it. She remembered his slashing 
 wound, now festering. 
 
 "Why?" impatiently queried Serge. 
 
 "Because," gravely answered the woman, her eyes 
 flashings "he was so brutally violent with me, that he 
 will not dare to show himself out of the mansion until the 
 Baron and Baroness return. He tried to overpower me — 
 and, — I fought for my life!" She concealed the secret of 
 the knife thrust which freed her! 
 
 The brave girl never told her master of the floods of 
 blood drenching her bizarre Tzigane disguise, from the 
 slashing cut across the back of the hand which paralyzed 
 the roue's deadly grip. 
 
 "If I had only struck home" — she mused, "it would 
 have freed the poor Baroness Magda forever from her 
 most dangerous enemy — but, — all men would have 
 looked to my master — as the midnight assassin — in, re- 
 venge for Barin Pierre! But, — he must never know — 
 no, the dove-eyed darling over there." She resolutely 
 sealed her lips. 
 
 "You are right, Xenia! Rem.ain here! I will steal 
 out of the chateau and go over and wake up Boursakoff! 
 I will give him his orders and — at daybreak we will si- 
 lently surround the plantations! By noon, they will all 
 be thoroughly searched, and the brutes who do not fall 
 into our drag net, will be caught by the Cossacks! It is 
 a good plan!" 
 
 "Barin!" timidly said Xenia, as she started forward 
 and laid her hand upon her master's arm! "There is 
 another protection ! Boursakoff only waits for the finish- 
 ing of the plowing and sowing to marry pretty Marika at 
 the meadow farms. 
 
 "You have only enemies now over at the Post Station 
 — and, — the Radovichs are very liberal with the people of 
 the meadow farms. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 133 
 
 "Let Boursakoff marry Marika, at once, and — ^then — 
 you will have faithful guardians in the families at the 
 meadows. For, Boursakoff's wife would be surely 
 warned by her kinsmen of any plots against you!" 
 
 Serge Dumont gazed on the handsome peasant woman 
 with a growing surprise. "You would have made a 
 General^ — if you were a man, Xenia!" he said, as he 
 moved away. "I shall have the wedding hastened, at 
 once, and Nicolas shall put a good man there at the 
 meadows, in charge of our relay teams to Novokrainka! 
 He can always get a boy as messenger — and — so, we will 
 be better guarded." 
 
 In half an hour, the anxious lover returned! His 
 troubled heart was at rest, for he knew that the Day Star 
 was now warned not to approach the river banks, and to 
 show no lights of love lest the sneaking Arcady should 
 suspect. Of that wretch's sudden return, — the lonely 
 girl was duly apprised by the safe delivery of her lover's 
 letter. He had guarded every avenue of danger now! 
 
 But, his heart sank within him as he looked forward 
 to the return of the parents^ with the ever-present Milo- 
 vitch. 
 
 This, with Arcady's presence, would cut of? all com- 
 munication with the woman whom he had sworn to make 
 his wife — as soon as any form of union could be devised 
 which would not end in the absolute ruin of his own 
 family — or the bloodshed — for which the cowardly Ar- 
 cady now panted. 
 
 "Tell me, Xenia, of your voyage," the heart-hungry 
 man cried to Jiis sole human confidant. "I have ar- 
 ranged all with the Intendant! He will be married next 
 week, and, he will now station two or three of our bright- 
 est boys at Bratskoe to watch the slightest movement of 
 both branches of the Radovichs. 
 
 "One of them can ride over at any moment in a half an 
 hour, and — the mail service is a complete excuse — to- 
 gether with your necessary purchases as housekeeper. 
 You can go over there almost daily — and watch the 
 enemy." 
 
 And, then, with a growing delight, Serge learned of 
 Xenia's entrance into the courtyard of the Baron's great 
 
134 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 establishment, — ^the gathering of the chateau attendants, 
 and the final appearance of the young Baroness. 
 
 With her dances and songs the messenger had soon 
 put all in a good humor, and it was easy to attract the at- 
 tention of the lonely girl. 
 
 With a quick wit. Baroness Magda led the Tzigane 
 away to her own rooms to tell her fortune, and — once 
 there, the embassy of Love was easily efifected. 
 
 Serge listened, his head resting on his hands, as Xenia 
 described every detail of the young Baroness' lofty nest 
 under the eaves of the old chateau, whither she had fled 
 to establish herself as far as possible from her parents' 
 daily bickerings — and Arcady's nightly carousing. 
 
 Every trifle light as air was manna to his hungry soul, 
 and— at last, 'he sighed. "It is all over now! There is 
 no further chance to communicate! There will be no 
 light in the window — and — ^we must only wait — parted 
 in sorrow^ — until I can act without her certain ruin or 
 driving her into a convent — or — another man's arms! 
 For, General Radovich would act at once! Some wild 
 rich Boyar would be her bosom's lord — and — then, the 
 world would be a blank for me." 
 
 "Not so, Barin," calmly said Xenia. "To-morrow 
 night, I am to cross here in the fields where all their 
 peasants work, clad in a peasant toiler's dress. There is 
 a ravine beyond the house, opening into the garden! 
 There I can meet the Baroness Magda and take her letter, 
 giving her yours. 
 
 "No one would dream of stopping a peasant woman 
 at night, and I shall be mingled with their people! They 
 have now three hundred in the low fields along the Mert- 
 vovod! You shall have your news! 
 
 "Trust to me, and, if the Baroness can not meet me, 
 every day, we will then find a place where she can hide 
 the letters and I can leave yours. If I were discovered — 
 in my own true character — even Arcady would not dare 
 to touch me! 
 
 "The only thing is to have Boursakoff watch my cruel 
 husband, that he does not stray over here! For, if he 
 found me alone over there, — on the lonely steppe,— he 
 is an ugly brute, and he would kill me. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 135 
 
 "He well knows there is no road past Barin Alexan- 
 dre's place — ^no wayfarers — and — if he slew me — and 
 covered me up — Arcady would protect him! There are 
 no outside witnesses over there ! But — ^Arcady Radovich 
 himself will never trap me! I fear only my husband's 
 revenge, for, the brute tried to use my poor charms to 
 draw custom to his thieves' den, there at the Post Sta- 
 tion." 
 
 "You shall be protected, Xenia, with my life," warmly 
 said Serge. "I have now given all my orders 1 You can 
 go now! There are no servants stirring in the halls. 
 But,— tell me. You know the whole life of the steppe — 
 you know the Baroness Radovich and all about the 
 family. What can I do? Is there anything I can do?" 
 They stood at the door where Xenia had peered out to 
 watch for any straggling servant! 
 
 "Take her away from there, — ^forever!" whispered 
 Xenia, her eyes aflame. "She loves you blindly! They 
 will soon break her heart! Take her away! Are you 
 not the Lord of Khaminavatka?" 
 
 And, then, she swiftly glided down the dark corridor 
 to 'her own rooms, leaving Serge Dumont trembling with 
 the ecstasy of a wild dream of life and love, with the Day 
 Star sheltered in his strong arms. Was the serf-born 
 woman braver than her lord? 
 
 "Ah! God! It is impossible! impossible," he sighed — 
 as he began a weary tramp of the vast apartment! "For, 
 Fate is stronger than our love, — we are caught in its iron 
 jaws!" He saw the stars sink low in the west before he 
 threw himself down to sleep, with Magda Radovich's let- 
 ter resting on his heart. 
 
 The night had brought no new counsel, and Serge Du- 
 mont vainly begged his unwilling guest. Doctor Boris 
 Yaroslaw, to linger on the unhappy Mertvovod. There 
 had been a last serious conference after breakfast, and 
 the choleric old army surgeon refused to be a useless 
 breaker of bread at the noble's table. 
 
 "I find you all at sea, in your whole purposes of life" — 
 growled the Surgeon. "You are not a practical country 
 proprietor, like poor Pierre — God rest his soul! You 
 are a war horse yoked to the plow ! Had you married, — 
 
136 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 if you had your equals and associates here, — or even near 
 enough for social intercourse, — it were dififerent! I tell 
 you now, I shall tell Youresief — if you do not turn your 
 estate over to your matchless Intendant, Boursakoff here 
 and, go back where you can live a life for heart, body 
 and soul — you will either break down — or else go mad ! 
 
 "Travel for six months, or else — go back to the Regi- 
 ment — those are my orders! One last saving clause — 
 marry! Marry some one — any one of your own rank 
 and grade, — but — do not sink into the death in life of a 
 morbid, lonely man ! You are rich enough to live as an 
 absentee either in Petersburg, — Moscow, — Vienna or 
 Paris." 
 
 Serge shook his head, and, after vain pleading, ordered 
 his horse and galloped a few leagues on the road with 
 the disgruntled Doctor, who only accepted a hamper of 
 Madeira, — a splendid road luncheon, — and a couple of 
 boxes of Imperiales under protest. The heated argu- 
 ment continued until the parting moment. 
 
 As they parted, Yaroslaw fired his last volley, "1 shall 
 have the Prince and Madame Barbe take you in hand ! I 
 am done! You will hear from them soon!" 
 
 When Serge reined up in the courtyard with a tri- 
 umphant smile, the sturdy Boursakofif came out to greet 
 him! "I have already five rascals locked up in the stone 
 storehouse, Barin!" he reported. "They had camped in 
 the grounds — and — they all sv>rear that they are pilgrims 
 to Kief — good orthodox religionists! But — they are a 
 sorry lot — and — they all had clubs and knives ! It looks 
 ominous!" 
 
 It was the work of a half an hour for Serge to receive 
 the report of the alert Xenia, who was taken with other 
 members of the household to view the suspected men. 
 
 Waiting in his room, the manor lord soon received 
 the argus-eyed woman's secret report! "Two of them 
 are vile scoundrels from Bratskoe — one who consorted 
 often, with the dead man whom the dogs slew," she said 
 — with a shudder — "and — the others are less familiar, but 
 I have seen them. They are no honest pilgrims." 
 
 In ten minutes, a lad was galloping away for the Chief 
 of Police. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 137 
 
 It was near sundown when a band of mounted Cos- 
 sacks escorted the rascals a half dozen versts out upon 
 the steppe. Their backs were all burning with a two 
 score of lashes well laid on! "Hark ye, my men," cried 
 the Intendant. "The Chief of Police has given us per- 
 mission to hunt you off our lines with our dogs! i 
 
 "Show another hangdog face here — and you shall find 
 how sharp our wolfhounds' teeth are!" 
 
 The frightened wretches streamed away in terror, and 
 the Intendant soon reported the establishment of a day 
 and night patrol of the whole estate! The Chief of Po- 
 lice reported his intention to patrol the whole Dying 
 Water thoroughly for a week. 
 
 On the vigil of Chuchinka's funeral^ Serge Dumont 
 sat late in council with the Intendant. The young lover 
 had recognized at once the cool decision and marvelous 
 cunning of the brave-hearted Xenia. 
 
 To her, alone, he vowed to turn for counsel and guid- 
 ance. For, the bond between Xenia and her new master 
 was their common love for the dead Pierre, — their knowl- 
 edge of the killing of the wretch at the Post Station, — 
 and the catastrophe which drove Xenia to the protection 
 of her natal Khaminavatka had placed her, with her 
 children, as hostages of Fate, in the palace of the steppes 
 — for — there alone — could the spirited woman be safe 
 from the moody vengeance of her now desperate hus- 
 band. 
 
 The woman whom he had beaten and abused was now 
 far away, out of his reach^ behind the sacred walls of the 
 chateau by the Mertvovod. Her life was even princely 
 compared with the dark drudgery of her sad past! 
 
 "BoursakofT," slowly said his master. "You must 
 marry, at once, as soon as these funeral ceremonies are 
 done — and, establish our northern guard at the meadow 
 farm! You will need your honeymoon! Anna Ivan- 
 owna has her mourning forty days. See to it to-morrow 
 that you post our people at Bratskoe ! 
 
 "Let the patrol of the domain report to me daily! 
 Then, I will answer for all — for I shall no longer tamely 
 suffer any trespass of these Radovichs. Watch that Post 
 
138 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Station! I want a daily report! There is but one vital 
 matter for you ! 
 
 "Order every one around the chateau to absolutely 
 obey Xenia's orders in future, for I must rely on her — 
 while you and Anna Ivanowna are busy with your re- 
 spective joy and sorrow. 
 
 "Put all the plowing, planting and sowing in the hands 
 of the second Intendant! Let him report for orders to 
 mCj — daily ! 
 
 "Now — as for your wedding, marry at once, and — 
 quietly. In place of my presence at your wedding, here 
 is a thousand roubles, and — you have a month now of 
 leisure. I do not want Arcady Radovich to know of our 
 new safeguards against his tricks. 
 
 "But, redouble every vigilance as to that dangerous 
 fool! On the very next outrage of the kind, I shall go 
 to the Marechale de Noblesse at Bobrinetz. Prince 
 Youresief will call up General Radovich, — ^the Baron, — 
 and this high-born outcast! 
 
 "I will expose matters which will soon put them out of 
 the Cercle de Noblesse, and this brute Milovitch, too, out 
 of the army! 
 
 "Then, — if they seek a duello, I have disgraced them 
 first — and — shall decline to fight any of them! After 
 that — it will be the old steppe days — we will hold our 
 lines by force of arms, against everything but the name of 
 the Czar! And — woe to them — woe to them — if they 
 tread down even a blade of grass! I will strike with the 
 strong hand — and God help them if they drive me to it!" 
 
 The happy Intendant, with tears of joy, departed to 
 send a messenger out through the darkness of the night 
 to tell the pretty Marika, of the thousand roubles dona- 
 tion which made them rich beyond all their dreams of 
 fortune. 
 
 "The pope shall go over to the meadow farms the 
 morning after the funeral! I will bring my wife home 
 that same night, and, shall arrange all, while our kinsmen 
 are gathered there at the wedding! 
 
 "Fear not, — Barin, we outnumber the Radovichs 
 three to one, — and, — your people here will die in your 
 defense. You are safer than the Czar himself!" 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 139 
 
 It was midnight when Xenia, dressed in a field peas- 
 ant worker's garb stole into her master's rooms, where 
 he was impatiently awaiting her. 
 
 He tore open the letter and then sprang up with a cry 
 of despair. 
 
 "My God!" was Serge's unavailing cry. "They are 
 coming back in two days, and the whole family, follow- 
 ing the plans of Baroness Lili and Colonel Milovitch are 
 going to Kief. 
 
 "It will be an absence of two months, and — if she is 
 named as Maid of Honor, Baroness Magda will be 
 dragged around, visiting until September! Then, — the 
 court will swallow her up! My poor darling! She will 
 be sacrificed to advance General Radovich's ambitions! 
 Of course, her mother will follow on — to share in all the 
 pleasures and splendors on the Neva!" 
 
 Serge paused, and faced Xenia, whose eyes were 
 gleaming with a suppressed fire. "Tell me, how did 
 Arcady Radovich receive a severe wound? Baroness 
 Magda writes that he has a terribly wounded hand^ and — 
 in the event of the family leaving, will be forced to re- 
 main, in charge! There will be a hidden warfare with 
 him! God help him, if he braves me after they have 
 dragged her away! His blood be on his own head!" 
 But, then he recalled his vow to Princess Vera and he 
 dropped his head in his hands! 
 
 "There is no help but Youresief— and — what can he 
 do?" he muttered. Xenia sprang to her master's side. 
 
 "Be of good cheer! Barin! Be of good cheer! I 
 fancy that drunken wretch fell down while chasing me 
 last night and, so wounded himself! But, I can tell you 
 a little secret ! The letter was written to be ready for me 
 — and, we have found a place in the ravine where there 
 is a hollow rock! I can steal over and find the letters 
 there, and leave yours ! 
 
 "The Barina all day has been looking for this hiding 
 place. She has had time to make a new plan! She 
 will not quarrel with her watchful mother, but the 
 day before they leave for Kief, she will have an accident, 
 — a fall, — a sprained ankle! You know well enough," 
 said the sharp-witted woman, "that Baroness Lili only 
 
140 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 goes to Kief to be near Milovitch! It is some one of 
 their wild intrigues ! 
 
 "Every peasant on the Dying Water knows the secret 
 which only Baron Alexandre seems to be ignorant of! 
 
 "And — so — I was told to bring you this token, and to 
 tell you that the Barina Magda will not go to Kief — but — 
 for God's sake, be careful! For, Arcady Radovich will 
 know that you have caught his spies ! 
 
 "He will not cease to plot against you! 
 
 "There must be no thought of a meeting until he can 
 be got out of the way. The Barina fears his ill will! 
 She bade me tell you that she will signal you of any 
 sudden danger or trouble by a red light in her windows ! 
 One red light, one window only — if she is in trouble or 
 danger — and two — if Arcady is plotting against you!" 
 
 "But, no other signals are to be made — none at all — 
 only when you have seen her signals, you are to show a 
 red light in all the windows of the chalet! As for me, — 
 I can see her to-morrow night — and, the night after that! 
 For then — ^the tiger cat Baroness Lili will be at home! 
 
 "She is a human devil — and — all I can do is to steal 
 over in the night and get the letters ! I shall go over at 
 dififerent times, so as not to be suspected — or followed. 
 Remember to do her bidding! She is breaking her 
 heart! 
 
 "For, she fears that they may force her away to the 
 Court, and that your enemies then will trap you! Ar- 
 cady and Colonel Milovitch are the enemies of all the un- 
 protected on the River Bug! And — the Colonel would 
 cover up Arcady's crimes!" 
 
 Serge Dumont was pacing the room like a restless 
 tiger. "Let me think! I must think! It is too hor- 
 rible! Thank God! If she does leave the steppe — lean 
 make short work of Arcady and Milovitch! They shall 
 be struck, as if by lightning." 
 
 "Not so! Barin!" cried the woman in whose veins 
 the fiery blood of the steppe flowed. "That is the way 
 to lose her forever. Listen to a Russian girl ! 
 
 "There is but one way! She is now yours, by every 
 law that we children of the steppe know. Be prudent! 
 Wait! It is for her— the nunnery or else some stranger 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 141 
 
 forced upon her as a husband to drive her mad ! Wait to 
 the very last! Then, steal her away from them all! 
 Why do you not hide her^ here? 
 
 "I would guard her with my life! They could never 
 find her! That is a Boyar's revenge — a sweet one! 
 Wait, and — do not quarrel with these cowardly brutes! 
 If you took her out of the land, they would follow you, — 
 and — the Czar would listen to the General's story! But — 
 trust to me ! Be watchful as the Ukraine wolf — and, — I 
 will help you when the time comes! I belong to you 
 now — to you — alone!" 
 
 "My poor Xenia! You talk wildly" — sadly said Serge 
 Dumont. "Go now! I thank you a thousand times! 
 To-morrow is the funeral, — you will remain here, in the 
 chateau. It will be closed to all. You have every key! 
 Boursakoff will tell you of my orders! 
 
 "He will be married the day after, and — you are to be 
 the one head of the household, until he and the mourner 
 are again at their duties ! 
 
 "I will have letters for you to-morrow night! You are 
 to rest yourself all the day, so that you can meet her for 
 me! You are right! When her mother returns, there 
 is no chance of our meeting — and — who knows what vil- 
 lainy Arcady may plot! 
 
 "As for your wild words — where would I hide her? It 
 is madness, — and — how could I marry her! There is but 
 one way — the Czar's permission — which is both a per- 
 mission — and, — an order! 
 
 "None but Youresief could ever get that for me — and 
 — if the Prince should speak, she would be married to 
 some favorite of the General's before I could act! There 
 is no hope — none! 
 
 "For her ruin stares me in the face if I make a single 
 move! Go now, — remember, — not a soul enters the 
 chateau to-morrow. Boursakofif will direct the whole 
 funeral ceremonies in my poor old friend's cottage!" 
 
 And then, Xenia glided away, with her speaking eyes 
 fixed on her unhappy master. 
 
 When Serge Dumont was alone, his excited mind 
 suddenly recalled the hidden apartments on the east side 
 of the great mansion. "Does some olden tragedy re- 
 
142' THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 peat itself?" he murmured, as he lay down to rest haunted 
 by the pleading eyes which had gazed down on him from 
 the old picture which seemed to shed a consecrating halo 
 of beauty over that forgotten past. 
 
 Xenia's mad suggestion burned in his brain! "Hope- 
 less, hopeless," he sighed. "Pierre Dumont's innocent 
 blood flows between us! There is a dark secret of guilt 
 driving this wretch on to despair — and — the guilty never 
 forgive!" 
 
 He recalled his oath to Princess Vera. "I am not to be 
 the first to strike^ — but, — if they break the peace^then, 
 — I will strike home!" 
 
 His heart melted as he called up the tender face of the 
 pure hearted girl environed with the corrupt and heart- 
 less circle seeking to sell her to the highest bidder — after 
 forcing her into the blinding light of the court on the 
 Neva, — a helpless lamb, — a sacrifice to vanity and greed ! 
 
 Old stories of the Grand Duke's, and their fulsome fa- 
 miliarities came back to haunt him. and — the brave reso- 
 lute words of the warm blooded daughter of the people 
 stirred his veins like strong wine! 
 
 "If they play her false — then, — then — ." He fell into 
 a troubled sleep, — dreaming that he walked through the 
 silent upper chambers to steal into the long deserted 
 secret apartment, to find there upon the threshold, his 
 beautiful beloved awaiting him, with opened arms, with 
 softly shining eyes! 
 
 He dreamed that in that dim retreat, their hearts 
 throbbed against each other in the exquisite bliss of a 
 double happiness. 
 
 Bright sunlight gleamed upon the rolling hills of the 
 Mertvovod, — fleecy white clouds hung above suspended 
 in the deep azure sky, and the far stretching steppe was 
 struggling into an emerald green as the long funeral 
 procession wound westward through the leafy plantations 
 of the vast domain toward Bratskoe, 
 
 Bare-headed, and devout, the entire population of the 
 two villages, followed the catafalque of the dead Chuch- 
 inka, — the last relic of the old serf regime. 
 
 With lighted tapers, waving banners, and weird melan- 
 cholic chants, the cortege slowly moved around the hill. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 143 
 
 There were twenty alert mounted Cossacks swiftly 
 traversing the estate, and a dozen more watched every 
 avenue of the chateau grounds. 
 
 The vast masonry pile towered up, its windows show- 
 ing no sign of life, — for, every door was locked and 
 barred. Within, Xenia ruled over the attendants who 
 were preparing the royal funeral feast, and guarded the 
 great mansion, for there were scores of stragglers and 
 beggars attracted by the perfunctory hospitality await- 
 ing the return before sundown of the funeral train. 
 
 Under the trtice of God, of the solemn day, and spurred 
 on by a long whetted curiosity, dozens of the peasants of 
 the Radovich manor, had openly crossed the dividing 
 line to join with the orthodox of Kharninavatka in 
 mourning the venerable housekeeper, whose name and 
 fame had gone out to the uttermost village of the Kher- 
 son steppes. 
 
 With a self protective instinct, Serge Dumont had 
 closed the whole inclosure of the chateau, leaving only a 
 few alert men from the stables and offices, on guard! 
 He wished none of the wanderers to become familiar 
 with the face of Xenia, now the only confidant of the 
 secret of his life. 
 
 And, he had withdrawn himself from the motley throng 
 to pen the messages of love and trust which Xenia was 
 to bear that night across the Dying Water. 
 
 He lingered irresolute over his task, for the return 
 of the Radovich family would now make the secret com- 
 munication almost too dangerous to attempt. And — 
 there was the honor of a peerless woman to guard! 
 
 His blood was at fever heat! He paced the little room 
 for hours in debate as to whether he dared accompany 
 Xenia, on her dangerous voyage. "If Arcady were not 
 at home, Xenia could bring her down to the grove, I 
 could steal over there, and, in case of surprise, Magda 
 would be only found alone with the woman!" His heart 
 craved another interview, and yet, too well he knew that 
 Arcady Radovich would know at once of the capture 
 and punishment of his spies. 
 
 "No!" the young lover cried. "It would be too cow- 
 ardly! The punishment would fall on her alone!" And 
 
 10 
 
144 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMmAVATltA. 
 
 yet the journey to Kief might separate them for long 
 months. If the Day Star were to be skilfully detained 
 -by her mother's artful hidden am.ours, and then, hurried 
 to St. Petersburg, in the winter, there would be General 
 Radovich and the fiery young brother to outwit — prob- 
 ably — the mother also. 
 
 "Princess Vera," he mused. "She might aid!" And 
 then he sighed, for well he knew the butterfly of fashion 
 was in the power of that wily old viveur General Andre 
 Radovich. "A single word from him, a poisoned shaft, 
 and her prochain ami, the Minister of War, might cast 
 her ofif. Alas! No! she has to pipe to their dancing — 
 and, — an Aide de Camp of the Emperor is a powerful 
 functionary." It was almost a hopeless juncture. 
 
 Xenia's wild plan of the night before returned again 
 and again to haunt him. "It is simple madness! For 
 one sight of her face in the light of day, and the law 
 would be invoked — as well as the blood vengeance of 
 these wild Serbian aristocrats. Her life would be as 
 prisonlike as the living death of the Iron Mask! I could 
 do nothing for her, legally. If I were to die — she would 
 be left a helpless waif!" He recalled the implacable ha- 
 tred of his own family to the hereditary enemies. 
 
 All was dark — all was hopeless! During the long 
 morning, he mounted to the roof of the chalet a dozen 
 times to explore the ground of his neighbor enemy with 
 his field glass. 
 
 Was it only a cheat of the senses — or did he see a 
 white robe fluttering there among the blossoming trees! 
 
 With a wild access of passion, he cried: "By God! 
 She shall be mine, even if the gates of death yawn before 
 us \" And, the insidious suggestions of Xenia came back 
 to haunt his passionate heart! He was dreaming, with 
 fiercely throbbing pulses when the woman whose bold 
 suggestion had aroused the fierce passions of his heart 
 glided into the chalet. 
 
 "Barin! I have made ready your breakfast! I will 
 serve you myself! And — ^there is a courier with letters!" 
 
 Slowly the young noble threaded the sloping walk up 
 from the park, where in the bygone days so many light 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 14S 
 
 feet, now at rest, forever, had wandered in the sweet 
 unrest of Love. 
 
 He Hstlessly turned over his letters, while the rich 
 meats stood untasted at his side and Xenia watched him 
 with a quickened heart. 
 
 The docile peasant woman turned away with a sigh. 
 "He will go mad, — unless the Day Star comes to bless 
 his life," she murmured, as in secret she revolved in her 
 mind the words with which she purposed to arouse the 
 latent energies of Magda Radovich's heart that night! 
 
 "Only a woman can know a woman's ways! I shall 
 tell her of his sufferings. There must be an end to this! 
 But — Arcady" — she shuddered, as she whispered to her- 
 self. "If he were only dead, — if I had only struck 
 home!" 
 
 Serge Dumont tossed aside with a curling lip, a letter 
 of warning from Prince Youresief^ now at Elizabethgrad, 
 on his homeward journey from the Regimental Ball. "I 
 shall see your sister Madame Federoff ! You must not 
 be left alone, — out there on the silent steppe. 
 
 "For, both Colonel Milovitch and Arcady were loud 
 in denouncing your insult in not attending the ball. You 
 know why Milovitch acts as Baroness Lili's tame bear! 
 Beware of treachery! For God's sake, surround yourself 
 with friends — or else — leave the steppe! There is foul 
 play ahead ! You must come to me as soon as you can ! 
 I am responsible for ending this vendetta — and — Prin- 
 cess Vera and myself have a plan. You will soon hear 
 from her." He cast the letters aside with a sad smile. 
 "Useless — all useless," he muttered. 
 
 Serge's letters from his sister, and the happy young 
 Wassili were of no moment, but over the letter of Princess 
 Vera — he knitted his brows in amazement as he read : 
 
 "I shall come down to the Kherson a month before 
 General Radovich has asked me to Bratskoe to meet a 
 gay house party. Young Ivan will be there with some 
 brother officers of the Preobajenskys. 
 
 "I have also been asked to Prince Youresief's at Bob- 
 rinetz, and I have a little plan of my own! 
 
 "Magda Radovich has been placed on the list of Maid^ 
 
 10 
 
146 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 of Honor, and of course she will come to the court this 
 winter. 
 
 "Such an appointment is never declined, — for who 
 would dare to brave the will of the Tsaritza. 
 
 "The General is now very anxious to court Prince 
 Youresief's influence to obtain the army contracts for 
 Magda's father, and, I have his promise that Magda shall 
 come and make a visit of a fortnight with the Youresiefs ! 
 
 "Now, Major, if you should quietly go to Ekaterinos- 
 lav the last week in May, you will have letters there from 
 me! You can then take post horses and come over to 
 Bobrinetz. 
 
 "Magda will be there, under my care ! There will be 
 no one else, for Baroness Lili, the Baron and Arcady 
 are going to Kief, where Colonel Milovitch has a two 
 months' detail of temporary duty ! 
 
 "Where Lili goes, Arcady will follow, for you know, as 
 well as I, that he covers up the intrigue between Baroness 
 Lili and that black devil Milovitch! 
 
 "I wish to have my dearest Magda removed forever 
 from her home, — for, with such a mother, the crazy uncle 
 and the hoodwinked father, her life is a living hell ! Even 
 the Court, with all its dangers, is a safer place for her! 
 She knows nothing of her appointment, but I wish you 
 to meet her before the fall season. 
 
 "Every day at court, your nephew and her brother will 
 meet on palace duty. You may, through her, establish 
 a lasting peace — and, you will meet an angel when you 
 see her! 
 
 "I have toiled unremittingly to arrange this! You 
 know the Prince and Princess Youresief will never even 
 mention your presence. 
 
 "That has been my first thought! And so — you will 
 meet my darling, — but, for God's sake make no effort to 
 find her, on the Dying Water! Nothing but blood and 
 tears would follow! She is now the property of the 
 Crown — for you know the Tzaritza portions off — and 
 marries all the Maids of Honor! 
 
 "I send this to your sister, for well I know Madame 
 Federofif only sends your letters by courier. 
 
 "I have written thus early — for you can never come to 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 147 
 
 see me at Bratskoe, during my visit at General Andre's 
 villa — though I shall, alone, drive over one day to see 
 your magnificent palace on the steppe. 
 
 "It is haunted with memories of the noblest man on 
 earth — your brother Pierre." 
 
 When Serge Dumont dropped the fatal letter, he saw 
 that Magda Radovich was lost to him forever in mar- 
 riage! "My poor master!" cried Xenia, as she sprang to 
 his side. "I must see her — I must meet her, at once, — 
 before these people return!" cried Serge, seizing the 
 brave woman's hands. 
 
 "Our whole lives — the future — all depends on it!" His 
 face had the ashen color of death. "I would brave any- 
 thing — face death itself — if she is only safe! Tell me — 
 tell me, is there no way?" 
 
 Xenia's burning eyes studied his countenance. 
 
 "Only one," she faltered. "The young Barina goes to 
 confession to the pope at Bratskoe. I could arrange 
 that ! Alas ! That he is busy to-day and to-morrow ! I 
 know the priest's wife. She is fond of money! You 
 could make her a present^ and, you could quietly go to 
 the priest's house! No one would know. 
 
 "After the confession, you could meet her there, and 
 she could go away first! If Arcady goes with the other 
 three to Kief — you are then safe ! I could go into Brats- 
 koe, and detain the priest in the church, while you have 
 a half an hour with the Barina. 
 
 "But, only — if the others go away! My God! It is a 
 fearful risk! If she crosses the river now it is madness, 
 for the valley is full of stragglers seeking work. 
 
 "And, I know that heartless human wolf, Arcady — 
 even if he goes away — he will leave spies to watch over 
 the Barina Magda! Once that he suspects — there is 
 but one way, — and that is to kill him!" she cried, with 
 
 flashing eyes. "Kill the dog! He tried to ." She 
 
 turned away to hide her tears of rage. The child of the 
 steppe had not forgotten his brutality. 
 
 Serge Dumont hastened away to pour out his soul 
 upon paper, — to tell the darling of his heart, the snares 
 set for her feet, — of her cold dedication to the vicarious 
 attentions of the easy going Grand Dukes, — and then^ — 
 
148 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 the honorable pension of a suggested marriage with some 
 complaisant courtier! 
 
 "Better in her grave, my Magda," he vowed, as he 
 wrote, with tears of burning rage falling on the paper. 
 
 "At every hazard, I will see her, — we shall meet, — at 
 the priest's — if it must be — and — rather than see her inno- 
 cent beauty hawked in the Court, after the bloom has 
 been brushed away, by God — I will take her away, — 
 far away, to Italy!" 
 
 He had finished all his long soul commune, when he 
 spoke — the letter was ready, for the approach of night- 
 fall! 
 
 But, his hands fell helplessly at his side — '"Useless — 
 useless — the fatal snares are all set. 
 
 "For— none of her family dare decline this nomination 
 to be Maid of Honor! It would be their united ruin — 
 and — her doom would only be the nunnery! They will 
 watch her as wolves wait to see the feeblest lamb of the 
 flock fall!" 
 
 In his desperate mood, he came back to Xenia's daring 
 suggestion! "I never could get her out of the coun- 
 try! My estates would be instantly confiscated! If I 
 am ever to help her — she must disappear — disappear 
 from their sight — -forever!" 
 
 He left the chalet as the evening shadows were falling 
 to urge Xenia to be first at the tryst, in the ravine behind 
 the house v/here the loyal girl was even now gazing over 
 the swelled current of the Dying Water. 
 
 In the gardens of the park, he was suddenly accosted 
 by a ragged and starveling boy of fourteen, who fell upon 
 his knees and begged for alms and work to drive away 
 starvation. 
 
 Serge Dumont paused in surprise. "There is work 
 for all our people — food enough for all, — why do you 
 not go to the Intendant?" 
 
 The wretched starveling wrapped his rags around him. 
 
 "I am of Kharkov, — an orphan, — a stranger — and I 
 walked down the valley of this river! I must have food 
 and work or die! 
 
 "Let me work here in the garden — in the stables, 
 Barin, anything— anything, for I am almost starving." 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 149 
 
 The young noble's heart was touched. The funeral 
 train was just returning from the final ceremonies at the 
 grave — and already the crowd was pressing into the 
 cottage of the departed, where the waiting feast was 
 ready to cheer the exhausted faithful. 
 
 "Follow me," kindly said Serge, for Boursakoff was 
 now hastening down the path. "Here is one of God's 
 own poor, Nicolas," said the master. "Let this boy be 
 well fed, find him a place in the village, and, then, send 
 him to the gardener to work on the grounds and park! 
 He is an orphan!" Even in his sorrow. Serge's heart 
 was strangely softened. 
 
 The haggard eyed boy slavishly kissed the hand from 
 which he had taken five roubles and followed on, in si- 
 lence, as Serge and the Intendant closed their last inter- 
 view before the hastened marriage. 
 
 "All the field force will be out at dawn, Barin," said 
 Boursakof?. With God's favor we shall have great har- 
 vests, — for, we sow in mud! And, the stock is all in 
 superb condition! It will be a great year!" His car- 
 riage stood waiting in the court to bear the priest and 
 the bridegroom away. 
 
 "Go now, my right hand," cordially cried the master. 
 "Bring the bride home to-morrow, and, mind that the 
 pope comes to see me, for he has his wedding present and 
 a case of wine waiting for him! Forget nothing of our 
 plans to circumvent that brute Arcady." Boursakoff 
 sprang away delighted. 
 
 In five minutes the priest and the eager lover were far 
 away on the green steppe! Boursakoff had now a dozen 
 hands making bright his spacious house for the young 
 beauty Marika, who was to bring a harvest of happiness 
 to the honest Intendant. It was the long-deferred crown 
 of his humble happiness. 
 
 Under the evening stars, that night, with a beating 
 heart, Magda Radovich was stealing away from her ren- 
 dezvous with Xenia, when a tall form suddenly stood 
 out of the shrubbery and advanced upon her! 
 
 With a slight scream, the timid girl halted as she rec- 
 ognized her uncle Arcady, bareheaded, — and with the 
 white bandages still gleaming upon his wounded hand. 
 
ISO THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 The anxious Xenia had waited ait hour before the 
 light-footed beauty of the Dyitig Water stole down the 
 glen, for Arcady — tortured and half crazed with the in- 
 flammation of his roughly dressed wound, — had taken to 
 copious draughts of vodki, as a remedy. 
 
 And, sly, insinuating and prying, he had clung to his 
 niece's side after the dinner, which was eaten in a moody 
 silence. 
 
 The veteran roue was not deceived by the girl's ap- 
 parent illness which had kept her from the glories of the 
 Regimental Ball. 
 
 "She is as strong as a deer of the Urals^ — the pert 
 young minx," he mused, as he cautiously eyed her over 
 his glass. "It is only her hatred of Milovitch that kept 
 her away. I must post Lili — for the young one is grow- 
 ing as sly as her mother!" And — the strange fleeting 
 look of happiness which had been reflected in her lovely 
 face from her glowing heart astonished him ! 
 
 "What the devil is she up to?" he muttered. One 
 rash guess alarmed him! "Had she formed any attach- 
 ment while at the Catherine Institute?" 
 
 For, even there, the gilded youth find means to steal 
 into the hearts of the unfolding rosebuds of Russia. "Al- 
 though they enter not," there are many keys in which 
 frolic Love laughs at locksmiths. This would be a fatal 
 blow to the family fortunes — and — Arcady trembled in 
 rage. 
 
 - With a sullen slyness, he had strolled ofif alone to the 
 "tabagie." There was no one to gamble with, — he 
 feared to drink more, — and he moodily smoked while he 
 resented the curt avoidance of his spirited niece, who 
 now disdained all his interference. 
 
 By an unhappy hazard, — he had seen the gleam of a 
 white dress from his window, and, stealthily following, 
 had from the bushes witnessed the long colloquy of 
 Magda with the impassioned Xenia. 
 
 It was easy to see that the two were in an earnest con- 
 versation, and, Arcady promptly decided to intercept the 
 woman who was at his niece's side. 
 
 But, to his surprise, when they parted, the woman 
 disappeared in the direction of their own village, and 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 151 
 
 the crippled man could never have kept up with the 
 swinging stride of Xenia^ now magnificent in her bodily 
 vigor and grace. She fled away — a gliding goddess. 
 
 With a growl, Arcady accosted his niece. "Fine do- 
 ings — you young minx!" he babbled. "I will have some- 
 thing to say to your brother when he comes! Stealing 
 out at night to consort with low peasant fortune tellers — 
 with dames who sell charms and love potions, — with 
 strolling hussies." The insult was brutal. 
 
 Magda drew her breath in one convulsive gasp, of 
 relief, for she saw that her beloved secret was safe — 
 though she knew now, that she was in danger of being 
 followed. 
 
 With a swift side step,- — she passed him and then fled 
 away to the house, but not before she had faced him to 
 say, in a voice which cut the coward with its cold sneer, 
 "You brute! You shall answer to my brother when he 
 comes for this insult! Let me pass!" And, he was 
 awed by her resolute attack, awed to a stupid silence ! 
 
 She clasped her hands upon her heaving bosom and 
 fled away to the safety of her own rooms, there to weep 
 over the letter which brought to her the news of her bril- 
 liant doom at court! "I will never go to Kief," the 
 loving girl cried, "and, I will never wear a Maid of 
 Honor's sash!" 
 
 She sat long in her lonely room, the splendors of her 
 loosened hair falling around her exquisite shoulders! 
 In rapid review, she passed over all the story of the 
 fiery-hearted Xenia! She was stunned by the sudden- 
 ness of the news which exposed to her the cold mer- 
 chandising of her youth and virginal freshness to ad- 
 vance the ambitious plans of General Radovich. 
 
 She shuddered, and buried her face in her hands. 
 
 Even in the guarded retreat of the Catherine Institute, 
 she had heard stories of the gilded miseries of the beau- 
 tiful women who are the broken-hearted lay figures of 
 the wild Court on the icy Neva. 
 
 "Never! Never!" she cried, as she gazed out toward 
 the great chateau of Khaminavatka, where one light 
 burned in her loyal lover's room. 
 
 The sudden passion of her heart had brought all the 
 
152 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 womanhood in her nature into flower ! Fearing nothing 
 — Russian like, she trusted to no one, now ! 
 
 Behind the invitation of Prince and Princess Youre- 
 sief, she saw the game of the ambitious Vera OrbelefiE! 
 The confidences of years were not lost upon her ! 
 
 From the chatter of brilliant court society butterflies, 
 visiting their younger sisters, she had caught a glimpse 
 of the game in which Andre Radovich, the Czar's Aide de 
 Camp, was pushing the Princess Vera forward to dom- 
 inate the easy-going Minister of War ! 
 
 A loving woman's jealousy suddenly sprang to life! 
 "She shall know nothing — nothing! I see her artful 
 plans! Serge is the handsomest, richest, most powerful 
 noble of the Kherson ! I am to be disposed of at Court ! 
 The General will use my father as a cat's-paw to enrich 
 himself. 
 
 "After the contracts are secured, after I am out of the 
 way, Andre Radovich will need the Princess no longer! 
 And — she — would see me doomed to an official mar- 
 riage with a Grand Duke's complaisant Aide de Camp, — 
 .for, then — the way is clear! 
 
 "She will visit him, he will be lonely and desolate — and 
 then Vera Orbelefif will reign at Khaminavatka ! I will 
 seal my lips — lock my heart, and, they shall never drag 
 me to court!" 
 
 The desperate girl dreamed of her relatives upon the 
 Danube, of a fond old godfather, an Austrian ambas- 
 sador. 
 
 She sat musing for an hour, while from the halls be- 
 low resounded Arcady's drunken yells as he bullied the 
 frightened servants into bringing him floods of vodki to 
 further inflame his raw wound. 
 
 Suddenly she sprang up. "I have it! I will not go to 
 Kief — I must make a plan. Serge shall give me money! 
 I can steal away to Wosnescenk, — and take the boat to 
 Odessa,— by Nicolareff. 
 
 "A peasant's garb will do! Serge can get me a pass- 
 port! 
 
 "They shall all think me dead! For, I will disappear — 
 forever. And, — he can then come abroad and meet me! 
 If he goes by Vienna, and I — to Constantinople, we can 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 153 
 
 not be traced. And, then, he can marry me abroad! 
 But, I must act before the Tsaritza names me, officially, 
 else, — my disappearance, my disobedience of the Czar- 
 ina's orders, would be his ruin !" 
 
 She now loathed her living prison under the eyes of 
 Arcady Radovich! Xenia's quick wit had given her a 
 cue for instant action. 
 
 Her lover was still dreaming of her at Khaminavatka, 
 rapt in the love dreams awakened by the letter brought 
 by Xenia, all unconscious of Arcady's spying, — when the 
 young Baroness drove out of her gateway, taking the 
 Bratskoe road, in the bright freshness of the morning. 
 
 Arcady Radovich's drunken sleep was over at noon. 
 
 When he staggered downstairs, his first demand was 
 for his niece. "The Barina has gone to Bratskoe — to the 
 General's villa — to meet the Barin and Barina ! She will 
 come home with them!" With an oath, the baffled spy 
 sat down to continue his interrupted debauch. 
 
 Gazing across toward Khaminavatka, smiling out in 
 the morning sunlight, he shook his fist with vows of 
 vengeance. "If that devil's chicken Fedor, has only got 
 into the garden workers, I will soon have every move- 
 ment of yonder popinjay — and — he shall pay for lashing 
 my poor fellows ! Nothing but his blood, I want — noth- 
 ing less — and Milovitch, crazy after Lili, shall be my 
 executioner." He laughed viciously in his drunken con- 
 ceit! 
 
 At that hour. Serge Dumont, walking his gardens and 
 orchards, saw the half-starved stranger lad busied with 
 the throng of weaker workers renovating the superb 
 gardens! "They treat you kindly, my boy!" he said, as 
 he passed along, leaving Arcady Radovich's youthful 
 spy grinning and pulling his flaxen forelock. The 
 youngster's crafty eyes dropped in shame. 
 
 Serge's own mind was seething in a storm of unsatis- 
 fied yearning, for while Magda had prudently made an 
 after-midnight appointment in the grove where he had 
 met her, to see Xenia for the last time, — she had abso- 
 lutely refused to allow her lover to accompany the faith- 
 ful woman. "If my parents return, I must wait till two 
 o'clock, when the house is still, to steal out," she wrote, 
 
154 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "and I will give you the news of all the plans they make! 
 For, if they take me away, Serge — you must follow me, — 
 or else, I will die!" 
 
 While Serge Dumont waited the return of the village 
 pope, with the Intendant and his pretty bride Marika, — 
 the wife of the priest was astonished at an early morning 
 visit from the beautiful young Baroness Magda. 
 
 With Love's artful dissembling, the intrepid girl 
 moulded the simple woman as wax in her fair white 
 hands. 
 
 She had learned at the villa, of the delay of one day in 
 the arrival of the party of roysterers from Wosnescenk. 
 
 The General had sent a courier to bid his household 
 prepare a breakfast on the morrow for their own party, 
 and a half dozen of the merry officers of the famous 
 Dragoon Regiment! 
 
 "One blessed day — one priceless day," thankfully 
 cried Magda — as she drove out of the villa grounds, and 
 wended to the priest's house. Too well she knew that 
 Arcady would soon blunder down to Bratskoe on her 
 trail, and so, she hastened to finish her work. 
 
 With afifected surprise^ she learned from the priest's 
 wife of his visit to the meadow farms for the hasty nup- 
 tials of the Intendant and Marika. 
 
 "I will send you a carriage here," the young patrician 
 cried. "Dress yourself at once, and drive over to Kham- 
 inavatka! Tell your husband to come home by our 
 mansion with you,— after the wedding breakfast there! 
 I wish him to cross over the ford and come to our house 
 early this afternoon. 
 
 "For, I wish to make arrangements for my confession. 
 I may go away soon !" 
 
 When the meek woman, with trembling haste, ap- 
 peared ready to step into the carriage summoned by her 
 servant, Magda Radovich handed her a little bundle. 
 
 "The first thing you are to do is to give this bundle to 
 Xenia, the new housekeeper at the chateau. Let no one 
 see it! Give it to her yourself! 
 
 "I have fifty roubles for you, when you come to me this 
 afternoon. Drive with full speed— so, as to get there 
 before your husband leaves! Tell Xenia it is from me — 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 155 
 
 but, — silence to all, — even your husband — about this." 
 And, the eager woman nodded, anxious to earn her fifty 
 roubles. 
 
 And, then, with ostentatious deliberation, the young 
 beauty drove around the little village, where the eager 
 shopkeepers crowded around her carriage. 
 
 It was two o'clock when she descended from her car- 
 riage, at the mansion on the Dying Water, to find Arcady 
 Radovich standing awaiting her, in the open door! 
 
 "I want the horses," he brutally cried, — but, without 
 even a glance, the young beauty passed him by! Once 
 in her own rooms, she seized her glasses. 
 
 "Victory!" she murmured, with a thankful heart, for 
 across the dividing stream she could see the priest's car- 
 riage slowly moving down through the park, toward the 
 ford, where no carriage had crossed in the long fifty years 
 of the vendetta. 
 
 "Serge has my letter, now, — thank God!" she cried, as 
 she burst into happy tears. 
 
 Serge Dumont was awaiting the Intendant and his 
 bride, when Xenia, with flaming eyes, led him aside into 
 the great drawing room! In a few words, she told him 
 of Baroness Magda's daring ruse. 
 
 He tore the letter open — and then, grasped the happy 
 woman by both her hands. 
 
 "To-night, — at two o'clock, — you are to be at the 
 point of the woods ! I will hide on the river bank — I will 
 be well armed ! Fear for nothing. While you wait — on 
 watch, — we will have our only safe interview, — unless 
 you can arrange — further — with the priest's wife! I will 
 be at the chalet — at two — and, we will go over together!" 
 
 "Not so! Barin!" cried Xenia, with kindling eyes. 
 "You go down to the sheepfold at one o'clock and wait 
 there. Then steal down to the bank and cross Over be- 
 low! 
 
 "I will cross here at the chateau and steal down 
 through the fields! We can come back together — for 
 if we should be followed — they will then only think the 
 worst of me — and, — nothing whatever of you, but — we 
 will meet there — at the point of the woods at two o'clock ! 
 I will guard her with my life! Come into the little 
 
156 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 ravine, and you will find us there ! If our people should 
 see you and I — they would never suspect the Barina!" 
 she said, dropping her glances. 
 
 Serge pressed Xenia's hands in a mute acknowledg- 
 ment of her keen wit, and then, turned away to meet the 
 bridal couple who were driving into the court yard! 
 
 That night at three o'clock, the villagers were still 
 feasting over the Intendant's wedding when Serge Du- 
 mont stole down to the bank of the Dying Water, after 
 the long hour of ecstasy in which Magda Radovich had 
 poured out her impassioned soul. 
 
 There, in the woods on the hostile shore, watched over 
 by Xenia, the two lovers had sworn an eternal resistance 
 to the contemplated bargain and sale of a woman's heart, 
 soul and honor. 
 
 "You shall disappear, darling!" was Serge's last word! 
 "But, only at the last! And, now, the next meeting must 
 be at the priest's house! For, you shall not go to Kief." 
 He knew of the fifty roubles which had sealed the 
 woman's lips. 
 
 Once across the stream. Serge and Xenia wandered 
 homeward through the park. They were both too ex- 
 alted for speech — but, when they reached the chalet, they 
 sat down on the steps ! 
 
 Suddenly, Xenia seized his arm. "My God! Barin! 
 Look! Look! The villain has discovered the Barina's 
 meeting with us!" 
 
 "All is lost!" — Serge Dumont groaned in his anguish, 
 for — there — across the darkling stream — shone out one 
 red light — from his beloved's window — and — as they 
 gazed — there were two windows blazing with a dull red 
 flame! "All is over!" cried Serge. "I must carry her 
 ofif — now!" 
 
 "And — I will help you!" — cried Xenia at his side. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 157 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 PRINCESS VERA'S VISIT.— DOWN THE RIVER. 
 
 Serge Dumont gazed at his companion in a helpless 
 agony. "What is to be done now?" he cried in a hollow 
 voice. "Of course, there will be a challenge — at once. 
 I will send a courier in the morning for Prince Youresief ! 
 If I live through the duel — he may be able to obtain the 
 Emperor's permission for our marriage — on the false 
 grounds of necessity! 
 
 "Even General Radovich fears Youresief 's power! I 
 could tell him all the story of Pierre's mysterious death — 
 and — he may frighten the whole lot ofif ! 
 
 "I could give Arcady Radovich a small Polish estate — 
 to quiet him — and — get him out of the Kherson — for- 
 ever!" 
 
 For, he doubted not that Arcady had slyly followed his 
 daring niece and observed the rencontre. 
 
 "Barin!" answered the quick-witted Xenia. "Let me 
 go into Bratskoe in the morning to the priest's house. I 
 will buy liberally for the chateau, and begin to go regu- 
 larly there, — every morning. The priest is always asleep 
 after his dominoes and quass, — unless it is a Sunday or 
 feast day ! I know the bravery of this dear girl ! 
 
 "She will be the first to meet her parents! If she 
 drives into the villa or the town, the Pope's wife will 
 bring her to me — there, in her house. You can give me 
 a liberal present for the Pope's wife, and I can easily say 
 that I am going to take orders for the embroideries of 
 our village girls — if any one becomes suspicious! Do 
 nothing — only wait here — in your rooms — and the 
 chalet — till I come back! Then — you will know what 
 has happened! You can strike at them, defend yourself, 
 or else wait to help Magda as you will ! I see it all com- 
 ing! You must carry her off — but, — she must first dis- 
 appear!" 
 
 "How, — hoV can it be done?" stammered the Manor 
 Lord. 
 
 "Ah! Leave that to us two women ! There is always 
 
158 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 a way for a woman to reach her lover — if she craves the 
 sight of his face! We women are all alike! Even the 
 peasant girl has a heart!" 
 
 Laying her firm white hand on his brow, she said 
 "Sleep! I will come to you in the morning! One word 
 more" — she said, with downcast eyes. "You have 
 brought me here, — and made a lady of me against my 
 will. I shall wear silk, — in your house. 
 
 "Let them all think what they will, of me ! It will save 
 Magda, — and — if I wander in the park with you, — ^late at 
 night, veiled and dressed like a Barina — even the spies 
 may think that you are only busied with me! It is all to 
 save Magda!" 
 
 As she turned-^Serge gazed at her in surprise. In 
 truth, the ease and comfort of her new home, — the dress 
 of her new station, had startlingly brought out that volup- 
 tuous womanly beauty which had astonished him, when 
 he saw her in the artful undress of the Tzigane — a garb 
 which reveals with insidious suggestion, — and hides 
 nothing. 
 
 "She is fit to be the mother of heroes," muttered Serge 
 — as he went to his private cabinet of arms, and selected 
 his favorite weapons. "It is war to the death — now — 
 open or secret — and, — that depends alone — on this 
 drunken brute." He lifted a dueling pistol and tried the 
 hair trigger, 
 
 "One touch would free me of this incubus — and, 
 avenge Pierre ! But, — it must not be" — he sighed, as he 
 laid down the weapon — "not yet! I can not ruin her 
 Hfe ! Youresief will be my mainstay — only — I must have 
 certainty first — as to the danger signals." He paced the 
 floor in a mad unrest until the gray dawn. 
 
 While he gazed with wolfish eyes across the stream, 
 he saw that the two red lights still flamed from Magda's 
 windows. 
 
 "Fool!" he cried, "1 must answer" — and slipping a 
 revolver in his pocket, he quickly glided down the cor- 
 ridor, and, ten minutes after, — a red glow jllumined the 
 front of the little chalet! 
 
 "Thank God! She alone can see the answering sig- 
 nal!" he murmured, as he watched the windows darken 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 159 
 
 where the woman he loved had caught the reply of his 
 loving heart! 
 
 With a quick prudence, he then extinguished all the 
 lights and sat on the porch of the little chalet, — the night 
 winds cooling his heated brow and listening to the pas- 
 sionate plaint of the nightingale in the budding forest. 
 
 The cool stream rippled by — and the peace of the 
 brooding night entered his soul ! He followed, in fancy, 
 every footstep of the dauntless girl on her return to her 
 deserted rooms. 
 
 They had arranged all their future plan of action, — ^the 
 foundation of their future happiness being an absolute 
 refusal of Magda to go to Kief, — and — her agreement to 
 evade the acceptance of the Maid of Honor's nomination 
 by a mysterious flight. 
 
 "Once that you are thought dead by them — I can fol- 
 low you — and — then, when you are my wife — we can defy 
 them all — but, — you shall never stir a step to Petersburg! 
 For the Czar and Czarina might smile at a madcap love — • 
 but, never forgive a direct disobedience or desertion!" 
 
 While he had communed with Xenia, on their lingering 
 way through the park, — they were dogged by an unseen 
 spy after emerging from the foliage of the river. 
 
 With the speed of a swift Camilla, Baroness Magda 
 fled homeward with a wildly beating heart! Every swift 
 step was now a relief, — each tree safely passed, a new 
 guarantee of her safety ! 
 
 "Thank God!" she cried. "He is probably drunk — 
 and, — I am safe!" 
 
 The gardens were safely traversed — and Magda glided 
 into the darkened conservatory through a French win- 
 dow left unfastened. 
 
 She was now buoyant at heart, for she had arranged 
 the safe plan of meeting Xenia, in the house of the 
 priest, over which threshold the moujik never dared to 
 tread unless bidden! 
 
 A smile curled her lip as she thought of her absolute 
 safety there from Arcady's spying — for, the priest's wife 
 indignantly resented the outcast noble's raids upon the 
 defenseless peasant girls of their flock. 
 
 11 
 
i6o THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Groping her way up the grand staircase, she passed 
 her uncle's private rooms. 
 
 All was dark ! The light-footed Peri paused a moment 
 at the door! All was still. "I am safe!" she thankfully 
 decided. "He sleeps!" 
 
 And — then she sprang lightly up the stair to her own 
 corner rooms! 
 
 Alas! As she reached for the door she stumbled over 
 the prostrate body of a man! Springing into her rooms, 
 she quickly lit a taper — and was then confronted by the 
 empurpled visage of Arcady Radovich ! 
 
 His face was convulsed with a coarse grin of triumph, 
 as he leered, "I have trapped you, at last — for you have 
 been three hours away, with your lover! A midnight 
 stroller! Fine doings for a Maid of Honor! I have 
 blocked your little game, though, for, I have been on 
 guard here since midnight! And — now — you shall 
 reckon with Baroness Lili!" 
 
 With a quick gasp — the outraged girl pointed toward 
 the door. "If you do not leave this room, I will take the 
 carriage and go to General Radovich's villa at Bratskoe ! 
 Never dare to speak to me again!" 
 
 "Wait, — only wait!" growled Arcady as he slunk 
 downstairs. There was that in the hard, defiant face of 
 the young Baroness which made the vaurien tremble! 
 
 "I must not go too far," he muttered — "for we need 
 her, — this winter at Petersburg. After that, — she may 
 go to the devil — in her own way!" 
 
 His first thought had been to alarm the household, 
 but, even he, knew how foreign to the Russian peasant 
 is any social criticism of their masters. 
 
 But, groping his way downstairs to the vodki still 
 standing on the little table where the "sacuska" was set 
 out, — he saw a lad's form hovering under his window, and 
 carefully tossing pebbles up at his casement. 
 
 In a moment, Arcady stood by his side! It was the 
 beggar orphan lad who now dishonored Pierre Dumont's 
 bounty. "The stranger within the gates!" 
 
 "Speak!" cried Arcady drawing him into a secure cor- 
 ner. "They watch me close" — babbled the boy — "but, I 
 have been every night, in the garden! And, — the great 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. l6l 
 
 Barin goes to the summer house. He was out half the 
 night in the park, with the handsome woman who is the 
 new housekeeper, — ^the one they call Xenia! They were 
 hidden out in the woods together two hours to-night, 
 and — then went into the chalet together. I have often 
 seen them together in the garden — at night!" Arcady 
 muttered a curse. "Does he soon go away?" 
 
 The frightened boy muttered "No!" Every one is 
 working like mad, — in the fields, — and park and gardens, 
 — and, — he is only free at night! The Intendant was 
 married to-day to the girl from the meadow farms — and, 
 there is great feasting, to-morrow." 
 
 Arcady held out a ten-rouble note to the boy. "Get 
 you gone ! Watch him like a wolf ! And — come to me 
 here — when you can ! If I go away — you are to stay on 
 - — and — I'll learn all from you when I come back!" The 
 lad sped away as the drunkard gave him a rough shake. 
 
 "So!" the plotter growled — "Serge has taken up with 
 the handsome jade Xenia! Well fed — well dressed — 
 lively with wine, — she can fairly well play the lady of 
 Khaminavatka — for, — women are all alike." 
 
 With a sense of mortified defeat, Arcady slunk up- 
 stairs, after draining the vodki bottle. "What the devil 
 is she up to now?" he growled. "It may be some mad- 
 cap young officer from the nearest camps! I've known 
 a man to ride a hundred versts to spend an hour with a 
 woman at the risk of his life — but — Lili will end all this 
 in short order. Kief first, — then to Petersburg — and — 
 when Princess Vera comes, she will bell this young cat!" 
 
 A well-defined purpose to ride down the road next 
 morning and meet the flinty-hearted mother developed in 
 his mind, as he threw himself down to sleep! 
 
 Above him, on her knees, before the sacred icon, 
 Magda Radovich had sworn an oath to die before Fate 
 should tear her frOm Serge Dumont's arms. "His wife, 
 or else — no man's, — so help me God, and Our Lady of 
 Kazan!" she swore, kissing the cross. 
 
 By a strange bit of good fortune, Magda Radovich en- 
 joyed peace on the sunny morrow, for Baron Arcady, at 
 dawn, calling for a sulky a I'Americaine, — had furiously 
 
 11 
 
l62 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 driven southwest across the steppe to intercept the re- 
 turning family party. 
 
 And, then, as the day progressed, the young patrician 
 girl arrayed herself and drove into Bratskoe, where she 
 was hidden two hours in the priest's house before Colonel 
 Milovitch piloted the great English brake, into the splen- 
 did grounds of the General's villa. 
 
 There was a steely glare in Baroness Lili's eyes when 
 she found her carriage waiting and, learned that her 
 daughter was busied in making purchases in the little 
 city. 
 
 While the feast was being set, the revengeful Arcady 
 drew his sister-in-law away into a recess of the flowering 
 garden, and poured out his tale of mistaken accusations! 
 
 "You have done well, Arcady/' she whispered. "I will 
 have a sharp reckoning with her! She goes from Kief to 
 Bobrinetz, — then back here, — with the Princess — and, 
 afterwards direct to St. Petersburg. I know that she is 
 an unruly little devil — grown a stranger to me — in the 
 twelve years spent at the Institute. I can manage her, 
 though— and — as for your stories of her having a lover — 
 you've been drinking, that's all! She may ramble 
 around, — she is romantic, — but, — you are a brute your- 
 self — and, you think the worst of every one! I know 
 my daughter!" she cried with a strange pride. 
 
 "Look here, my lady!" growled Arcady. "I want 
 some money. I have had my hand hurt! I will go up 
 to Kief ahead of you! And, — by the way, — put a veil 
 over your devilment with Milovitch, — the girl half sus- 
 pects!" 
 
 "That for all her bread and butter suspicions!" cried 
 Baroness Lili snapping her fingers. "I'll go and get you 
 five hundred roubles of General Andre. Clear out for 
 Kief, — and — meet us there, — and, — keep yourself sober, 
 — and, out of quarrels. 
 
 "Milovitch and myself will take care of you up there. 
 We shall stay two months — and I will get rid of Missy bv 
 sending her over in four weeks to the Youresiefs. 
 
 "Princess Vera will watch her there like a .cat! I 
 would rather have you away — when I break her in! Her 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 163 
 
 fiery temper must be brought under — or — else our whole 
 winter campaign is gone ! 
 
 "The General will get Milovitch soon ordered up to the 
 War Department on special duty. I will, of course, go 
 to Petersburg — and — you and Alexandre can hold on 
 here — and, look out for the horse contracts!" 
 
 She glided away with an ominous shake of her gown 
 and left Arcady muttering, "A pretty programme — you 
 black-hearted devil! I am to be left — a mere drudge! 
 Never, — I will have my share of the fun!" 
 
 The feast was half done when Baroness Magda silently' 
 entered the room. With a warm greeting to her father 
 and General Andre, the pale-faced girl ignored Colonel 
 Milovitch, effusive in his politeness, and stared calmly in 
 a grim silence at the disgruntled Arcady. 
 
 To her mother, she offered a passive cheek, and then, 
 took her seat without a word. Her heart was beating in 
 a wild happiness, for, already Xenia was half way back 
 to Khaminavatka bearing the fiiU tidings of her own 
 overcharged heart to the expectant Serge. 
 
 Magda smiled when she saw a well-armed Cossack 
 escorting the housekeeper's carriage, for Arcady's sly 
 plots had been all too evident. 
 
 The peasants on the road stared in amazement to see 
 Xenia, — the discarded wife of a humble station keeper, 
 dressed in a silk gown — and — riding in a carriage. 
 
 "It is the old way," murmured an envious tongue. 
 "She is good-looking — the young Barin has no wife — 
 and, — she will queen it for a season or two, till a new face 
 shines her down!" 
 
 It had been the order of Excellence Serge Dumont 
 that the carriage should be well escorted! "That mur- 
 derous dog might fancy to assault her. I'll send a pla- 
 toon of Cossacks, if they lift a finger," he growled — for — 
 expectant of the duel, he had his fighting boots on. 
 
 The family circle at the Bratskoe villa was a con- 
 strained one, and Baron Alexandre, sullen and wearied 
 was glad to accept his daughter's proposal that they 
 should drive home, and leave the others to return in the 
 evening. 
 
l64 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 There were lambent flashes in Baroness Lili's eyes as 
 she saw her daughter quietly play into her hand! 
 
 "The little devil does suspect! She needs a good clip- 
 ping of her claws, — and — she shall have it!" 
 
 On the way home, glad to escape from the shouts and 
 laughter of the convives. Baron Alexandre dejectedly 
 conversed with his favorite child! It smote the proud 
 girl's heart to see the wasted temples, the thinned hairs, — 
 the careworn brow, — the lack-luster eyes, and the gray 
 locks of a man who began life — with as fair prospects as 
 any noble of the Kherson! 
 
 In an impulse, she leaned over to him. "Father! 
 Father," she cried — "let us leave the steppe forever — ^you 
 are only breaking your heart here!" 
 
 "My child," answered the dejected man^ "I am helpless 
 in Andre's hands, — I am in debt, I depend on these con- 
 tracts to keep a roof over our head! Where would we 
 go? Of course, you will go to the Court — ^with your 
 mother" — he bowed his head in his hands, and sobbed 
 like a child. 
 
 And, then the young girl tenderly cheered him, though 
 she hid in her own heart the discovery of the wretched 
 unhappiness which had grown up in the twelve years of 
 her absence, and the ominous scripture words came back 
 to her, "A house divided against itself shall fall!" 
 
 She was glad to flee away to her rooms and await the 
 coming encounter with her mother — a first trial of 
 strength, — which she well knew was inevitable! She 
 longed to be far away, — far over the borders of Russia, — 
 with Serge in some unknown land, where even the chill 
 blasts of winter would be welcome, for they would bring 
 her there, peace and freedom — and fan the burning love 
 in her womanly heart! 
 
 She had put away all her thoughtless girlhood in these 
 last months, and, a strong, earnest womanhood now 
 buoyed her up to face the coming clouds gathering over 
 the lonely mansion on the Dying Water. 
 
 To cheer her lover that night, she flashed a white light 
 from her windows, as arranged with Xenia, and, to her 
 inexpressible joy, — saw the clear answering gleam of 
 bright radiance from the summer house which told her 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 165 
 
 that her lover was there, in the now hallowed room — 
 thinking of her — and, — loyal to the death. 
 
 The village of Khaminavatka was lit up with the feast- 
 ing which followed the bringing home of the Intendant's 
 bride — and the joyous peasants were enjoying all the 
 luxuries which Serge had poured out in honor of his 
 faithful henchman! Boursakoff had posted all the 
 guards on duty, and, secure in his happiness, did not re- 
 gret the informal marriage! 
 
 For, the interminable ceremonies of the Russian mid- 
 dle class wedding, — the Tsyatsky, — the ladies of honor, — 
 the groomsmen Schafers, — ^the Boyarin icon bearer, and 
 all the drawn-out mummeries, were wanting. 
 
 Only — bright-eyed Marika — at the feast in the cha- 
 teau spread in her honor, blushed and solemnly pledged 
 her gentle and loyal hearty to the service of the Lord of 
 Khaminavatka. It was a graceful reenforcement. 
 
 The Baroness Magda, with an unfaltering step, an- 
 swered her mother's summons on the morrow, after the 
 General, — the Baron, — Colonel Milovitch and Arcady 
 were all ofif on a hare hunt! She knew now that her 
 wild uncle was to depart for Kief at once^ and so, she was 
 ready to do battle, single handed. And, with no fear at 
 heart, she faced it! 
 
 In her coign of vantage. Baroness Lili, clad in an easy 
 fitting oriental robe de chambre, — cigarette in hand, — 
 lolled back upon her divan as she deliberately unloosed 
 the vials of wrath, upon the girl who stood there, pale 
 and trembling before her. 
 
 Magda listened for a half an hour to the bitter tirade, — 
 and, with compressed lips awaited in silence, the con- 
 clusion of her mother's vituperation ! 
 
 The champagne of the evening before had left its 
 mark in Baroness Lili's shaken nerves. 
 
 When she had finished, in a breathless exhaustion, she 
 sharply demanded, "What have you to say?" The 
 prospective Maid of Honor calmly faced her mother. 
 
 "Nothing ! But — ^that Arcady is a drunkard and a liar ! 
 You have told me his story ! I scorn to answer it! But, 
 I shall have the protection of my father and uncle — for 
 you have built up a wall to-day between our hearts! I 
 
l66 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 am your daughter, nd longer! You have killed my love!" 
 
 As she turned to leave the room. Baroness Lili caught 
 the girl's wrists and dragged her back from the door! 
 
 "You will go to Kief, — pack, and prepare! You will 
 go then to Bobrinetz to thank the Youresiefs for your 
 nomination as Maid of Honor! Princess Vera will 
 guard you till you go to Petersburg! Look that you 
 obey me!" 
 
 "I will not go to Kief!" resolutely cried Magda — 
 wrenching herself -free. "This is my home, — my birth- 
 place! I am a free noble! I have my own passport! I 
 will appeal to Youresief — to the Czarina — who protects 
 all the girls of the Institute ! 
 
 "I have received no ofificial nomination as Maid of 
 Honor, and — I will not go to Bobrinetz to thank Prince 
 Youresief, for what I have not received! 
 
 "I know your plans for my bargain and sale! I have 
 listened to Arcady's drunken babblings! I am to be a 
 poor pawn played off by the General in his money 
 schemes!" 
 
 With a malignant look of rage, — ^the angered mother 
 screamed — "It is then true! Girl! You have a lover 
 here, — and you shall leave if I must drag you to the 
 carriage." 
 
 Then, Magda Radovich grew as cold as ice ! She faced 
 her mother with an awful look in her accusing eyes. "I 
 will throw myself into the Dying Water, before I stir a 
 step! 
 
 "Do you want me to ask General Radovich whose 
 lover this murderous brute Milovitch is? Must he tell 
 me why you go to Kief? Shall I tell my half-crazed 
 father what every peasant knows, — that Colonel Milo- 
 vitch seeks to dishonor his hovise?" 
 
 When Lili Radovich raised her eyes, her daughter was 
 gone, and the echo of her foot on the stair sounded 
 ghostly and hollow. 
 
 With a muttered curse, the stricken woman turned to 
 her glass. 
 
 Her face shone out ghastly and yellow there in the un- 
 flattering truth of the steely reflections ! 
 
 She threw herself upon her divan, and, like a tiger 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. l6; 
 
 whose spring has failed, waited for her prey to come 
 once more within her clutch. 
 
 The merry hunting party returned. There was feast- 
 ing in the hall, but no one but Magda's maid crossed the 
 threshold of her door! 
 
 Arcady Radovich stole away like a thief in the night to 
 the delights of Kief, — fingering his five hundred roubles, 
 after a long conference with Milovitch, whose brows 
 blackened at the mention of Serge Dumont's name. 
 "Wait till we meet him together! We will have him a la 
 barriere, in twenty-four hours! He is a dead man!" 
 
 Milovitch was wolfish, for his mistress was in a whirl- 
 wind of defeated rage! Her every summons, — her beat- 
 ing on the door, — the vain intercession of her weak- 
 minded husband, — all had failed to open the door of the 
 room where the true-hearted girl bade defiance to the 
 woman who had at last thrown ofif the mask 1 
 
 It was after a stormy conference of three hours that 
 General Andre brought his fist down on the table with a 
 resounding crash. 
 
 Colonel Milovitch had returned to the villa to await 
 the fashionable pilgrims to Kief — and, the unhappy fam- 
 ily was left alone with the beautiful rebel. 
 
 The dragoon was not loth to leave the scene of the 
 bitter social battle, for the artful Arcady had informed 
 him of the defiant attitude of the young Baroness ! 
 
 "She is capable of anything" — growled Arcady — "andj 
 Lili may drive her too far!" 
 
 "I'll leave the two women to fight it out," slov/ly said 
 Milovitch, with an ominous leer, 
 
 "I only want one of them. In fact, I would rather the 
 youngster did not go to Kief-^for a led sheep is a poor 
 companion on a two months' frolic!" 
 
 He salved his conscience by a liberal loan to the greedy 
 Arcady, and — merrily rode away to the enjoyments of 
 the Bratskoe villa. 
 
 The three seniors of the Radovich clan were left alone 
 in the great dining room shaded by the lindens and wil- 
 lows which straggled along the sides of the neglected 
 mansion. It was, as a last resort, that General Andre 
 was appealed to by the now secretly frightened Baroness 
 
l68 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Lili. Magda's father, for once, preserved an ominous 
 silence. 
 
 "There is but one thing to do, my friends," calmly said 
 the worldly wise General. "Let me take Magda over to 
 the villa and leave her there in our absence with Olga 
 Cherikoff ! The dear old woman loves Magda — and she 
 will be safe there until we have finished our visit at 
 Kief! 
 
 "It is useless to force Magda into submission, and — 
 madness to drive her into an open rebellion! 
 
 "You both owe me money" — ^the rich man ominously 
 said, knocking ofif the ash of his cigarette, and contem- 
 plating his well-kept hands gleaming with diamond and 
 sapphire rings. 
 
 "You want your contracts, Alexandre — you want your 
 Petersburg winter, Lili, and I want my money — and, the 
 key to the whole, is to have Magda accept this Maid of 
 Honor's place! 
 
 "We all need Youresief's influence, in the contracts, 
 and— every day — to counteract the influence of these Du- 
 monts. Old Barbe Federoff is a witch, this young 
 Major Serge is no fool, — and we have had a clear inti- 
 mation from the Marechale de Noblesse to drop the 
 quarrel. 
 
 "Now, on one condition only I will placate Magda — 
 take her away to my villa — and win her over to meet 
 Princess Vera, with open arms ! 
 
 "If the child does not go to Bobrinetz, — then — ^Vera 
 Orbelefif can come down here, at once, visit at the villa, 
 and cajole Magda into going up there — later! You have 
 tried force and abuse, Lili! It has signally failed! Let 
 me try kindness ! The girl is our trump card at Peters- 
 burg. 
 
 "The Minister of War— is Vera Orbelefif's slave — the 
 Grand Dukes will notice Magda — our fortune is made! 
 But — once drive her to madness all fails — and all falls! 
 
 "Hear me now! Arcady — the worthless devil, is to 
 let Magda alone! And— you, too, Lili, for once, hold 
 your hand off! I will not back up your menage anv 
 more, unless you obey me! Where do you want the girl 
 to go ? Out on the steppe ?" 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 169 
 
 He rose and left the husband and wife gazing at each 
 other in a trembUng fear of the clouds of poverty. They 
 were forced to do his stern bidding! 
 
 For once, Lili Radovich purred and flattered her 
 startled helpmeet into a gentler mood, while she waited 
 the result of General Radovich's embassy. 
 
 With a stately courtesy, the old soldier sent an af- 
 fectionate note requesting an interview with the young 
 rebel, now entrenched within the invulnerable walls of 
 her own room! 
 
 For a half an hour, the murmur of earnest voices 
 sounded within the apartment, while Baroness Lili, on 
 tiptoe, waited eagerly in the hall. 
 
 The guilty mother's cheeks were aflame as the Gen- 
 eral suddenly emerged, and caught her in her hovering 
 spy maneuvers. 
 
 His martial face hardened — as he followed his sister- 
 in-law down the long hall. Drawing her into a vacant 
 guest room, he proceeded to give Milovitch's inamorata 
 a mauvais quart d'heure. 
 
 As he lit a cigarette, he said drily — "Lili! You can 
 not disgrace yourself any further than you have done! 
 Nay, — no words! If it were not Milovitch, it would be 
 another! 
 
 "Do you wish me to call the roll of your lovers? I 
 have now succeeded in taking the whole affair off your 
 hands! Magda will drive over to Bratskoe with me — 
 and, — remain there till you have gone to Kief. 
 
 "She demands perfect liberty to come here with Ma- 
 dame Cherikoif, whom I can trust! She absolutely stipu- 
 lates that she shall not meet Arcady or Colonel Milovitch, 
 and — she will await my return with Princess Vera — and 
 then — consider the question of a visit to Bobrinetz to see 
 the Youresiefs. 
 
 "On these conditions, alone^ I have been able to per- 
 .suade her not to openly refuse the Maid of Honor nomi- 
 nation! 
 
 "But, look to yourself — and let her alone! 
 
 "For, by God, she swears that she will, if further out- 
 raged, appeal to Prince Youresief and, then, to the 
 Tzaritza herself for protection! You — you — and Arcady 
 
170 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 — to charge her with having a lover! What bestiality!" 
 
 The humbled woman crept away to hide her shame— 
 and — that night, Magda Radovich sobbed out her sor- 
 rows in the arms of the motherly old Olga Cherikoff. 
 
 There was an awkward tete-a-tete at the mansion on 
 the Dying Water, where Colonel Milovitch had at once 
 returned to join the party for Kief — for once, the heavy 
 dragoon found the wild hearted Lili, subdued and 
 abashed before the lowering glances of her unhappy hus- 
 band. 
 
 But, around the red lamp in Madame Cherikofl's bou- 
 doir, there was love and peace! 
 
 The widow of an officer killed in an unhappy duel, — 
 motherly and single-hearted, — ^with silvered hair and 
 gentle winning eyes, — the old-fashioned Russian lady 
 held the girl's aching head upon her breast, and wisely 
 asking nothing, comforted the stray lamb which had wan- 
 dered into her fold. 
 
 General Andre Radovich smoked unnumbered cigar- 
 ettes under his blossoming lime trees and apostrophized 
 the stars. 
 
 "It is -a hard, wild life — this fierce life of the steppe — 
 and,— they shall not brvitalize that poor child any longer! 
 I will crush Lili" — as he hurled down his cigarette, 
 ground it into the gravel with his armed heel — and, then, 
 clanked off to his lonely lair. 
 
 For once — the reckless social whirl of the disorgan- 
 ized family palled upon him! "She is the only decent 
 one in the whole clan — this brave girl, — and, — I would 
 respect Alexandre if he blew out that brute Milovitch's 
 brains. As for Arcady — I will take him in hand! The 
 girl shall have peace!" 
 
 He slept to dream of all the schemes upon the Neva 
 which now depended upon the occultation of the brilliant 
 Day Star near the Czar's throne. And, his will ruled 
 the whole sullen clan by fear and greed. 
 
 A week later, Madame la Baronne Lili Radovich be- 
 came the bright particular star of the very gayest circles 
 of Kief. 
 
 Notwithstanding her entourage of the brilliant officers 
 of the Twelfth Army Corps,— the reckless woman was 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 171 
 
 sorely troubled at heart. For her defeat by her revolted 
 daughter was a Waterloo! 
 
 When the family party had paused at the Bratskoe 
 villa to take up General Radovich's suite, Magda had 
 resolutely refused to see her mother! "She knows the 
 reason! Ask her!" was the firm response of the indig- 
 nant girl to her startled uncle. 
 
 It was not all peace in the coterie now settled pro 
 tern, in the Jerusalem of Russia, though the loungers 
 at the Hotel de Noblesse crowded Madame Radovich's 
 box at the theatre^ and ardent cavaliers escorted her to 
 the merrymakings on the picturesque banks of the Dnue- 
 per. 
 
 For, General Radovich had hastened away to Moscow, 
 after telegraphing to the Princess Vera to meet him there 
 at once. 
 
 The sullen Baron Alexandre was soon engaged in a pil- 
 grimage of all the historic churches and in renewing his 
 old friendships with the haughty clergy and the high 
 officers of the Twelfth Army Corps. 
 
 Arcady was already in a state of dissipated eclipse, for 
 the five hundred roubles bore him bravely up. But, there 
 had been a violent scene between Lili Radovich and her 
 black-browed lover. 
 
 On the third day after their arrival, Michel Milovitch 
 had driven her alone down the leafy Boulevard Bibi- 
 kovsky. "Either you or that drunken ape Arcady has 
 brought me to the verge of ruin!" he growled, when 
 they were far away from curious eyes. "Who babbled, I 
 know not! I care not! But, last night I was sum- 
 moned to a private conference at the hotel de Noblesse, 
 with Prince Youresief who has been here^ incognito, for 
 a day. 
 
 "He has been closeted with General Andr^, and, now 
 threatens to withdraw your daughter's nomination as 
 Maid of Honor — and even to send Arcady as a common 
 soldier to the Caucasus. 
 
 "He had the whole story of the trap, which we laid 
 for that popinjay Dumont, at WosnescenkI Only, you— 
 and Arcady and I, knew of that scheme!" Who had 
 
172 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 betrayed the others! The heavy dragoon was coarsely 
 abusive ! 
 
 Notwithstanding he was deep in a scheme to order the 
 remount of his regiment through the hoodwinked hus- 
 band, — and the General, the Baron and himself would 
 divide a hundred thousand roubles, — if the contracts 
 were duly approved, — he burned under the fierce denun- 
 ciation of Prince Youresief. For, he was both brave and 
 rash. 
 
 The old Marechale de Noblesse had heard ugly stories 
 of the strangely unexplained death of his predecessor. 
 Excellence Pierre Dumont. There was no one to bene- 
 fit by the taking off of Serge Dumont, now, but the Rado- 
 vich clan! Prince Youresief had not spared General 
 Radovich in their long colloquy before Colonel Milovitch 
 had been called up to receive his quietus. 
 
 "I do not suspect you, Andre," said the irate Prince 
 to his old brother in arms. "But, — Arcady is capable 
 of anything! Alexandre is a nonentity — and, his wife 
 a termagant! It is she who has fomented this quarrel 
 of years, and — I know why! Simply because Pierre Du- 
 mont would not let her reign over Khaminavatka as his 
 ame damnee! 
 
 "Now, General, I have absolute orders to end this feud! 
 Look to it! If differences arise, let the law attend to 
 the property matters, — appeal to me, in all other affairs! 
 For, by God, I will pack Arcady off to the Caucasus, 
 and his name will be struck off the list of the noblesse! 
 I will attend to Milovitch — fear will hold back his trigger 
 finger ! 
 
 "The slightest scandal on Baroness Lili's part will 
 cancel her daughter's nomination, and as for Baron 
 Alexandre, — he will be deprived of any future govern- 
 ment dealings! 
 
 "Now, sir, you hold the future of your family in your 
 hands ! I shall notify Serge Dumont to shoot down like 
 a dog anyone who affronts him, or trespasses on his 
 privacy! You are now warned — and — remember, I have 
 orders from the Czar's Private Cabinet to quell this 
 feud! 
 
 "For, never ask me where I got the news of this 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 173 
 
 bloody massacre contemplated — or how I have learned 
 that Pierre Dumont paid for his unhappy election with 
 his life! You are held by the Czar responsible now to 
 end this feud! Keep the peace on the Dying Water! 
 Look at this letter! 
 
 "A truthful response to it would take these imperial 
 eagles ofif your shoulders! You would be an aide de 
 camp of the Czar no longer than the receipt of my letter ! 
 Send me this dangling dragoon now — and — a last word 
 with you — Baroness Lili must vary her favors — or re- 
 turn to the retirement of her steppe home! There she 
 has only her purblind husband to hoodwink!" 
 
 And, with an ashen face, Andre Radovich had left 
 the presence of the loyal old noble who had learned at 
 Wosnescenk of the deliberate plan of the two swash 
 bucklers to entrap Serge in a hasty duel, without a 
 friend at his back! 
 
 For, Arcady's brutal menaces had been spread far 
 and wide — and — Milovitch had a gloomy record behind 
 him, of fatal brawls. 
 
 No man ever knew the whip lash words with which the 
 knightly Gregory Youresief scourged Colonel Michel 
 Milovitch! "I have my eye on you," the old veteran 
 fiercely said. "One crooked turn of your malignant 
 deviltry, and the Commander of the Army Corps shall 
 summon a Court of Honor. I will be the responsible 
 witness! Your road lies, with a shaved forehead, to Si- 
 beria, as a degraded and broken officer — and — there — 
 you may receive a return, in kind, from the men whom 
 you have brutalized in your long career. They are not 
 apt to be merciful!" 
 
 As the shrinking wretch cowered before the angry 
 Marechale de Noblesse — Youresief calmly concluded, 
 "Flaunt Alexandre Radovich's dishonor no longer be- 
 fore the faces of your brother officers ! Take heed ! Even 
 a mari complaisant may turn upon you! 
 
 "She may select a younger, — a handsomer, — a richer, 
 — and — a more discreet lover! Begone! And — know 
 that I have ordered the Inspector to keep an eye on you 
 — and — your dealings! 
 
 "If you want the satisfaction of a gentleman, I will 
 
1^4 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 dignify you by that name for just twenty-four hours, 
 until I leave! You know how to get it!" 
 
 And so it fell out that Lili Radovich had reaped a rich 
 harvest in kind for the abuse of her defiant daughter, 
 from the burly lover who had cringed like a cur before 
 Youresief's fiery anger. 
 
 The Baroness, always sure of her slave, sent him away 
 placated after a bitter quarrel to meet Arcady Radovich 
 in a recrimination which made the vaurien desperate. 
 
 But, Lili Radovich — for the first time in her life — cow- 
 ered before a man, when the General gave her his part- 
 ing orders. "You are on the brink of ruin! Family 
 ruin, public disgrace! See to it that you write to Olga 
 Cherikoff and have her soften down your child's resent- 
 ment! 
 
 "Let Magda absolutely alone! I go to Moscow to 
 bring the one woman here who can smooth over this 
 juncture! You know as well as I, that once, — at St. 
 Petersburg — in the Court, — Magda's youthful spirits and 
 awakened vanity, her love of pleasures yet to be known 
 for the first time, will awaken her unfolding heart! 
 Leave it to her — to float with the stream ! 
 
 "One more quarrel — and — ^you are ruined forever! 
 I shall bring Vera Orbelefif back with me — I shall keep 
 Magda at Bratskoe — where Michel Milovitch shall never 
 set his foot — while the child is there. 
 
 "As for Arcady, its a choice with him now, between 
 starvation and a chain — or, my bounty! And — the last 
 injunction, if you must play Catherine II, — veil your- 
 self here — and, — wait till you return to your own home! 
 There you have only the gray ravens of the steppes as 
 witness, for your moujiks are all blind dolts! If Magda 
 calls for my protection, — she leaves your roof forever!" 
 There was no mistaking the old General's mood — it was 
 an unforgiving one. 
 
 The days dragged along at Kief, while General Rado- 
 vich posted night and day, the nine hundred and fifty 
 versts to Moscow. He had not owned to his family 
 clan, the fears which shook his own bosom! One word 
 from Prince You-resief — and, — he would be disgraced 
 before all Russia. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA, 175 
 
 "Vera — Vera," he sighed, "My last resort — my only 
 hope ! If she can not softly master this girl with insinu- 
 ating kindness, then^ — my court career is closed!" 
 
 Madame la Baronne Lili Radovich resplendent at the 
 theatre de a Ville — the theatre Zetov,— and the Chateau 
 des Fleurs, — .wisely selected an entourage from the 
 younger patrician officers of the swarming Headquarters, 
 and smilingly nodded to Milovitch, at the Jardin des 
 Eaux, and the Hermitage, while her subjugated lover 
 raged in a mad jealousy. 
 
 The concerts, — promenade militaires, — ^the dainty 
 breakfasts, — grand dinners, and jolly little suppers gave 
 her a chance to judiciously vary her favors, and, — with a 
 secret glee, — ^the reckless woman demurely dropped her 
 eyes, as she insisted to the pleading Colonel, that her 
 changed social deportment was "for their joint safety." 
 
 But, under the budding roses of the villa at Bratskoe, 
 Magda, the true hearted, now walked, with freshened 
 beauty mantling her fair cheeks. 
 
 Secure in her uncle's protection, cheered and soothed 
 by the motherly old widow's love, she carried in her 
 heart a new hope, — the postponement of all effort to 
 force her to the Neva as a court butterfly. 
 
 Free in her movements, relieved from espionage, she 
 had hastened to the home of the village priest, on the 
 morning after the departure of her family. 
 
 There, Xenia was already awaiting her, and as the 
 days glided on, — there were many hours of stolen hap- 
 piness. 
 
 Her ardent lover, by varied visits, morning, noon or 
 night, found his way to the cottage of the pope, — ^when 
 that functionary was absent upon his parochial work, 
 and, by hazard, Xenia was always there to busy the good 
 housewife with her traffic in embroideries, or the con- 
 tinued pretexts invented by her fertile brain. 
 
 It was a month after the departure of all her family 
 jailers when Magda Radovich received a letter which 
 brought the blood leaping to her heart in a quick flood ! 
 
 The General and Princess Vera Orbeleff were now 
 posting down from Kief to Bratskoe, and — the wily old 
 uncle begged his niece to prepare for the visit to the 
 12 
 
175 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Youresiefs, conducted by the winsome court beauty! 
 
 Magda awoke from a dream of eternal happiness with 
 a start! 
 
 It was now the witching month of Love and the ro- 
 mance of the steppe was breathed in every unfolding 
 flower — in every bursting blossom ! The ardent girl had 
 plied every gentle art upon her indulgent old duenna. 
 
 In the soft summer evenings she had often driven 
 alone over to her deserted home, and, now. mindful of 
 the spies whom she feared might have been left by the 
 revengeful Arcady, she had learned the way to cross the 
 Dying Water, in her own little boat, anchored by the 
 shore in the great pool. 
 
 Always alone, — stealing into the now impenetrable 
 shades of the park of Khaminavatka, — she had passed 
 many happy hours in the little chalet, where her lover 
 was ever battling with the problem of forcing a marriage 
 before the fatal nomination to the Court circle should 
 put them both out of the pale of the clemency of the 
 Imperial consorts. 
 
 The dark clouds still lingered over them^ for ruin to 
 one or both — confiscation of property, — loss of rank or 
 a re-opening of the bitter feud, to end in blood, — faced 
 the devoted pair at every turn. 
 
 "Serge, Serge!" cried Magda, "You must find the 
 way! For, the Court means our lifelong separation — 
 and — life under my mother's roof is now impossible! 
 My refusal of the nomination would lose me my last 
 friend, the General — and, — if you confide in Youresief — 
 you lose the only man who could gain the Czar's clem- 
 ency ! We are doomed — and — there is but one pathway 
 open — flight — or my disappearance!" 
 
 As those happy days flew by, the brief respite from 
 dogging spies, Magda and Xenia studied long in secret 
 over the plan of a disappearance which should leave 
 Serge frankly free to deny all knowledge of the where- 
 abouts of the Day Star! Their meetings were held in 
 the house of the village pope — on Xenia's tri-weekly 
 visits to Bratskoe. 
 
 And — late — at night, — in the darkest recesses of the 
 shaded park, Serge Dumont wandered with Xenia, who 
 
. THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 177 
 
 had with marvelous energy taken up the discipUne of the 
 great chateau. 
 
 The happy Boursakoff with three hundred laborers 
 had sown the great crops of wheat, millet, rape seed, 
 buckwheat, — and the fields were now alive with hundreds 
 of peasants. 
 
 The orchards, gardens and plantations, as well as the 
 stately park, were all now in superb order — ^the incense 
 breath of bursting blossoms was filling the balmy air! 
 
 It was after a long conference with the young Baron- 
 ess, now made desperate by Magda's news of the arrival 
 of the General and the all conquering Princess Vera, 
 that Serge parted moodily with Xenia, in the park at 
 midnight, after the faithful woman had followed Magda 
 to the farther shore, returning by a different path! 
 
 His heart was wrung by Magda's wailing cry. "This 
 is the last night — ^we must trust to God alone, now! 
 They come to-morrow — and, — no one can outwit Prin- 
 cess Vera." 
 
 Both the lovers realized a change of plan, and each 
 feared the jealous treachery of the two who were urging 
 on the gilded exile of the now betrothed girl! 
 
 "Tell me, Xenia," cried Serge. "I must depend on 
 you — for you alone can meet her now. Is there no way? 
 Where is your woman wit?" 
 
 The ardent woman turned and faced him under a dark- 
 ened clump of oaks, elms, walnuts and maples, the shaded 
 heart of the park — now throbbing with summer's witch- 
 ery! 
 
 For, in the magic South Russian summer they could 
 almost hear the quickening growth of the waving 
 wheat, — a foot high, — stretching far away in an emerald 
 band, — scores of miles broad — and a hundred miles long. 
 
 "It will come to my plan at last! Hide her away, 
 Barin! For God's sake, listen, before you lose her for- 
 ever! I know how hard the Russian heart is!" 
 
 Her sobs mingled with Serge Dumont's sighs as he 
 turned away alone, from his last tryst — and sought the 
 chateau, alone in despair. 
 
 The Intendant's bell had tolled midnight, and the un- 
 happy lover mounted to the roof of the ch^teai; to gaze 
 
 12 
 
178 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. • 
 
 upon the light which showed him that his dauntless 
 fiancee was safe, at home — awaiting the morning for her 
 return to face the wily visitors. 
 
 He wandered into the upper corridor, after flashing a 
 return signal across the stream, and entering the deserted 
 upper rooms, opened the secret door, and by some im- 
 pulse, wandered into the hidden eastern chambers ! 
 
 Love had led his feet there, and, upon the dust-cov- 
 ered floors, his steps sadly marked the requiem of his 
 hopes. 
 
 "If they take her from me, I shall kill myself," he 
 swore, as he gazed at the walls whence he had removed 
 the crumbHng picture of the lovely woman of the past, 
 whose gracious presence seemed to be with him again, 
 to-night ! 
 
 The candle fell from his hand as a woman glided to his 
 side! "Come! Come!" cried Xenia, gazing around in 
 surprise at the secret haunt. "I followed you here, by 
 the light! I have found a dangerous traitor — and, we 
 may be betrayed at once to those wretches at Kief." 
 
 Serge Dumont dragged the excited woman through 
 the opening, closed the false door and locked the cover- 
 ing armoire. "On your life, tell no one of these rooms! 
 No living soul knows but you and I!" The woman 
 bowed her head in a silent oath! "Now, your news?" he 
 demanded, as they faced each other in the lonely aban- 
 doned guest chamber. "I was coming back through 
 the park when I became conscious that I was being fol- 
 lowed! I glided along to where I could get a view in a 
 starlit opening — and saw a lad stealing along after me. 
 
 "I then dallied until I could make sure of him. 
 
 "With a few springs, I was soon upon him, and — I 
 tied his hands with my veil ! He whimpered and I have 
 locked him in the ice room below! Come down to him! 
 Kill him," gasped the desperate woman. "Then, no one 
 will ever know! For, his lying tongue may lose you the 
 Day Star! And, I warn you — Barin — you may find 
 Magda any day floating dead in the Mertvovod! 
 
 "Are you a man — to let her be dragged away to a 
 gilded shame— a death, by inches! Let me hide her for 
 you! They will never find her!" 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 179 
 
 "Peace, you rave!" cried Serge, striding along in 
 search of the culprit ! When the two stood side by side, 
 facing the cowering young scoundrel, Serge Dumont 
 started back. 
 
 "The orphan boy from Kharkov!" he muttered, and 
 then — all the villainous treachery flashed upon him. 
 
 Drawing a pistol from his pocket, he suddenly clapped 
 it to the young wretch's ear! "Who set you on to follow 
 me?" demanded the nobleman, in a voice as cutting as 
 the icy blast! Quick — answer — or I'll scatter your 
 brains! The truth!" 
 
 Groveling at his feet, the young spy faltered. "Ar- 
 cady Radovich!" "And — you have often seen him?" 
 The muzzle was pressed closer. 
 
 "Once only, Barin!" howled the youth. "When?" 
 "A month and a half ago, when you commenced to make 
 love to this lady — and to walk in the park at night! I 
 crossed the river and then told him about your meeting 
 her in the summer house and the park at night!" "And, 
 to-night?" Serge queried. "I followed you and her in 
 the garden — but, I was afraid to come too near!" 
 
 "Brute!" cried Serge, spurning him with his foot. 
 "Get up and follow me!" 
 
 The three mounted the stairway to Serge Dumont's 
 superb state chambers. "Go over, Xenia!" cried her 
 master, "to the stables. Wake up one of the Cossacks, 
 tell him to come here with ropes to bind this thief whom 
 I have caught in the chateau!" 
 
 The angered woman fled away on her errand. 
 
 In ten minutes, the young scoundrel's arms and knees 
 were lashed with rawhide ropes, and then — the Master 
 cried, "Drag that brute over to the stables! Keep him 
 locked up alone— there — ^till Boursakoff comes! If he 
 speaks or tries to escape, — shoot him dead !" 
 
 Left alone, the two confidants of Love gazed in each 
 other's eyes! "He knows nothing of Magda," resolutely 
 said Xenia, "or else Arcady would have done his worst! 
 
 "He has only followed me — thinking you are pleased 
 to amuse yourself with me!- 
 
 "Now, punish the snake! He is a vagabond— he has 
 no passport — a lying hound— and — a traitor!" "What 
 
i8o THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 shall I do with him?" demanded Serge. "You can not 
 kill him now — the Cossack has seen him! 
 
 "I would have killed him and buried him in the gar- 
 den! The dog would not be missed! There are only- 
 two things to choose from! Keep him locked up here 
 as a thief — till all is over — or else, send him down to 
 Odessa — to be put in the navy. Or you might have 
 Prince Youresief send him away with a draft of soldiers 
 to the Caucasus!" 
 
 Serge lifted his head. "I will have him_ put in the army 
 as a drummer, and have him sent to Siberia. They will 
 not lose him, out there! Youresief shall send him on 
 with the convict draft in the fall ! But, Boursakofif shall 
 keep him tmder lock and key until the whole convoy is 
 ready! I'll send two men with the brute to see him off, 
 when the annual convict ship sails from Odessa!" 
 
 It was half an hour before Serge Dumont had aroused 
 the Intendant and secured the spy. "I will be answer- 
 able for him," growled the happy bridegroom, "the, 
 blacksmith will rivet his chains to the wall in the bread 
 storerooms where four men are always on guard! And 
 — he won't talk!" significantly said the Intendant. 
 
 And now followed a week of burning anxieties, of 
 sleepless pacing his lonely halls, for despite all the in- 
 genuity of the devoted Xenia, there was no thorough- 
 fare to reach the side of the practically imprisoned young 
 Baroness. 
 
 With a desperate hardihood, Xenia had tried every 
 cunning ruse and failed! 
 
 For, all the village of Bratskoe now knew that the en- 
 trancing Princess Vera Orbeleff was queening it at Gen- 
 eral Radovich's villa — and that the young Baroness was 
 ill, tossing in a fever there — under the care of Madame 
 Cherikoff. 
 
 Day by day, Serge Dumont's face grew hollow and 
 haggard, and all unnoticed, his splendid harvests ripened 
 toward the yellow gold! 
 
 Piles of letters lay unanswered on his table, and, but 
 one sign of interest broke the mental stupor of the half- 
 crazed lover. 
 
 It was when Prince Youresief's courier arrived with 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. i8i 
 
 a special invitation to visit him at Bobrinetz for a fort- 
 night to meet the Princess Vera Orbeleff. 
 
 Serge Dumont's letter of declination was couched in 
 all the icy reserve of a grand seigneur and alleged his 
 own serious illness as an absolute bar to any accept- 
 ance. 
 
 His only occupation was to gaze across the river at 
 the still deserted mansion, for Madame la Baronne Lili 
 was now reigning at Kief, with judicious impartiality. 
 
 "My God! What can I do?" cried Xenia, in whose 
 veins now burned a fierce unrest. With a sudden im- 
 pulse, she sprang to her master's side! "There is but 
 one last hope! The priest's wife can make a visit at 
 the villa! Neither the Princess nor the General will 
 suspect her! And, Madame Cherikoff is very fond of 
 her!" 
 
 Serge Dumont clasped the woman's hands! "Take 
 the carriage and go! Drive like the wind! Tell the 
 wife of the Pope to come back here with you, after you 
 have sent her to Magda! You know what to say to the 
 woman ! There will be a thousand roubles for her if she 
 safely brings me a letter!" 
 
 With hungry eyes, the passionate hearted man saw the 
 coachman lashing the horses over the hill, and — he only 
 raised his head when his faithful Intendant entered! 
 
 There was a strange light in Boursakofi's eyes as he 
 resolutely said: 
 
 "Barin! I take my God to witness that I must send for 
 Prince Youresief 's physician — if you are not better soon ! 
 Think of two thousand souls here — of all in the other 
 provinces who depend on you! It is the fatal summer 
 sun fever — ^the malaria! Or — shall I summon Madame 
 FederofI — or the Lieutenant! The villagers are excited 
 — your household is half crazed. You are the last of 
 the Dumonts!" 
 
 In a calm voice. Serge Dumont answered his staunch 
 servitor. "You were born on this estate, Nicolas ! You 
 ruled here for my brother — if you urge this matter again 
 — you leave Khaminavatka forever! I am not sick! — 
 I have done!" 
 
 And before his pointing finger the sorrowing Boursa- 
 
l82 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 koff sorrowfully receded, leaving the young man with a 
 world of memories and of sighs. 
 
 The evening shadows had fallen when Xenia, her eyes 
 aflame, glided into her master's room! "The priest's wife 
 is below! She will tell you all! But, firsts the letter!" 
 
 Xenia stood with her hands clasped across h^r heaving 
 breast as the lover read the few lines so precious in his 
 eyes — a death sentence of his hopes — a balm to his heart. 
 The girl's trembling hand had traced these words. 
 
 "I am now only a prisoner at bay! Vera demands 
 that I go with her to Prince Youresief — where you are 
 expected. I have told her that I would die first! They 
 have sent for my parents from Kief — and — my brother 
 Ivan from Saint Petersburg. There is to be a family 
 council. I have sworn to refuse the Maid of Honor's 
 nomination, and they are holding it back — ^until my 
 brother comes^ and Prince Youresief urges me to accept! 
 It is the beginning of the end — for — I shall demand to 
 go home — to my own home. The Princess knows noth- 
 ing! 
 
 "Beware of her! She is coming to visit you, en sur- 
 prise. As for me, I shall be soon back to the Dying 
 Water! Bid Xenia watch for me in the grove. Arcady 
 will not come! I shall see you once again — and — then — 
 I will find my own release. 
 
 "But — I know you will not ever marry anyone — but — 
 your heart-broken Magda." And the letter was wet 
 with his tears, as he kissed the beloved words. 
 
 It all seemed like a fevered dream to Serge Dumont 
 now, — the secret counsels with the priest's simple wife 
 were bound by a fearful oath upon the Holy Evangels 
 to secrecy, — as she departed with her answer to the dis- 
 tracted girl's letter hidden in her bosom! 
 
 Late that night, Serge Dumont listened to Xenia as 
 she knelt before him and then pleaded for the life of 
 the love throbbing now in Magda's aching heart! "There 
 is but one way! Listen!" 
 
 And then with swift insidious suggestion, the woman 
 who fought for the fruition of her master's love pleaded 
 with him. "Say not no! Say not no! to-night, beloved 
 Barin," she cried. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 183 
 
 It was long after midnight, when Serge yielded, with 
 one last muttered injunction: "Yes I But, — only at the 
 last!" For his honor was fighting now against his hun- 
 gry heart! How could he make Magda a wife? 
 
 Like the wolf in the hunter's track, Xenia haunted 
 Bratskoe until the family party had broken up, and, the 
 pale faced Magda had been transferred to her own home 1 
 
 A grim scowl ruled the face of General Radovich as 
 he welcomed his spirited nephew who had arrived from 
 Kief, riding relays of dragoon horses — after his hasty 
 summons by telegraph. 
 
 Colonel Milovitch had disappeared to Wosnescenk 
 when the young Guardsman's impending arrival was al- 
 ready announced, and there was no one to witness the 
 nephew's meeting with his grim uncle. 
 
 "What devil's work is all this?" cried the tall young 
 grenadier. "Arcady has told me all, — give me but a 
 half hour with Magda— and, — I will end the whole af- 
 fair!" 
 
 Regardless of the prayers of the fascinating Princess 
 Vera,' — the half crazed brother galloped madly on to 
 his birthplace, where Magda Radovich — under her fa- 
 ther's care — sternly faced her doom, and turned her face 
 away from the mother who had borne her! 
 
 General Andre, on his porch, watched Princess Vera's 
 departure, in state, for her visite de ceremonie at Kham- 
 inavatka. 
 
 It was midnight when the court beauty returned, and 
 showed her tear stained eyes to her friend and fellow 
 conspirator! "I drive home by the Baron's," she fal- 
 tered. "All is lost! There has been a frightful scene 
 between Ivan and his sister! He absolutely demanded 
 her instant submission to her mother — her categorical 
 acceptance of the Tzaritza's nomination. 'You have 
 ruined us all — and — ^you shall yield now — or go to a 
 nunnery.' 
 
 "He reproached her with a thousand things gathered 
 from Arcady — ^vile accusations, and, — on her refusal to 
 meet or speak to her mother, cursed her, as having 
 brought disgrace in the family and found a secret lover 
 among the nearest officers. 
 
l84 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Baron Alexandre is helpless — and Lili, in a frenzy! 
 Go there, — my friend, go to-morrow — or, else, there will 
 be a tragedy ! God knows what ! 
 
 "I leave here to-morrow — and — you — you — can an- 
 swer to the Tzar and Tzaritza for this insult to the crown! 
 Magda has a heart of stone — and, she left the house 
 and wandered out alone — on the steppe! I go to Prince 
 Youresief — thence back, to Moscow and to Finland! If 
 you care to save your rank, — take your family matters 
 into your own hand! I have done!" 
 
 The defeated woman never told the astonished Gen- 
 eral Radovich of the icy courtesy of her reception by 
 Serge Dumont! That slae had tried every art of Eve, — 
 that she had pleaded with the lonely noble to join her at 
 Prince Youresief's, and that his proud stately sorrow had 
 even disarmed the lovely serpent of the Neva. 
 
 In the hours spent wandering over the royal park, — 
 in the tour through the varied splendors of the vast cha- 
 teau, — in the sauntering by leafy path and blossoming 
 orchard, where the flowers whispered of love and love's 
 delight, — Vera Orbelefl met her first defeat at man's 
 hands, — the cold repulse of indifference! 
 
 "I had pledged my heart to end this feud of years," 
 the crafty woman murmured as her carriage splashed 
 through the Dying Water! There is a curse upon this 
 fair Kherson paradise! It is haunted with old hatreds — 
 and these stormy hearts only nurse murder! It is too 
 late — too late !" 
 
 With her castles in Spain shattered around her, — the 
 defeated woman cast up her accounts that night! 
 
 "Youresief shall aid me ! I will abandon the visit with 
 General Radovich — for this girl has been driven mad by 
 their brutality — and — the old Aide de Camp is a ruined 
 man!" 
 
 Before noon next morning she was twenty-five versts 
 on her way to Bobrinetz — where a wild eyed courier 
 overtook her — with Andre Radovich's heartbroken 
 pleading to turn back. 
 
 It had been the darkened night of a violent passing 
 storm — blown from the Urals. 
 
 Five miles below Bratskoe, the little pleasure boat of 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 185 
 
 the young Baroness was found overturned and drifting in 
 the swollen stream — and — never again did the light foot 
 of the Day Star of the Mertvovod cross the threshold 
 where an affrighted household vainly waited for her 
 coming! 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 THE FOOT OF THE FOEMAN!— BETRAYED! 
 
 The sudden storm burst of the night of Magda Rado- 
 vich's disappearance passed away by daybreak, and the 
 spangled steppe lifted up its smiling face again to the 
 blue clouds in peace ! No sign was left of the violent ele- 
 mental disturbance^ save the yellow foaming waters of 
 the swollen Mertvovod sweeping down to the muddy 
 Bug. 
 
 A watershed of two hundred and fifty miles was 
 drained by the Dying Water, which in the height of 
 summer was only a succession of deep pools strung along 
 its lower bed for fifty miles from the junction with the 
 Bug. 
 
 They were united by threads of water seeping through 
 the sandy bars between the precious lakelets upon which 
 two hundred and fifty thousand cattle, sheep and horses 
 depended for their lives in the blazing furnace of July, 
 August and September. A strange and capricious 
 stream — the fatal Dying Water. 
 
 But, on this morning when hundreds of peasants were 
 searching the banks from the Radovich manor to Wosne- 
 scenk, the Dying Water had overflowed all the broad 
 meadows in front of Baron Radovich's lonely mansion, 
 and a yellow flood a foot deep was spread over the great 
 flat. 
 
 It had been a fearful night, and all the Khaminavatka 
 household knew, that, the Excellence Serge, cut ofif by 
 the floods in the Park, had passed the night alone at the 
 chalet. 
 
l86 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 There was no ominous outcry on the domain of the 
 Dumonts, and the whole two thousand souls were buried 
 like ants with the varied labors of the domain. 
 
 At four, the Intendant's bell aroused the villagers, as 
 usual, as well as the hundred and fifty extra manor la- 
 borers. By dawn, the air was filled with the lov/ing of 
 herds, — the neighing of horses, — the bleat of sheep and 
 goats, and the hoarse confusion of the swine, as the herds 
 of the Mir were all driven afield to pasture in the un- 
 fenced fallow fields, attended by the children and old 
 men of the village. 
 
 The women drove out their flocks of geese and ducks, 
 the poultry proudly strutted in the golden sun and the 
 sentinel sheep dogs followed their docile flocks. 
 
 Far away in the fields, the robust women followed the 
 plow, with their seed bags, while the harrow moved along 
 covering the precious seed so eagerly coveted by the 
 gray-winged Napoleon ravens. 
 
 In forge, wheelright shop, and repair shop, — at Kham- 
 inavatka — the merry hammer rang on the anvil, the 
 steam engines were all puffing away, the dozen great 
 windmills turning their forty-foot arms, and a steam 
 pump energetically threw up the waters of the Mertvo- 
 vod to the huge cisterns supplying the fire tanks and 
 service pipes of the vast chateau. 
 
 Over in the village, the storks were roosting on the 
 thatched roofs of the cottages, or perched on the ladders, 
 always ready there to throw ofif the thatch in case of 
 fire, the only defense in a comparatively waterless land. 
 
 The roads were now thronged with peddlers' wagons 
 and scores of wandering agricultural laborers, with stick 
 and bundle, besieged the busy Intendant, for work. 
 
 The whole community from the patrician master to 
 the last beggar knew that in the five months when the 
 generous bosom of the steppe throbbed with creative life, 
 they must toil for the subsistence of all in the seven 
 dreary months of chill autumn, icy winter and drenching 
 storm swept spring. 
 
 Nicholas Boursakofif, with the light of a new happiness 
 on his face, was now afield from five at dawn to eight in 
 the evening! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA, 187 
 
 Long lines of women at the noon hour crouched by 
 the Httle fires in the steppe, preparing the noonday meal, 
 — while under little tents, the hardy infants of the Kher- 
 son peasants drank in the golden air of the opening 
 summer. 
 
 The blush of early morn lingered on the roses in the 
 Park, when Serge Dumont, pale-faced, and with a 
 strange light in his eyes, sought out Xenia, now the auto- 
 crat of the chateau. 
 
 "The time has come," he whispered, "for you to put 
 Anna Ivanowna in formal charge of all the household — 
 as far as the dining-room doors — ^the entire service^ cook- 
 ing, laundry and outside matters! 
 
 "You will have absolute charge of the reception of all 
 guests, — the libraries, — drawing-rooms,— my cabinet de 
 travail, — the dining-room service, — and — everything 
 above the first floor. If you will come with me, I have 
 some orders to give you." 
 
 It was a wonderment to the dozen upper servants to 
 see twenty stout moujiks soon install the astonished 
 Xenia — in the upper chambers of the eastern side, where 
 the great mahogany armoire masked the secret door to 
 the hidden rooms! 
 
 The grumbling moujiks protested in their hearts at a 
 peasant-born woman's astounding rise in social rank! 
 But, before their silent master's eyes, they quailed and 
 curbed their vulgar suspicions as to the base born woman 
 who now wore rich silk — and carried her keys on a 
 splendid silver chain. 
 
 All the morning the transfer of furniture and decora- 
 tions to Xenia's rooms continued, until the jealous un- 
 derlings murmured, "Is she to be the Lady of Kham- 
 inavatka?" But, they were all rejoiced with a bottle of 
 vodki on their dismissal ! And so they stifled their won- 
 derment. 
 
 And, then, when Serge Dumont had locked the door 
 of the superb new rooms of his handsome housekeeper, 
 he sprang to her side! "You know what to do!" he 
 hoarsely whispered. "Let them all think as they will! 
 It is our only safety!" Xenia, with burning eyes, whiS' 
 
l88 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 pered a few words in her master's ear — which left her 
 pale and trembling! 
 
 "To-night, — to-night!" he murmured, "till then, we 
 must trust to God's Providence — and, — to my right arm ! 
 After that — Xenia" — he smiled, "I fear nothing, for I 
 trust you to the death! If any one comes to the chateau, 
 send for me to the chalet, and, — on your life, speak not 
 a word!" 
 
 Strolling down toward the stairway, he turned back. 
 "Let my breakfast and dinner be sent down to the chalet 
 — you most come with it yourself — and — remember — 
 these rooms are your castle! Here are the keys!" 
 
 From his watchchain he detached the key of the ma- 
 hogany armoire. "I leave you now to your work! 
 Never let a human being cross this threshold ! You will 
 live here for your whole life! I shall remake my will — 
 as soon as I go to Bratskoe!" 
 
 When her master had disappeared, Xenia locked her 
 doors and descended to give some orders to her under 
 housekeeper, which placed Anna Ivanowna on duty at 
 the main entrances, and — then, she returned, breathless, 
 to a solitary labor of love and fear. 
 
 When the startled woman arrived at high noon, with 
 her master's dejeuner, she found the chalet doors open 
 to bird and bee, the little jewel box was deserted, but, 
 on a rustic bench near the bramble-hidden doors of the 
 cave in the Park, Serge Dumont was seated, book in 
 hand, and contemplating the fall of the waters of the 
 Mertvovod — for in the sandy soil, the sudden flood was 
 now dying away, the volume of water having passed 
 with a freshet wave. 
 
 Xenia, her dark eyes glowing with anxious tender- 
 ness, leaned over her master. "The Chief of Police and 
 the village priest are both here to see you ! There are a 
 thousand wild rumors flying over road and field! The 
 southern banks are alive with men — and — the Intendant 
 has come in from the field for your orders." 
 
 "What has happened?" mechanically demanded Serge, 
 but their eyes met and dropped in a meaning silence, as 
 Xenia glanced at the locked door of the cave, where 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 189 
 
 nothing was now visible behind the wondrously rapid 
 growth of the shrubs now leaping into a full fruitage. 
 
 "Remain here! Await my return! Do not move 
 from this seat!" Serge whispered, as he handed her a key. 
 "In case of accident/' he hoarsely cried — and their eyes 
 then met, in a pledge of eternal fidelity. 
 
 With measured pace, the young noble sought the 
 courtyard of the chateau, where the humble carriage of 
 the village pope was halted before the door! The fore- 
 head under the flowing golden hair sweeping to the 
 shoulders was now overcast with a great sorrow, and, 
 with a prayerbook clutched in his hands, the frightened 
 priest was moving his lips in continual prayer. 
 
 At the side of the vehicle, the little form of the Chief 
 of Police of Bratskoe was seen! A dashing young sol- 
 dier was Lieutenant Nikon Zoubof, and he sat his ner- 
 vous steed like a centaur! Behind him were ranged 
 eight Cossacks whose twinkling steel lance heads 
 gleamed blue in the sunlight. 
 
 At the door, with grave ceremony^ the Master of 
 Khaminavatka bade his guests enter! The young sol- 
 dier sprang from his horse after nimbly saluting, and 
 clanked into the library, his sabre slung diagonally, his 
 double revolvers and cartridge pouches showing him to 
 be on duty. With a wave of his hand. Serge Dumont 
 ordered the customary refreshments. 
 
 The frightened priest in vain tried to move his lips! 
 His little round eyes gleamed cunningly as he awaited 
 the Chief of Police! For, the one represented a tangible 
 and terrible Czar — and, — ^the other — only the shadowy 
 Eternal Kingdom! 
 
 "Pardon, Excellence and Barin," frankly said the 
 young officer. "I have fifty versts to ride before mid- 
 night! There has been a terrible occurrence! The 
 beautiful young Baroness Radovich left her house, last 
 night, for a stroll in the gardens, just before the storm 
 burst! She has not returned! 
 
 "Her little pleasure boat which was moored in the 
 large fishing pool of the three knolls has been found 
 bottom up, drifting in an eddy, fifteen versts below here. 
 And — also, — her veil and a light mantle have been picked 
 
igo THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 up along the shore — as well as the two oars — found five 
 versts apart! It is terrible — terrible! 
 
 "For, General Radovich and the Baron are with 
 Madame la Baronne who is nigh unto death! The vil- 
 lage physician and Madame Cherikoff are with her. 
 
 "Lieutenant Radovich of the Guards has command of 
 all the five hundred peasants searching the southern 
 shore of the Dying Water! 
 
 "A courier has been sent to Colonel Milovitch at Wos- 
 necenk to turn out his regiment and watch the Bug, with 
 boat patrols to try and recover the body. 
 
 "An express has also been sent for Baron Arcady 
 Radovich at Kief — and Prince Youresief, the Marechale 
 de Noblesse, who will be a guest of General Radovich at 
 Bratskoe, where Princess Vera is in charge." 
 
 The keen-eyed young soldier was studying Serge Du- 
 mont's face. "What can I do for you, Lieutenant?" he 
 gravely demanded. "Although I have no acquaintance 
 with my southern neighbors, you can call on me for any 
 help that I can render in this awful affair!" 
 
 "Nothing — nothing," uneasily answered the Chief of 
 Police. "We only wish the right to enter upon your 
 lands and to examine the whole domain! You can see 
 how anxious the family are to recover the body of the 
 unfortunate young Barina!" 
 
 The Master of Khaminavatka clapped his hands. 
 "Send the Intendant to me," he calmly said to Anna 
 Ivanowna. "I will give instant orders that all searchers 
 will be permitted to have full access to my domains! 
 You come and go as you will, — in the name of the Czar! 
 And — Father Ivan, also! I shall also extend every facil- 
 ity to Prince Youresief, as Marechale de Noblesse. 
 
 "The whole Radovich family are welcome also, — I beg 
 you will tender my peasants as searchers to Lieutenant 
 Radovich of the Preobajenskys. The only human be- 
 ings, I bar," said Serge, a pitiless scowl settling on hjs 
 face, "are Colonel Milovitch, and Arcady Radovich! 
 
 "The one," he boldly said, "is a blackguard — and — Ar- 
 cady is a recreant loafer, and a cowardly dog! If he 
 ever crosses my lands, I will have him thrashed with a 
 dog whip like a drunken peasant! 
 
TIfE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. IQI 
 
 "He knows why! Afid, now," concluded the young 
 Excellence with a faint sneer, "you are of course aware 
 that the fishing pool of the three knolls lies at the south- 
 west corner of my l^nds! It is quite clear that nothing 
 could drift either the boat or the body of this unfortu- 
 nate young lady up stream, for the ten miles of our 
 frontage! The storm last night would have swamped 
 a frigate in the Dyiiig Water! Look even now at the 
 flood!" He led them to the windows! "Your proper 
 search is belovjr- — far below here ! But — do as you will ! 
 I join in the sorrow — and — all my people shall aid — if 
 need be!" 
 
 "Excellence," nervously said the hesitating young 
 ofificer, "the Princess Vera bade me tell you that the 
 missing Baroness Magda has been somewhat ill and un- 
 duly excited of late! There has been a lingering hope 
 that she might have wandered out of her gardens, crossed 
 the river, and be found upon the steppe! 
 
 "We have searched all our lands — and — would like to 
 search yours! It is a forlorn hope — but, who can tell 
 what a demented young girl may do!" 
 
 The young ijoble faced his listeners, after admitting 
 Nicolas Boursakofif, and carrying on a whispered collo- 
 quy. "We have two thousand working men, women 
 and children scattered over the whole domain to-day. 
 The flocks and herds are all in the fields ! My Intendant 
 here heard the news in the field at nine o'clock! He 
 has had twenty Cossacks ride over forty square versts! 
 They are all in ! Not a sign has been discovered of the 
 poor child! No one has seen her upop my domains!" 
 he firmly said. "In our two villages they know nothing! 
 I would be obliged, Lieutenant, if you would have your 
 Cossack detachment at once search all my parks and 
 plantations! Let them remain and examine the whole 
 estate! I will take you over the chateau myself, now!" 
 
 He rose with a courtly grace ! "The last. Excellence, 
 is useless, your word is my law!" said the Chief of Police, 
 with a low bow. "I thank you for the permission as to 
 the plantations — and will now leave you to ride back to 
 Bratskoe, and, as you wisely suggest, search both banks 
 
 13 
 
192 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 from the point of the three knolls as far as Wosnescenk. 
 It is there — that we will find her later. 
 
 "But — the last lingering chance is in your splendid 
 plantations ! She might, in her delirium, have wandered 
 over — if her boat touched your shore, for it seems that 
 the poor child was suddenly attacked by a violent de- 
 lirium last night! And, — what a heartbreak ! A special 
 courier has just brought her official appointment to be a 
 Maid of Honor to the Tzaritza! 
 
 "Prince Youresief sent it by an express to the Prin- 
 cess Vera." 
 
 The blinking priest had busied himself with the wines 
 and cigars, and in a low tone murmured his sorrows to 
 the astonished Boursakoff. "Have you anything to say, 
 Father Ivan?" calmly demanded Serge. "I shall, of 
 course, send my condolences to Prince Youresief, who 
 will convey them to the afflicted family!" 
 
 The priest cleared his throat! None of the Radovich 
 clan were frequenters of his confessional, save the miss- 
 ing girl — and, Khaminavatka had been the source of his 
 chief revenue — for the wild Serbian nobles were a god- 
 less race for three generations — and — duly hated of the 
 orthodox church. 
 
 Only the gentle Magda had poured out her sins and 
 sorrows in his ear, sealed by the awful sanctity of the 
 unviolated confessional. 
 
 Father Ivan had carelessly watched Xenia's frequent 
 visits to his house, and, the traffic in the peasant girls' 
 embroideries and matchless linens duly explained that 
 growing intimacy. 
 
 With true Russian cupidity, — his faithful wife had 
 hidden away the rich bribes received of Xenia, for the 
 rainy day which was sure to come — and, — she feared not 
 the terrors of the church ! 
 
 It had been Xenia's serpent-like wisdom which had 
 detached the willing woman, so that Serge and Magda 
 had met, all unknown to the housewife, in the three long 
 front rooms of the ample priestly cottage, while the 
 two daughters of the people croneyed in the household 
 department. 
 
 And, of the messages and letters, the simple woman 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 193 
 
 knew nothing, save that Xenia was carrying on a hidden 
 correspondence. 
 
 And — even this, — ^was easily explained by the attitude 
 of the hovisekeeper's revengeful and dangerous husband! 
 
 Father Ivan dismissed a faint growing suspicion which 
 was soon dispelled by Serge Dumont's lordly frankness. 
 
 "It is terrible — terrible," he murmured. "I shall — of 
 course — say masses — requiems, — I know nothing! The 
 hand of the Lord is heavy on us !" — andj he sipped his 
 last glass of wine en philosophe. 
 
 "Remember, Lieutenant," said the young noble, "my 
 Intendant will quarter and entertain your soldiers ! Leave 
 that to him, and, now for the park and plantations! I 
 will, before Father Ivan goes, say that should Milovitch 
 or Arcady Radovich wish to enter my grounds, they can 
 do so, — if escorted by you, — or any one of your gens 
 d'armes — only in that way — for you — represent the 
 power and honor of the Czar!" 
 
 Father Ivan trundled away, with his customary offer- 
 ings of wine and cigars and had forgotten all but the 
 good cheer, — long before he reached Bratskoe, where 
 the wildest tumult now reigned, over the loss of the 
 beautiful Day Star. 
 
 With an easy courtesy, Serge Dumont led the Chief 
 of Police down into the gardens, after the Cossacks, 
 dividing the area, had clattered away to scour the five 
 hundred acres of the park and plantations ! 
 
 The first place examined was the chalet, and, then, 
 with a composed face, Serge Dumont led his hawk mili- 
 tary visitor past the door of the cave, where Xenia, still 
 seated upon the bench, followed their movements with 
 a heart frozen in a sudden terror! It was a critical mo- 
 ment! 
 
 But, an hour later, the young ofificer spurred his horse 
 wildly over the steppe toward Bratskoe, leaving his police 
 to finish their systematic search. 
 
 "I shall be happy to receive Prince Youresief and the 
 Princess Orbeleff," said Serge Dumont, at parting. "If 
 I can further aid in the search, or give you any assistance, 
 call upon me! I shall order a redoubled vigilance, and, 
 will also have my Intendant call upon Prince Youresief 
 
 i3 
 
194 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 and give his evidence! In case of any news or the 
 slightest discovery I shall report directly to you, Lieu- 
 tenant," was Serge's adieu. 
 
 "The Dying Water is accursed, Barin," sadly answered 
 the brave young officer. "First, the strange death of 
 the Excellence Pierre, — our noble Marechale de No- 
 blesse, — my friend — my boyhood protector — and, — now 
 — this lovely girl's sad end comes to bring another 
 horror! 
 
 "There never will be peace until Arcady Radovich 
 leaves the Kherson forever! He is a devil — and only 
 hate — sorrow and misery follow his cowardly footsteps! 
 Neither of the men you spoke of — shall ever disgrace me 
 — with their company!" 
 
 He spurred away— a loyal and gallant figure — leaving 
 Serge Dumont alone, — trembling on the verge of an un- 
 earthly happiness. 
 
 Lightly as the leopard. Serge Dumont then sprang 
 back to Xenia's side! "Go now — finish your labors 
 alone! I will wait here!" The trembling woman 
 seized his hands. "When?" she whispered — as her 
 knees smote together. "Bring down my dinner to the 
 chalet," whispered Serge, "when it is dark! Here is the 
 key!" 
 
 Then, drawing her to him, he murmured, "I will meet 
 you at the garden steps at midnight! You will give the 
 keys of your rooms to me! When we have come down 
 together to the chalet, you and I, you will leave your 
 wraps and mantles on my table ! I will return, not alone, 
 to your rooms — and the household spies will believe it to 
 be you! Let them deceive themselves! It is our only 
 safety ! 
 
 "Then, you can lock the chateau and steal back to 
 your rooms at three o'clock by the servants' stairs ! The 
 door will be open! I will be there! And — have all 
 ready — as if for a queen!" 
 
 The brave woman slowly returned to the house, while 
 in the darkening shadows, Serge Dumont, stealing into 
 the dense shrubbery, unlocked the door of the cave — and 
 disappeared in an instant! And, slowly the shades of 
 night fell over park and dreary river ! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. I95 
 
 A week later, the sound of mass and requiem mourn- 
 fully swelled out from the open doors of the crowded 
 church of Bratskoe! There were knots of gossips before 
 the doors of every house in the scattered villages who 
 sadly told the story of the growing mystery of the death 
 of the Day Star! 
 
 Whether her corpse had been carried on tov/ard the 
 sea, or sucked down in an eddy of the muddy Bug was 
 a problem for the wearied searchers! Across the valley 
 of the Mertvovod, the lights gleamed out from every 
 window of the unhappy home which Magda had quitted 
 under a brother's bitter curse, — and the alternative of a 
 court exile or a convent prison ! 
 
 The ill-matched pair were plunged in the crushing 
 sorrow of their pecuniary ruin, for General Radovich 
 was now coarsely sullen and egoistic ! "I am ruined and 
 — you are paupers! Look out for yourselves!" he 
 growled — as he left the house of mourning. "I shall 
 take your son away with me ! Our only hope is for him 
 to rejoin his Regiment at once ! I shall send letters from 
 Prince Youresief, the Princess Vera and myself, to the 
 Master of Ceremonies and the Private Secretary of the 
 Tzaritza! 
 
 "For — a frank explanation of this unhappy death, 
 alone, will save me my rank!" 
 
 The bereaved brother, with agony in his heart, knelt 
 alone in prayer in Magda Radovich 's deserted rooms! 
 His handsome, manly face was convulsed with sorrow, 
 as he bade a last adieu to the beloved girl whom he had 
 left bright, glowing and happy — before her departure! 
 His storm of passion had faded away, and he saw himself 
 the tool of the ambitious and needy parents ! 
 
 Goaded on with remorse, he followed his uncle silently 
 to Bratskoe, — having locked up his sister's deserted 
 rooms and placed his own seal upon the doors ! 
 
 There was a sorrowful congress at the Bratskoe villa, 
 as General Radovich welcomed Prince Youresief — and 
 the hapless Princess Vera. 
 
 For, all the searchers were now in. Even the burly 
 Colonel Milovitch, working with frantic eagerness, had 
 at last ordered back his soldiers to their casernes! The 
 
196 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 lovely Day Star of the Dying Water was now only a 
 gracious and graceful memory ! 
 
 In an inner room, a splashed and wearied traveler 
 clung to Ivan Radovich, now packing for his thousand- 
 verst journey by post, to carry the sad news, that the 
 Empress' honors had arrived all too late! 
 
 Arcady Radovich was wolfish in his fury. He drew 
 the young officer aside and whispered vile suggestions 
 which brought the brother to the point of frenzy. "You 
 drunken fool!" cried Ivan — "the two never met in life! 
 And, — you know it! My sister carried no secret to her 
 grave!" 
 
 "They might have exchanged letters," urged Arcady, 
 unabashed. "Xenia, his handsome mistress, had a lover 
 over on our side of the river, and she has been seen to 
 cross the Dying Water at night ! 
 
 "Moreover, I put a boy on to watch this Serge Du- 
 mont's every movement, a smart lad! He found Du- 
 mont and Xenia, love philandering in the park — and — 
 now, — the boy has disappeared, — swallowed up ! I know 
 another man — that Serge Dumont captured — and, per- 
 haps, has murdered! Xenia's husband — ^was the man 
 who kept the Post Station. Serge stole the handsome 
 jade away from her poor husband — and — now — she is the 
 keeper of his harem — at Khaminavatka ! I've been to 
 all the boy's haunts here in Bratskoe — and — not even on 
 Sunday or a Saint's day — has he ever appeared since he 
 reported to me! Serge has caught him and killed him — 
 and — I tell you that I followed Magda in her rnidnight 
 voyages! There was some secret — why not, — with Du- 
 mont!" 
 
 "Begone ! You are a drunken fool !" cried the brother, 
 as he pushed the brute out of his rooms. "Go back to 
 Milovitch and pick up the crumbs from his table!" 
 
 In the splendid drawing room of the villa that night, 
 the young man stood, with bowed head, before the 
 courtly old Prince Youresief. 
 
 "Ivan, my boy!" the veteran kindly said, "you carry a 
 great sorrow away with you ! I am charged with a spe- 
 cial report upon this happening. Tell me all — and — you 
 can count upon my forgiveness !" 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 197 
 
 In an hour, — the old diplomat knew every secret of the 
 vulgar abuse,--the mad passion, — the heartless pressure 
 of insult, — showered upon the hapless girl. "I see it all" 
 — with a sigh, the Prince said. 
 
 With lightning rapidity, his heart bade him spare the 
 brilliant young soldier, the story of his mother's intrigue 
 with Colonel Milovitch. "The fault is not with you! 
 It was the heartless ambition which would thrust a 
 young girl out, alone — into the seething whirlpool of the 
 Russian Court! Try and forget, in a brave and loyal 
 service, your harshness to the poor dead girl! I have 
 other views as to Vera Orbeleff, the General and your 
 parents! They knew Magda's struggling soul! 
 
 "They drove her to desperation^ with trap, and scheme, 
 and coarse abuse! If she lives — she is already over the 
 Russian frontier — never to return ; — if she is dead, — then 
 they killed her ! And, now go, my boy— fear God, honor 
 the Czar — and, — leave these worldlings to me! I would 
 to God that you were a son of mine ! They have preyed 
 on your hot-blooded disposition — and brought you here 
 — to break your sister's heart!" 
 
 When the young soldier had started on his lonely ride 
 to the far-off Neva, — after an interview which Andre 
 Radovich and the wily Vera never forgot, the old Prince's 
 anger settled into a cold, ashen rage. 
 
 "I will never get the truth from the Radovichs! I will 
 take Vera — drive over to Khaminavatka — and — perhaps 
 — Serge Dumont may tell me the truth. 
 
 "And, these Radovichs shall feel my hand ! They have 
 driven the poor girl either to flight or suicide. God rest 
 her soul!" 
 
 That night, — a light footstep waked the echoes of the 
 secret rooms where once a hidden beauty had lived and 
 loved — and, — ^with her head upon her lover's breast, — a 
 despairing woman cried — "It is you and I, — now, Serge 
 — for life and death!" 
 
 "To eternity!" the lover cried — as he whispered — "I go 
 to Kharkof, — in a week — and — you shall be a loyal wife, 
 — blessed by the church, — my lily, — my darling, — my 
 White Lady of Khaminavatka!" 
 
 ■yVithin a few steps — ^the faithful Xenia kept watch be- 
 
198 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 hind her double-locked doors over a happiness which 
 melted two devoted hearts in the burning chrism of a 
 rapture beyond this world. 
 
 It was a long fortnight which followed the mysterious 
 disappearance of Magda Radovich. The peasants far 
 and wide told ohiinous stories of the wild summer night 
 storm in which the cruel Rusalkas, dressed in green 
 leaves, the treacherous water nymphs, in envy of the 
 young girl's beauty, had dragged her down into the dark 
 pools of the Mertvovod! 
 
 "She has been stolen away to their fairy crystal halls, 
 hidden down in the black, bottomless pools of the Dying 
 Water!" 
 
 And, then, to the sound of wailing requiem and 
 chanted prayers, — the little Kherson mourning com- 
 munity relinquished the last hope, — for, neither the Dy- 
 ing Water, — nor the Bug, — ever gave up the dead for 
 whom they had so vainly sought! 
 
 The countryside was all sooh busy in the fields, and 
 none were left to mourn for Magda, the loved and lost, 
 save those gloomy, secret antagonists, — the parents, in 
 their lonely home on the treacherous stream, now purling 
 along — a mere summer brook. And — a dull sorrow suc- 
 ceeded as of old — to the first wild storms of vain regret. 
 
 Arcady R.adovich had wisely fled the wrath to come, 
 and was hiding at the Post Station, where poor Excel- 
 lence Pierre's murder had been concocted. 
 
 For, a thunder clap had startled both the guilty lovers 
 of the Radovich manor — and the sneaking assassin 
 Arcady. 
 
 Prince Youresief had been charged by the Governor 
 of the Province with preparing a proces verbal of the 
 death of the beautiful young Maid of Honor, who had be- 
 longed to the Tzaritza, from the very moment of the 
 sealing of the patent of appointment! 
 
 No blushing young beauty could be named to the 
 vacancy until the Day Star of the Dying Water was 
 certified officially dead. 
 
 And, while the dejected Princess Vera, secretly in- 
 structed by the Prince, gained the confidence of Baroness 
 Lili, — and the magistrate of Bratskoe,-^the Chief of Po- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 199 
 
 lice recotded the evidence which the old Marechale de 
 Noblesse extracted from the unwilling General Andre 
 and the now openly disgraced husband! 
 
 For, the stolid peasants and village dwellers did not 
 hesitate to claim a judgment of God upon the heartless 
 woman, — in the loss of her only daughter, — cut off in her 
 maiden flower! It was Sin's sad harvest — ^this venge- 
 ance upon the unnatural mother. 
 
 But, the clear-headed old Prince saw a deeper sig- 
 nificance to the terrible family quarrel which had driven 
 the young fugitive out into the black midnight skies like 
 a leaf in the storrri! The cowardly Arcady — ^and the 
 repentant Lieutenant Ivan had confessed that the use of 
 force was threatened as a last resort to compel the girl to 
 accept a shining misery at court which led her along to 
 an officially designated husband who would fatten upon 
 her charms ! 
 
 "It has been a murder of the innocents!" growled 
 Youresief, "and, I will not wait for the Lord — 'Venge- 
 ance is mine — I will repay!' " 
 
 Ten days after the beginning of the secret investiga- 
 tion, a splashed Lieutenant of Cossacks, with a guard, 
 drew up before the villa at Bratskoe. 
 
 With grim delight, Prince Youresief read an order 
 from the Commander of the Twelfth Army Corps at 
 Kief, — instantly detaching Colonel Michel Milovitch, for 
 exchange — as Colonel of a light cavalry regiment, en- 
 gaged in the harassing guerrilla warfare of the Cau- 
 casus. 
 
 A telegram from the Minister of War — directing in- 
 stant obedience was inclosed, and, the Marechale de 
 Noblesse smiled softly — as he endorsed a letter of trans- 
 mittal for the two to the love-lorn Colonel. 
 
 "To be obeyed forthwith. Return receipt, with date 
 and hour. You will leave,<via Odessa, within twenty- 
 four hours for your new duties, turning over the com- 
 mand to your Lieutenant Colonel." 
 
 In an hour, the wild-eyed Cossacks, refreshed and with 
 fresh horses, were speeding on to Wosnescenk with 
 Colonel Milovitch's ten years' exile in their leader's fate- 
 ful hands. 
 
200 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Gregory Youresief's voice was solemn as he called 
 Alexandre Radovich to his side. "Order your carriage!" 
 he said. "I have received semi-official intimations from 
 the Governor, the Minister of War and the Commander 
 of the Twelfth Army Corps which will give you one last 
 chance to save your family honor. Here is a letter to 
 the Princess Vera! Let her alone break this matter to 
 the Baroness LiH. And, you^ make arrangements to 
 take your wife abroad for a year, — at least! Go by 
 Odessa. Do not return to Kief! There are vital reasons 
 —unless you wish to ruin the General — and your son! 
 You have relatives at Ulitza, in Servia. 
 
 "Leave your wife with them — and — bid her keep her 
 lips sealed as to the real causes of her daughter's death 
 or suicide ! Milovitch will not return to Russia — for ten 
 years — perhaps neve-r — if the Circassian swords are as 
 sharp as I found them ! Shut up your mansion. Leave 
 your estate with General Andre. 
 
 "The Intendant will handle it. I will aid him — and — 
 you, — if you obey me. Go to Petersburg with General 
 Radovich, to whom I shall entrust the proces verbal for 
 the Tzaritza's Private Secretary. 
 
 "As for Arcady — let him live with your Intendant, 
 here in retirement! 
 
 "I know not whither he has fled — but you may send 
 word to him that Kharkov, — Kief, — Kherson, — Eliza- 
 bethgrad and Odessa, are all closed to him. 
 
 "I have fifty complaints of dishonesty, — force, fraud, 
 insults to women, — the disgrace of girls and other ras- 
 calities! He is to be suppressed — do you hear? 
 
 "For, one more outbreak, and he will be doomed to 
 join the autumn convict draft for Irkutsk, now making 
 up at Nijni Novgovod! Enough for him I I have given 
 the Chief of Police my orders! 
 
 "And, now, my poor friend, you can see I have tried 
 to save you — the General, — and, that brave rash boy 
 Ivan ! Go at once — if you need any funds — the General 
 and I will provide! 
 
 "Please send Princess Vera back to me with the car- 
 riage — for, I shall not sign my report — until you are on 
 your way out of the country! You will return direct to 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 201 
 
 St. Petersburg — and Andre and I will see that the Min- 
 ister of War gives you the contracts ! That will at least 
 save you your estates ! 
 
 "But, when you come back, — you will be the General's 
 guest here — at the villa ! I wish to be able to report that 
 there is no possibility of any future tragedy on the Dying 
 Water. 
 
 "I have unearthed rumors which force me to believe 
 that the noble Pierre Dumont was foully done to death! 
 God help you and yours — if Serge Dumont ever hears 
 the whole truth!" And — Baron Alexandre — white-faced 
 — slunk away to obey. 
 
 And, until midnight, that night — ^the dejected General 
 Aide de Camp listened to the stern admonitions of the 
 only man in the Ukraine whom he feared. 
 
 Prince Youresief was walking alone in the silvery 
 radiance of the summer night, when Princess Vera's car- 
 riage drove up the lawn ! 
 
 He heard, with delight, her brief report as she passed 
 into the grand entrance to hide her agitated face. "They 
 leave to-morrow, mon Prince, but — it was a horrible 
 awakening for Lili. To know that she will never see 
 Milovitch again!" 
 
 "Right!" growled the Prince. "Precisely as I wished 
 it!" "She threatened suicide and raved for an hour!" 
 rejoined the Princess. "Well, so far — so good!" coldly 
 answered the Marechale de Noblesse. "If she kills her- 
 self — or clears out from Ulitza to join her lover in the 
 Caucasus, it leaves me free to send Arcady to Siberia — 
 and, clear up the whole situation ! 
 
 "The three other men of the family will take care of 
 each other! Now — ma Princesse, I have three days to 
 see this work all finished up! Let us drive over to-mor- 
 row, and see Serge Dumont, then, the General, you and 
 I, will go on to Bobrinetz, and he can escort you back to 
 St. Petersburg. 
 
 "I advise you to spend the rest of the summer in Fin- 
 land, for the whole of Kherson has its eyes now, on this 
 villa and the mansion on the Dying Water! 
 
 "The truth is Baroness Lili has overstepped herself, in 
 hardihood, — wickedness, and efifrontery. I feel sure in 
 
202 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 my heart that she, Arcady and Milovitch were at the bot- 
 tom of that still unexplained accident which brought 
 about poor Pierre's untimely death!" 
 
 The old Prince marveled as Vera Orbeleff's sobs 
 marked her passage up the great stair. 
 
 "Women are enigmas!" mused the Prince. "Perhaps 
 this butterfly loved the grave Pierre — ^who knows? At 
 any rate — Lili has found out that who breaks, — pays, — 
 and, poor Vera — that love is its own avenger — that sweet- 
 fanged passion, — that is so nearly akin to pain!" 
 
 While these two parted under the midnight stars — 
 Serge Dumont^ in his silent courtyard was dispatching 
 a secret express to Kharkof. "You are to go by 
 Krinkov, and avoid all speech upon your business! You 
 are to remain at Kharkov, until Father Adrian returns. 
 He will provide for you — and you are to return by Ekat- 
 erinoslav, and Bobrinetz. 
 
 "Here is a hundred roubles for you — ^there is another 
 hundred waiting your safe return. 
 
 "Sew the letter in your coat lining — ^and, — speak to no 
 man! You will arrive there, in four days — and, — on 
 your return, reach here at night, and, — speak to no man 
 of your trip!" 
 
 The youth bounded away, as his wild Ukraine horse 
 scented the cool air of the steppes and broke out into the 
 long, wolf-like stride of the Tartar charger. 
 
 "Ten days more," sighed Serge — as he sought the 
 depths of the park — "ten days more — and, — the blessing 
 of God will hallow our love!" He stole down past the 
 little chalet to where the woodsmen had been busy with 
 thinning the huge trees of the overcrowded park! 
 
 A network of trunks and branches covered the door 
 of the cave, which had now become to him a hallowed 
 treasure house, since one with beating heart and gentle 
 eyes had waited for him there, in the friendly gloom, 
 when she had no place to lay down her darling head! 
 "No one would suspect" — mused Serge — and — I may 
 need this retreat, myself, some day!" 
 
 For, even in the thrill of an unearthly happiness, the 
 future lay before him dark and full of shadows! "The 
 Tzar never forgives a crime against the dignity of the 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 203 
 
 Tzaritza! There is only the mercy of God — our own 
 loving hearts — and, — my trust in Xenia!" 
 
 His heart craved the counsels of his friend Father 
 Adrian, — a schoolmate of old, in the Corps des Pages, — 
 a brilliant, gallant youth who had early turned from 
 the mad gaiety of Court life to the calm of the priest's 
 gown — and the soothing solemnity of bell, book and 
 candle! "He will aid me — he will keep the trust of 
 honor,— sealed with the seal of the confessional — God's 
 blessed guarantee to the wounded spirit!" 
 
 And, in his mind, he followed the lithe messengef 
 speeding on over the flower-carpeted steppe to bring the 
 priest secretly to the lonely Palace of the Steppes. 
 
 But, one great regret hovered over Serge's every hour 
 now! He dared not take Nicolas Boursakoff, his loyal 
 Intendant into the confidence of his heart! For, the 
 secret rooms now enshrined a lovely, glowing mystery, — 
 an unfolding flower of perfect love, — and — upon the 
 hiding of that mysterious love nest, depended the happi- 
 ness of two supremely devoted hearts — even the lives of 
 the two who had thrown all the world away for love ! 
 
 But, too well — did Serge Dumont know that discovery 
 would ruin forever his own standing at Court, — his blood 
 shed for his country, — his gallant deeds^ — his fifteen 
 years of loyal service, — his honorable scars, — all would 
 go for naught in the withering anger of the White Czar ! 
 
 And, Magda, — the fugitive Day Star,— she, too, had 
 cast aside the loving favor of a mighty Tzaritza to be only 
 the Shadowy Queen of Khaminavatka, — a haunting 
 dream, — a hidden delight, — the gliding vision to bless 
 one lover's hungry heart ! 
 
 The young noble sighed! "I could be perfectly pro- 
 tected if I dared tell Nicolas all — but — he has just taken a 
 young bride to his arms ! His surcharged heart could 
 conceal nothing! The honest Kherson Samson would 
 murmur in his sleep to his pretty Delilah, and, — what 
 one woman knows, the whole world knows!" 
 
 It was fear which recalled to Serge the rough old Rus- 
 sian proverbs — "The wits of a woman are like the wild- 
 ness of beasts;" "As the horse by a bit, so must a woman 
 be governed by threats;" "The hair is long, but the mind 
 
204 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 is short;" "Towns built by women do not last;" "Walls 
 built by women do not rise high;" and, — that last un- 
 generous fling, "Constantly dreaming of what others do!" 
 
 "No!" he sighed, "I must guard myself and give Nico- 
 las his orders^ from day to day! I must find a way to 
 watch the villa — the mansion — and the Chief of Police at 
 Bratskoe. As for the north, — I am well guarded!" "It 
 is the unexpected which always happens," returned to 
 alarm him again and again. 
 
 He had already seen the sullen, growing jealousy of 
 the rapidly promoted Xenia on all faces around him — 
 for, those who had served loyally for years in the family- 
 were now kept under the firm control of the station 
 keeper's runaway wife. 
 
 Serge had noted the reluctant submission of pretty 
 Anna Ivanowna, relegated to merely an upper servant's 
 duties, though she enjoyed the spacious cottage of her 
 dead aunt, — and the comfortable nest egg of silver rou- 
 bles hoarded through a life time ! 
 
 Even, the dumbly obedient Intendant had stared with 
 open eyes when his master had bade him obey every di- 
 rection of Xenia, as being his own orders — without ever 
 a question of confirmation. 
 
 There was pretty Marika, too, — the girl bride, now an 
 avowed enemy of the woman who had been merely a sta- 
 tion keeper's wife, — promoted from a squalid den to rule 
 the daughter of the rich farmers in the fragrant meadows 
 below the bleak Post Station. 
 
 The collected luxuries of the chateau had all disap- 
 peared into Xenia's superb apartment, where Countesses 
 had been glad to hide their graceful heads — and — the 
 rnurmuring underlings had but one interpretation — a 
 sinister one! 
 
 For the physical beauty of the now happy woman was 
 enhanced by her formal elegance of dress, — and — as to 
 the rnidnight strollings, — the converse in the chalet, — 
 the giving up of the master's whole time, — there was only 
 an answer which branded Xenia with disgrace. 
 
 And, it was but natural, for Xenia, alone, now had 
 every key in the chateau. She had ransacked the treas- 
 ures of every press and cloget to provide, in secret, for the 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. io^ 
 
 wants of the hidden White Lady of Khaminavatka, and — 
 dainty silver, — china of priceless mould — and all the 
 graceful bibelots which women love, seemed to be 
 doomed to disappear under the magpie hands of the 
 village Esther! 
 
 None knew that these treasures were for one whom 
 Xenia served upon her bended knees, — and, — that the 
 proud seclusion of her splendid apartment was not a 
 dream of sultana-like ease, but an untiring labor of love. 
 So, — defenseless Innocence is ever unarmed before 
 scandal ! 
 
 But, — awed by Serge Dumont's stern and fiery dispo- 
 sition, — no one dared to question Xenia's entrance to her 
 master's rooms, — nor the long hours spent by him in the 
 apartments of the handsome peasant, — for, the old 
 vaulted interior galleries of Khaminavatka made it im- 
 possible to conceal the visits of the seemingly devoted 
 pair! 
 
 There were other village maids with burning eyes and 
 fair white bosoms, who had risen to queen it there in 
 olden days under lace canopies and rustle in silks with 
 the sheen of pearls and diamonds! And, — while silently 
 submitting, — a smoldering fire burned in many a hostile 
 bosom. But, Xenia, sternly silent, braved these hostile 
 eyes and grimly held her peace. 
 
 Of all the falsity of his position, — his real helplessness, 
 — Excellence Serge Dumont was made aware in the long 
 summer day, when he conferred with Prince Youresief, 
 while the Intendant drove Princess Vera over the 
 grounds and escorted her through the villages ! 
 
 The two men had gone over the whole unhappy situ- 
 ation, and Serge Dumont breathed freer when the Mare- 
 chale de Noblesse ordered him to send the treacherous 
 orphan boy to the commander at Elizabethgrad, to be 
 mustered in as a drummer for ten years, and depart with 
 a draft of the Siberian Battalions just leaving for Nijni. 
 
 "I will give orders that he speaks to no one — and will 
 be kept under strict guard as far as Nijni." 
 
 The old Prince sighed, "You will never hear of him 
 again," — and — he detailed how he had drawn Arcady 
 
2o6 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Radovich's fangs. "He is powerless now — but, — )ook 
 out for him!" 
 
 Serge was conscious that the veteran was }ceenly 
 watching him as he drew out his opinion of the tragedy. 
 
 "I know nothing, mon Prince," he said. "As you are 
 aware, I never saw the young lady but once — and — 
 then, — in your presence, — and, — even thpn, she was 
 deeply veiled. I am a neophyte here — and, I am al- 
 ready disillusionized! 
 
 "As Victor Tissot says, 'There is one Russia of Peters- 
 burg — feudal, aristocratic, official and bureaucratic; an- 
 other, — of the lonely plains, — ^the sheepskin-clad, pensive 
 and conservative peasant hfe.' And, I find that crime, 
 scandal and throbbing passion haunt the lonely wastes as 
 well as the capital with its gilded orgies! I am tired — 
 tired! I am cut off from my kind, an exile in my own 
 land. 
 
 "If not in mourning, I would travel — but, — I will 
 spend yet one seaspp in learning my duties here, and an- 
 other in visiting my other estates — and — then, — as God 
 and the Czar wih." "You refused my invitation," 
 doubtfully objected Youresief. "I have a dear friend, — a 
 priest — coming to say masses in our family chapel for 
 my brother's repose. 
 
 "I am in the midst of the agricultural labors, — I have 
 a half million roubles at stake in this year's crops. 
 
 "The flocks and herds are to be divided and the in- 
 crease sold — and — I am sick at heart! I will come to 
 yqu — when I make my visit to my sister Barbe — after 
 the harvest!" And, then his brow clouded in a sullen 
 silence. 
 
 When the splendid dejeuner was served, — where 
 Xenia displayed all the treasures of the family plate and 
 matchless table adornments, — Princess Vera gjfzed 
 doubtfully at the beautiful woman who waited behind her 
 chair with a proud humility. 
 
 An acute judge of humanity in all its phases, the de- 
 bonnaire Princess mercilessly rallied her placid host! 
 
 For, at once — the quick-witted bird of Paradise had 
 seen that the relations between the two were far beyond 
 the prosaic bond of master and maid. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 20J 
 
 Serge Dumont was a master of social fence, — his pal- 
 ace days were not forgotten, — and he marked the eager 
 attention of the wary old Prince while Vera Orbelefif 
 drew him into a thousand little snares, harking back 
 upon the mysterious disappearance of Magda Radovich. 
 
 It was with a shudder that Serge noted her sapphire 
 eyes following the face of Xenia, as the brave woman 
 silently served the haughty patrician. 
 
 And, while calmly passing through the double cross- 
 fire of four eyes, — Serge was grateful for the even de- 
 meanor of the woman whom Princess Vera could not 
 tempt into a self-betrayal. 
 
 As they rose from the table, with a light, mocking 
 laugh — Vera Orbelefif turned to Serge. "Evidently, you 
 are no anchorite ! You are served like a Pasha — and, — I 
 have no doubt enjoy your opportunities!" 
 
 With a bitter smile, Serge made his riposte, "Madame 
 la Princesse — when one can not eat cake — one has to 
 put up with black bread! Kindly spare me your pity!" 
 
 There was a quiet decision in Serge's manner that 
 evening, when the state dinner concluded, as the dashing 
 court beauty, with biting badinage, reminded the young 
 noble of the absence of the beautiful housekeeper, who 
 had been replaced by the Hebe-like Anna Ivanowna. 
 
 "Princesse Vera!" gravely replied Serge, "my servants 
 find their only protection in their master!" 
 
 As the lord of the manor handed the enraged beauty 
 into her carriage^ he felt that he had made an enemy for 
 life, for Vera leaned over and whispered, "I understand 
 now why you declined Prince Youresief's invitation to 
 Bobrinetz. I am quite inclined to believe, that a pastoral 
 life agrees with you !" 
 
 "We are simple husbandmen and shepherds, out here 
 — on the steppe — Madame" — rejoined Serge, "and, quite 
 beneath your notice!" It was now an open war between 
 them! 
 
 The frank old veteran lingered a moment out of range 
 of Vera Orbelefif's sparkling eyes, now dimmed with tears 
 of rage. "It is a princely place" — she sighed. "And 
 nqw — the game is lost forever! If Magda had fancied 
 either him or Wassili Federoflf, I would have had a foot- 
 
 14 
 
^08 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 hold — ^but — it seems that he prefers this beggar beauty, — 
 a moujik queen!" 
 
 With a trembUng voice, Prince Youresief bade Serge 
 farewell. "Count on me! Come to me! Beware of 
 yourself! There is only Arcady now — a mere wanderer 
 on sufiferance ! If he crosses your path — shoot him down 
 like a dog! Remember, — my heart and home are open 
 to you!" 
 
 Both the Prince and Princess looked back, at the 
 boundaries of the estates to wave farewell to Serge, who 
 had ridden out to his lines! "A gallant fellow!" ad- 
 miringly cried Youresief. 
 
 But, Vera — only buried her face in her scented hand- 
 kerchief. "He will go like the other country proprietors, 
 — down into the oblivion of a dressing gown, — a pipe 
 and, — the arms of a too-willing village Venus ! I thought 
 him a gentleman! Take me away, Prince! Take me 
 home — at your house, — I will soon forget this kitchen 
 idyl of the steppes!" 
 
 "You are severe. Vera/' kindly said Youresief. "You 
 forget the tragedy which brought the gallant young of- 
 ficer against his will, a man of the camp and court, here 
 to rule over a half a dozen widely separated country 
 estates ! 
 
 "It is true that Serge is unfitted for a lonely country 
 life — but his career is one of duty — yours, — one of 
 pleasure." 
 
 With a reddening cheek. Vera Orbeleff abandoned any 
 attacks upon the fixed opinions of the old philosopher, 
 who had gracefully ignored her bitter reference to the 
 "kitchen idyl." 
 
 Not deceived, — Serge Dumont now awakened to all 
 the dangers of his own situation, spent the evening ar- 
 ranging a secret post of his agents at Bratskoe, to report 
 every movement of all members of the Radovichs, and, — 
 even the magistrate and Chief of Police. 
 
 Night or day, — keen young eyes were to be on the 
 watch, for — at the thought of the beloved and helpless 
 hostage to fate — hidden there above him, — his heart 
 melted in a wild invocation to a merciful God to spare 
 that one dear and defenseless head. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 209 
 
 He was happier at heart to know that the two patri- 
 cians joined the vulgar world in their belief of his pas- 
 sionate domination over the beautiful Xenia! "It is our 
 only protection!" he sighed — "and, Magda knows her 
 worth, — her bravery, — her loyalty! The opinion of the 
 rest of the world is nothing!" 
 
 But, when two days later. Prince Youresief passed the 
 Post Station with Princess Vera, for Baron Alexandre 
 had already departed to convey his socially banished wife 
 to Servia, — the homeward travelers caught sight of Ar- 
 cady Radovich — lounging with the wolfish-eyed Anton 
 Antonovitch at the squalid cottage on the hill where the 
 black and white striped posts told of post horses for hire. 
 
 "There is the cause of all the trouble on the Dying 
 Water for twenty years!" growled Youresief. "I hope 
 the wolves will find him in a drunken fit and devour even 
 his bones!" 
 
 Arcady had skulked out of sight, shaking his fist! 
 - "Curses on you!" he yelled after them. "You old 
 brute ! You have driven Milovitch away — and, — left me 
 penniless — and, without a refuge — save the charity of 
 our Intendant! 
 
 "And — you drove poor Lili to a foreign exile! By 
 God! I will have my revenge!" Into his vodki-sodden 
 brain, a devilish scheme now entered! He drew aside 
 the desperate station keeper, whose life was only a daily 
 battle with the disdainful village stroller who was Xenia's 
 successor. 
 
 "You, — a man !" he cried. "Your wife Xenia is lolling 
 in Serge Dumont's arms, clad in silks and laces ! Listen ! 
 I am to live with our Intendant. He is my faithful tool! 
 Come over there for a couple of weeks! You know 
 every inch of Khaminavatka and the park! I will help 
 you! We can hide at the river bank. You can find her 
 on her midnight strolls — muffie her cries, and drag her 
 down to the bank. She fears you! I'll help you with 
 the boat! Once on our side — you shall haveyour re- 
 venge — all I ask is that you will help me to mine!" 
 
 The villains clasped hands in a compact sealed by lust 
 and hatred! 
 
 A settled, quiet gloom had descended upon both 
 
 14 
 
210 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Bratskoe and the Radovich mansion by the river in a 
 week, for the General had posted to Petersburg with the 
 precious report which saved the family honor — and Vera 
 Orbelefif, with him, in his britzska, dreamed over new 
 social campaigns, destined to secure her future, before 
 her peach-bloom beauty should fade! 
 
 "If the Minister fails me — there is always the General," 
 she slyly mused, as she bent her dreaming eyes upon 
 him! But, she had buried the dream of her heart, be- 
 hind her — at Khaminavatka! It was the Waterloo of a 
 life. 
 
 For, her whole motto was "Pour Parvenir," and — she 
 had failed miserably. 
 
 But, in these brilliant summer days, Serge Dumont 
 was busied with the solemn services at his family chapel, 
 where Father Adrian, alone, received the confession of 
 the great noble ! No one had known of his coming, and 
 Serge himself in the closed carriage brought his guest 
 from Novokrainka, arriving at night! 
 
 It had been at sunset that Arcady Radovich, peering 
 out of the Post Station, saw the brightened face of the 
 young noble! 
 
 "Damn him!" he growled, "he shall die! I must reach 
 him — in some way! He looks too happy!" 
 
 All unconscious of the impending curse, — Serge Du- 
 mont hastened along to his palace of the steppes, where, 
 long after midnight, on that happy evening, Father 
 Adrian was conducted secretly by the Master of Kham- 
 inavatka to the rooms of Xenia, the tireless attendant of 
 a veiled queen. 
 
 There was but one dim taper in the locked room — 
 where, a graceful figure in white stood by Serge Du- 
 mont's side, with only Xenia as a legal witness. 
 
 The silver moon Ht up the dreaming steppes, — the per- 
 fume of the gardens stole in at the screened windows, 
 and the waters of the rippling stream murmured their 
 lullaby, as Father Adrian spoke the solemn words which 
 united the Lord of Khaminavatka to Elizabeth Alexan- 
 drowna, — a veiled bride, whose gentle voice sounded like 
 an angel whisper behind that shrouding film of Circassian 
 lace! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 211 
 
 When Father Adrian turned to the table to sign the 
 already sealed certificate of marriage, he was amazed to 
 find the beautiful wraith gone — she had vanished while 
 he handed his penitent bridegroom the document which 
 made Magda Radovich a wife! ''You must fill in the last 
 name, — Serge" — said the priest. "I have now to go to 
 my prayers — for I have risked my whole temporal and 
 spiritual welfare — for you — for the sake of the old days!" 
 And — so the hidden Day Star became a loyal wife! 
 
 And, that night the little rooms under the eaves of 
 Khaminavatka's castle — were made a holy temple of 
 purest love, — for — in the arms of the husband of her 
 soul — the lover of her life, — Magda Dumont forgot the 
 dark sorrows of her flitting forever from the home which 
 had only been a happy one — in the days of her child- 
 hood! 
 
 "I ask only you — Serge — in the wide world — only 
 you — and, — our double happiness ! May God bless you, 
 my own darling!" 
 
 The winds of heaven sang their wedding lullaby, — the 
 stars of night cast down their silver beams in blessing, — 
 and — ^watching fondly over the face of the woman who 
 was his Hfe and soul. Serge Dumont saw the White 
 Lady of Khaminavatka that night, a radiant angel — 
 asleep, with her lovely face pillowed on her slender white 
 hands, — her silken hair streaming over the bosom where- 
 in her golden heart beat for him alone in the triumphant 
 ecstasy of a victorious love. 
 
 It was on the third day of Father Adrian's stay when 
 an express rider speeding over the steppe brought the 
 news of Madame Barbe Federoff's sudden and dangerous 
 illness. 
 
 With a keen pang of helpless love, Serge Dumont felt 
 how powerless he was to escape the hard conditions of 
 secrecy, and, the fears of the vengeance of the Crown, in 
 case of any untoward discovery. 
 
 The unsuspecting Intendant Boursakoff had already 
 harnessed the fleetest horses and dispatched a relay of 
 four ahead on the road, to be ready rested at Novo- 
 krainka. 
 
 The whole household had been gathered together in 
 
-212 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 the chapel for the commemorative masses, and no one 
 suspected the hidden reasons of the visit of the strange 
 priest from Kharkov ! And, now came, a sudden separa- 
 tion, a new trial ! 
 
 With a pale face. Serge Dumont descended the great 
 staircase, after giving Xenia his full directions, in case of 
 the slightest untoward incident. "I leave you my life — 
 my soul in your hands, my brave Xenia! I take an 
 escort and the second Intendant, for Boursakofif stays 
 with youl I shall tell him, once more, in life and death 
 to obey you — and — guard you, — to execute your slight- 
 est wish! I have sent word to our hidden watch at 
 Bratskoe — to report to you ! 
 
 "I have forebodings about Arcady! 
 
 "If there is any trouble — you will have warning, and 
 Boursakofif will defend you with every man and his lifel 
 But — tell him nothing — only at the last — ^to save her life ! 
 
 "Should aught happen, he is to send an express 
 riding night and day to me ! And — I will return the mo- 
 ment I can leave my aged sister! 
 
 "For, Wassili has been summoned from Petersburg!" 
 
 Serge Dumont was proudly conscious now of God's 
 blessing — and, the loving wife of his soul knew that they 
 had only the fear of the Czar and the vengeance of her 
 kinsman to dread ! 
 
 Father Adrian, a born noble, sealing Serge's whole 
 secret in his priestly bosom, had suggested a plan to pre- 
 pare for gaining the forgiveness of the Tzaritza in ad- 
 vance, through the great Metropolitan of the Orthodox 
 Church ! 
 
 For, though he knew not the name, he guessed the 
 lover's secret easily — and, smiled sadly. "What is right 
 in the eyes of God, may be wrong in the eyes of man! 
 
 "If we can only persuade the Tzaritza that a romantic 
 love secret marriage of love anticipated her decree, then, 
 — pardon may follow, and peace reign!" 
 
 As they rode away on the steppe, where the murmuring 
 wheat was now leaping up, half an inch a day, Serge 
 Dumont wondered if he had protected every side of his 
 domain ! "With Youresief 's warning, Arcady will never 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 213 
 
 dare to steal into my domains ! For the foot of the foe- 
 man would be the signal for his deportation to Siberia. 
 
 "There are the Cossacks riding around the park and 
 plantations night and day" — and — secure in his lover-like 
 confidence, he forgot the unguarded river line which he 
 had so boldly crossed to hostile shores, to win the guile- 
 less heart of the sweetest flower of the Kherson. 
 
 In the haste of his sorrowful apprehensions, he had 
 laid no interdict upon Xenia, as to Magda, — his veiled 
 bride, — stealing out into the park for a midnight stroll ! 
 
 And — the loyal Boursakoff, ignorant of the precious 
 treasure concealed in the hidden chambers, contented 
 himself with merely doubling the night guard around 
 the house — and watching the outposts at the Post Sta- 
 tion and Bratskoe. 
 
 But, the two plotting scoundrels were on the alert! 
 
 As Serge Dumont's open carriage dashed by the Post 
 Station, with its escort of hardy Cossacks, Arcady Rado- 
 vich leaped to his feet with an oath of triumph! "Quick, 
 Anton," he cried. "Have a fellow follow these people 
 to Novokrainka. If Dumont goes away for a week — 
 and so it seems, from his traveling equipage — we can 
 steal around to our village — surprise that hollow-hearted 
 jade — and you shall have your will of her! I will hide 
 you in life and death — and — her too!" 
 
 "Then," growled the desperate brute in answer, "I will 
 spoil her beauty so that even Serge Dumont shall find 
 her a witch. Come on!" 
 
 "That's your vengeance and mine/' yelled Arcady. 
 "I will have it done — and — she will never know who 
 maimed her! Turn her loose on the steppe then! She 
 must be knocked down, blindfolded and gagged!" 
 
 Three nights later, the daring Xenia had persuaded 
 her young mistress to a dangerous venture. Dressed 
 exactly alike, muffled and veiled, the two women, stealing 
 down by different paths, met in the shaded recesses of the 
 park behind the chalet! 
 
 "I will wait and watch here, Duischinka," whispered 
 Xenia, "while you gain a few breaths of God's own fresh- 
 ened air! If any one sees you they will think it is me! 
 
214 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 And — if you see any one — hasten back to me, the door 
 of the chalet is unlocked. 
 
 "I will stand at the front and guard it! Then I am 
 ready to answer to all! You can lock the door on the 
 inside!" 
 
 Ten minutes later, Xenia, who had watched the gliding 
 form, heard a wild, unearthly scream, and sprang to her 
 feet in terror, as'Magda darted past her into the chalet 
 and locked the door! 
 
 On the river bank Arcady Radovich grappled with the 
 frantic fool Anton, who pushed the boat off in a frenzy 
 of terror! 
 
 "Hasten!" he hoarsely cried! "The place is accursed. 
 I stole up behind my wife! It was her very dress as we 
 watched her last night! I forgot myself and tore the 
 veil from her face! A dead, cold face — a vampire yell! 
 It was the face of the dead Baroness ! And, — she van- 
 ished from my grasp!" 
 
 Nothing would persuade the timorous wretch to linger 
 by the Dying Water — but — when Anton stole away in 
 the morning — the sly Arcady's nerve was steadied. 
 
 "If there is no drunken vision in this" — he gloated — 
 "my life is not long enough for revenge." The hapless 
 lovers were betrayed by the pitiless Fates! 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 XENIA'S STRATAGEM.— WITH THE DEAD. 
 
 Crouching like a tiger ready for a last spring, Xenia re- 
 mained hidden behind the columns of the portico of the 
 chalet, until her keen eyes had explored every vista of the 
 moonlit park. 
 
 In her hand was clutched the heavy knife which had 
 once left its deep gash upon the coward hand of Arcady 
 Radovich ! 
 
 Silence now reigned everywhere, a dreaming silence 
 broken only by the nightingale's entrancing note! The 
 long alleys were deserted where the giant trees threw 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 215 
 
 dark shadows over the graveled walks! The night 
 breeze moved the sedges by the glassy lake, where the 
 perfumed hhes silently floated, the cool breath of the 
 plashing stream fanned her brow, and the air was redo- 
 lent with the faint scent of the orchard blossoms, — the 
 breath of the roses, myrtle and jasmin while the keen 
 ecstasy of new-mown hay, — the Russian violets, — and the 
 lilies of the valley, thrilled the peasant-born beauty from 
 the glades now starred with blue forget-me-nots! 
 
 No foot of the foeman echoed upon the crisp gravel, 
 and, the brave woman then drew a long breath of relief! 
 But that agonized cry still echoed in her tingling ears ! 
 
 "My God! It was all my fault!" she murmured. "I 
 must hurry her back to her hiding place!" 
 
 With frantic energy, she appealed to the hidden Day 
 Star, and sprang within the darkened room, as soon as 
 the door yielded to her sinewy arms. 
 
 "Quick, Barina! My beloved mistress! My own 
 darling one," she whispered. 
 
 "Back to your dear nest, — once there — you are safe 
 against the whole world! Nay — tell me nothing now! 
 Wait!" And then, with stern decision, she dragged 
 along the half-fainting beauty. 
 
 They hastened through the deepest shrubbery, fol- 
 lowing the paths where the princely little children of 
 Khaminavatka had played in by-gone years — leaving 
 little by-paths made sacred forever by those pattering, 
 childish feet ! 
 
 They had already neared the house, when, suddenly, 
 Xenia pushed Magda into a great clump of lilac bushes, 
 and boldly strode out upon the path. 
 
 There before her, stood the hardy Boursakofif, a heavy 
 oaken club in his hand, beside him the night watchman, 
 and an armed Cossack. 
 
 "There was a fearful scream heard down here," cried 
 Boursakoff, with agitation. "Was it you? What has 
 happened?" He was startled, for he recalled the Baron's 
 last words of trust in his fidelity! 
 
 And then, Xenia's quick wit saved the darling secret of 
 her absent master's heart! "Some strolling ruffian at- 
 tacked me in the lower end of the grove! He tried to 
 
2l6 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 drag me away, down toward the river! There must 
 have been others with him, for, he ran toward the ford, 
 toward the Radovichs! 
 
 "Search all our woods! Send your Cossack back for 
 more men! The master forgot the dangerous river line 
 and has left it unguarded! 
 
 "I will walk no more in this lonely place, until our 
 shores are better guarded ! Wait, only wait till the Barin 
 returns! We shall catch these scoundrels!" 
 
 "It is that brute Arcady's work!" hastily cried Boursa- 
 kofT. "Perhaps he and your husband were trying to 
 carry you off! Did you see the man's face?" 
 
 "No!" boldly answered Xenia, panting in her excite- 
 ment. "He tried to blind me with a shawl, — to choke 
 mt,: — and, then, drag me away — but, — at my scream — 
 he fled! Hasten on! I will go home! Come to me 
 when you have posted all your men!" 
 
 The Cossack had leaped up the bank toward the 
 stables to summon his brave comrades sleeping near 
 their horses, and then the undaunted Intendant, with the 
 night watchman, dashed on toward the ford. The brave 
 woman only waited for their departure. 
 
 Xenia stood straining like a deer ready to spring away 
 from the panther! When the two men were out of 
 sight, hidden by the towering sedges of the river path, 
 she hastily dragged the Lady of Khaminavatka out of 
 her hiding place. 
 
 "Quick now, follow me for your life! Keep in the 
 shade!" she gasped — and, in five minutes, the veiled 
 beauty of the Dying Water was once more safe within 
 her impregnable retreat! Xenia had locked her doors 
 and darkened all her own rooms. They could hear with- 
 out the clatter of the startled Cossacks in the court-yard 
 as they mustered to meet a midnight foe. 
 
 Bending over the exhausted woman, Xenia lavished on 
 the young wife every tenderness of her wild devoted na- 
 ture. 
 
 A glass of cordial, and the sight of her now familiar 
 surroundings had revived Magda, who faintly whispered 
 the story of the sudden attack. 
 
 "It was not Arcady ?" cried the anxious Xenia. "No !" 
 
THE WHITE LADV OE KHAMlNAVATKA. 217 
 
 faltered the Day Star. "It was a stranger, — a rude peas- 
 ant!" With specious words of comfort, Xenia cheered 
 the despondent bride. 
 
 "Leave all to me, darling Barina! You shall have 
 the wealth of the greenhouses here, — you shall be show- 
 ered with all love can crown you with ! The master is 
 going to bring every luxury on earth from Elizabeth- 
 grad! 
 
 "And, as soon as the snow is on the ground, — with re- 
 lay sleighs, — he can reach the frontier in two days! 
 
 "Once safe in Switzerland, — you and he are there free 
 of all government spies, and, he will find a nest in Italy 
 for his darling bird ! Now, I go to the Intendant. I will 
 take all on my shoulders! You are to say nothing of 
 our visit to the garden! For, they will all think it was 
 me! My God! What a narrow escape!" 
 
 Replacing the slide and then locking the false cabinet, 
 Xenia, with a firm hand, doubly locked her own doors, 
 and descended to the first floor where the frightened 
 maids were already clustering. 
 
 "Light up the whole first story!" calmly ordered the 
 unruffled mistress of the household. "The Intendant is 
 coming back soon! There was a band of robbers hid- 
 den in the Park!" 
 
 And, then, with perfect self possession, — she directed 
 the samovar to be made ready — and refreshments pro- 
 vided for the returning Boursakofl! 
 
 Throwing a light shawl over her head, she swiftly sped 
 across the courtyard to comfort the timid Marika, in her 
 cozy home across the main square of the chateau out- 
 buildings. 
 
 The Intendant's house was already lit up, and, an 
 eager crowd of stout servitors had gathered ready to 
 reinforce the men sent into the plantations. 
 
 "Only some straggling marauders, who attempted to 
 rob me in the Park," Xenia explained. "Your husband 
 will be back in an hour! He is safe! He has twenty 
 men with him!" And — the two women fell on each 
 other's necks in a friendly transport. 
 
 When the Intendant at last returned wearied from a 
 
2I§ THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 fruitless chase, he sank into a chair by the table where 
 Xenia was hospitably awaiting him. 
 
 "Tell me all now!" he gravely said. "We found noth- 
 ing, but these, near the river." He held up a stout scarf, 
 and, a heavy peasant's knife. 
 
 "I have posted a chain of ten men, walking to meet 
 each other every five minutes; and, with orders to pass 
 the word on that all is well ! I will search further, in the 
 morning. It was a dangerous attempt by desperate men ! 
 I feel strangely like sending a courier for Barin Serge!" 
 
 With an artful craft, Xenia wove her fanciful history 
 of the attack! "I am so busied indoors in the day that 
 I felt restless and craved a breath of fresh air! I was 
 far beyond the chalet when this man sprang upon me! 
 He tried to stifle me — yes, — with that very same scarf — 
 and, — he only ' lost his courage when I struggled and 
 screamed!" 
 
 "You are sure that it was not Arcady, or your hus- 
 band?" cried Boursakoff. 
 
 "I was seized, from behind," she doubtfully said, "and 
 soon I lost all control of myself! I know not!" 
 
 Nicolas Boursakofif sipped his tea and pondered long 
 in silence. "I have left men to thoroughly search the 
 crossing with torches ! The rushes and mud banks would 
 prevent them quickly escaping unless they ran far up the 
 river, and you see, — they went down! It was surely 
 these brutes from the other side! 
 
 "No matter who seized you, Arcady was behind it — 
 and — your angry husband was not far off! If I were 
 left alone here in charge, — I should send for the master — 
 but, — you rule all now!" the Intendant gloomily said, 
 with a half dissatisfied glance, at the calm woman facing 
 him. 
 
 "Let us be friends, Nicolas Nicolarvitch!" Xenia 
 frankly cried. "I only obey the Sarin's orders as you do! 
 Blame me not ! I have already seen your wife and others 
 and told them that robbers were in the Park! That ex- 
 plains all! 
 
 "It is the time for desperate strollers! Now — let the 
 real facts be kept a secret between you and I ! Wait till 
 the Barin returns, — unless, there is another attack! I 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 219 
 
 will come to you by night or day — if there is any sus- 
 picious occurrence — you shall then act — and, — defend, 
 as you will, the master's rights. I trust only in your 
 brave heart and clear head!" Boursakoff's face softened 
 at the handsome woman's praise. 
 
 "Do not send for the Chief of Police about this ! Wait 
 till Baron Serge returns! Let him deal with those as- 
 sassins!" 
 
 "You are right," said the mollified Intendant. "I agree 
 to all, — only, — you shall nOt go out after this at night, 
 without a guard of two men ! For, I am responsible for 
 you, — to the master, — you are now the apple of his eye!" 
 
 "Nicolas!" cried the outraged woman, springing to her 
 feet, as a red wave flushed her face, but, — controlling 
 herself, she held out her hand. "You do not know what 
 you are saying! I promise to obey you, — but — never let 
 Baron Serge. hear you hint that I am his mistress — or, 
 else, you and your wife would have to seek a new home 
 — I am no petted mistress — and, — you will know it 
 later!" 
 
 The abashed Intendant only slunk away to return with 
 a new find brought by a Cossack messenger. It was a 
 gag, strongly constructed of leather with loose woolen 
 padding and strong linen bands. 
 
 "They surely plotted murder or kidnapping," slowly 
 said the ashen faced Boursakoff. "My men found this, 
 the marks of a boat keel^ and the trampled footprints of 
 three or four men by the stream. 
 
 "It is necessary, now, Xenia that you and I guard the 
 dangerous secret! I shall put an extra armed man to 
 walk around the chateau, — and — I will leave anothef on 
 watch inside the chateau — on the ground floor at night ! 
 There will be bloodshed here — before the wheat turns to 
 gold again, — I fear! But our whole lines are guarded 
 now — it was a fatal mistake to forget the river front!" 
 
 While they separated for the night, — from his hiding 
 place on the southern bank, — Arcady Radovich watched 
 the great chateau gleaming with lights, and the flickering 
 torches moving by the river's edge. 
 
 "Clumsy fool — I will work alone, — after this," he 
 growled, as he returned to his room, drank himself into 
 
*220 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 a semi-unconsciousness. "It will be twice as difficult 
 now," he growled. "They have taken the alarm!" 
 
 Far away from the woman to whom he had solemnly 
 sealed to his heart, Serge Dumont on this silvery moon- 
 lit night, was watching by the bed of his beloved sister, 
 the head of his proud old line ! He was hanging breath- 
 lessly upon the flickering movements of the lamp of life, 
 and listening to the mother's plaintive calls, in her fevered 
 dreams for Wassili, the beloved boy, who was now com- 
 ing on, with the wings of the wind, from Petersburg. 
 
 Throughout the long night the troika, bringing Was- 
 sili, was plunging along with the wild sweep known alone 
 to the hardy Russ to whom a rough khibitka journey 
 of two thousand versts is but a summer frolic ! 
 
 The young husband's mind wandered back to the ex- 
 quisite creature whose heart had throbbed against his 
 own, in the mingling of their ardent souls! 
 
 He designed to shower her with every secret luxury 
 that his great wealth could command, to compensate for 
 her confinement in the chateau — to make for her, — ^the 
 orchards, gardens, park and plantation a fairy Bower of 
 Rosamond, for the future — a labyrinth guarded by love. 
 
 Her bright smile had gilded the lonely steppe with all 
 the radiance of an eternal love — and — ^her sweet face 
 had been with him, every moment, in his long journey. 
 And, he was so helpless until fate should free them both ! 
 
 The steppe had received him in its verdant embrace, 
 — as he rolled along, — already the high grass hid the 
 black caps of his outriding Cossacks, — where the plow 
 had left frolic nature to display its fullest energies. 
 
 A new force moved in his heart, in this balmy summer 
 time, the magic philter of the fruition of a passionate 
 affection ! 
 
 Haunted by the one darling face, he closed his eyes 
 to feel again the rapturous clinging of the white arms of 
 the woman whom he adored. He sang on his way — and 
 Koltsov's rhapsody came back to him. 
 
 "The steppe had a fresh fascination for me, — and, — 
 the devil knows how madly I loved her! How beautiful 
 she was, — and, — ^with what enthusiasm, I sang "The 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 221 
 
 Time of Love!" For^ his own heart had found its voice 
 in this blessed springtime. 
 
 In the cool evening, the glowing carpet of variegated 
 flowers was hidden by a light mist! 
 
 The sun sank slowly as at sea, the wind-blown scents 
 became more searching, for every flower and shrub whis- 
 pered of love and gave up its sweet breath to the evening 
 star. 
 
 The dying sunset painted the blue skies, flecked with 
 their silver clouds in broad bands of burnished gold. 
 The wild fowl called to their mates by the sedgy pools, — 
 the burrowing animals crept about in the gathering 
 gloom and the cricket's song resounded. 
 
 In all the hushed calm, Serge Dumont rode along, 
 with happy eyes, seeing in all a new loveliness for he 
 loved, — and — was beloved again! 
 
 It was in the silent midnight hour, when Anton Anton- 
 ovitch was creeping slowly along the shaded walks at 
 Khaminavatka, with murder in his heart, that Serge sud- 
 denly sprang to his feet, for, in his heart echoed the 
 long availing cry of the woman whose spiritual exist- 
 ence now was mingled with his own — in the overlapped 
 circles of the blended souls of the true lovers ! 
 
 A gloomy foreboding seized upon him as he dismissed 
 the phantasy, but, a cry in his heart awakened him to a 
 new danger! "The river — ^the unguarded river! And, 
 — that outcast at large!" 
 
 He stole out of the sick room, and, quickly waking 
 one of his Cossacks, sent the bold rider away, like an 
 eagle in his flight! 
 
 "You will get relief horses at every post station ! De- 
 liver this letter to Xenia, — and return to me, also with 
 your Intendant's message that all is well! I will make 
 you rich for a year, — if you return in three days!" He 
 had briefly written and ordered the picketing of the river 
 bank, by night and day, until his return. 
 
 And, then, relieved at heart, he fixed his eyes once 
 more upon the beloved sufferer. 
 
 It was three days after the abortive attempt at murder 
 in the park, — before Arcady Radovich could bring the 
 sobered Anton down to a cool discussion of his strange 
 
222 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 midnight encounter with the phantom wofnan in the 
 grove. 
 
 Already in the two villages of Khaminavatka, and 
 among the hundreds of superstitious peasants toiling on 
 the steppe, even in Bratskoe's gossiping circles — the 
 story of the phantom White Lady had been widely 
 spread ! 
 
 From hut to hut, — from mouth to mouth, — the story 
 went, until every babbler had his new feature to add, — 
 and, all men knew now that the chateau of Khaminavatka 
 was guarded as if in a siege. The border vendetta was 
 on once more — and the human wolves scented blood! 
 
 With sly acumen, — Arcady Radovich had carefully 
 gone over every strange occurrence of the last few 
 months ! Jealous, dangerous, and, vindictive, he kept his 
 peace carefully, but, dashing in at night to the Post Sta- 
 tion, he had at last lured Xenia's husband away to Brats- 
 koe, where the magistrate and Chief of Police were now 
 openly wondering at the armed guardians sternly en- 
 circling the lonely chateau. 
 
 Anton's half drunken ravings died away into a sullen 
 silence, — under Arcady's close questionings — for the 
 scoundrel knew now that but one last opportunity was 
 left to him to surprise the secret of the palace of the 
 steppes! 
 
 The babbling courier — on his way back to the chateau, 
 — had told of Madame FederofiE's almost mortal illness, 
 and that his own return with the Intendant's letter had 
 guaranteed a long stay of the absent noble. 
 
 Cut ofi from any communication with his two brothers, 
 or the young Lieutenant, deprived of the sage counsels 
 of the sly Baroness Lili, and the resentful Colonel Milo- 
 vitch, Arcady was left with only one close friend, — the 
 village magistrate, a man who hated the whole line of 
 the Dumonts, because they had built up their own vil- 
 lages and naturally avoided Bratskoe, the headquarters of 
 the hostile Serbian clan! 
 
 The burning desire for vengeance on his foe thrilled 
 in Arcady's heart, — and, with a keen cunning he correctly 
 jumped at the secret of the failure of a thousand searchers 
 to find the body of the young Baroness I 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 223 
 
 "The boat was of course swept away by the sudden 
 flood," he mused. "The articles found were perhaps left 
 in it!" He knew all the shameful story of the whole 
 family pressure executed upon his beautiful niece, — the 
 mother's wild abuse, — the brother's sudden fury — and — 
 of the sudden frenzy of resistance in which Magda had 
 fled alone out into the darkness of the stormy night. 
 
 "This fellow is rich, — he is young and handsome," and 
 as he gloomily mused the midnight meetings of Magda 
 with the strange woman, — her long absence from her 
 rooms — all these suspicious signs returned to convince 
 him! 
 
 "In the name of the law, only, can I find these lines — 
 and, — it must be a surprise!" 
 
 With a sudden conviction, he strode over to the villa 
 and, bullying and begging, obtained five hundred rou- 
 bles from the good natured Madame Cherikofif. 
 
 Late into the night, he communed with the stolid 
 hate-bearing magistrate before whom he had unwillingly 
 dragged Xenia's husband! 
 
 "You coward," sneered Arcady. "You let this man 
 take away your reckless wife to be the keeper of his 
 harem! If you wish her restored, play the man, — tell 
 your story. It was no ghost, that you saw, — but, a flesh 
 and blood woman, — my poor kidnapped niece — and — 
 the man who has stolen your wife, who has brought her 
 over your head, has also hidden away this half-crazed 
 girl! And — he shall be punished to the utmost! Wait 
 — till we catch them both!" 
 
 The taunted man freely plied with vodki, — fully gave 
 his evidence, prompted on by Arcady, and, only begged 
 not to be dragged to face the enemy at Khaminavatka. 
 "Fool! I will go with the Chief of Police, — and, his 
 eight gendarmes! You can remain here with the mag- 
 istrate!" 
 
 Arcady Radovich had even now divided his five hun- 
 dred roubles with the brutal magistrate, a moujik off- 
 shoot, only too glad to humble the proud Dumonts. 
 
 It was Arcady who suddenly waked up the Chief of 
 Police with the magistrate's imperative order to prepare 
 for a secret night march upon Khaminavatka. 
 
 15 
 
224 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 When the young Lieutenant learned the secret purport 
 of the visit, he flatly refused. "I will not go like a thief 
 in the night ! Barin Dumont has given me permission to 
 escort Arcady or Colonel Milovitch openly upon the 
 grounds! I am no midnight marauder!" 
 
 Arcady saw that Nikon Zoubof was on the point of an 
 open rebellion. "I demand that he receipt, for your 
 sealed order! I will make my affidavit of course, to 
 back up my friend's eye witness. Of course if you went 
 in the day, — the poor girl would be quickly hidden!" 
 The oily magistrate's voice broke the silence. "Leave 
 here at four o'clock — then — ^you will ride into Khamina- 
 vatka at daybreak ! Post your men around the chateau. 
 
 "Let no one leave! Then, examine every rat-hole of 
 the old barn! Do as you will — Arcady! Here is your 
 sealed order! I am glad to humble this upstart who has 
 stolen an amorous wife away from her husband — a post 
 ofificial — and bought her, over his head!" 
 
 Nothing but an absolute order in writing forced Lieu- 
 tenant Zoubof to go to his Police Station, and order his 
 troopers to make ready, in the darkness, for a forced 
 march ! 
 
 The astounded corporal rubbed his eyes^ as the officer 
 departed to arm and dress himself in full uniform, secretly 
 awaiting Arcady, — now preparing for the secret dash 
 upon the chateau. 
 
 There were flitting lights in the magistrate's house, 
 — the PoHce Station was all lit up, as the troopers turned 
 out under arms, and, — in the darkness, — no one saw the 
 agile boy, who lingered in a nook of the stable yard, and 
 heard the corporal cursing the fool's errand! 
 
 "Wait — wait," growled the corporal. "When the Barin 
 Serge returns, there will soon be blood flowing for this 
 last insult! To search his castle like a den of thieves, — in 
 the night!" 
 
 But, the stolid men obediently mounted, — and filing ofjf 
 two by two, — then drew up before the magistrate's house, 
 where Arcady was now receiving the last instructions of 
 the corrupt official! 
 
 The hidden lad had only waited to hear one of the 
 soldiers say: "We attack the place at daybreak! There 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 225 
 
 may be some shooting — there are brave Cossacks there! 
 Come on, brothers, bring plenty of cartridges!" 
 
 GUding away like a serpent, the faithful village lad 
 only remembered his beloved master, as he threw the 
 bridle over his fleet pony's head. 
 
 Springing on the bare back of the horse, the messenger 
 of danger sped down into a side street! 
 
 Walking his horse slowly over the little bridge, he 
 then loosed rein, and straight as the crow flies, madly 
 raced on over the steppe^ toward the fringing plantations 
 of the chateau. 
 
 In three-quarters of an hour he had covered the six 
 versts, — and, then, leaping the low garden wall, he ran 
 nimbly down along the esplanade to where the arched 
 servant's entrance was open night and day! 
 
 His bare feet pattered on the floor of the upper cor- 
 ridor, as he halted breathless before Xenia's door, and, 
 then his sharp knock awakened the unsuspicious guar- 
 dian of Serge Dumont's hidden wife. 
 
 Drawing the lad into the darkened room, Xenia lis- 
 tened with a heart frozen with terror to his story. 
 
 "You have only an hour," the frightened boy cried. 
 "The priest's wife wakened me when she heard the police 
 troops called to arms ! She has been watching the Barin 
 Arcady and — your husband Anton Antonovitch for two 
 days! 
 
 "They have been closeted with the magistrate, — and 
 Arcady himself, is coming here, with the Chief of Police 
 — all his soldiers — and, — an order from the magistrate to 
 search every inch of this house!" 
 
 The boy's teeth chattered with fear — and he was numb 
 with cold. 
 
 "Slip down and arouse the Intendant," whispered 
 Xenia, whose mind was working now with lightning 
 speed. "Tell him to come to the south portico! I will 
 be there in the dark at the door to meet him! Go to the 
 stables! Turn out your horse, — and — say nothing! You 
 are to ride back secretly when the soldiers come, and 
 watch for their return. The Barin will make you rich 
 for life ! Hasten ! Tell Boursakofif that our lives depend 
 on his haste! I want only him!" 
 
 15 
 
226 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 As the boy stole away, she quickly revolved in her 
 mind every plan of hiding Magda Dttmont! "The 
 cave?" "Ah no! It is blocked with the trees — and. — 
 there is no way of escape! I must hide with Magda, — 
 perhaps my mad husband will come!" 
 
 Falling on her knees she prayed for guidance and then 
 sprang to the window! 
 
 The park lay dreaming silently below her, and only 
 the beautiful octagonal chapel across the ravine was vis- 
 ible in the soft dusk of the fading night! "Saved! 
 Saved!" she cried. "God's own house — the chapel!" A 
 last desperate expedient had been forced on her by the 
 sharpness of fear ! 
 
 With trembling hand, she tore aside the slide door and 
 then stole in and waked the beautiful young wife from the 
 calm pure sleep of innocence! "Hasten, for your life, 
 darling! Dress warmly — instantly! I will come back 
 here for you ! They are going to search the house ! Ar- 
 cady will be here in an hour! But, I will save you! God 
 has shown me the way! Wait> — in readiness, — here! I 
 will come back!" 
 
 With flying feet, she descended the stair, leaving the 
 sobbing Magda on her knees praying in a sudden invo- 
 cation to the God of the friendless. Her pale lips mur- 
 mured, "Help! Help! Oh! My God— Serge! My 
 husband, — save me!" 
 
 There was a tall form already waiting at the door 
 of the grand salon, as Xenia clutched the Intend- 
 ant's arm with a vice-like grip. "Arcady, my hus- 
 band, — and the Chief of Police, — are coming with sol- 
 diers to arrest me — and to search the house for the young 
 Baroness Magda! Fly now! I must never be seen! 
 Say nothing, — but that I am gone! They will think I 
 am at Elizabethgrad with the IBarin Serge! Hasten to 
 the chapel ! Open the marble trap door to the vaults be- 
 low! There, I can hide! 
 
 "Down in the crypt, below, with the beloved dead! 
 I will hide in the ravine till you are ready! Leave the 
 door open, and the crypt door open! Then, come in 
 and lock both! Keep the keys in your own pocket! I 
 will take one o£ the maids with me!" 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 22? 
 
 Boursakoff clenched his fist! "We will fight!" "Ah! 
 God! No!" pleaded Xenia. "Remember — I am mis- 
 tress here! They come, in the name of the Czar! With 
 a legal warrant to search! Be smooth, submit, show 
 them all ! I will leave my own door open ! Show every- 
 thing to the Police Lieutenant! Do not speak to Ar- 
 cady or my husband! Go now! The Barin will avenge 
 us! You must send a courier at once for him to return!" 
 
 Boursakoff hesitated. "It is sacrilege!" the supersti- 
 tious man babbled, "and already the park is haunted by 
 this dead woman ! No one will cross it after night — even 
 my Cossacks will only watch there two and two, to- 
 gether! The Dying Water is accursed!" 
 
 "Go!" hoarsely said Xenia — as she pointed to the 
 streaks of the dawn! "They will be on us soon! Obey 
 me — or — I will kill myself here before you, — coward!" 
 Her knife flashed in the air and she tore her breast open 
 before him ! 
 
 "I obey," he gasped — and darted away, as he heard 
 her last whisper : "Go back to bed — and let them wake 
 you up! Pretend sleep ! Remember! You know noth- 
 ing! When they are off the domain, you can come into 
 the chapel! Knock three times on the floor and then 
 open the crypt! Hide the keys. If they ask for them, 
 say that the Barin has them! I will take a maid with 
 me!" 
 
 In five minutes, Xenia stole out of the servant's arch- 
 way under the main floor. She had snatched up a rug, 
 and grasped a carafe of water and a flask of cordial. 
 
 Behind her was a muffled form, and the two panting 
 women were both faint with dragging Xenia's heavy bed 
 before the old armoire covering the secret entrance, and 
 carelessly arranging the furniture around the side of the 
 room to mask the dangerous secret passage. 
 
 A few steps brought the two women to the shelter of 
 the ravine, and, before Boursakoff had raised the door 
 of the crypt, the dark figures stood behind him ! "Now !" 
 solemnly whispered Xenia. "In God's name be it! We 
 are watched over by the holy dead!" Then, the un- 
 daunted woman led her secret charge down the little 
 winding marble stairway! 
 
228 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 The door fell with a clang, — there was the sharp grat- 
 ing of a key in the lock, and then, a clash, as the outer 
 bronze door of the chapel was swung to! 
 
 With a sudden fright, Nicolas Boursakofif ran like a 
 hunted wolf toward his home, for above him on the hill, 
 he could now hear the jingle of sabres and the ringing 
 of the bridle bits in the hush of the growing dawn ! 
 
 With a bound, he reached his own door, and — then, — 
 throwing off his mantle and boots, lay down upon a 
 couch to await the summons of the enemy! In ten min- 
 utes, he sprang to the side of his screaming wife, as a 
 heavy hand shook the bolted outer door, — a sword hilt 
 thundered upon the panel, — and, a stern voice cried: 
 "Open — in the name of the Czar!" 
 
 "My God! The police!" sobbed Marika. Boursa- 
 koff crushed her to his heart while he whispered in her 
 ear! She fled away into an inner room — as he sprang, 
 undressed, to the door! 
 
 "Who demands entrance?" he roughly cried. "The 
 Chief of Police, with a warrant of search! Open or I 
 break the door down!" 
 
 The red streakings of dawn made the figures of three 
 men but faintly visible — ^the stern young soldier, — the 
 wolfish Arcady Radovich, and, — peering over his shoul- 
 der, — the vodki sodden husband of the woman now 
 cowering in the crypt of the chapel, and shielding upon 
 her glowing heart, the defenseless head of the White 
 Lady of Khaminavatka. 
 
 "Lead me instantly to the chateau — or, we will break 
 the doors in/' said the officer. He was determined to 
 make Barin Arcady Radovich's outrage as foul a shame 
 as possible, — for in his own heart, he well know the com- 
 ing vengeance of the man now far away at his dying sis- 
 ter's bedside. 
 
 "I wish a witness — my master is away!" sullenly said 
 Boursakoff, as his chief of stables came running up, with 
 a drawn sabre in his hand. 
 
 "Put up your weapon ! Fedor! It is the law!" sadly 
 said the Intendant. "Listen! Go and wake up the un- 
 der Intendant ! Tell him to hasten to the main door of 
 the chateau!" Springing to his side, Boursakofif whis- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 229 
 
 pered a word which sent the head horse trainer racing 
 away toward Elizabethgrad — on Serge Dumont's best 
 OrlofI, even before the party had crossed the courtyard! 
 
 "He will have a life's ransom if he rides like the wind! 
 Give him all the money that you have!" 
 
 The Intendant's heart sank within him as he saw a 
 mounted sentry at each corner of the chateau, and a 
 patrol riding on each side of the great silent palace, — 
 around which the Intendant led the party, till he clumsily 
 entered by the south portico door. 
 
 "Light up the whole house, — every room!" brutally 
 cried Arcady Radovich, as he threw himself down on a 
 satin divan. Boursakoff's clenched fist was raised. 
 
 "Hold!" sternly said the Lieutenant, — his revolver 
 drawn and covering the enraged Intendant ! "This gen- 
 tleman has an order to search every room in the oastle, — 
 every corner of the grounds, — all the outbuildings, — and 
 even to surround the villages, — and explore the whole 
 domain! I must do my duty — hard as it is!" 
 
 "My God," mused the palsied Boursakofif. "They 
 may stay here for days, — and — the women in the crypt 
 will either starve to death, or else die of thirst and fear!" 
 
 And — so, he calmed the frightened domestics who 
 came pouring up from below, — and ordered every room 
 in the chateau lit up at once! 
 
 Taking up a silver sconce, — he bowed in silence, to the 
 officer. 
 
 "I obey the law! In the name of my absent master, 
 I authorize you to proceed." 
 
 With ferretlike eagerness, the three, followed by four 
 dismounted Cossacks, ransacked every nook of the fifty- 
 five rooms of the vast pile! 
 
 The servants' stairway was locked, — and two of the 
 Cossacks explored the basements, while one stood guard 
 at the grand stairway, the only means of descending from 
 the corridors of the three stories above! 
 
 The sun was high in the heavens when the last cor- 
 ner of the vast house had been visited, — even the roof 
 had been explored, without result! 
 
 Every piece of furniture, every closet, every dark cor- 
 ner had been closely examined. 
 
230 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 With a heart bursting with rage, Boursakoff kept a 
 gloomy silence. To every question he simply replied, 
 "I know nothing! My master is absent! 
 
 "I live in the Intendant's house where I was born! 
 And I only enter the chateau upon my master's order, 
 
 "Above the first floor I have never moved, until to- 
 night, save to go upon the roof." 
 
 The day dawned and still the search wore along during 
 the sunlit morning hours. 
 
 They were standing in Xenia's superb chambers when 
 Arcady Radovich gazed around upon the evidence of re- 
 cent occupation. "Whose rooms are these?" ' he de- 
 manded, with all the haughty assurance of a noble. 
 
 "The housekeeper's," calmly replied Boursakoflf. 
 "Send her here," demanded the Chief of Police. 
 
 And, then — the Intendant called for the timid Anna 
 Ivanowna, whose natural promotion had been given to 
 the wife for whom Anton Antonovitch now hunted with 
 a frenzied glare! 
 
 "Are these your rooms?" roughly questioned Arcady 
 Radovich. The woman bowed her head in silence, for 
 she had caught the Intendant's imploring eye. 
 
 "Another handsome jade, — a second light of the 
 harem," growled the recreant noble. 
 
 "Here!" sharply cried the officer, "Search as you will, 
 Barin, but — I counsel no insult — for the Excellence 
 Serge Dumont has both a good memory — ^and, — a long 
 arm." 
 
 "Where is Xenia, — this man's runaway wife?" said 
 Arcady, pointing to the blear-eyed husband. "I know 
 not!" simply answered Anna Alexandrianna. 
 
 "Gone, — that is all I know!" "With your master?" 
 sneered Arcady. 
 
 "Ask him, when he comes back!" said the young wo- 
 man, as she walked out of the room. 
 
 It was nearly noon when the intruders were called to 
 the windows by the hoarse cries of an assembling mob! 
 
 For, no bell had called the peasants to their morn- 
 ing work — and now a crowd of men and women, infuri- 
 ated and with howls of anger, was pressing back the sen- 
 tinels guarding the four corners of the chateau! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 231 
 
 There were clubs, scythes and knives wildly bran- 
 dished! 
 
 There were knots of hardy youths pressing bravely for- 
 ward, and, — in a compact band at the stablesj — the armed 
 Cossacks of the domain only waited for the word of the 
 under Intendant to charge up on the insulting intruders. 
 
 Throwing open the second story window, Boursa- 
 kofif sprang out on the balcony! 
 
 "Peace, my good friends!" he cried. "For our Barin's 
 sake, — go home! All is well!" There was an answer- 
 ing cheer and the threatening mass soon began to break 
 up. 
 
 "Now," gravely said the Intendant, "I beg you for 
 Christ's sake, our Saviour, to leave here as soon as you 
 can! I will send all my Cossacks to escort you safely 
 over the whole grounds and villages! 
 
 "If you linger long, these people will tear you to 
 pieces! Your little squad will be sacrificed! Have I 
 not fully obeyed the law?" 
 
 With a scowling face^ Arcady Radovich reluctantly 
 left the house of his enemy, and the others slowly fol- 
 lowed him at his sign! The sly scoundrel had taken 
 careful note of every room, of every passage, of every 
 inner turn of the superb old castle. 
 
 "I may need to come here again," he mused — and, — 
 then, — as they reached the lawn, he drew Anton Antono- 
 vitch aside. 
 
 "The birds have flown," he whispered. "Your hand- 
 some devil of a wife — and.^^the woman whom I seek — 
 may have been both spirited ofif to Elizabethgrad — to be 
 hidden by that purblind old millionairess — Madame Fed- 
 eroff." 
 
 "What building is that?" cried the Chief of Police, 
 pointing with his sword. 
 
 "The chapel," gravely said Boursakoff. "And that?" 
 
 "The summer house," replied the Intendant^ as he in- 
 dicated the chalet. "We will look in at the chapel!" 
 shamefacedly said the soldier. "You can go down and 
 search the chalet!" he sharply said, turning to the other 
 two visitors. 
 
232 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Here is the key!" answered the Intendant, calling his 
 assistant. 
 
 "Show these gentlemen all over the grounds," he 
 calmly proceeded. "Send half your Cossacks with them! 
 Put the other half on guard here, distributed inside and 
 outside, the chateau ! They are not to speak a word, — or 
 draw a weapon^ — only, — to watch — and, — remember!" 
 
 Arcady Radovich's haggard eyes fell before Boursa- 
 koff's burning glances. He stole away with his brutal 
 companion! "I shall leave my sentinels, but only as a 
 matter of form, till we return," said the Lieutenant. 
 
 As they gazed through the windows of the empty 
 chapel, Nikon Zoubof grasped Boursakoff's arm. 
 
 "It is all the magistrate's doing, Nicolas," he said, sor- 
 rowfully. "I have let him have his way, for, if I hung 
 back, I would only be sent away as a private soldier, to 
 the Caucasus ! Never fear, Barin Serge will soon avenge 
 this brutal outrage! Do not speak to me, when we re- 
 turn ! 
 
 "For, Arcady is a deadly enemy, — and — ^he has all the 
 secrets of his family!" Boursakoff pressed the soldier's 
 hand in silence, as they turned away from where the two 
 frightened women now cowered below them in the pro- 
 tecting company of the sainted dead! 
 
 A half an hour later, the defeated searchers, rode away 
 toward Bratskoe in a body, and Nicolas Boursakoff sent 
 his Cossacks all out on post to take up their interrupted 
 watch. 
 
 It was three o'clock in the afternoon when the In- 
 tendant, stealing away alone, opened the door of the 
 chapel^ for his outrider had reported the last enemy out 
 of sight! He then smote three times on the floor with 
 his stafif, and slowly raised the trap door! 
 
 The chapel was locked on the inside. A white wraith, 
 Xenia, soon stood beside him. "Go quickly — send every- 
 one out of the chateau — to the housekeeper's cottage! 
 For, I must steal back and, no one must know where I 
 have been! You can come back here and lock the two 
 doors! When all are gone, just stand on the portico, — 
 and take ofif your hat. I can see you!" 
 
 Xenia, through the little cruciform windows, soon saw 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 233 
 
 the welcome signal, and then, descending, she raised the 
 fainting body of Magda Dumont, in her strong arms. 
 
 "My lamb! My darling mistress!" she murmured, as 
 she sped away into the shrubbery, holding the slight form 
 in her firm sinewy arms. 
 
 There, in the tangled copse of the ravine, she soon re- 
 vived the pallid girl with her burning kisses, and, stole 
 back to swing the door of the chapel ! 
 
 In a moment she was back at her mistress' side, and, 
 a blessed spasm of strength enabled her to climb the 
 stairway of the chateau with the veiled and muffled wo- 
 man! The inmates had all fled away, as if from the 
 plague, — for they knew not when the brutal searchers 
 would return. 
 
 Tearing away the bed from the secret passage, Xenia 
 carried her helpless mistress into the room where love 
 had waked her heart to a new life! 
 
 There were double locked' doors now, — and — a coming 
 safety, — for was not Serge Dumont soon to return ! 
 
 Chafing the slender hands, warming them on her gen- 
 erous bosom, — there — in that lonely haunt of a hal- 
 lowed love, Xenia, the village peasant, swore an oath be- 
 fore God's high altar. "I will revenge this darling's 
 agony! And, — Arcady Radovich shall know yet the 
 woman of the steppe — in her wrath!" Her eyes had the 
 tiger glare in them now! 
 
 It was midnight when Magda Dumont awoke to find 
 her head pillowed on the breast of the hardy defender 
 who had kept a faithful vigil over her, in the hallowed 
 crypt where the loved and lost now slept the sleep that 
 knows no waking. 
 
 And, — then, — came the blessed relief of tears — ^for 
 Xenia whispered: "Barin Serge will soon be here on 
 the wings of the wind! Lie still — on my heart, beloved 
 angel! You shall never be parted again! Sleep, — for I 
 will guard you with my own life!" 
 
 And, then, the innocent bride sank into the blessed 
 sleep which God sends to His children here below, and, 
 in that pure and innocent sleep, — in her loving dreams, 
 her lover husband was by her side once more, — and good 
 angels watched over her as the calm night hours passed 
 
234 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 on in peace and security — for the retreat with the blessed 
 dead had saved the White Lady of Khaminavatka ! 
 
 The courtyard of Khaminavatka Manor had resembled 
 an Albanian camp during all the afternoon, and, Boursa- 
 kofif and his under Intendant were forced to be aided bv 
 the Starosts of the two villages and the wise men of the 
 peasant clans in calming the excited adherents of the 
 Dumont family. 
 
 For the sinister news of a forcible police visit, — an 
 unparalleled shame — had spread over the whole forty 
 square versts of the immense estate with the rapidity- of 
 lightning. 
 
 Armed with scythes and flints, with clubs and fish 
 spears, with knives and sickles, the hardy ex-serfs 
 crowded to aid in the defense of their absent lord's castle. 
 
 By a vigorous use of his Cossacks, by friendly explan- 
 ation and even threats, — the Intendant Boursakoff man- 
 aged at last to dissipate the excited crowds. 
 
 They went unwillingly, for now over on the Radovich 
 estates, groups of curious peasants crowned every rolling 
 hill and an untoward rencontre would have soon doomed 
 the lonely mansion of the absent Barin Alexandre to 
 fire and flame. A cry for vengeance was on every lip ! 
 
 Boursakofif's river picket line sternly turned back all 
 stragglers from either side, and finally, he rang his ofificial 
 bell, swung under its pent house before his door! 
 
 "Pay and rations will be stopped to-morrow, to every 
 man who does not start for the fields when my regular 
 bell rings for work at dawn! And the Starosts will also 
 report for severe punishment all who linger in the villages 
 to-morrow I" 
 
 Turning over his active duties to his under Intendant, 
 he gloomily waited for the dawn, and Xenia's orders! 
 "Oh! God — if the master were only here!" he sighed. 
 
 He feared the excitable nature of his laboring force, 
 liable to the strange wild uprisings of Little Russia — 
 and, — all were familiar with the incendiary Russian peas- 
 ant's dread weapon of destruction. 
 
 Boursakofif sternly gave orders to his outlying guards 
 to arrest anyone save government ofificials approaching 
 — or tried friends of the family. All stragglers were now 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 235 
 
 to be chased away by the wild Cossack dogs! He was 
 stunned by the brutal desecration of the noble chateau 
 — and, humilitated and cowed, he awaited the dawn ! 
 
 But, in Bratskoe, that night, the wildest tumult 
 reigned ! The village babblers swelled the vague rumors 
 with many new inventions, and a hundred new stories 
 of the haunted park, the ghostly White Lady, — the un- 
 earthly midnight screams — and the raid on the chateau, 
 were current! 
 
 But, of all men^ the most agitated were the magistrate 
 and the Chief of Police. The village Pope had called 
 upon them to solemnly warn them of the ruin of the vil- 
 lage in return for the brutal outrage upon the leading 
 patrician family of the whole Kherson. 
 
 "Who is there but the Youresiefs and the Dumonts to 
 hold up the old Boyar honor now! Fools! You will 
 have a heavy reckoning to await!" 
 
 And, so, — the courage of the vindictive magistrate 
 had oozed through his fingers, for, at evening, Arcady 
 Radovich, with the half-crazed Anton Antonovitch, slunk 
 out of the town in a little khibitka with Moschka, the 
 Jew peddler, thief, smuggler and spy. 
 
 It was the priest's quick witted wife who dispatched 
 one of the Khaminavatka secret agents to follow the three 
 to their hiding-place and, then, ride oh direct to Khamin- 
 avatka and report the facts to Boursakoff! She kept the 
 lad who had signalled the approach of the police ready 
 to enlighten Barin Serge of any happening on his return ! 
 
 For, the thrifty soul saw the nucleus of a future! When 
 Madame Olga Cherikofi, in her carriage, called the un- 
 happy magistrate out of his house, she gravely said: "I 
 shall go over to Khaminavatka, to-morrov/, on behalf of 
 General Radovich, to apologize for this outrage of that 
 crazy debauchee Arcady! 
 
 "Neither the Barin nor the General would pay the 
 slightest attention to the story of that drunken statioti- 
 keeper Who would have beaten his wife to death — if 
 Barin Serge had not given her a refuge from his mur- 
 derous cruelty. 
 
 "Wait — you will surely feel the heavy hand of the 
 General, on his return. You are an idiot. I write him 
 
236 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 of this outrage to-day — so, — ^you may well tremble!" 
 
 And, the frightened official was also sternly met with 
 Lieutenant Nikon Zoubof's utter indifference to his fate. 
 "You gave me written orders to obey Barin Arcady 
 Radovich. You, alone, are responsible! I warned you 
 — and — now — ^you must take the consequences!" 
 
 The young Chief of Police, with flashing eyes, said: 
 "I shall wait on Excellence Barin Serge Dumont on his 
 arrival ! I shall report all to the Marechale de Noblesse, 
 — and, the Intendant over there will be my witness of 
 how I did my duty! I- hope that my first orders will be 
 to conduct Barin Arcady and the stationkeeper to Nijni 
 — on their way -to Siberia! As for you — your place is in 
 the Bug! 
 
 "Don't you dare to leave the town! I shall put a 
 sentinel at your door, night and day! I have already 
 sent an express rider to Prince Youresief!" 
 
 And, so, the night was filled with unrest and alarms 
 everywhere. 
 
 In the morning, the Khaminavatka peasants had all 
 streamed out to the fields long before Nicolas Boursa- 
 koff faced the agitated Xenia! "My orders!" she said, 
 "I have none to give! When I am chased like a thief 
 in the night I will wait for my master's return! I shall 
 not leave my rjDom ! 
 
 "I have directed Anna Ivanowna to take charge of all, 
 vtntil Barin S'erge arrives. But, I would counsel you to 
 keep four men on guard here below! You can come to 
 my room if you wish to see me! 
 
 "But, as our poor, dear master may be murdered, — as 
 his brother was, — you should send the Chief of Staflf 
 with a dozen armed Cossacks to bring him in from Novo- 
 krainka. 
 
 "And — so — night and day you must guard all, — he will 
 be here — as the crow flies, riding as him who seeks the 
 blood of his enemy!" 
 
 She turned back to where the dear beloved one lay 
 tossing on a fever bed in a wild delirium! "I dare not 
 send for a doctor! It would expose all our secrets! 
 And, — only God and our Lady of Kazan can help us 
 now!" 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 237 
 
 For, the seven long hours in the stifling atmosphere of 
 the crypt, where in the masonry niches, the coffins of the 
 beloved dead were all seen, — ^the shouts and cries reach- 
 ing them through the little crucial ventilating windows, 
 — and the trampling of feet above them, when the chapel 
 had been inspected had driven the gentle girl into a frenzy 
 of unnatural terror! Xenia on her knees had prayed in 
 these long hours. "My God! only that she does not 
 scream!" 
 
 From her window, Xenia had seen the Cossack guard 
 gallop away, — and, — her heart stopped beating as she 
 saw Madame Cherikoff's carriage roll into the court- 
 yard. In vain did the courteous Boursakoff, hastening 
 to her door, beg her to descend. "I am a serfborn wo- 
 man, — a peasant. My master honors me — ^that is 
 enough! 
 
 "You are the Intendant! You must receive the lady! 
 I will have a feast set before her! Let her horses be 
 fed. Anna Ivanowna will wait upon her ! You must at- 
 tend her! Show her into the drawing-room, and, let 
 her write her messages to Barin Serge ! She is a Barina 
 — a great lady, — and I, — only a poor freed serf! I am 
 not worthy! You were born free!" 
 
 And, Boursakoflf could not shake her proud humility. 
 So, he waited alone upon the gracious visitor, who, with 
 tears in her eyes, disclaimed the outrage on behalf of the 
 General Aide de Camp! "When he knows all, his ven- 
 geance will be a bitter one!" said the heartbroken wo- 
 man, who foresaw the downfall of their unhappy house. 
 
 It was with a wild pang of frenzied alarm that Serge 
 Dumont received the news at Elizabethgrad when his 
 staggering courier rode into the courtyard of the man- 
 sion where Wassili FederofiF, arrived the night before, 
 was now watching the return of life's healthful current to 
 his beloved mother's enfeebled frame! 
 
 The young officer deemed Baron Serge mad, as he 
 hoarsely whispered a few words of adieu, while all the 
 domestics ran to hasten his travelling carriage! "I go 
 with you, — to the death!" cried Wassili. "Not a step! 
 I will grind these brutes to powder!" sternly said Serge. 
 "Listen! I will end this feud for once, and all! Your 
 
238 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 future shall not be ruined! I forbid you even to ap- 
 proach Khaminavatka. I send an express to Youresief 
 to join me there! I will hunt this mad wolf from Russia. 
 I shall give you- an estate, Wassili, — but one far from 
 here — in Volhynia ! And, by God, I will live and die at 
 Khaminavatka — a victor over all!" 
 
 He stole up to the sick room and then fondly kissed 
 his sleeping sister's pale face! As he cried "Forward — 
 full speed," he hurled back his command to the eager 
 WassiH. "Remember we are strangers for life, — if you 
 ever come to Khaminavatka, till I call you, I will give 
 you a home where murder is not blown in every breeze. 
 Wait here with your mother! You shall soon know all! 
 I hold them in my hand!" 
 
 As he rode on, out into the night, he recalled his sis- 
 ter's fond words spoken in the delirium of her illness, 
 "You must now bring a fair young wife, Serge, to rule 
 over the beloved old home, — for — you are the last of the 
 Dumonts!" He had sealed that promise with a loving 
 kiss, and to his golden-hearted bride — he dashed along 
 with the wild oath, "She shall rule and reign yet — for 
 Youresief shall know all. And — ^the Czar will pardon 
 Love's error for Love's sake alone!" 
 
 Never such a slashing ride was made across the fra- 
 grant steppes, and it was at Novokrainka, — thirty hours 
 later, that he met his Intendant and the armed escort. 
 
 There was but a few moments' stoppage — and, — as he 
 sped along with the relay of the matchless Orloffs, — he 
 learned the whole story from Boursakoff! His heart 
 swelled in thankfulness to God as he saw Magda's secret 
 was yet safe! 
 
 "Xenia! Xenia!" he murmured, "you shall have a home 
 in our hearts, — and share our fortunes, for you have 
 saved us!" 
 
 And, now, as the distant knolls of the Dying Water 
 came in view, he yelled: 
 
 "On! On!" The smoking steeds were flying along, 
 as a lad rode up to them, waving his hand! For a mo- 
 ment only — Serge halted. He tore Xenia's letter open — 
 and then his face grew livid! "Boursakoff!" he cried, 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 239 
 
 "they are in hiding over there — six versts, at the sheep 
 wells. 
 
 "Take half the men! Bring me Arcady, the station 
 keeper and Moschka — dead or alive!" 
 
 Boursakoff threw himself on a horse — and, led by the 
 boy, struck out over "the steppe, followed by six Cos- 
 sacks armed to the teeth! 
 
 With glowing eyes. Serge saw the trees and windmills 
 of Khaminavatka come up from the horizon ! He steeled 
 himself with a mighty effort as he descended in the court- 
 yard, where the Under Intendant reported for orders! 
 "Keep up the guard, as Boursakoff ordered! Take 
 charge of the hands! Report to me at ten to-morrow!" 
 
 Once in his own rooms, Serge Dumont leaped up the 
 stair to Xenia's apartment! The door opened, and — 
 then^ — with a glad cry — Xenia led him to the threshold 
 of his secret wedding chamber! "Safe — -better now — 
 and, — waiting for you \" she whispered ! With a glad cry 
 — Serge darted into the darkened room, where the rose 
 of his life unfolded to him her fragrant and loving heart ! 
 
 At dawn, — Prince Youresief rode into the courtyard — 
 with the Chief of Police of the Province, and a company 
 of troops! With them was Boursakoff, bringing two 
 wretches bound and manacled. Baron Serge — eagerly 
 waiting — had heard the jingle of the scabbards — his old- 
 time music! 
 
 "Now, for vengeance!" cried the Prince — as Serge 
 clasped his hand. The eager noble grimly eyed the two 
 wretches! "Arcady" — he cried. "Escaped!" said Bour- 
 sakoff. "His time will come!" was the icy rejoinder. 
 
 16 
 
BOOK IIl.-PAYING THE PRICE. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 While the butler and Tourko escorted the General 
 Chief of Police to the guest chambers assigned him, — 
 the anxious Prince Youresief drew Baron Serge aside 
 into his cabinet de travail. Already, the chateau was 
 alive with servants hurrying the hospitable breakfast. 
 
 Without, in the courtyard, the Intendant was busied 
 with the entertainment of the tired troopers, standing at 
 ease in two ranks, watching their wearied horses enjoy- 
 ing the plentiful forage, after returning from a plunge 
 in the stream, and a good roll! 
 
 "We must act quickly. Serge," said Youresief. "You 
 see that Arcady has eluded us!" His heart smote him 
 as he saw the haggard face and "hollowed eyes of the 
 young bridegroom lover! 
 
 "What do you propose?" simply asked Serge, as pretty 
 Anna Ivanowna now arrived with the morning coffee. 
 
 "I leave all with the General Chief of Police! I will 
 stand behind him, — let him act, — and then, — conduct 
 the future aflairs with General Radovich and the Baron ! 
 I propose sending an oiificer and a platoon over to be 
 billeted upon Baron Alexandre's home, until further or- 
 ders, the officer to be responsible for all happenings. 
 
 "He will picket that whole estate. An officer and a 
 second platoon to be left here, to guard you! They can 
 camp in the plantation ! I shall ask the General here to 
 send an officer and a squad at once to arrest that brute 
 of a magistrate, and to send young Lieutenant Nikon 
 Zoubof here! 
 
 "Then, — this very afternoon, — General Ratzo will hold 
 an official investigation here ! I would advise you to call 
 
 16 241 
 
242 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 in the Intendant — and, let him give the General a brief 
 account of this shameful attack on your seignorial rights, 
 — as well as your personal privacy. 
 
 "You shall be revenged to the uttermost! I only ask 
 that you will not challenge General Radovich or Baron 
 Alexandre except through me, for Ratzo and I will of- 
 ficially address them both!" 
 
 Serge bowed, in assent, and then told Prince Youre- 
 sief of Madame Olga Cherikoff's visit of disclaimer. 
 
 "Good! She is a true woman, and you and I and 
 Ratzo, must make her a formal visit to-morrow." 
 
 Serge sought the courtyard and invited the four offi- 
 cers of the troop within, as his guests, and bade Boursa- 
 koiif join him. 
 
 "You are to briefly tell General Ratzo and Prince 
 Youresief the whole facts," he said. "Let the Under In- 
 tendant now entertain these soldiers with every hospital- 
 ity. For, we are in friends' hands — now — thank God!" 
 
 When the Master of Khaminavatka led the officers 
 into the great library. General Ratzo had descended, and, 
 in the dining room, the table was spread for a dozen 
 gilests. 
 
 The Chief of Police, a wiry, bullet-headed man of forty, 
 was a dark, snappy-looking Tartar of few words ! 
 
 "Will you kindly conduct the Prince and these officers 
 to table. Baron," said General Ratzo, "we must get to 
 work. Youresief has told me all your wishes, — and, his 
 own! I will make an example of that robber nest!" 
 His jaws snapped like a wolf's, revealing even rows of 
 gleaming white teeth. 
 
 "OrenbergI" he said, calling the First Lieutenant, 
 "saddle a platoon, dash over the river, — and — take charge 
 of Baron Alexandre's mansion in my name! 
 
 "Picket the river line! Let no one enter the mansion! 
 Call for all the entertainment you need. Have the 
 starost of their village there. 
 
 "I will ride over in the afternoon and give you your 
 written orders, after I inspect the place!" 
 
 The guests were hardly seated at table before the bugle 
 rung out "Boots and Saddles/' and, General Ratzo smiled 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 243 
 
 grimly as the troopers clattered down to the ford. "My 
 boys lose no time," he growled. 
 
 "We will excuse all ceremony. Baron Dumont," said 
 the General. "I wish to send off two other platoons, 
 and keep the fourth here to guard you!" 
 
 The three men of rank conversed in easy camaraderie, 
 as the rosy Anna Ivanowna, the butler and Tourko plied 
 the Czar's young officers with all the dainties of their 
 generous larder! 
 
 In half an hour, Ratzo pushed back his chair, and 
 strode into the library, his three officers standing mo- 
 tionless before him at attention. 
 
 General Ratzo, with flying fingers, scrawled an order! 
 
 "Here, Rosen ! Take the second platoon ! Arrest that 
 fool of a magistrate at Bratskoe, hold him at the Police 
 Station, send me Zouboff on the run to report here forth- 
 with! Let him bring all the men who were in thi3 dis- 
 graceful affair. I want their evidence! 
 
 "Yovij 'Stachof — will quickly ration your platoon! 
 Takp three days' grain for the horses ! Here is an order 
 to arrest Baron Arcady Radovich as a fugitive criminal ! 
 
 "If you catch him, turn him in, in irons, to the Chief of 
 Police at Bobrinetz! If you don't catch him, tliei}-^ 
 chase him out of Kherson ! 
 
 "Take supplies from any Chief of Police, and, when 
 you have gained final news of him, rally your whole pla- 
 toon at Bobrinetz and await me ! 
 
 "You, Captain Mijaiiofjf, will hold this estate, under 
 Barpp Pumpnt's orders, with the rest of the men until 
 relieved!" 
 
 "As my guest," smilingly said Serge! The Captain 
 bowed and, in ten miOVtes, hi§ two platoons dashed 
 away, himself, with the Under Intendant, riding out on a 
 general exanjjnation of the vast tract to be protected, 
 
 ■T will leave yoi; and Prince Youresief to yourselves, 
 for to-day," said General Ratzo to the young patrician. 
 "Let the Intendant remain with me." 
 
 "His evidence, your housekeeper's and Lieutenant 
 Zoubofl's will be all I want! Twill go over to-morrow 
 and establish myself at the Radovich villa at Bratskoe, 
 for dear old Olga Cherikoflf will tell me all! We were 
 
244 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 young lovers together — once upon a time!" he sighed. 
 For, even the grizzled Police General had had his beaux 
 jours. 
 
 While Prince Youresief took possession of Serge's 
 cabinet de travail. Serge Dumont led the pale-faced 
 Xenia into the General headquarters in the library. 
 
 "I am under peculiar obligations to my faithful Xenia, 
 General," said the Master of Khaminavatka. "Her life 
 has been twice attempted here, — since she entered my 
 service! She was before this the housekeeper! Hence- 
 forth, — she is one of my family!" 
 
 Xenia's knees smote together and her burning eyes 
 sought her master's in a speechless appeal — as the Gen- 
 eral said, "Be seated, Madame!" 
 
 "I am but peasant-born. General!" she faltered. 
 
 "You have risked your life for mine" — said Serge — as 
 he motioned to a chair. "You have been born again, in 
 your loving faithfulness. Here— you need no rank/" 
 
 Leaving them together. Serge sought Anna Ivanowna, 
 to whom he announced her elevation to all the active du- 
 ties of housekeeper. 
 
 "You are to be the sole mistress of the chateau, until 
 further orders. Only, the third story, will be Xenia's 
 domains ! 
 
 "No one is to go there, save at her summons. I shall 
 have a suite of rooms fitted up there for myself. There 
 shall be no more murderous attacks here!" 
 
 The niece of the dead Chuchinka turned away, after 
 murmuring her thanks, with bright tears gleaming in her 
 youthful eyes! 
 
 "How he loves her!" she murmured. "It is surely 
 the madness of the summer time! The Barin is love 
 mad!" 
 
 And — the poor, simple girl wondered if the all-con- 
 quering Xenia had not given to their lord the love phil- 
 ters slyly brewed by the old village dames who traded 
 upon the credulity of the love-sick peasant girls. 
 
 For, a dreamy superstition tinctured every mind on the 
 forty square versts of the Dumont domain! 
 
 And, even the head gardener thought that his master 
 was demented as he received orders to cull each day the 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 245 
 
 choicest flowers of the greenhouse and gardens — and 
 bear them up to Xenia's rooms ! 
 
 The great gallery of the third story was soon made a 
 floral bower of every precious plant, and, before long, — 
 at dead of night — a lingering servant below would often 
 steal away to say, in hushed whispers, that he had seen 
 a slight, veiled, ghostly form in white — stealing along 
 among these beautiful tender screens, — the graceful form 
 of the haunting White Lady of Khaminavatka! 
 
 Serge Dumont had stolen an hour to fold to his heart 
 the beloved one, who now trembled with ecstasy as his 
 hand touched the sliding door of her Paradise prison. 
 
 He had told Magda the legend of the beavitiful one 
 who had been the queen of her shadowy realm before, 
 and, on his breast, with tender eyes, the girl wife had 
 whispered, "Serge, my own, my lover — my husband — 
 love has made this a holy place." 
 
 And, then his lips sought her silver bosom, where be- 
 neath the satiny skin, beat the heart which almighty Love 
 had made an altar! 
 
 On rejoining Prince Youresief, Serge learned of Gen- 
 eral Ratzo's radically energetic movements! "He has 
 dispatched your Intendant with five men to break up the 
 old nest on the hill, — the groggery and Post Station. 
 
 "Anton's new wife is to be sent back to the Radovich 
 mansion to be maintained in comfort by the Intendant. 
 He is now extracting a confession from Moschka — and 
 the crazy ex-husband of your good Xenia ! Do you wish 
 to see them?" 
 
 The ashen paleness of Serge's face alarmed the good 
 Prince. 
 
 "What will become of them?" queried Serge. 
 
 "Moschka will get five years, — and, Anton twenty, — 
 in Siberia — the General has had secret reports of their 
 complicity with that wretch Baron Arcady, in many 
 nameless villainies! 
 
 "But, — the false affidavits, — the murderous attempt of 
 Anton seals his doom. He evidently tried to strangle 
 and abduct his former wife. He would have murdered 
 her, and thrown her body into the Dying Water! But, 
 you will be in no future danger! 
 
246 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Ratzo has moved the Post Station to the meadow 
 farms. Marika's brother is to be made agent, — at a 
 thousand roubles a year, — and the profits of the custom. 
 This will make him independent — and, — so — you will 
 have the whole thing in your hands through your In- 
 tendd.nt, his brother-in^aw." 
 
 "Listen! Prince!" gravely said Serge. "I have told 
 you the truth— but, — not, the whole truth! "In ah hour, 
 Gregory Youresief knew the whole story of the mystery 
 of Pierre Dtlmont's death. 
 
 He mused, with clouded eyes — for a time, — and then 
 broke the, expectant silence. "I wish to end this border 
 vendetta forever! We now have the General and the 
 Baron Radovich in ohr hands as helpless victims. 
 
 "Butj — the reil criminals have been Baroness Lili, — 
 Milovitch, and their vile tool, — the drunken and reckless 
 Arcady. 
 
 "1 will have Anton Antonovitch secretly interrogated 
 after he crosses the Urals. The hope of having his sen- 
 tence shortened by ten years, will bring a confession. 
 And, — we can then extort any terms we want from the 
 Radovichs when we get the station keeper's evidence to 
 brand Arcady as the active criminal ! 
 
 "I see farther than you do! Lili, that Messalina, 
 wanted to get the estate in her hands and later to marry 
 Milovitch ! She trusted to this bloody feud to rid her of 
 that poor jackanapes, Baron Andre! 
 
 "Let me — alone — handle the whole afifair! I will see 
 this brute before he is taken away! I will have Ratio 
 keep him, in irons, at Bobrinetz, till I return. 
 
 "A fortnight on black bread and water will bring him 
 to terms. Thete is but one thing I beg of you^not 
 a line must you write to Princess Vera Orbeleff. I wish 
 to see how deep she is in this conspiracy. 
 
 "I knOw that she wished to marry poor Pierre, — to 
 reign over this Paradise of Loneliness. She now pro- 
 poses to be Andre Radovich's wife, — if she loses the 
 favor of the War Minister! 
 
 " 'When the devil has nothing to do — he catches flies,' 
 you know! Andire — will be a safe guardian, and, Brats- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 247 
 
 koe villa, after all, is not so bad! She is a deep little 
 devil — that one!" 
 
 The arrival of the young Chief of PoHce from Bratskoe 
 with his gens d'armes called the Intendaht to the formal 
 examination of the whole outrage^ — for General Ratzo 
 had now transcribed all the evidence of Xenia — who was 
 led away to the chalet by Serge, for, Prince Youresief 
 had said gravely, "I wish to hear all this evidence with 
 Ratzo." 
 
 While Captain Milanoff recorded the shameful stories 
 of the various witnesses, — the Master of Khaminavatka 
 sat for two long hours in the little summer house with the 
 abashed Xenia. 
 
 Every detail of the whole dangerous past was thor- 
 oughly probed, and then Serge took the woman's 
 trembling hands. 
 
 "You have saved her life, — my life, — ^and — our double 
 happiness! Know now that you alone can be our 
 guardian angel until I obtain the Czar's pardon and a 
 right to publicly recognize my wife. 
 
 "We are now bringing these Radovichs to their knees! 
 But, — all would be lost, if they discovered Magda's 
 presence! Even a kindly Czar would see the whole 
 situation in a false light. 
 
 "You know what the peasants, — the villagers, — the 
 whole household, now thinks of you!" 
 
 Xenia's face was bowedj and the crimson flushes dyed 
 her cheeks and crimsoned her strong white neck ! "Yes ! 
 Yes!" she murmured. "That I am only your plaything, 
 ^your amusement for a season, — your mistress!" Serge 
 gravely bowed his head. 
 
 "That is true! Listen! I have ordered everything in 
 the whole province available, in the way of luxuries, to 
 be sent on from Elizabethgrad ! To shield my darling 
 Magda — you must now give up all semblance of work, — 
 of any employment ! We will be strictly guarded ! 
 
 "No one will ever approach the third story, — or the 
 roof. I will move my rooms up — and so — occupy the 
 whole corridor, opposite you! 
 
 "In order that I can walk in the park at night, — drive 
 over the estate by moonlight, — lounge upon the roof. 
 
248 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 and steal out with my wife, — until I can break her prison 
 chains, — you must live in ease, — wear finery, and bear 
 the burden of going around with me, in the day time, 
 and coming here — in the afternoon. 
 
 "Of course, I shall be the only one to go in and out 
 of your rooms!" 
 
 "But, how will all this avail?" murmured the blushing 
 Xenia. "I will do anything you wish as long as I can 
 look into the Barina Magda's darling eyes, without 
 shame!" 
 
 "Listen, Xenia!" smilingly said Baron Serge. "The 
 whole domain has now given you a character of their 
 own making. It matters little! You will arrange a 
 hood, veils, and wraps for my wife to match those which 
 you will wear with me, — on all our daily trips around the 
 estate! 
 
 "At night, you shall guard the only ascent to the ter- 
 race roof! We can, of course, be free there! I shall 
 even send a piano into your rooms ! You shall sing and 
 carol as you will up there! When my wife plays and 
 sings, they will think that I am playing and that you are 
 dallying with me ! 
 
 "Now, — as for the riding out and the park, — ^the re- 
 semblance of costume, will effect the rest — and, you and 
 I can often boldly seek the gardens and the summer 
 house at night! 
 
 "I shall drive you out over the estate by day until the 
 costume is well known! We will always have a couple 
 of Cossacks within pistol shot ! 
 
 "So, — when Baroness Magda herself goes with me, — 
 the whole little gossip community here — will know that 
 it is you, — my mistress, my sudden fancy — ^the queen of 
 the chateau! 
 
 "But, you must live up to your part — and, — so, be con- 
 tent to be a fine lady ! In truth, — my wife's companion — 
 you can relieve your mind when Father Adrian comes 
 again from Kharkov — on a visit in three months — for — 
 he will hear your confession! He will know all — and, — 
 say nothing! Only in this way — can Magda bear her 
 prison life!" 
 
 "My life is yours — and hers!" simply said the grateful 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 249 
 
 woman. "Have you not placed my children like little 
 princes? They will rise up to bless you!" 
 
 She covered his hand with grateful kisses in the 
 humble fidelity of the peasant-born. "But, one thing 
 more, — do you want to see Anton?" sadly said Serge 
 Dumont! "He will be taken away, but, when he con- 
 fesses, so that we can punish Arcady, he will be left as a 
 colonist in Siberia. I will see him decently provided 
 for, — and I will send that young woman out after him!" 
 
 "No!" cried Xenia, with streaming eyes. "He with- 
 ered the flower of my youth! He is dead to me! Let 
 him not suffer — but I can not forget his tiger-like at- 
 tack on Barina Magda! He thought it was I — had it 
 been so, — my bleeding body would have lain in the 
 rushes of the Dying Water, — after he and Arcady had 
 forced the truth out of me, by torture — so that they could 
 reclaim the young Baroness — and, — assassinate you ! 
 
 "For, I believe that Arcady knows that you have his 
 niece in your keeping! He believes now, however, that 
 you have hidden her at Bobrinetz — or else hastened her 
 over the frontier. 
 
 "And, — in my dreams, — Barin," she cried, sinking to 
 her knees, "I have seen him stealing on you — knife in 
 hand! Beware of him, — for every one comes back but 
 the dead. He is half crazy — and they will help him with 
 money — and always hide him ! He will wander back to 
 the Dying Water, before he dies! 
 
 "The scent of the steppes is the breath of life to the 
 Kherson bom," she proudly cried. 
 
 "Ah!" said her master, "General Ratzo is a fierce 
 enemy! 
 
 "He is hunting him now out of Kherson, — and, — as 
 soon — as the General and Baron have disclaimed all re- 
 sponsibility, Arcady's passport will be erased, — his name 
 struck off the list of nobles — and every police officer in 
 Russia will be ordered to arrest him as a fugitive crim- 
 inal, — and besides — we will soon have Anton's confes- 
 sibn — for I feel that neither of the two brothers were 
 directly concerned in my brother's mysterious taking off 
 — though they were not sorry! No! He has passed 
 out of our lives forever!" 
 
ago THE WHITE LADY OF ItHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Silently, and now true to her new position in life, 
 Xenia wandered back to the chateau side by side with 
 Baron Serge, in whose presence she gave up to Anna 
 Ivanowna forever, all the keys of the chateau, save the 
 fprbidden ground of the third corridor, the roof entrance 
 and the summer house. 
 
 And— then — with a serene and smiling face, she faced 
 the dubious deference of the secretly envioits underlings 
 who had ail marked her rise from serf-bred village 
 beauty, to be the darling of her young master's heart. A 
 vicious triumph of sleek beauty ! 
 
 There was a stately ceremony in the splendid dinner 
 at which Lieutenant Zuboff v/as invited as a peace offer- 
 ing by the stern-faced General Ratzo I He was in a par- 
 ticularly good humor, at table, for he had the report that 
 the Bratskoe magistrate was now looking through the 
 iron bars of the police prison!" And— so the cup of re- 
 venge had been once filled! 
 
 Prince Youresief and Baron Dumont escorted the Gen- 
 eral as he rode over to the captured Radovich mansion 
 in the cool of the evening, but left him at the fatal ford, 
 where Arcady's villainy had miscarried. 
 
 "I shall sleep over there, — but, I will meet both you 
 gentlemen, to-morrow at Bratskoe villa! Your guard 
 has orders,— ^Baron Dumont, to implicitly obey you! I 
 authorize you to use arms and force for your defense, 
 now, — in your own judgment! 
 
 "You will have my written report to-morrow evening, 
 for, I shall go back to my duties at Kherson — and then 
 leave Youresief, as Marechale de Noblesse, to make the 
 social report to the Emperor's cabinet and grind up the 
 two Radovichs! I will have this feud stopped — even if 
 I have to expose Baroness Lili's career as a Lucrezia 
 Borgia— and, — show up the General Aide de Camp's 
 pandering to the private fancies of the Minister of War, 
 — for he, — stakes the social responsibility of that dashing 
 comet, Madame la Princesse Vera Orbeleif! 
 
 "They shall find the war carried into their own camp!" 
 
 Riding back in the soft twilight, while the evening 
 bugles of the troopers reechoed from the hostile banks of 
 the Dying Water, Prince Youresief said softly; "Now, 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 251 
 
 Serge, my dear boy — when all is over, marry— and, live 
 here in peace — if you really have beaten your sword into 
 a pruning hook! This is a royal domain!" 
 
 And, then Serge's face lightened. "I promise you. 
 Prince, that I will live and die here with my wife, — but — 
 I must have a foreign tour of two or three years, — ^when 
 the lady of my dreams comes to light!" 
 
 ■ On thdr return, the great courtyard was lit up With 
 great bonfires of rejoicing! Hundreds of happy peasants 
 wete gathered in the vast enclosure — and, the chorus 
 singers alternated in the wild mournful songs of the 
 Ukraine! 
 
 Serge, the Prince and the officers looked down from 
 the esplanade, at the dances, after a distribution of re- 
 freshment had been ordered! 
 
 For the whole estate now knew that their beloved 
 Barin had triumohed — and that the strong hand of the 
 Czar had been lifted to crush their lord's enemies! 
 
 Serge drew Lieutenant Zubofi aside, as the young 
 Chief marshaled his men to ride home under the soft 
 starlight! 
 
 "Pray, tell the priest's wife that I send Xenia to see 
 her to-morrow — on some very important business, — in 
 the afternoon! 
 
 "And — remember — Nikon Nikonovitch, you have al- 
 ways a place at my table!" For — General Ratzo had 
 commended the clear, soldierly frankness of the young 
 man ! 
 
 As the little squad dashed away — the music struck up 
 — and the troopers of Captain Milanofl, seizing the pretty 
 village maids, began to dance to their favorite measures, 
 as the merry girls sang to the chorus of their mates ! 
 
 Far above this happy scene, peering over the battle- 
 ments of the roof, the White Lady of Khaminavatka 
 looked down with joy! 
 
 For, Xenia had enticed her now happy mistress up 
 there under the softly shining summer stars, and the girl 
 wife had lost all her fears! 
 
 ■ Was not her brave paladin now near her! And, with 
 love-lit eyes, she hummed a tender refrain of art old bal- 
 lad, "I have no fear — ^when you are by my side," 
 
252 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Excellence Serge Dumont was light-hearted as he 
 drove into Bratskoe^ in his splendid victoria, the next 
 morning, with the courtly Prince Youresief en grand 
 traine. 
 
 Their escort of a dozen soldiers gave a peculiar dis- 
 tinction to the visite de ceremonie, and half of Bratskoe 
 was in the streets at once, for the news of the triumph of 
 the Lord of Khaminavatka had traveled as the crow flies. 
 
 A great concourse was watching the PoHce Station, 
 where a guard was drawn up as Anton Antonovitch and 
 old Moschka, in irons, were haled into a khibitka and 
 started off for Bobrinetz as apprehended felons! Four 
 troopers and a corporal, with loaded carbines, grimly 
 watched their desperate prisoners. 
 
 General Ratzo's inquest was now in full blast, and 
 every tchinovik of the town stood ranged around the 
 guarded doors where the magistrate was now on the rack. 
 
 Already the town knew of his removal, the promotion 
 of his deputy — and the probable dispatch of the ofifender 
 to Elizabethgrad for a speedy trial and condign punish- 
 ment! General Ratzo's mill ground far quicker than the 
 mills of the gods — and — equally as fine ! 
 
 On the portico of the Bratskoe villa, Madame Olga 
 Cherikoff, with a wildly beating heart, awaited the visit 
 of her master's bitterest foe! 
 
 When Prince Youresief, with winning courtesy, pre- 
 sented the graceful Lord of Khaminavatka — the 
 Colonel's widow melted at once. Serge Dumont lis- 
 tened, with reserve, to the frank disclaimers and apolo- 
 gies of Madame Chinkofif. 
 
 It was Prince Youresief who calmed the good lady's 
 evident fears of a calamity involving the whole Radovich 
 clan. But, as watchful as an eagle about to swoop, the 
 Master of Khaminavatka maintained a proud reserve, 
 and most gracefully declined all hospitality and refresh- 
 ment! 
 
 It was only when Madame Cherikofif said, "I knew 
 and loved your noble brother. I had hoped that his 
 election as Marechale de Noblesse would have ended the 
 unfortunate estrangement of years! But — alas, he is 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 253 
 
 dead ! And, darling Magda — the Day Star of the Dying 
 Water! 
 
 "It had been my dream, Monsieur le Baron, to see you 
 Colonel of the Garde a Cheval, your brother Marechale 
 de Noblesse, and Magda to have married your gallant 
 nephew Wassili Federofif!" 
 
 Serge started, and grew ashen pale^ — ^but with a 
 mighty efifort controlled himself, as the good old soul 
 babbled on ! 
 
 "Then — with General Andre an Emperor's aide, — 
 Ivan in the Preobajenskys, — and the Baron Alexandre 
 well sustained here, — your two Kherson families would 
 have ruled the whole Ukraine, even as the Muravieffs 
 rule the Crimea and Taurida! Alas! It was not to be — 
 we sow but hatred here — and, reap only blood and tears!" 
 
 When she had finished, with a profound bow, the agi- 
 tated Serge took his leave^ while Prince Youresief re- 
 mained in a private council. 
 
 "I will await you at the priest's house, mon Prince," 
 said Serge, as he begged to be allowed to send Madame 
 Cherikoff a corbeille of the flowers and forced fruits of 
 the Khaminavatka greenhouses. 
 
 It was an hour before the old diplomatist left the sob- 
 bing woman reassured. 
 
 "You can see all the ignominy of this frightful out- 
 rage," gloomily said Youresief. "Serge has authorized 
 me to challenge both the General and the Baron to a 
 duel to the death unless they make reparation! Where 
 is Alexandre now?" 
 
 "He left Baroness Lili at Ulitza and is on his way to 
 Petersburg to join the General! Do you want them 
 here?" said the fair widow. 
 
 "For God's sake. No!" cried the Prince. "I have 
 written them all, and sent our Intendant to bring me 
 back orders," sighed Madame Cherikofif. "My position 
 is frightful! What will be done?" "You will not be 
 molested" — said the Prince. 
 
 "The mansion over there will be garrisoned, — no one 
 will be allowed to live there save the peasants till this 
 foul outrage is expiated! And — ^the General and Baron 
 
254 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 wiH be held personally responsible, now, by General 
 Ratzo ! Tell me of Arcady ! You saw him !" 
 
 The poor woman sheltered herself behind a Niagara 
 of tears. 
 
 "I gave him money, — he demanded it! He is half 
 crazy! He is gone forever, — but, which way, I know 
 not!" 
 
 And — the Prince could not conquer the charitable du- 
 plicity of the tender-hearted woman ! 
 
 "You will find both the brothers will beg that Arcady 
 be shut up for life in a Maison de Sante. They will dis- 
 claim on oath all knowledge of these coward attempts! 
 If God had only sent Baroness Lili to the bottom of the 
 flooded Bug, — ^then, all would be easy! 
 
 "She has a devil, — like Gregory Orlofif, — a devil of 
 wickedness and lust!" sadly groaned the widow. "She 
 has ruined her family ! Thank God that Magda is now 
 beyond all shame! But, promise me/' she cried — on her 
 knees, — "you will not let them fight!" 
 
 "Never," said Youresief. "It is a case for the police, 
 and the Czar's heavy hand — not — the last resort of 
 honor! Olga!" kindly said the old veteran, "write them 
 that if they do not make the amend and, be as mute as 
 sphinxes in the future, — as harmless as lambs, — I will 
 erase the memory of the family from the countryside! 
 They shall be expelled from Russia — and — the Baroness 
 Lili shall be branded — as she deserves! Her Russian 
 passport shall be rescinded — and — she remain an outcast 
 for life! You see how I struck Milovitch, her lover! 
 
 "That was only a beginning! Count on me — just as 
 long as you aid me — and — not a word to Vera Orbelefif — 
 I suspect that sleek devil of stirring up this trouble ! She 
 wanted to trap Pierre or Serge — ^and, — Lili thought to 
 cut the way to Milovitch's side, — as his guilty wife! 
 
 "The play is done — now, — tell them, — to ring the cur- 
 tain down! 
 
 "Promise me, on your honor, as the widow of my old 
 comrade in arms, that you will, instantly, warn Serge 
 Dumont, night or day, of any danger — and — then — no- 
 tify both the Chief of Police^and me!" 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 255 
 
 "I swear it on the Cross!" cried the woman devoutly 
 kissing her baptismal emblem on its golden chain. 
 
 "Listen!" said Youresief. "Ratzo leaves to-night! He 
 delegates me his power — I have my own! He has fear- 
 fully punished these poor tools of a murderous heart! 
 Let the example reach the Radovich brothers! For, 
 they now hold their fate in their hands. I will get Ratzo 
 away to-night, — for — if he begins punishing — he is an 
 Ivan the Terrible! 
 
 "I will make the report to Petersburg — and — close up 
 the whole affair — only — I demand the absolute submis- 
 sion of the two Radovichs! 
 
 "Serge will never make any friendly advances — but, — 
 he will keep the peace of God^as long as his domain is 
 unviolated! I have restrained him — but, the next time 
 — his peasants will give both these places of the enemy 
 over to the flame and pillage ! 
 
 "You cannot restrain a Russian country mob, when 
 once let loose!" 
 
 Olga Cherikoff watched the Prince's retreating form, 
 and then rang for her acting Intendant. "A messen- 
 ger — quick, to go to Petersburg — ^by Kief. Let him ride 
 express and take the post diligence at Kief!" 
 
 While she wrote words of fire — she shuddered at her 
 last interview with'Arcady! 
 
 For the brute had even threatened her with violence! 
 "I hold Andre and Alexandre in the hollow of my hand!" 
 he had yelled. "I have nothing to lose — they every- 
 thing! Damn Milovitch and Lili! They have both be- 
 trayed and abandoned me!" 
 
 "What mean you?" had faltered the terrified woman. 
 
 "I will go on to Petersburg and will force them to 
 conceal and protect me! If I spoke the whole truth, 
 they would both be imprisoned and attainted, and, Ivan 
 would at once succeed to both estates! I will tell Ivan 
 all! 
 
 "The boy is both bold and proud. He will protect 
 me — if I make him Lord of two estates and the head of 
 his family! He despises Lili, that heartless Bianca Ca- 
 pello!" 
 
 "Where can you hide?" murmured Olga. 
 17 
 
256 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Ah! My cousin Boris is the Commandant of Arch- 
 angel!" boasted Arcady. "He will protect me! From 
 there, — I can reach Sweden or England, — by any boat — 
 if not, — then, I will winter with the Lapps — and the 
 Devil himself couldn't find me there!" 
 
 Arming himself to the teeth, — with the fastest horse 
 in the stables, and his pockets stufifed with roubles, — 
 hastily borrowed from the merchants by the frightened 
 woman, — Baron Arcady Radovich had fled like a thief 
 in the night! 
 
 And— with a devilish malignity — Arcady had left the 
 poor brutes Moschka and Anton to drag their chain over 
 the Siberian roads in his place. 
 
 Driving as Jehu, the son of Nimshi, — the Excellence 
 Serge Dumont reached Khaminavatka in time to send 
 Xenia, in his private carriage over to Bratskoe for the 
 concealed embassy to the priest's wife! 
 
 With bated breath, the lingerers in the courtyard saw 
 the peasant woman, doubly beautiful in her borrowed 
 finery, depart as if she were the born mistress of a dozen 
 fiefs. The envy of her fellows followed her — and — with 
 shaking heads, the old men saw the burning-eyed village 
 beauty lifted up resplendent, in her gilded shame, as they 
 coldly judged. 
 
 Even the stolid Boursakoff stood aghast, but — a 
 philosopher, he murmured — "Among the blind — the one- 
 eyed man is king! Xenia is the handsomest woman ever 
 born under the straw thatch on the Dying Water! It is 
 not for us to criticise our masters!" 
 
 And he drove away to where the waving grain now 
 murmured in the ripening fields, leaving Marika, his girl 
 wife, stunned at the resplendent apparition of the serf- 
 born woman "who had arrived!" 
 
 That night, the dining halls of Khaminavatka rang to 
 the loyal shouts of "Long live the Czar!" for Serge Du- 
 mont had bidden his household display all the riches of 
 the old baronial establishment! 
 
 General Ratzo had returned at midnight, from his 
 clean sweep of all the malefactors! 
 
 As he sat at the right hand of the host, the steel- 
 nerved Tartar smiled at Youresief, who had been in con- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 257 
 
 sultation with him all the afternoon at the trial at 
 Bratskoe ! 
 
 "You will not be troubled in future, Baron Serge!" 
 grimly said the General. "You are a brave and famous 
 soldier! I leave you your own garrison! The enemy's 
 stronghold is occupied! Justice has been done! If 
 further outrage is attempted, — shoot, — and spare not!" 
 
 The hardy General's escort was waiting at four o'clock 
 for the long swinging march which would put him a 
 hundred versts away by the next midnight ! 
 
 The younger officers were amazed at the regal splendor 
 of the palace of the steppes — and — they marveled not at 
 Ratzo's jocular adieu to Prince Youresief in the early 
 dawn! "I leave all in your hands, mon ami," he said — 
 "but, beware of Capuan dalliance! There is that young 
 Queen of Sheba whom we saw at Bratskoe, — Dumont's 
 Pearl of the Steppes, — beware of wandering in the park 
 with her!" 
 
 And — so — the dazzling elevation of the silent Xenia 
 was noised abroad as far as the emerald plains swept to 
 the Dneiper and the Don! "I do not wonder at Baron 
 Serge's liking for the steppe/' muttered Ratzo — who had 
 a rare eye for a fine woman! "There is fire in her eye, — 
 and, — I've never seen a better figure!" 
 
 It was two days later when the old Marechale de No- 
 blesse left Khaminavatka ! During the long summer 
 days, — down in the chalet by the gleaming lake, lulled 
 by the murmuring stream, — the two friends had devised 
 Youresief's whole report, — his ultimatum to the two 
 Radovichs, — and his final official action ! 
 
 "Either a full, open, public disclaimer and apology, and 
 a complete repudiation of Arcady, — leaving him to the 
 law, — or else, — a duel to the final result, with each. If I 
 don't kill them both — Wassili Federofif will finish the 
 other" — grimly said Serge. 
 
 And, yet, he agreed to wait for Youresief's action, 
 leaving the whole matter of justice and honor to his 
 friend! 
 
 Serge had limited his disclosures to the fiery old noble 
 with a consummate prudence, — and the direct connection 
 of the three Radoyicb brothers with Pierre's mysterious 
 
 17 
 
258 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 death only awaited the "squeezing process" now being 
 energetically applied at Bobrinetz to the two malefactors 
 by the cold-blooded Ratzo. 
 
 The General had a consuming desire to obtain news 
 of Arcady's whereabouts, and his methods were of the 
 "lex tahonis" order! In heart, — Serge was now anxious 
 to be rid of his loyal old friend, for the golden honey- 
 moon of his secret marriage was beginning. 
 
 He was at fault for an answer, — when the silver-haired 
 Princ^ called him aside, as his retainers waited in readi- 
 ness. 
 
 "Serge, my son!" he kindly said! "We are both men 
 of the world! And — yet, — I adjure you to marry! The 
 splendor of this dashing girl whom you have found here, 
 is a demoralizing influence to the conservative and in- 
 dustrious peasants. 
 
 "I can excuse the follies of youth — but, even the In- 
 tendant has timidly confided to me his belief that, this 
 Xenia has bewitched you! Marry, — marry in your own 
 rank, — and — lead our Kherson noblesse as Pierre did!" 
 
 To the Prince's surprise, Serge showed no anger — but 
 — merely smiled, and said: "My dear old friend, — 
 Xenia is a very nice girl, — a superior person of her class, 
 —and, — a loyal-hearted woman — but, I promise you — 
 here's my hand — that I will be married — within a year! 
 I will not bring our old name down to public shame!" 
 
 But, for all that, as the veteran drove away, he looked 
 back anxiously at the beautiful chateau with its encircling 
 park. "Primo inter pares," he murmured. "Here is 
 the mystery of throbbing, vivid human life! 
 
 "A bright-eyed serf-born girl can enslave this court- 
 bred patrician — as easily as Antony was led captive by 
 the star-eyed Egyptian! 
 
 "It is a strange — wild — lawless life, — this steppe pan- 
 orama! A human desert! where only the will of the 
 master is the rule of the destiny of hundreds!" 
 
 And, then, all unconscious, proudly disregardful of the 
 murmuring of his toiling clans, — Serge returned to his 
 open dalliance with Xenia by day, and — from Bratskoe 
 to Novokrainka the whole countryside soon knew the 
 splendors of the insolent Queen of the Steppe. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 259 
 
 Only one fear now haunted the loyal husband's bosom. 
 "If Father Adrian should die before I obtain the Czar's 
 pardon, — then, — my Magda's wifehood would be im- 
 periled." 
 
 He waited, eager-eyed, for news of the results of 
 Youresief's ominous reports to the Court officials, and 
 the letter to the two Radovich brothers ! 
 
 All was now the dreamy peace of the splendid sum- 
 mer around, the trees hung heavy with fruits, — the park 
 was in its meridian splendor, and the admirable arrange- 
 ments of General Ratzo gave a security to the timid night 
 expeditions of the lovely wife, concealed by day, in the 
 secret apartments! 
 
 The spoil of Elizabethgrad had arrived, and there was 
 continual merriment on the upper corridor of the steppe 
 palace. 
 
 Serge's voice at his piano, — the gay volk-songs of 
 Xenia, — covered plausibly the music welling from Magda 
 Dumont's heart! The growing discontent of the en- 
 vious peasants of the household was sealed by the exclu- 
 sion of all the people of the chateau from the park after 
 nightfall! 
 
 Only Marika and the sad-eyed Anna Ivanowna knew 
 that their master wandered with Xenia there, in the silver 
 moonlight, — or spent the happy evenings locked up in 
 the jewel box chalet! 
 
 Even at the bidding of his varying inclinations, — the 
 Baron Serge was seen driving far afield in the starry 
 nights, with the audacious woman at his side, only fol- 
 lowed, at a safe distance, by two of the strange troopers. 
 
 And, then, in those golden harvest weeks, began the 
 work of inbred superstitions I For — in the park, — on 
 the turreted roofs, — and along the flower-decked forbid- 
 den corridors, was seen to glide the graceful form of the 
 • White Lady of Khaminavatka! 
 
 Serge Dumont only laughed merrily when the startled 
 Boursakofif repeated these stories ! 
 
 "Nonsense! my brave fellow!" he gaily cried. "Peas- 
 ant yarns, — why do I myself see none of these mysterious 
 happenings? / <tm always about at all hours." 
 
 But, Boursakoff, — led on by his timorous and jealous 
 
26o THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 wife, — and goaded on by the discontented Anna Ivan- 
 owna, had personally observed the silent, gliding form, — 
 the silver veil, — the flowing white raiment, and marked 
 the haunting form often disappear with a marvelous 
 celerity ! 
 
 "It bodes no good" — he grumbled, — as he piously 
 crossed himself. "There is death in the air! The 
 gloomy chapel will be opened, soon, for the last of the 
 Dumontsl" 
 
 And, — only Xenia laughed in her sleeve — as she 
 marked the widespread terror of her many midnight 
 pranks. For, she aided the mystery — clad in Magda's 
 white robes. 
 
 It was when the opening and shutting of doors, — ^the 
 sound of gliding feet, — and all varied mysterious noises 
 increased in the upper stories of the chateau, that Bour- 
 sakofif finally begged that the terrified servants might all 
 be allowed to sleep in the outer quarters ! 
 
 "Be it so!" agnostically smiled Serge — "I hear no 
 noises! I see none of all these wonders — and, — you 
 know, I sleep up there — in the very domain of the White 
 Lady!" 
 
 And — so, while the wonder grew, Boursakoflf was fain 
 to be content and silent, but he feared the loss of the 
 harvests and the decimation of the flocks and herds. He 
 was now thoroughly ghost ridden. Not so easily be- 
 guiled were the village women! 
 
 "It is Xenia, — the witch, who has brought this curse 
 upon us!" — they muttered, as they patronized the old 
 beldames who sold counter charms. 
 
 "She has bewitched the young master — and, some 
 dark night — the Devil will carry them both away." 
 
 The fields now swarmed with the merry toilers and all 
 along the Dying Water, the queenly breath of summer 
 made rich the perfumed air! Heart against heart — ■ 
 Magda and Serge heard the plaint of the nightingale, as 
 he drove the blushing young bride through the fragrant 
 plantations in the friendly shadows! 
 
 They were perfectly safe, — for the stern troopers of 
 Captain Milanoff guarded the now reserved private pleas- 
 ure grounds with jealous eyes — and, — all the cowed 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 261 
 
 household gave way in ill-concealed aversion to the sup- 
 posed Xenia, and, kindly Fate smiled on them ! 
 
 It was while Serge tasted the rich fruits of a double 
 happiness, that Prince Youresief, was vainly communing 
 with himself at Bobrinetz. 
 
 He had heard the full confession of the now dis- 
 heartened Anton Antonovitch ! The sly rogue had only 
 partly told his story to General Ratzo, who had wreaked 
 his vengeance upon the unhappy Jew Moschka. There 
 was now a divided duty before the old Marechale de No- 
 blesse. 
 
 He had received the most abject disclaimers from 
 General Andre and the Baron Alexandre, — who had con- 
 firmed in person at the Court the Prince's reports of the 
 unhappy death of the vanished Baroness Magda. 
 
 And so, — another dark-eyed young Russian patrician 
 was soon named as Maid of Honor to flutter^ a lovely 
 . moth, in the fierce light which beats upon the throne of 
 the Czar. 
 
 A marble cenotaph in the family burying ground at 
 Bratskoe villa now bore the legend of the death of the 
 Day Star of the Dying Water — "Drowned in the river 
 Mertvovod." 
 
 It was at the secret suggestion of General Radovich 
 that his brother the Baron, now luxuriating in the Army 
 contracts, should be allowed to come alone to the Brats- 
 koe villa and carry on his business, reporting to Prince 
 Youresief — and — never setting foot on the home estate! 
 "Madame la Baronne was to remain abroad — for a period 
 of years," and — Prince Youresief grimly smiled at the 
 gazetted news of the death of Colonel Milovitch, slain in 
 a daring Circassian foray! 
 
 "Voila le fin de I'histoire," he growled, dismissing the 
 name of the would-be assassin to oblivion ! 
 
 Of Arcady Radovich, the half-crazed fugitive, there 
 was not even a trace! And^ both the brothers ofifered 
 no opposition to his internment for life as insane, if 
 caught! It was with a>lip curling in scorn that Prince 
 Youresief ejaculated "Liars!" 
 
 He krjew now that both the crafty court loungers 
 
262 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 would fain sacrifice their outcast brother to the hungry 
 maw 'of an iron justice ! 
 
 "I see it all!" he mused. "They used the poor fool as 
 an irresponsible tool — and — coward-like — wished to 
 know no details — but, — they laughed to see the dark 
 work go on to its culmination! 
 
 "For their own dark ends, — Milovitch and the reckless 
 Lili gladly dabbled in this murder brokerage!" 
 
 And sorely beset, Prince Youresief could not make up 
 his mind to disclose to the fiery Serge Dumont the whole 
 story of the ex-station keeper now on his way to Siberia 
 to toil in the salt mines of Irkutsk. 
 
 Anton Antonovitch, with sobs and groans, had pro- 
 tested that he had only learned of the plot which "re- 
 moved" the Excellence Pierre Dumont, after his own 
 splendid horses had been made their master's execution- 
 ers. 
 
 "It was a poor devil hired by Arcady, — who set the • 
 strong hide rope barriers in the road below, — in the 
 gorge! He was paid to finish the helpless man with the 
 knife — if he were only stunned and bruised — but flung 
 headlong down the bank, the Barin's neck was broken, 
 and, — the sly fellow did not need to mangle his body! 
 
 "I only learned this later through the Jew Moschka, 
 who brought the hard money from Arcady to the poor 
 wretch ! I was poor, — they spent the money at the sta- 
 tion — and — Arcady could only pay what he could scrape 
 together from Baroness Lili and her lover! 
 
 "For, the job once done, — the two brothers ignored 
 the whole thing — and, coldly thrust Arcady out — to be a 
 pensioner on the guilty lovers at the mansion. 
 
 "They feared his drunken babbling tongue!" 
 
 When Prince Youresief demanded why he had not 
 given the lurking assassin up — Anton swore on the cross 
 that he had intended to send his wife Xenia to notify the 
 Chief of Police, through the priest at Bratskoe. 
 
 "I am but a poor peasant! I feared Arcady!" howled 
 Anton, "and, Barin Serge made a descent upon my 
 house. Moschka gave the signal to the murderer who 
 fled away on the steppe and had never been heard of! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 263 
 
 I thought Barin Serge had captured him; it seems not 
 so! But, he has stolen away my wife, — my Xenia! 
 
 "And, you know what he has done with her! Should 
 I have licked the dust of my enemy's boots? It was too 
 late! I feared arrest and ruin!" 
 
 Revolving all this doubtful story. Prince Youresief 
 decided not to uselessly enrage Serge. 
 
 "I may later get absolute proof of the complicity of 
 the General and the Barin yet! In the meantime — ^this — 
 will give me an absolute mastery of the Radovich family 
 — and — the control of Arcady! He may be caught and 
 confess ! 
 
 "Then — I can settle forever the feud on the Dying 
 Water — if, — Serge would only marry!" 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 A WEAVING SPIDER. 
 
 The steppe was scorched and burning brown in the 
 intense September heat when Prince Youresief rested 
 from his labors of closing up the Kherson feud which had 
 so long arrayed the dwellers on the north and south 
 banks of the Dying Water against each other. 
 
 He was perfectly aware of the insincerity of the Gen- 
 eral and the Barin Radovich whose official disclaimers of 
 responsibility had been publicly noised abroad, with pro- 
 fuse apologies to the Excellence Serge Dumont, deliv- 
 ered through the Governor of the Province, — General 
 Ratzo, — and the assembly of Notables at Elizabethgrad. 
 
 Through the Marechale de Noblesse, the frightened 
 brothers had transmitted to their hereditary enemy a 
 joint letter of abject apology for the "vagaries of their 
 unhappy brother Arcady." 
 
 In a coldly framed reply, the Lord of Khaminavatka 
 had stated his surprise at the past overt acts, and he ex- 
 pressed a hope that the neighboring estate in future 
 would be handled through the agency of Lieut. Ivan 
 
264 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Radovich of the Preobajensky Guards, "than whom a 
 more gallant or promising young officer does not adorn 
 His Imperial Majesty's service." 
 
 And, so, content with these public apologies. Serge 
 Dumont left his challenges to the secretly guilty brothers 
 in abeyance. 
 
 For, he had artfully avoided any direct response to the 
 two apologists, his answer being even directed to Prince 
 Youresief for transmittal at second hand. 
 
 "The old feeling lingers," muttered Youresief, "on 
 both sides! The only way is to make a solitude and, — 
 call it peace ! Perhaps, — young Ivan and Wassili Feder- 
 off will in time bury the ancient hatred! 
 
 "For, if Serge does not marry, — Wassili will be the 
 heir." A long secret conference with the now conva- 
 lescent Madame Federoff delighted the courtly Prince, 
 for the two young duelists had, in fact, reached a point 
 of growing personal friendship, and graceful camara- 
 derie. 
 
 With gentle deprecation, — Youresief avoided the deli- 
 cate subject of the promoted peasant girl — for "Maam- 
 selle Xenia" was now the one central figure of Kherson 
 gossip! 
 
 The merchants of Kherson, Kharkov, and Elizabeth- 
 grad — nay even of Kief and Odessa, marvelled at the 
 lavish expenditures of Serge Dumont for his village-bred 
 Sultana ! 
 
 "Pray, my dear Prince, aid me to deliver Serge from 
 this "man eater," sobbed Madame Barbe. "He has never 
 even noticed my letters of remonstrance." 
 
 The old Prince drily remarked, "My dear Madame! 
 I fear these are very delicate matters ! I would trust to 
 a final self-awakening, — an inevitable satiety, — for I have 
 never known moral lectures, especially at long range, to 
 counteract the effect of a pair of inviting eyes, — the clasp 
 of clinging white arms, or the charms of a fetching fig- 
 ure! Do you not know this upstart will surely play the 
 game out herself! Remember, — 'tout lasse — tout passe 
 — tout casse!' 
 
 "A dignified silence is your only attitude — and — ^your 
 sil?nt moral protest is your only weapon!" 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 265 
 
 With some alacrity, the good-hearted Prince sug- 
 gested to the venerable patrician lady, a gathering up of 
 the rosebud aristocrats of the province, "Surely some 
 one of the many great heiresses, the budding beauties 
 would catch the wandering eye! Divert him, — do not 
 oppose him!" 
 
 "Alas!" sobbed Madame Barbe. "He absolutely re- 
 fuses to quit Khaminavatka! And — when I proposed a 
 visit, he alleged that the dryness of the summer solstices 
 was a fatal objection! He has presented to my dear boy a 
 splendid Polish estate, the very gem of Volhynia, — and — 
 I dare not openly anger him ! 
 
 "He will not leave his harvests, he says. And — he 
 has directed Wassili to go and make acquaintance with 
 his Volhynian domain, instead of coming to the usual 
 family reunion at Khaminavatka!" 
 
 "There," entreatingly, said Youresief, "You see that 
 his heart is all right! He will not neglect your boy! 
 And," the old veteran said with caustic brevity, "from 
 what I know of the eternal laws of human variance, his 
 harvest of wild oats will soon be all gathered — surely be- 
 fore next summer!" 
 
 But, like Rachel mourning for her children, the dis- 
 pirited old dame refused to be comforted. She sought 
 out a particular icon of unerring efficacy and mingled 
 heart-felt prayers for the opening of Serge Dumont's 
 eyes — with sundry soulful petitions as to the early re- 
 moval of the woman who had blackened his fair fame. 
 
 Prince Youresief returned to Bobrinetz to find several 
 appealing letters from Princess Vera OrbeleflF now anx- 
 ious to play the role of ministering angel, through the 
 Marechale de Noblesse and Madame Cherikofif, but, the 
 knowledge of her thinly veiled relations of intimacy with 
 the scheming General caused Youresief to coldly reply 
 that the incident had received a drastic official treatment, 
 — and — that he was powerless, — and had decided to inter- 
 fere no more! 
 
 That spirited court beauty raged when she received 
 this placid- rebufif, — as well as Barin Serge Dumont's 
 glacially polite note declining to discuss the matter. 
 
 "As you remarked on your last visit, Madame la Prin- 
 
266 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 cess," he wrote, "I have found the means here to avoid 
 loneliness! As for my future relations with the hostile 
 clan — I will hold off my hand no more! 
 
 "I am absolved from all my promises to you, — and 
 to Prince Youresief! The man of that Radovich blood 
 who crosses my lines, with hostile purposes, dies in his 
 tracks, — for — I shall now treat them all — as common 
 marauders — all — save young Ivan, who is an honorable 
 soldier,— a fair enemy, — and — a gallant fellow!" 
 
 While hundreds of happy peasants toiled harvesting 
 the golden grain of Khatninavatka, — the married lovers 
 every day relaxed their precautions! 
 
 Custom and their growing sense of security, due to the 
 effective guard, caused them to dare more and more the 
 curiosity of the now sullenly apathetic underlings! 
 
 For, surprise, wonder, astonishment had been all ex- 
 hausted in their different gradations! 
 
 With a sly tenderness, the happy husband depleted the 
 treasures of the nearest towns to adorn the secret nest 
 of his beloved! 
 
 And, only the. warning voice of the watchful Xenia was 
 now lifted to remind them that they did not live in an 
 enchanted Paradise! 
 
 The newest books — the latest music, — all was done that 
 a yearning fondness could provide as a compensation to 
 Magda — for the lack of freedom of movement! 
 
 Her husband had frankly told her all, — even the death 
 of the black-browed Colonel Milovitch! "I can see 
 that my father will soon retrieve her fortunes through 
 the General," she murmured, "and then my mother will 
 be able to realize her dreams of a winter in Paris and at 
 Nice. 
 
 "When all the clouds are lifted. Serge," she fondly 
 cried, "my father and brother Ivan will be the first to 
 forgive — and then — the General, who always loved me — 
 can easily propitiate my mother!" 
 
 "Ah! Beloved lady bird! My own darling!" mur- 
 mured Serge, as he stooped and kissed her slender hands 
 now gleaming with his love offerings, "I could placate 
 your family — at once, — through Youresief! They would 
 be but too glad to drop the burned out feud — but, — it is 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA 267 
 
 the dread displeasure of the Czar, — revenging the Tzar- 
 itza, which would crush both us, and, our dear friend, — 
 Father Adrian ! 
 
 "Wait — wait — my own beloved — till next year! 
 
 "The memory of your appointment, the story of this 
 abortive raid, — the whole affair, will have been dismissed 
 from the minds of the envious court officials ! 
 
 "How easy next season for me to smuggle you safely 
 over to the Austrian frontier! 
 
 "And — ^the — story of your wandering away in illness, — 
 the capture by strolling gypsies, — the holding you for a 
 reward or ransom, — and, — my discovering of you — on 
 my travels, through knowledge gained of my possessions 
 and prominence here — will enable me to claim you 
 openly as a wife! 
 
 "Prince Youresief discreetly informed, then — (for he 
 must be charitably hoodwinked) can obtain a full per- 
 mission of the Czar for me to marry you! 
 
 "In this way my rank, — my retired army privileges, — 
 our estates all will be preserved, — and — a new marriage 
 will only double our happiness! 
 
 "So, — Father Adrian will be held harmless, for all he 
 knows he will know from your confession and my own! 
 He comes to us soon on a visit, — and, — after our con- 
 fession, — he can be entrusted with our whole secret! 
 Remember — that without your baptismal papers and all 
 the due legal formalities, I can not give you my rank, 
 and, the legal titles to your future property interests! 
 For that, — the Czar's permission and sanction of our 
 union is absolutely necessary! But, — a wife you are 
 until death parts us!" 
 
 To all these rosy views of a golden future, beautiful 
 Magda Dumont gave the seal of her approval with softly 
 shining eyes dewy with happiness! 
 
 She became again her light-hearted darling self, and, 
 in her own person, played many an artful ghostly prank 
 as the White Lady of Khaminavatka ! 
 
 In vain, did the untiring Xenia remind her of the des- 
 perate chance which had alone saved her in the park, on 
 the night when Anton crept up, — with murder in his 
 heart ! 
 
268 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Secttre in her husband's sheltering presence, Magda, 
 counterfeiting Xenia's well known garb, — or as the 
 ghostly White Lady, — braved a dozen accidental ren- 
 contres in the park! 
 
 True, in her ghostly character, the waving of outspread 
 arms caused the dallying lovers or the belated toilers 
 to flee in mortal terror. As a false Xenia, — she was al- 
 ways veiled! 
 
 It was to Serge Dumont that the anxious Xenia 
 poured out her soul in vague forebodings! "You are 
 both love blind, Barin!" she repeated. "Beware of the 
 unexpected! The devil never sleeps! 
 
 "Some envious peasant, rnistaking her for me, may 
 even do her a grievous bodily harm, — ^your heart would 
 be broken then! 
 
 "Some bold village hunter, trusting to a silver bullet, 
 may hide himself and have a shot at the witch! 
 
 "Any discovery would be at once reported to the Rado- 
 vichs, now humiliated to the very earth! And — then — 
 they would turn on you like wolves ! 
 
 "The General is as cold and unpitying as a hyena, — 
 there is that Princess Orbelefif — she loved you! Nay! 
 Do not deny it! The same hot and restless woman's 
 heart beats under silk and lace, as under the peasant girl's 
 serge gown ! I saw her sneering bitter face as she bade 
 you good-bye. That beautiful woman dreamed of reign- 
 ing here. 
 
 "And she thinks that I bar her way! And, — I — am I 
 not still the one time serf girl, — the peasant born, — even 
 if you cover me with rich dress? 
 
 "But — one thing has ennobled me!" she said, with 
 flashing eyes, "your darling Barina has called me sister! 
 It was when her head lay on my breast, in that gloomy 
 crypt, — yonder, where your brother lies! 
 
 "Now Barin, Lili Radovich is every inch a woman! 
 She was Colonel Milovitch's bond slave! And she 
 knows who sent him to his death, — who sent her out to 
 exile, — and, — who has made her home only a police bar- 
 rack! 
 
 "She will hate you to her dying day! She is a tigress 
 robbed of her mjite! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 269 
 
 "Baron Alexandre and the General would gladly de- 
 nounce you for kidnapping the Tzaritza's Maid of Honor 
 — if you are discovered ! 
 
 "And then — General Ratzo and Prince Youresief 
 would be forced to be witnesses against you! Barin! 
 You know how hard our laws are! For God's sake — 
 — ^watch over your wife ! 
 
 "For, a discovery means only death — and ruin for all, 
 — for me — prison — perhaps, Siberia!" 
 
 Serge Dumont was ashen pale as the poor woman 
 who lived in a pillory of shame for him, sunk on her 
 knees! She moaned. 
 
 "Oh! God! Here is Arcady! A weaving spider! If 
 you could have seen his creeping, gloating ways — as he 
 dragged poor Anton down to be his tool for a few 
 roubles ! He breathes lies, and — murder is his follower, 
 — cold, treacherous, cowardly murder! It is he who will 
 avenge ! 
 
 "He will come back — for — to Baroness Lili he will go 
 — she must give him money and help! 
 
 "Be warned — for when the crash comes — you will find 
 the whole world arrayed against you! Fear the mighty 
 Czar! You know his anger would ruin you — and — 
 Madame Barbe and the young Barin Wassili!" 
 
 And, her voice broke into wailing sobs as she knelt 
 before him in supplication! 
 
 The young Lord of Khaminavatka was brave, and 
 hardened to external danger — but his heart shrivelled in 
 a sudden terror, at the outcome of any fatal discovery! 
 
 While he raised and cheered Xenia he was haunted by 
 her words, "Arcady is a weaving spider — and, — he will 
 come back!" 
 
 The simple force of the woman's home-bred logic was 
 unanswerable! 
 
 The loverless Lili, the fugitive Arcady, — ^there were 
 two mad wolves on the trail — and — only a spark was 
 needed to demolish his rosy embowered fortifications! 
 
 "I will send for Father Adrian," he mused, "and, take 
 counsel!" There was, too, the gallant Captain Milanoff, 
 a continual guest, in the chateau — and, young and ar- 
 dent, if the hot-headed youth should fancy, in his idle 
 
270 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 curiosity, to accost the supposed Xenia, — or encounter 
 the White Lady, — then — he had known the face of the 
 missing Day Star! 
 
 The whole hidden menage was now- resting upon a 
 volcano — and, — once detected — the seducer Milanoff's 
 fate, and Arcady's presumption showed that even the 
 provincial officials held absolute ruin in their power! 
 
 Serge became very careful, going out only alone — leav- 
 ing Xenia, again, the careful watcher over the hidden 
 marriage bower! 
 
 While the young husband's bosom was torn with vague 
 alarms, in a log cabin, at far away Petrozavodsk, on the 
 chilly shores of Lake Onega, — a hunted haggard figure, 
 — Arcady Radovich, awaited the arrival of his two 
 brothers whom he had summoned, with sinister menaces, 
 to a secret conference! 
 
 His money had been nearly exhausted, — his clothes 
 were in tatters and he had braved a thousand dangers 
 since he sped away from the terrified Madame Cherikoff." 
 
 Poor old Moschka, — peddler, thief and pander, — de- 
 spised jew outcast, had been loyal enough to obtain for 
 him a passport belonging to a dead merchant for the 
 ruined nobleman, and, while he and Anton were haled 
 away in chains, Arcady, selling his horse at Cordova, 
 had stealthily journeyed through Podolia to the Dnieper, 
 where, clad in a greasy merchant's garb, he had, safe in 
 his disguise, slowly ascended the Dnieper to Kiev. 
 
 Thence, hiding with the declassee merchants in the 
 Bazaars, he had made his way at once over the frontier 
 at Woloczisk, and through Austria and Germany to 
 Dantzig. 
 
 It was easy for him to reach Wiborz in Finland, and — 
 from there, he journeyed up through Lake Ladoga and 
 the canal to the little squalid town, which was his point 
 of departure for Archangel on its estuary of the White 
 Sea! 
 
 Thoroughly desperate, he now proposed to force from 
 the two brothers the means of comfort in the long win- 
 ter, until he could reach Baroness Lili and join his forces 
 of revenge to the sworn hatred of her heart. 
 
 On the long journey up the Dnieper, he had no eyes 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 271 
 
 for the varied beauties of the whispering forests and the 
 blue hills crowning its lovely shores! 
 
 Every minor official was now a terror! He knew that 
 he had basely betrayed Anton and Moschka to a life- 
 time in chains ! 
 
 If Anton should tell all — there was Siberia before him 
 — if detected — and, — starvation lurked in the future, 
 when his few hundred rouble notes were gone! 
 
 Enfeebled and dissipated, — broken in mind and body — 
 he lay among the greasy throng on the deck in the hot 
 summer nights, glad to be hidden by the motley com- 
 pany. 
 
 The blazing days, while moving over the glassy waves, 
 were a torment to him! He saw not the graceful picture 
 of the fringing flower-decked shrubs throwing their soft 
 shadows into the deep cool grottoes of the majestic river! 
 
 The silver stars reflected in the blue depths only re- 
 called to him nights of by-gone years, when, with youth 
 and hope as happy guides, he had made pleasure voyages 
 on the great arterial stream, with patrician women hang- 
 ing fondly on his impassioned words! 
 
 A storm of agony was raging in his restless heart, and 
 he welcomed the wild nights when the tempest broke and 
 the lightnings lit up the wind-rocked forest, and the 
 Dnieper, terrible in its anger, lashed its sculptured 
 shores. But he mocked the bitter storms in his agony. 
 
 He had drunk in all the dreadful memories of his 
 crime-poisoned past, and, had, at last, slowly formulated 
 a scheme to ruin his two brothers, or bend them to his 
 will! "There is Baroness Lili,— the devil's own daugh- 
 ter, — and, — Ivan, — for the estates would come to him! 
 
 "I will threaten these two men who have so coldly 
 abandoned me to starvation or prison, — to suicide, — or a 
 pauper's grave!" 
 
 He gloated over the power which had been given him 
 by" Fate, to even in his disgrace, effect the utter ruin of 
 the men now enriching themselves at court. For, he had 
 determined to make them pay to the uttermost farthing! 
 
 In a little tea house, by the lake shore^ boasting one 
 private room reserved for exceptional villainies, — Arcady 
 Radovich, the nobly born, in tatters, awaited the two 
 
 18 
 
2^2 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 brothers who had hastened from Petersburg, clad in 
 plainest garb, to face the desperate man who had so long 
 dragged their family down. 
 
 But, too well, the startled General Andre and the cow- 
 ardly Baron, knew the need of obeying that furtive 
 summons! 
 
 For, Arcady's letter, veiled in its terrible menaces, 
 told them how defenseless they were against him! 
 
 The last fifty roubles remaining to him, had paid for 
 a special messenger to find out Baron Alexandre, whom 
 Arcady rightly judged to be the weakest in nerve and re- 
 sisting power! 
 
 "There is Princess Vera — you know her cold heart- 
 lessness, — she shall know all, — and you will then both 
 be her bond slaves forever! I shall send letters which 
 will reach Lili, too, at Ulitza — and^ — she will know how 
 you have sacrificed me! 
 
 "As for myself, I will unveil the whole past, — if I am 
 arrested, — and, — both of you will share my ruin! 
 
 "You have something to lose, — I, — nothing ! And — I 
 demand comfort and protection! You must bring 
 money, — you must help me on to Boris at Archangel — 
 and provide through him, for my comfort in the long 
 winter ! 
 
 "There I am safe, — only, when there — for eight 
 months no one comes there from Petersburg, — there is 
 no mail, — no telegraph! 
 
 "And — next summer I can go away to the continent 
 or join Lili at Ulitza! Choose now between your ruin, 
 or my silence! For, you must pay — and — I will be to 
 you — ^just what you make me!" They both knew his 
 iron nerve when enraged! 
 
 The meeting of the three brothers was a stormy one, 
 but even the hardened General Andre felt the desperate 
 energy of the half-starved man's terror. In rough frank- 
 ness, Arcady brutally recounted the failure of his descent 
 upon Serge Dumont's chateau. 
 
 When he had finished his insolent demands, — there 
 was a storm of anger, and, in the little hovel, the tragedy 
 of Cain came near a reenactment. 
 
 "Damn you!" yelled Arcady, "I have prepared my- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 273 
 
 self for vengeance! I have left three letters, one for 
 my nephew Ivan, — one for Baroness Lili, — and one, 
 with a full confession, incriminating you both in Pierre 
 Dumont's murder, with the only one whom I can trust, 
 the last faithful woman, who will deliver them, if I do 
 not write her from Archangel before the inlet freezes ! 
 
 "When Youresief and Ratzo get this last letter, you 
 will both be dragged down! So — I fear you not! You 
 would kill me, — betray me, — shut me up in an asylum ! 
 
 "Do your worst! I dare you both! It is only for Lili 
 and the boy that I've given you this last chance! Do 
 you think I did not feel my misery hiding like a dog in 
 Kief, the holy city, where I have been the Governor 
 General's guest? 
 
 "Look to yourselves! I want clothes, — supplies, — 
 post horses, — and a trusty guide, as well as money ! Did 
 you bring the ten thousand roubles?" 
 
 It was the secretly raging General Andre who bitterly 
 replied, "We will provide all, when you get into the post 
 tarantass, you shall have five thousand roubles down — 
 and, — an order on Colonel Boris for the rest!" 
 
 "Good!" grunted Arcady. "One thing more. I want 
 arms — I may meet my other brothers- — the wolves!" he 
 sneered. "And, I will trouble you both to write a frank 
 full letter to Colonel Boris Radovich stating that our joint 
 family interests make it necessary for me to spend the 
 winter at Archangel — and that I am to be treated — 'as a 
 voyager of distinction. 
 
 "You can get me some good furs and clothes here, — 
 I will await you! I would like to leave to-night — as I 
 dare not show my face! 
 
 "Once up there — where Boris is king, he can issue me 
 a passport under a name which will hide my lofty rela- 
 tionship!" 
 
 Under the veil of the shadows of night, the victorious 
 Arcady sped along through the darkling forests while 
 the two brothers returned by the canal connecting the 
 two lakes to the Neva. "If he were only dead," growled 
 General Andre — as they saw the satisfied brute disappear. 
 "He at least, has spared us," said the weak-minded Alex- 
 
 li 
 
274 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 andre, "and has not posted down to disgrace us on the 
 Danube!" 
 
 "Ah! Wait! Next season that devil will annoy us! 
 I know him!" sternly replied the General. "We must 
 ignore his very existence — for — there is Youresief and 
 Ratzo — and this firefly witch Princess Vera! 
 
 "If she knew that we were hiding him, all our money 
 operations would soon' be at her mercy ! The only thing 
 to do is to put all he grinds out of us as an extra profit 
 on the Government contracts for extra expenses! It is 
 better as it is ! If Youresief had caught him — he would 
 surely have betrayed us! I can write Boris a secret 
 letter to beware of him!'" 
 
 While they plotted to undermine their brotherly black- 
 mailer, — Arcady, lying at ease in his tarantass, wrapped 
 in furs and reclining on softest cushions, watched the 
 gloomy fir trees fly by. 
 
 "I need young Ivan as the hand to strike Serge Du- 
 mont to the heart! He is young — impressionable! He 
 is wax in the hands of Princess Vera! 
 
 "She hates Dumont for the disgrace of his preferring 
 that voluptuous devil Xenia to her Frenchified charms! 
 She will never forgive the cold scorn and neglect of her 
 offered affections! 
 
 "I can reach her! She will delight to have Andre 
 and Alexandre in her power! I will promise her all 
 things. But she must work Ivan up to a fury. She can 
 tell him that her enemy — my enemy — cast disgrace and 
 exile upon his mother. 
 
 "And — that this victorious Lord of a Kherson harem 
 has hidden his only sister away to minister to his pleas- 
 ure! And, — that will do the business! Once that Ivan 
 is persuaded that Magda is hidden there^ then, — he will 
 strike like the eagle of the Caucasus! Ah!" He leaned 
 back with a delicious sense of coming triumph! 
 
 "Voila r affaire! If Vera will only fascinate the boy! 
 Next summer, Ivan will be a captain and have his leave 
 all summer! He is free to return to the old home! 
 
 "Vera can hoodwink Andre and meet the handsome 
 youngster there! Between them, if she is really hidden 
 there — then — they can find her — and — then — then — 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 275 
 
 Dumont is crushed, — ruined, — disgraced — his estates 
 would be confiscated, — if not — Vera can egg Ivan on to 
 kill Dumont' — and, — both she and I will be doubly 
 avenged! 
 
 "She will gladly pay the price to show Serge Dumont, 
 this French popinjay — that a Russian woman's heart 
 never forgives a slighted love! It will work! Ca ira!" 
 
 He rubbed his hands in glee. "And — she — a thorough 
 paced one, — she can help to smuggle me back — if I can 
 be on hand to see the job done! For, I will stand yet 
 with my foot on that dog's dead body!" He drank him- 
 self into a sufficient fierceness of purpose and fell asleep, 
 wondering if Anton Antonovitch had intentionally 
 deceived him! 
 
 "Fool that I did not go with him that night. If it 
 was really Magda — I would have borne her off against 
 hell itself." He had a hundred times cross-questioned 
 Anton and could not shake the stationkeeper's stolid as- 
 sertions that it was the face of the Day Star of the Dying 
 Water! 
 
 "The dead do not return," growled Arcady. "I heard 
 the scream! It was a lusty woman's voice! Fool that 
 I was, — there I missed the vengeance of a life time! 
 For, he would have sought for her across the river on 
 his return — and — we could then have killed him easily, 
 — on our own grounds — with the law on our side ! 
 
 "But,— -where the devil has he hidden her? The day 
 will come when I shall know all, for I will work on this 
 jealous spitfire Vera! I can force Andre and Alexan- 
 dre, — and — I shall be in at the death! Wait — wait — 
 till the roses bloom again!" 
 
 And the black-hearted spider wove his mesh of crime 
 and intrigue, even in his fevered dreams! 
 
 But, sobered up by the thirst for vengeance, he was 
 careful at Perguba to send back his poisoned letters to 
 Princess Vera, who long had owed him the heavy debt 
 of having aided to cover her little amourette with Gen- 
 eral Andre from the unsuspicious Madame Olga Cheri- 
 koff, — as well as to keep both the crafty lovers out of the 
 power of Baroness Lili and Colonel Milovitch, the joint 
 heirs of the shame of the border! 
 
276 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "My lady will run straight, — because — she has to!" he 
 cruelly reflected. "For — she knows that a word from 
 me to her dupe, the Minister of War, would set her 
 adrift! The old functionary would know soon that he is 
 but a cat's paw — for Andre and Alexandre to rob the 
 Czar! So, — he laughs best who laughs last!" 
 
 And — while the far away Magda and her husband re- 
 joiced in the disappearance forever of the one enemy 
 whom they feared, — and Father Adrian blessed the sum- 
 mer harvests,— the keen-eyed Xenia, with sleepless vigi- 
 lance, watched at every turn. 
 
 Even in her dreams, — the faithful woman, shuddering, 
 murmured,' "He will come back! He will come back! 
 And — I must some day lay my life down, — to save the 
 Barina! I will be ready," the sleepless guardian vowed, 
 as she redoubled her vigilance. 
 
 Under the harvest moon, — the happy Serge Dumont 
 drove afield, with the golden-hearted man who had now 
 heard both the confessions of the two loving hearts 
 whose very existence depended upon his keeping the 
 sacred seal of sience ! "We must wait — wait — my beloved 
 Serge," softly said Father Adrian — till time and oppor- 
 tunity, and the favor of the Czar, will enable you to place 
 your beloved wife in an open position of dignity, ac- 
 knowledged station and safety! 
 
 "It is hard — hard to do the right — beginning in a 
 wrong — but, — I can not see anything but heart break 
 should a premature discovery ensue! 
 
 "For the dear God's sake, keep safe watch and ward 
 over your angel one! She is a pearl, — a blossom, — an 
 opening rose." 
 
 The week of Father Adrian's visit had glided quickly 
 away and he had blessed the harvest of Khaminavatka, — 
 for the huge stacks of wheat now loomed up like golden 
 forts upon the lonely sea of the steppe, — each diligently 
 watched, for fear of fire. 
 
 The faltering cattle wandered content in the stubble, 
 and the sheep eagerly sought the detached pools of the 
 Dying Water! 
 
 The swelling haze of the August sun hung over the 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 277 
 
 baking steppe, and, a welcome relief from the brassy 
 skies was the cool blue star-spangled vault of night! 
 
 Boursakofif had marshalled all his village hosts, — 
 paid ofif his alien laborers, and man and maid sought 
 relief from the fierceness of that glowing ball of fire, the 
 sun of the steppes! 
 
 The peasants, with an abashed humility, had seen 
 Xenia attend the blessing of the unsurpassed harvests, 
 and, seated at the side of her master, she looked out 
 upon the assembled ex-serfs, singing their "Harvest 
 Home" evening songs, before the master and his priestly 
 guest. 
 
 And — a partial revulsion of feeling had taken place! 
 For, even Anna Ivanowna, still secretly jealous, knew 
 that Xenia had gone to confession when the ghostly 
 father opened the family chapel for spiritual aid to the 
 dwellers in the chateau! 
 
 "Could a woman who received the sacred absolution 
 from the great priest, — a patrician born, be living in a 
 mad disregard of all God's laws?" 
 
 The timid superstitious Russians feared to face this 
 "poser," and — the oft-repeated taunt and jeer died away 
 from these village babblers ! 
 
 There were those who were mad enough to whisper 
 that the Barin had married the beautiful villager, for, — at 
 a grand midnight service requiem for the noble dead, 
 — Serge Dumont had led Xenia, on his arm, robed like a 
 Countess, and veiled in silver sheen, to the splendid 
 chapel, where the village Pope and his acolytes aided the 
 famed ecclesiastic of Kharkov — in the grand services! 
 
 No serf-born girl had ever knelt before that family 
 altar, in all the varied past, and — at last the voice of 
 calumny was hushed forever! Even stout Boursakoff 
 silenced his pr?tty wife's astonished query! "It is the 
 will of God! The Barin knows his own purposes! It 
 is for us — to be silent — and, obey him!" 
 
 On the last night of his sojourn. Father Adrian calmed 
 the gnawing fears of the young husband as to the safety 
 of his idolized wife's womanly honor. 
 
 "I have deposited all the records and papers concern- 
 
278 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 ing your marriage, sealed, for the Archimandrite, in case 
 of my death,- — ^the Barina Magda also has a sealed copy ! 
 
 "In all save the legal formalities, which affect rank and 
 property descent, she is now safe forever as a wife. 
 You can protect her future interest by transferring to 
 her, in her maiden name, one of your great estates in 
 Central Russia! 
 
 "Should your marriage be declared technically illegal, 
 as to the descent of your estates, those gifts would be 
 secured to her, — in any event, — for when all is over, — she 
 has only to register it again in her new title, as your 
 legally acknowledged wife! But, — one safe way seems 
 to be open to avoid all clash with the majestic power of 
 the Czar! 
 
 "You must continue to use all circumspection here, this 
 winter! As soon as the spring opens, — you can easily 
 smuggle the Barina out over the frontier. You can 
 reach it in two days! Money will do anything — ^in such 
 cases! Keep your darling secret from every one, — even 
 from your sister and Wassili. They look to your prop- 
 erty — perhaps. 
 
 "Then, send for Youresief to the frontier, say to Lem- 
 berg! You can then tell him all that you wish! Follow 
 the fiction that Magda strayed away, half demented, and 
 was taken over into Galicia by strolling gypsies ! 
 
 "You, a travelling Russian noble, hear of her partial 
 recovery — you visit her, — ^love follows, — and, — then — 
 you must throw yourself on the Prince's generous no- 
 bility of heart! 
 
 "Tell him that you know this marriage would end 
 the feud forever! Confess boldly that you have already 
 — secretly, married her abroad! Then, — ^when he has 
 obtained the due sanction of the Czar,— go to Dresden 
 or Vienna and be formally married again, there, in the 
 Russian chapel, — getting your usual papers at the Em- 
 bassy. In that way — the past is buried, — your wife will 
 be the dove of peace, hovering between the olden foes! 
 
 "I know that Prince Youresief has sufficient power 
 over the two Radovichs to force their instant legal con- 
 sent. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 279 
 
 "As for Madame Lili — she does not dare to enter into 
 the affair. 
 
 "After you are married, travel for two or three years ! 
 You are young, rich, the years of romance are still with 
 you! 
 
 "Everything cools off finally, — and^ — as you return, — 
 you will find the whole social situation at your mercy — 
 for, — this powerful alliance will not be distasteful to 
 either of the Radovich nobles! 
 
 "Wassili and young Ivan will fall into a warm friend- 
 ship — through the golden link which has then bound the 
 warring families! 
 
 "And— Madame Lili's excellent social manners will 
 prevent her intrusion! 
 
 "Her husband is enriching himself, now, and — money 
 will soon bring the smiles back to her face. 
 
 "I can work secretly with Olga Cherikoff in this af- 
 fair! But one grief yawns before you— any premature 
 discovery would expose you as a criminal kidnapper! 
 Beware of every falling leaf here ! You are dangerously 
 foolhardy now! 
 
 "For — who but you would have dared to have brought 
 your hidden wife, — the White Lady, — to the mass in the 
 chapel, disguised in Xenia's well known robes! The 
 simplest accident — and, — you are then, ruined forever! 
 
 "Then — they would all turn and read you!" 
 
 "Why not get out of Russia at once!" gloomily said 
 Serge. 
 
 "And, — forfeit your estates, — your rank, — deprive 
 Madame Barbe and Wassili also of their future property 
 rights?" gravely said the priest. 
 
 "No ! Time alone can soften the memory of the whole 
 thing! The pretense would not avail! For, — the sharp 
 eyed General, — that gadfly Princess Vera, — Madame 
 Lili and all would at once raise the cry of 'kidnapping' 
 and abduction! 
 
 "Next year you will have the situation at your mercy 
 — but now — you are under the ban, — and, — so — watch — 
 watch, and keep a continual vigilance! Of course, — I 
 would gladly join with Youresief to save you — but — ^to 
 what purpose! The strong hand of the Czar would 
 
28o THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 crush you! By next year, the whole affair will have 
 been coldly forgotten." 
 
 Standing in the superb drawing-room, ostensibly now 
 Barin Serge's music room, — where the faithful Xenia 
 spent her days on guard over the imprisoned Lady of 
 Khaminavatka — Father Adrian spoke to Magda words of 
 cheer, as he bade her "farewell!" 
 
 "Remember, my dear child," he manfully said, "should 
 mere suspicion arise, — should any change be necessary — 
 if Serge can bring you over to Kharkov, — I will see that 
 you are hidden away, for the whole winter ! 
 
 "Our religious establishments are practically impreg- 
 nable! I could shield you, until he could arrange to 
 smuggle you down the Volga to the Caucasus, — or over 
 to Constantinople. 
 
 "But — with your continued prudence, next year, will 
 see you a happy and acknowledged wife. Beware, 
 though, of Arcady's wiles! He is only a scotched ser- 
 pent! If he had been sent for a five years' internment 
 at Irkustsk, merely as a 'detenu,' — I could go up to 
 St. Petersburg, see the Metropolitan of Russia and — 
 come home in three weeks with all the papers needed to 
 complete your new status. But, only if his mouth was 
 sealed, — I dare not now! You have a long winter before 
 you! You must seek healthful occupations!" 
 
 And, then, the sweet-eyed wife, shyly murmured, 
 "Serge and I will study Italian, — for our later tour, — 
 our real wedding tour!" 
 
 There were diamond tears bedewing the eyes of the 
 young wife as she saw, from her secretly-made loopholes, 
 her gallant husband ride out as the escort of the frank- 
 hearted patrician who had given up the world's splen- 
 dors to wear the cross of humility. 
 
 When Serge left his departing guest, out on the brown 
 sea of sun-burned steppe, — the priest passed on into the 
 glow of evening skies, — his heart still yearning to the 
 rash lovers, who had gaged their future, their liberty, — 
 nay, perhaps, even their lives, — upon the continued keep- 
 ing of that dangerous secret whose discovery would set 
 the Kherson ablaze with a wild tumult! For, their 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 281 
 
 golden happiness hung on a single event — the continued 
 keeping of a dangerous secret! 
 
 As Father Adrian's eyes gazed out on the lonely land- 
 scape, — he felt the chill of the descending night! A 
 smell of burning forests was wafted from the far north, — 
 the fallow fields lay blackened and drear before him! 
 
 The steppe was silent, vast, and drear in its unbroken 
 monotony, save where the Tartar grave mounds rose 
 in a grim moniteur of the dead past ! 
 
 As he crossed the boundary of the Dumont estate, the 
 aromatic odor of the withered grasses and dead flowers 
 arose from the still verdant pastures. 
 
 He passed scraggy wastes of gray scrub oaks, — his 
 eyes rested on scattered villages — ^where behind the 
 screened windows, homely moving shadows spoke of 
 household cheer, and, in the descending night, the rich 
 heart of an untiring nature seemed throbbing under his 
 feet! 
 
 His life had seemed to him as dark and lonely as these 
 silent wastes^ but, a storm of tender memories now swept 
 over him, half sweet, half sad, — as he thought with wist- 
 ful affection, of the two devoted lovers left behind, rest- 
 less in the sweet torments of love! 
 
 A great silver star swung up into the eastern blue and 
 its pale distant silver ray spoke to him of the peace which 
 awaited him, in far away Kharkof, where only the clang 
 of the prayerful bell told of the gliding on of Time into 
 Eternity! 
 
 He smothered the sigh which had awakened thoughts 
 of an old dead love, — long buried in his heart, — and 
 breathed a prayer for his fond disciples now bewailing his 
 enforced departure. 
 
 Xenia's passionate protest, and Father Adrian's warn- 
 ing, sank deep into Serge Dumont's heart! "We must 
 await the departure of the troops, darling!" he said to 
 Magda. 
 
 "At the first snows — they will all be ordered away, — 
 only the guard will be left across the river, and — Jhen, — 
 we can steal out on the steppe for frequent sleigh rides, 
 both by day and night, — for, you can be mufifled up like 
 an oriental Mohammedan Sultana! 
 
282 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Then — we will have peace — and rest, — till the spring 
 brings us our happy release!" 
 
 He fondly hoped that every day was now bringing 
 oblivion of the past, — a deeper quiet wrapping all the 
 mystery of the past months, for, — a final search of the 
 now dried up bed of the Dying Water had revealed no 
 traces of the supposed drowned girl 1 
 
 The active young Chief of Police at Bratskoe had also 
 vainly searched the Bug's channel as far as Wosnescenk. 
 
 And, in his final report to Saint Petersburg, the sor- 
 rowful Prince Youresief had confirmed the absolute dis- 
 appearance of the unhappy Day Star! She had dropped 
 out of the minds of men already! 
 
 But, while the whole countryside turned to the prepar- 
 ations for winter, — to the varied business and pastimes of 
 the idle autumn, — there was one stormy nature brooding 
 with a growing bitterness upon the whole unsolved mys- 
 tery. 
 
 With a sense of growing uneasiness, General Andre 
 and the Baron Alexandre had decided to keep Baroness 
 Lili in the dark, as to the final disgrace and flight of 
 Arcady. 
 
 A sudden regard for their own menaced safety caused 
 them to conceal all from the Princess Vera, who had been 
 so coldly rebuffed by the Marechale de Noblesse and 
 Barin Serge Dumont, — the game which had escaped her 
 slyly spread net! 
 
 As for that most unwelcome guest, Arcady— the 
 brothers had written beseeching letters to Colonel Com- 
 mandant Boris Radovich to keep the hare-brained fugi- 
 tive strictly confined to the limits of Archangel! 
 
 "Once allowed to leave, roaming over Germany or 
 stealing back to the Kherson — he will prove the final 
 ruin of our whole line — and, effect our sure downfall!" 
 
 While this treacherous letter was on its way, entrusted 
 to a special messenger, — the Princess Vera, seated in 
 her rosy bower on the English Quai, — ^by the Neva, — 
 studied long over a lengthy letter from Madame Olga 
 Cherikoff at Bratskoe! 
 
 The good lady had poured out all her woes to the bril- 
 liant court intrigante. There was no detail of the whole 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 283 
 
 affair which did not reach Princess Vera duly magnified 
 and with a fringe of surmises and womanly suspicions 
 attached. 
 
 "You have an influence over the General, dearest 
 Vera," wrote the gentle widow. "I am here as the guar- 
 dian of his estates, and I expect to end my days here! 
 
 "The old feud would have ended years ago, — but for 
 Lili's dissoliite pranks, — Milovitch's schemes, — ^Arcady's 
 vile descent from an honorable life to unutterable base- 
 ness, and, — Baron Alexandre's long played role of 'le 
 mari complaisant!' 
 
 "If the old line is to be saved, neither the husband nor 
 wife must come back to the Dying Water, — as for Ar- 
 cady, — we would be exposed to the shame of him being 
 dragged away in chains! There is but one — who can 
 retrieve the family honor! 
 
 "To Lieutenant Ivan will naturally descend all of the 
 General's estates — and — alas, — since darling Baroness 
 Magda's death, — the" domain on the Dying Water. 
 
 "He will be promoted to be captain this winter! 
 
 "Let him come down next year and handle the home 
 estate. 
 
 "You can come here — when the General comes — and 
 have the Barin go and join his troublesome Lili at Ulitza! 
 "We can rally all the country noblesse around young 
 Ivan, — and — placate even Barin Serge Dumont, — who 
 has visited me, — and spoke of Ivan — as a gallant and a 
 rising soldier! 
 
 "I leave it to your tact, — your grace, — your charms, to 
 bring this all about, — and, — to build the foundations of a 
 lasting peace ! 
 
 "For, if the Excellence Serge Dumont does not marry, 
 — then young Federoff becomes Lord of Khaminavatka, 
 and, — these young men, after their duel — are already 
 friends at court, — for no factious quarrels can disturb 
 the Garde a Cheval — and — the matchless Preobajen- 
 skys." 
 
 The dashing court beauty laid aside this letter and read 
 over, with knitted brows, the exasperatingly confidential 
 letter of Arcady — the tempter, — who knew just enough of 
 her heart to excite her jaded nature, with visions of new 
 
284 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 conquests — and, — a stronger hold upon the two rich es- 
 tates which she leaned upon to secure her future. 
 
 Arcady's artful words touched the sore spot in her 
 heart ! 
 
 The scorning of her splendid charms by Serge Du- 
 mont for the coarse embrace of a too willing village 
 serf-bred beauty. "You, Lili, and myself can work to- 
 gether, for Ivan has a fearful account to settle — one he 
 knows not of yet!" 
 
 "It must be Magda," mused the Princess. "What 
 does this devil know?" 
 
 All the sudden changes of behavior in Youresief, Du- 
 mont, and the two nobles at her side, showed that she had 
 been ignored — and, — hoodwinked, to the utmost ! 
 
 "You can absolutely control my two brothers through 
 the Minister of War," frankly wrote the unabashed 
 scoundrel. 
 
 "Now — they will lay a trap to keep me at Archangel — 
 actually a prisoner, while they rob the Czar and fill their 
 pockets! You — and I — will then be dropped — ^together! 
 But, — I shall outwit them ! I know their secret orders to 
 Boris will follow me on — to hold me there — ^till next 
 spring, — cooped up at Archangel ! 
 
 "Now — if you but work with me, the last boat which 
 leaves Archangel this winter will take me away to Den- 
 mark, Sweden, or Norway! 
 
 "I only wait to cash the order for five thousand rou- 
 bles which they are to send! I may winter at Wisby! 
 You can run over and meet me at Stockholm in the early 
 spring — no one will miss you for a week! And, — now 
 to give you the whole game!" 
 
 The hardened woman of the world dropped the letter 
 with burning cheeks, for — the ensnaring of young Ivan 
 was to her like a slaughter of the innocents ! 
 
 "And, yet," she rose and studied herself long in the 
 glass! "Ivan is twenty-five now, — I am thirty-three, — 
 can I hold that youth's imperious fancies! Age bends — 
 where youth tyrannizes!" 
 
 A memory of her forgotten readings told her that 
 Diane de Poitiers was forty when she enslaved Henry 
 II, of France, twenty years her junior. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 285 
 
 She was forty-eight when her unfaded charms won 
 her the proud title of Duchesse of Valentinois, and — she 
 held her kingly lover to her death, — spending the even- 
 ing of her life in her magnificent palace at Aret! 
 
 "And, — can a Russian woman not match a French 
 Madame? There is nothing impossible! 
 
 "I see my revenge, — a triple one, — on Youresief, — on 
 General Andre, who has hoodwinked me, — and,^-on that 
 vulgar dog Dumont ! I shall rule the Kherson — yet. 
 
 "I swear it — for — if they do not pipe to my dancing — 
 the Minister of War shall crush both the brothers!" Ar- 
 cady had disclosed the fatal secret of his power — in his 
 menacing words. 
 
 "Once out of Archangel, and, with money for my cam- 
 paign, on a safe foreign soil — they must protect me — 
 these loving brothers of mine — or I will betray them! 
 All I ask of you is^ to bring Ivan to your feet, wait for 
 me — then, — to feed your revenge to the utmost, — for, 
 your cause is mine! Only answer me, Yes! — I will then 
 work on my sister-in-law Lili to bring Baron Alexandre 
 to her side abroad next summer! She will obey! 
 
 "I shall steal down, after I have met you in the spring, 
 and — get back into the Ukraine, with her aid! For, I 
 expect you to lead Ivan captive, and reign secretly on the 
 Dying Water next year! 
 
 "You have only to teach your young pupil to deceive 
 the cool old General ! If you have not forgotten Ovid's 
 arts of Love — or the whisperings of the undying Venus, 
 — you can soon mould Ivan to be your blind slave!" 
 
 That night, Vera Orbelefif sent a note to the young 
 Guardsman which brought him in haste to her petit 
 souper! The frank invitation of a rafiSnee society queen 
 was a command, and, all unsuspicious of the future, the 
 brilliant boy soon stooped to the golden chains rivetted 
 by these slender jeweled fingers. 
 
 It was not a month after this strangely peculiar 
 rapprochement, that Vera whispered to her young cava- 
 lier, "Can you keep a secret, Ivan?" 
 
 The dashing Guardsman bent over the white fingers 
 which he kissed, murmuring, "Try me — you will find me 
 loyal to the death!" 
 
286 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "You hope to be a Captain, next year!" the fair De- 
 lilah murmured, throwing her arms around him. "If 
 you obey me— if you swear to keep my secrets from 
 Alexandre and Andre — I shall see that you are a Major, 
 when the roses bloom again, on the Dying Water—but — 
 you — and I — must be there alone — to receive your com- 
 mission. 
 
 "The minister is madly jealous of General Andre. He 
 does not wish me to visit Bratskoe — but — if you will ar- 
 range for our summer visit, and, Madame Cherikoff 
 wants it so, — then, — I can easily get a Major's commis- 
 sion from the delighted old boy!" 
 
 And — far away — domiciled now as a comfortable 
 denizen of Archangel, Arcady Radovich laughed to see 
 his marionettes move, — even though the strings stretched 
 out. to the Frozen Gulf of Dwina! 
 
 "She is a rare one, a silken plumaged falcon, — and — 
 she has struck her game! Lili, too, has now been 
 ranged on my side, for she will keep my secret, — her soul 
 thirsts for revenge ! I will now prepare to slip away and 
 leave Boris to dance in the silk stockings! 
 
 "The draft is paid! We have had a song of love — 
 long enough under the stars of the steppe, — let us now 
 sing a song of hatred — of a revenge to the death !" 
 
 And, wondering at a dearth of all Petersburg news. 
 Serge Dumont, estranged from his sister and nephew 
 by the supposed glorification of Xenia, forgot all trou- 
 bles in the heaven of Magda's eyes! 
 
 Only — the never-tiring Xenia waited and watched 
 with sleepless vigilance — for, her olden peasant cunning 
 told her that Arcady would come again! And — soon 
 the spider burst his toils and fled! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 287 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 A WATCHFUL QUARTETTE.— ARCADY'S RECRU- 
 DESCENCE. 
 
 With redoubled precautions, the happy bride and 
 groom, still snatching a fearful joy, roved abroad on the 
 steppe at night; or threaded the dense forests of the splen- 
 did park! The military cordon had absolutely excluded 
 all persons from entering the pleasure grounds or the 
 plantations. They were only too glad to avoid the too- 
 ready trigger of the Cossack troopers ! 
 
 And — so — no force was needed to exclude the vil- 
 lagers of Khaminavatka for the White Lady of Kham- 
 inavatka was now installed as the popular demon of the 
 lonely steppes! 
 
 The consecration of the great park to the pleasures of 
 the Master alone, still further protected the timid, shrink- 
 ing fairy who concealed her laughing face behind the 
 spectral robes so awe-inspiring to the peasants! 
 
 Only the truant lovers who had always before made 
 secret trysts in the park^ mourned the absolute forbid- 
 ding of all profane trespass upon the patrician's splendid 
 pleasaunce ground! 
 
 And two huge Danish wolfhounds which now accom- 
 panied Baron Serge in his rounds, were a new terror to 
 the daring trespasser! 
 
 Feudal obedience by day — a superstitious fear at night 
 kept even the boldest in check! 
 
 The troopers at the Radovich mansion were posted on 
 the south side of the river alternately with the Kham- 
 inavatka guard, so that at night, the sentinels' call rang 
 along the banks every half hour to where the cordon of 
 Cossacks rode in a semi-circle, Joining the guard in the 
 courtyard, where four of Serge Dumont's trusty home 
 Cossacks, armed to the teeth, watched day and night, 
 each of the four entrances ! 
 
 The stern young Baron, intent on cutting off all sur- 
 prise, had placed a steel lattice, with a swinging door, at 
 
 IQ 
 
288 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 each stairway landing of the three interior corridors of 
 the dome-like vault of the great palace of the steppes. 
 
 When he gave Xenia the duplicate keys to each door, 
 he said, "There is no one but you or I can now enter 
 these upper floors ! Nothing but a storming party would 
 be able to scale the interior galleries, and there is no 
 other means of reaching us! 
 
 "This cuts off all sly eavesdropping — and, — preserves 
 you from the envious spying of those who regard you 
 as the Queen of the Steppe!" 
 
 The dense screen of flowering plants on the upper cor- 
 ridor gave to Magda Dumont, a protected, covered way 
 for exercise and an easy access to Serge's own apart- 
 ments, as well as the temporary library and studio, ar- 
 ranged above. 
 
 From Serge's window a slender filament of steel wire, 
 invisible below in the gardens, led to the chalet to sum- 
 mon the Master from his labors there, and another, 
 openly swung over the courtyard, led to an alarm bell at 
 the Intendant's bedside! There was no element of 
 watchfulness and precaution now omitted! And — every 
 loyal servant was on the watch ! 
 
 These royal, witching summer months of stolen kisses 
 had been the very Paradise of Serge Dumont's life. He 
 had learned to fathom the sweet nature of his spirited and 
 loving wife, — to wonder at her graces of mind and body — 
 to watch the unfolding of Life's flower of Love in her 
 gentle bosom! 
 
 Magda had been left ignorant by her husband of all 
 the shameful history of the saddened past, and, — reared a 
 stranger for twelve years to her own home circle, she 
 regretted no one, save the brave headlong brother, — who 
 had been goaded into a storm of passion, wrought upon, 
 an innocent Othello, by Milovitch, — the mad Arcady, 
 and the sleek, scheming Baroness Lili! 
 
 "If Ivan only knew how happy I am, — murmured 
 Magda — one summer night. "DarHng! It will be well 
 with us at the last. He shall know all — he will be the 
 bridge, — with Youresief, to bring us across the gulf 
 which now divides!" And, the gentle wife, with softly 
 dreaming eyes looked forward to her freedom. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 289 
 
 Serge had beguiled her lonehness with telling her all 
 the old legends of his historic race! How a chivalric 
 Dumont had first sought the service of the great Peter, 
 and had followed him from Narva's defeat to Pultowa's 
 glorious day, — how, through the reigns of Catherine I., — 
 Peter II., — Anne — Ivan VI., — the shifty Elizabeth, — the 
 luckless Peter III., and the all-conquering Catherine II., 
 the courtly French emigres had thrived, rescuing from 
 the whirl of the French Revolution, the last of their 
 Gallic kinsfolk who had ridden back to Paris, after 
 Waterloo! 
 
 Stories of court and camp, — scenes of his own daring 
 soldier days in Turkestan, — in the romantic Caucasus, — ■ 
 and of the terrible siege of Sevastopol, — all the quaint 
 family legends of the chateau on the Dying Water, — 
 these were a Romaunt de La Rose, — told by loving lips, 
 — punctuated by burning eyes, — flashing love into the 
 tender eyes which drooped their silken lashes when the 
 burden of the story was one of sadness ! 
 
 And, other occupations claimed Magda Dumont's 
 time! 
 
 It was Xenia who taught her all the wild folk lore of 
 the mystery loving peasants of the Ukraine! While 
 Magda's fingers flashed over the pearl keys- — the happy 
 Xenia sang the songs whose under current of sadness 
 reflects ever the throbbing tide of human loneliness, out 
 on the pathless steppe! 
 
 As the months glided by, — the grateful young wife had 
 set aside a portion of the day to improve Xenia's slender 
 store of knowledge ! 
 
 Her few years of life as the wife of a Post Station- 
 keeper, had given her a knowledge of reading and writ- 
 ing — and, — of a singularly quick and resolute mental 
 nature, — the devoted woman drank in the flood of learn- 
 ing now easily available in Magda's hastily gathered li- 
 brary, — the fruit of Serge's selections from the great 
 treasures of the chateau salon below, where the marble 
 busts of sage and philosopher gleamed down from the 
 embattled bookcases. 
 
 And so, — even Xenia had learned to dream of the 
 coming time when the Lord of Khaminavatka would be 
 
 19 
 
290 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 free to lead his bridewife away to storied Italy, — the 
 Mecca of Russian lovers, where the sapphire sea washes 
 the rocky breasted cliffs of Amalfi, — where Capri lin- 
 gers far out at sea, — a blue island of the blest, — where 
 Sorrento smiles in its never changing sunshine. And, 
 with throbbing hearts, they all looked forward to their 
 deliverances. 
 
 Love had kept pace with the changing seasons of this 
 happy year, moving with the happy lovers on from the 
 bud of hope, — the blossom of affection — to the golden 
 fruition of their stolen Eden! 
 
 Spring, a filleted nymph with virginal bosom, had led 
 them on to summer crowned with her imperial roses, — 
 "the polished argent of her breasts laid bare," — and, now 
 queenly autumn in russet gown, — stretched her rounded 
 arms over field and moor, in benediction of the ravished 
 harvests ! 
 
 What dreamy joys had thrilled them, in their future 
 excursions over the campagna-like steppe in all its pride 
 of early summer! The grandeur of the emerald wastes 
 where once only the wild Tartar horses reigned, the 
 greenish golden ocean of flowers, — ^the calm sapphire 
 skies above lit by the glorious Sun God. 
 
 Tall waving grasses, veiled the nodding corn flowers 
 where shades of blue and violet, of imperial gold and 
 purple, were accentuated by the scarlet poppy and the 
 gaudy tulips! 
 
 White oases of sweet clover, — lofty pyramids of yel- 
 low genista, and the spear-like fronds of the volunteer 
 wheat, scattered by the chainless winds and the errant 
 fowls of the air! 
 
 A thousand happy cries of hovering birds broke the 
 impressive silence! The saucy goshawk towered above 
 them motionless, the clank of the wild geese was heard 
 afar, — mirages of gleaming crystal lakes enchanted the 
 delighted eye, far above these spectral waters, the lonely 
 hovering sea gull with slowly flapping wings swam in the 
 thin blue air, wheeling from dark to light, in its airy 
 career. 
 
 "Oh! ye steppes, how beautiful ye are!" murmured 
 Magda, hidden by her husband's form, and only cau- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 291 
 
 tiously removing her veil, when he alone was driving the 
 fretting Orloffs, and the green ocean of the steppe was 
 spread out before them, broken only by the islands of 
 the Kourganesl 
 
 "They also lived and loved, my Serge," the clinging 
 bride murmured, as her Kherson-born husband told her 
 of the majestic cofifinless skeletons found in these historic 
 tumuli, their food for the long journey stored in black 
 pottery vessels at their feet, — sword and spear, — ^the Tar- 
 tar bow, — the mouldered quiver — the crumbled arrows 
 by their side, — and the bones of the faithful steed, — 
 mingled with that of the knightly master! 
 
 Of the slender skeletons of women, Serge told her, — 
 the marvellous bronze ornaments, — the silver diadems, 
 — the crystal toques, — the strings of blackened Volga 
 pearls, telling of beauty which had bloomed to 
 brighten the lonely lot of the hardy kings of the steppe. 
 
 "We are but shadows, darling," sighed Serge. "Ships 
 that pass, — phases, the shadow on the stream, for, there 
 is nothing sure but change, — nothing inevitable, but, 
 the eternal adieu! And, yet, — when we have passed 
 away, — with those who have ridden out into the eternal 
 night, — my ashes will thrill and quicken with love of 
 you, — until the morning stars sing again!" 
 
 And, those summer nights, — nights when the heart of 
 Nature could be heard beating beneath her unveiled 
 bosom of loveliness, — when, clasped heart to heart, in the 
 fragrant depths of the park where even the murmuring 
 trees whispered of Love, — the lovers watched the silver 
 moon sail in the enlarged vault of the expanded tranquil 
 heavens, studded with God's silver stars! 
 
 Bathed in an ocean of perfume, — the cool air fanning 
 their brows, — Love caught them in its magic meshes, as 
 the Kherson nightingale melted their hearts in a tender- 
 ness inexpressible in words, — the surcharged ecstacy of a 
 transported soul! 
 
 The silent forest walled them, — the deep pools of the 
 park bore up the silver lilies, — the blossoms rained from 
 the trembling trees, and Zephyr, the dainty handmaiden 
 of night, kissed their glowing lips ! 
 
 Solemn sleep wrapped the dreaming steppe, — ^the 
 
292 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Ukraine's mystic spell was on them, — twinkling lights 
 gleamed afar on either side of the Dying Water, the 
 humble cottages transfigured by the silver rays of the 
 pale moon! 
 
 Suddenly, drawn to each other, they trembled in an in- 
 finite bliss, — the thrall of love and the pain of love, — the 
 exquisite happiness of a self surrender of heart and soul ! 
 
 But, now the glory had departed, — the chill winds of 
 the Urals were whirling the dying leaves from the heavy 
 trees whose chronology was that of the long reign of 
 the Dumonts. The shorn earth shivered in her bareness, 
 and the mournful herds plodded slowly homeward from 
 the ravished fields! 
 
 Under the mantle of snows, — the sleeping spirit of the 
 Ukraine would soon hide until the cuckoo should call 
 again, and the faithful stork wing back its dreary way 
 across the Euxine, from where far Philae sleeps, — 
 steeped in the eternal Libyan calm. 
 
 The long trial of waiting for the happy spring which 
 would bring them a release from the fearful hiding day 
 by day, from the Czar's anger, was awaiting the married 
 lovers! 
 
 The dark days of storm and sleets, — the waiting au- 
 tumn storm, — the white and ghostly winter, when the 
 gray wolf alone was the unchallenged king of the steppe. 
 
 It was with tender forethought that Serge Dumont 
 sent Boursakofif away to Odessa, to convoy the marvels 
 of luxury, ordered through his agents to beguile the 
 long winter months! 
 
 Serge's brow darkened as he recalled the silence of 
 his sister, severe and formal in her old time codes of 
 patrician hauteur, and the timid and perfunctory letters 
 of Wassili FederofT, who had learned that the head of 
 his house had given over the conduct of his whole life, 
 to a bold-eyed daughter of the wild Ukraine! 
 
 Such life histories were but too common, with the 
 proud men who were only a law unto themselves, — and 
 Wassili, — pacing the halls of the Winter Palace, — ^in all 
 the bravery of steel cuirass and silver helmet, — won- 
 dered how the man who had trodden the minuet with 
 Princesses, in the White Marble Hall, could decline to 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 293 
 
 the too facile conquest of a village woman's ardent heart 1 
 
 Butj young and inexperienced, the young heir never 
 dreamed of a hidden queen ! 
 
 The lonely days soon came down upon them! The 
 steppe was now drear and deserted! The merry wander- 
 ing toilers were all sheltered in their native villages, — 
 the pilgrims were all returned from Kief and the far 
 away Jordan, — and the gray-winged crows flapped their 
 pinions ominously over the scarred and blackened 
 prairies ! 
 
 At night, ghostly fires gleamed out over the hard- 
 ened globe, where the shepherds still watched their 
 sheep, nibbling the last remnants of the vanished waving 
 summer grass. It was the closing scene, — dark and 
 solemn ! 
 
 The autumn storms broke in fury, and — at last, the 
 order for the withdrawal of Captain Milanoff's troopers 
 came! It was in one sense a relief to the harassed Lord 
 of Khaminavatka! 
 
 A continual double life, — a watchful espionage of his 
 loyal military guest, had at last saddened him, as well as 
 the silence of Prince Youresief, — the estrangement from 
 his own sister, — and the mute rebellion of Captain Was- 
 sili Federoff, against the rule of that dark-eyed queen of 
 the steppe Xenia! He was alone — left alone — with his 
 secret love! 
 
 When Serge Dumont returned from escorting Captain 
 Milanof? to Novokrainka, his heart was heavier than 
 that of the village maids who followed the departing 
 Cossack troopers with tear-filled eyes! He felt grim 
 forebodings of some coming evil. 
 
 Breasting the driving storm, the Master eyed the 
 far-reaching steppe, now an archipelago of detached 
 lakes! The words of Matczewski returned to sadden 
 him with their sober refrain. 
 
 "It is silent where these graves display their sad and 
 lonely hillocks." 
 
 "It is gloomy and deserted in the tempest stricken 
 Ukraine." 
 
 In his bosom he bore an urgent letter from Prince 
 Youresief begging him to order his life more in accord- 
 
294 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 ance with the demands of his rank and position! "The 
 Governor of the Province, — the leading nobles, and — 
 even the Minister of the Interior, have given me intima- 
 tions as to the growing scandal of your present condi- 
 tion! 
 
 "As a retired Field Officer of the Empress' own Body 
 Guard, you owe something to the dignity of the Imperial 
 Patroness of the Garde a Cheval. When shall I hear 
 of your marriage?" 
 
 The disheartened noble began to see how long was the 
 road to travel when a right thing was being done in the 
 wrong way! 
 
 Perfectly helpless, he was compelled to drift with the 
 tide of events until the possible anger of the White 
 Czar should be neutralized by time! 
 
 He too well knew the sullen attitude of his proud 
 sister and his nephew, now a captain of the most resplen- 
 dent and aristocratic regiment of the Russian Horse 
 Guards ! 
 
 His own honor was enmeshed with the mysteries of 
 the long drawn out vendetta! And — he could not fight 
 the growing calumnies, for 
 
 "A lie that is all a lie may be met and fought with outright, 
 But, a lie that is half a truth — is a harder thing to fight. 
 
 and, the bitter truth was as self evident on Russian 
 steppes as by England's lawn-shaded streams. 
 
 "It is paying the price/' he murmured, as he sped 
 across the dismal prairie to where the heaven of Magda's 
 bosom awaited him! 
 
 "If trouble comes," he prayed, "God grant that it fall 
 on me — on me, alone!" for, a sinister foreboding now 
 filled his mind. 
 
 All his summer friends seemed to have abandoned 
 him, even the Princess Vera, whose last letter, filled with 
 its raking sneers, had been vindictively torn up and scat- 
 tered to the four winds! 
 
 "At any rate," mused Serge, with a smile, as his 
 spirits rose, at the sight of the chateau, "we will have 
 a tranquil season, for our study of Italian!" 
 
 Beyond — an occasional visit to the village pope, — one 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 295 
 
 — of deferential courtesy to Madame Cherikoff, — and a 
 few unnecessary trips of generous patronage dispensing 
 among the village merchants, — he had doomed himself 
 to a social exile! 
 
 He was now, under the intimations of Prince Youre- 
 sief, "in Coventry" — for the haughty boyars of the Kher- 
 son would scorn to visit a chateau where their high- 
 born dames and imperious daughters would find a peas- 
 ant girl wearing silks and laces aping her betters, — her 
 neck decked with ropes of Volga pearl! 
 
 With an activity born of a sudden bitter mood, Serge 
 Dumont suddenly excluded all his immediate household 
 save Xenia from the chateau, — only leaving open the 
 vast dining-room. 
 
 The servants were sent away into the great barrack- 
 like offices on the south and east! 
 
 To the astounded Intendant, the now wily Lord of 
 Khaminavatka, announced his intention of having the 
 whole chateau redecorated! "I shall have ample time 
 to study the refurnishing and changes, during the win- 
 ter, — and I do not wish to be annoyed!" said the Barin, 
 as he bade his faithful BoursakofI build a stout sentry 
 box, at each of the four entrances. 
 
 When the whole chateau was equipped for winter with 
 its double windows and storm doors, — Serge Dumont 
 practically disappeared from the view of even his most 
 faithful attendants! Even the butler and Tourko, the 
 valet, were shut ofif by newly constructed doors and 
 partitions to their dining-room duties, and their two 
 serving rooms. 
 
 "It is the beginning of the end," mused Nicolas Bour- 
 sakofif. "Our Barin is going mad, — for these proposed 
 decorations and splendors mean but one things — mar- 
 riage!" 
 
 He confided to Marika his sinister views as to Serge 
 Dumont's sanity! 
 
 "If I only dared to warn Madame Barbe Federofif," 
 he faltered, but, mindful of a stern catechising . by that 
 irate dame, he went sadly about garnering the huge 
 supplies for the long winter, — preparing the mountains 
 of rye bread — the stores of varied rations, and, housing 
 
296 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 the herds and flocks, — as well as executing his varied 
 duties in the disposal of the wool, pelts, and hides, — 
 the threshing out of the grain, — the stowage and winter 
 repair of the machines, and the preparation of the garri- 
 son-like establishment for the silent frozen months. 
 
 He soon forgot the eccentric vagaries of his wayward 
 master, in the anticipation of a blessed visit at his once 
 comfortable abode, for the grandfathei of the storks had 
 chosen Boursakofif's roof tree as his perch, and, Marika, 
 softly smiling, was thinking of the time when a tiny 
 voice should be uplifted in her own little home where 
 ease and plenty reigned, and, which love had blessed. 
 And, so all eyes were dropped before the resolute and 
 gloomy master now! 
 
 There was now a safe way found for Magda Dumont 
 to aid her husband in the first thorough examination 
 of all the varied wealth of the long unused chambers 
 of the great chateau! 
 
 The lonely widower life of the dead Pierre — the sudden 
 death of the old housekeeper Chuchinka, — and the es- 
 trangement of Barin Serge, with that severe moralist, his 
 sister Barbe, had left the young heir absolutely ignorant 
 of all the accumulated family treasures. 
 
 Only the library was marshalled ready for use, but, it 
 was reserved for Magda Dumont to wonder at the 
 heaped up riches so jealously guarded by the faithful old 
 nurse. 
 
 The memorials of all those dainty patrician women 
 now sleeping in the crypt of the family chapel, awaited 
 the reverent hand of the hidden young beauty, who wore 
 only the shadowy honors of the White Lady of Khamin- 
 avatka! 
 
 And, so Serge, with his darling at his side, room by 
 room, explored the history of the vanished ones whose 
 hearts had throbbed in the varying passions of a stormy 
 life, under the roof of the old chateau! 
 
 For, out on the lonely steppes — human nature be- 
 comes simple, — passionate, — pathetic, — antique in its un- 
 restrained play of tidal feeling sweeping away all the 
 petty restrictions of court cabals and drawing-room eti- 
 quette. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 297 
 
 Faded robes which had clung to the quivering forms of 
 the dead beauties, quaint old jewels, laces and brocades 
 of la Directoire, — boyar costumes of Byzantine magnif- 
 icence, uniforms blackened with the smoke of bat- 
 tle, — stars and swords, — the sabre of the brave, and 
 beauty's fan^ dropped from dying fingers, — over all 
 these, the lovers lingered together, with a tender solici- 
 tude! 
 
 It was in the caskets, still fragrant with the faint per- 
 fume of flowers faded generations ago, that Serge and 
 the White Lady found the letters which told, in the 
 graceful self surrender, of a frank love, — ^the heart his- 
 tory of his gallant race! 
 
 With kindling eyes, — they opened the whole Treasury 
 of the Past — to give a last generous heartthrob to the 
 tender lovers who had now all wandered away into 
 Shadowland ! 
 
 And so — together — they read the story of the beauty 
 who had once braved a princely father's wrath, to hide 
 with her lover in the very stronghbld of Love where 
 Magda Dumont now held her court surrounded only by 
 the fairies. 
 
 "They were happy — at the last, — Serge," murmured 
 Magda, as she stole away from the jealously guarded 
 relics, an old medallion portrait, wherein her shadowy 
 sister's lovely wistful face still glowed out in fadeless 
 beauty. 
 
 And so— their days went calmly on — until the gloomy 
 festival of Dimitri's Saturday brought the peasants to 
 the graves of their dead, with their rude devotions to 
 the manes of their ancestors. 
 
 After October twenty-sixth, it was useless to dream of 
 further excursions in the park, now leafless and bare, 
 — there was before them, only the dark gray of the 
 storm-blackened November and December, and the 
 clear white isolation of the three first months of the 
 year! 
 
 Both Serge and Magda eagerly awaited the white 
 winter mantle of the steppe, — for then, — muffled be- 
 yond all recognition, — wrapped in Xenia's cloaks and 
 furs, the hidden beauty could glide over the sparkling 
 
298 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA 
 
 snows in her husband's splendid sleigh! She would be 
 unrecognizable when wrapped in her shuba, — her head 
 covered with the Circassian hood, — and nestling in his 
 strong arms! 
 
 Then, the wild delight of facing the keen crystal winds 
 of freedom awaited them both, — ^for peasant, pilgrim, and 
 straggler were now all huddled in the villages, — baking 
 over the huge masonry stove and lingering by the hiss- 
 ing samovar. 
 
 Barin Serge's new custom of visiting his Intendant's 
 house daily in the morning and evening for the giving of 
 orders and hearing reports^ was the last step in the com- 
 plete isolation of the lonely palace, now deserted by its 
 once swarming occupants. 
 
 A revulsion of the hostile feeling toward Xenia, caused 
 the upper members of the vast establishment to try to 
 creep into the comely woman's confidence. 
 
 But, proof against all flattery, armed against all cajo- 
 lery, Xenia went serenely on her way, serving her mas- 
 ter with a dog-like fidelity, which touched all hearts. 
 
 Even the unlettered peasants saw the late bloom flush- 
 ing the face of the young Juno who had been recreated 
 by the power of example, and daily association with the 
 two lovers playing their desperate game of hide and seek 
 with the Czar! 
 
 The long absence of Arcady, — the rumor from St. 
 Petersburg that Baron Alexandre had enriched himself 
 with vast contracts — and would soon join his errant wife 
 in Siberia for a splendid tour, a la Russe de mode, to 
 Paris, was supplemented by the news that Captain Ivan 
 Radovich had been granted a leave of absence for a year, 
 and would personally superintend the two estates of his 
 family in the Kherson, for both the Bratskoe and Dying 
 Water domains showed now, sadly, the need of the mas- 
 ter's hand. 
 
 General Andre, moving up in the favor of the Czar, 
 pushed on by an unseen hand, was now a power at court. 
 
 He little knew how many of his easily won favors were 
 due to that bemedaled Numa Pompilius, — the Minister 
 of War, — to whom the fiery-hearted Princess Vera Or- 
 belefT was now a most tyrannical Egeria! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 299 
 
 It was this same ingenious court beauty who had ob- 
 tained for Captain Ivan Radovich his leave, with the 
 sinecure appointment of Inspector of the Annual Re- 
 cruit Levies in Kherson, attached nominally to the staiif 
 of the Corps Headquarters at Kief. 
 
 The young lover, who saw his Majority now, within his 
 grasp, — five years sooner than his very wildest hopes of 
 promotion, was but too eager to hide from all his secret 
 slavery of passion for Vera, — his every act following now 
 the capricious toss of that pretty head ! 
 
 "He, at least, shall not escape me," the dashing beauty 
 murmured, as she calmed the varying moods of the en- 
 raptured youth. 
 
 "Don't you see, my Ivan," she whispered, "that even 
 in Russia, we must regard rules and precedents ! I have 
 had you detached, so as to free you from the envy of 
 your fellows, your promotion will come next summer! 
 
 "There, — among the roses of the Dying Water, — I will 
 give it to you, — and only, you and I, must sway the fam- 
 ily interests, down there! Olga Cherikoff will be an ex- 
 cellent sheep dog — for me — and, — you — will be left un- 
 restrained, as the sole family representative. 
 
 "Should you retire, you will, in time, be the heir of 
 both these estates, nothing will satisfy me but to see you 
 the richest noble in the Kherson, and the Marechale de 
 Noblesse! 
 
 "To eiiFect this, I swear you to absolute secrecy, not 
 one of your family must know! You would lose your 
 good fairy — and I — " she dropped her head on his heart, 
 "I would lose you!" 
 
 And, — as she drew him down to her breast, and made 
 him drunken with the mad invitation of her burning 
 eyes, she nursed in her heart the memory of her secret 
 oath, — the dark oath of revenge, — the vow to effect the 
 ruin of the man who, a King Cophetua of the steppe^ — 
 had lifted up a beggar woman^ to scorn the invincible 
 beauty of the Winter Palace! 
 
 "And — he shall know, — who dragged him down, — he 
 shall at last, feel a woman's vengeance! No daughter 
 of the steppe can strike deeper than the woman who 
 
300 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 walked at his side, — with a beating heart, — only await- 
 ing his awakening!" 
 
 It was while Serge and Magda were busied with ex- 
 amining the Treasury of the Past that the Princess 
 Vera Orbeleff received a sudden and imperative visit 
 from the two brothers who ruled the house of Radovich ! 
 
 Seated in her rose-hung boudoir, the Princess knew 
 that events of moment had arrived. The Baron Alex- 
 andre was as pale as the sheeted dead, — and General 
 Andre — usually so calm — was in the fever of a violent 
 passion! 
 
 A sudden fear shook the little intrigante's dauntless 
 bosom! Had her conquest of Ivan been discovered? 
 She rallied all her bravery to meet the impending at- 
 tack! "They shall never have him!" she swore in her 
 heart, — "for, — at my bidding, the old War Minister will 
 topple over the house of cards that these tricksters are 
 building!" 
 
 One specious story, interpolated with sobs and tears, 
 of Andre's insolent persistence in an audacious wooing 
 would soon cut off the golden tide of Fortune ! And — 
 so — armed at all points, Princess Vera awaited the break- 
 ing of the storm. 
 
 Her surprise was superbly feigned as General Andre 
 bluntly demanded news of that will o' the wisp fugitive 
 Arcady Radovich! 
 
 "You are a devil. Vera, for finding out the hidden, — 
 every breath of scandal blows your way! Tell us, for 
 God's sake, if you do know ! 
 
 "There is a matchless diamond bracelet at Outchini- 
 koiifs ! You shall have it — if you discover this madman's 
 whereabouts!" Pushed on by the promptings of a 
 merry devil, Princess Vera determined to save that 
 bracelet and, moreover, not to betray Arcady. 
 
 For two weeks she had known of the whereabouts of 
 the artful schemer who now secretly held the whiphand 
 over herself, Baroness Lili, and her young lover Ivan! 
 She had faithfully reported to the wretch, fretting at 
 Archangel, every detail of the movements of both his 
 friends and foes. 
 
 "You have lately kept me in the dark about matters in 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 30I 
 
 the Kherson," smiled the wily Princess. "Youresief is 
 only an old bear. I lost Serge Dumont's friendship, 
 for your sake — and, as for General Ratzo, he is a human 
 hyena! Where is Arcady? I thought he was still lin- 
 gering around the Dying Water, or else — visiting Bar- 
 oness Lili at Ulitza! He is scarcely a welcome cavalier 
 at court!" 
 
 "Cease your folly," growled Andre Radovich. "We 
 know our own business, — the history of that fool is the 
 chronicle of the family shame! I see that you do know 
 something — I can tell it, in your eyes!" 
 
 Princess Vera hesitated, and the softer tempered 
 Baron Alexandre began to temporize! 
 
 "We had him all safe for the winter, — we thought," 
 sadly said the Baron, "up at Archangel^ with the Colonel 
 Commandant Boris Radovich. We gave him comforts, 
 money in abundance, a good winter outfit, and, — our 
 orders to Boris were to let him do as he pleased — but, — 
 to surely detain him next spring, — when the navigation 
 opened, — as we want him out of the way! 
 
 "There is a general order in Kherson to arrest him, for 
 that crack brained descent upon Khaminavatka, — but, it 
 seems he has given Boris the slip and got away, on one 
 of the last vessels! The White Sea is now closed — but 
 Arcady is — God knows where! He will ruin us yet — 
 with some mad escapade!" 
 
 "Am I to have the bracelet or not?" laughingly de- 
 manded Princess Vera, — teasing General Andre with a 
 glance of her wicked eyes! 
 
 "Yes! Yes!" shouted the excited man. "Well! I had 
 sent my French maid to Paris to lay in my winter bat- 
 terie de toilette, and, she only came back three days 
 ago. At the Hotel Kasematte, in Hamburg, she met 
 the Baron Arcady, resplendent in superb furs, who gave 
 her an address in Paris to write him the general news 
 of his beloved family!" 
 
 The General flushed under the woman's sneer, but 
 eagerly listened. "He further wished a secret report 
 upon me, and, all our plans for next year! He had just 
 arrived on a swift German trading packet, and, he kindly 
 gave my maid some valuable furs. 
 
302 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "He boasted that he had made a wonderful specula- 
 tion with buying the last stock of Siberian furs sent in, 
 before the closing of the White Sea, and, he was, in fact, 
 in the company of rich Hamburg Jew fur traders! My 
 woman is faithful, — she told me all, — and — I can get the 
 address and send it to you!" "Why did you not tell 
 us?" growled the General. "Confidence for confidence. 
 Monsieur la General," heartlessly laughed Vera. "You 
 ignored me, — and,— now, — you come to me for help!" 
 
 "I have it," ejaculated the General to his alarmed 
 brother. "I will write the Ambassador in Paris to send 
 one of his secret police and warn Arcady to keep out of 
 Russia, — on the peril of his life! 
 
 "Then, — he will probably work down the Danube to 
 Ulitza, when his money is gone! You, — Alexandre^ — 
 can write to Lili to give him a few hundred roubles and 
 keep him out of our land! Give up going down there! 
 Write to Lili! She can handle him easier than any 
 human being! Fools that we were — not to have Boris 
 take away his passport, — have him watched, — and so pre- 
 vent his stealing away as he did ! Our money, too, gave 
 him the means to make his escape! 
 
 "Send me the bracelet. General," laughed Princess 
 Vera, "and I will send you the address!" And the young 
 beauty nonchalently rang for her carriage. "What do 
 you advise us to do?" doubtfully said the General. "We 
 do not wish to be shamed by this wretch, — one whisper 
 here of his doing — and, — we would be both ruined, in 
 the eyes of the Minister of War!" 
 
 "I know that!" answered the provoking Princess. "I 
 know that you are now both rapidly enriching your- 
 selves! Let Madame la Baronne Lili travel alone in 
 Italy this winter! She may need Arcady as an avant 
 courier. You two should not separate! Stay here and 
 watch over your affairs! Let Ivan go down and handle 
 your estates next summer! 
 
 "I can get him a leave! You can either go to Fin- 
 land, — or abroad, — and so — avoid Arcady! He is afraid 
 of you — I know that! He fears the insane asylum! I 
 will go down and spend two or three months with Mad- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMI.NAVATKA. 303 
 
 ame Cherikoff! I can easily twist old Youresief around 
 my finger! 
 
 "And — Ivan can handle your properties : I can watch 
 over your enemies — for — let me tell you — General Ratzo 
 sent up a secret report to the Minister of Police, to be 
 referred to the Minister of War! 
 
 "I heard of it, — Andre, and, I had the pleasure of 
 seeing it burned! I did that for you, — for old time's 
 sake, — for I have broken your bread and eaten your salt! 
 Keep away — all of you — for — one more such document 
 would drop you both into oblivion! There were some 
 very ugly surmises in it! I read it!" 
 
 General Radovich grasped her hands. "You are a 
 pretty witch — and, — a teasing little tiger cat! You are 
 right! I'll send Ivan to talk this over with you! Do 
 you ever see him?" "Only at the Palace — on guard! 
 He is a pretty boy!" yawned Vera, rising to go. "But, 
 you see — you made a mistake to keep me so long in the 
 dark! Only Prince Youresief can keep Ratzo in line — 
 and — you can not sway the old functionary, — ^but — I 
 can! So, — if you wish to follow my advice — no half 
 confidences. Messieurs!" 
 
 She dropped a pretty curtsey and moved to the door 
 of her dressing-room. "There will be earrings with 
 that bracelet. Vera," hoarsely said Radovich. "Tant 
 mieux. Monsieur!" she laughed, with a deep bow! "You 
 will have the address — and — you can have the girl hood- 
 wink your wild Radovich — if you wish! She will write 
 him anything that I tell her! And — I will write him — 
 and hoodwink him — myself." 
 
 When the brothers departed, General Radovich main- 
 tained a gloomy silence until they were rolling along the 
 Neosky in their carriage. "You can see how wise that 
 little fox is, Alexandre," he finally said. 
 
 "Write Lili to go and amuse herself, and for God's 
 sake, to keep Arcady silent! I will give you money to 
 send her! We had better both avoid the Kherson, until 
 General Ratzo is removed or some favoring fate will re- 
 lieve us of Arcady! 
 
 "Lili is just the woman to easily handle him! He 
 
 20 
 
304 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 fears her, — he will soon spend his money! He will work 
 around to Ulitza. 
 
 "Just write her to humor him to use him as a kept 
 dog, in sight — and — let him drink himself to death as 
 soon as possible! Thank God! Moschka and Anton 
 are far away in Siberia, and their lips are now sealed 
 with the convict's gag of shame! 
 
 "And, I will flatter this little gadfly! She can really 
 hoodwink and neutralize any official meddling of Youre- 
 sief and Ratzo! 
 
 "For, two or three more seasons of such good fortune, 
 and — then, neither you, or I, will care for any more 
 money! Yes! Ivan shall go down and keep all in or- 
 der! Not a single enmity is directed against him! She 
 is a wise little witch!" 
 
 They drove down to the jeweler's and the General dis- 
 patched his peace offering to the sleek feminine Judas, 
 who had already doubly betrayed them. And, both 
 sides of the lying compact were well satisfied!" 
 
 On her afternoon drive, Madame la Princesse Vera 
 OrbelefJ was busied, when not returning the salutations 
 of countless cavaliers, with dreaming over the queer 
 melange of warring interests in the Kherson! "I am 
 to be the queen of the coming summer!" she smiled. 
 "They fell easily into my trap! 
 
 "And, now, to handle Ivan with silken gloves! The 
 others are already under my control!" For, the desired 
 truth was not purchased by the glittering gems of Out- 
 chinikoiif, the court jeweller! 
 
 The Baron Arcady Radovich, secretly smuggling him- 
 self on board a Swedish brig, laden with furs, hides, fish, 
 iron caviare, and timber, — had duly arrived at Stock- 
 holm, where no landing passport was required. 
 
 His letter to Princess Vera from Wisby had an- 
 nounced his readiness to meet the partner of his ven- 
 geance, when the spring should bring their opportunity. 
 
 Provided with a passport easily obtained by Princess 
 Vera, — his voyage to Ulitza and subsequent conquest of 
 Baroness Lili, would leave him free to steal into Russia 
 and join Ivan and the Princess on the Dying Water. 
 And — then — sweet vengeance was his dream ! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 305 
 
 It was long after Christmas before the anxious schemer 
 received the answer to the letter which had filled Bar- 
 oness Lili Radovich's heart with an unmeasured rage. 
 
 From Florence, the letter had slowly journeyed back 
 to Wisby, and, the reply filled Arcady with a fierce joy. 
 
 Lili Radovich, burning to avenge the dead Milovitch, 
 eagerly besought her wild brother-in-law to meet her at 
 Nice. A draft for a goodly sum of money accompanied 
 the letter! 
 
 "Come to me, — there is danger in writing! I wish to 
 know all! You can return to Wisby, and then, when 
 summer comes, join me at Ulitza! 
 
 "I have to send to the Ukraine for many of my per- 
 sonal articles — as I shall surely remain absent for another 
 year! You can easily go in disguised as a Serbian fol- 
 lower of the family. 
 
 "No one will know you, if you go over the Bessara- 
 bian frontier. 
 
 "But, be sure to bring a spurious Russian passport! 
 You may need me! Princess Vera can easily get you 
 one! And, — then you can tell me — what you say — that 
 you dare not write!" 
 
 With a skilful malignity, Arcady had poisoned the 
 mind of his guilty sister in law, as to her virtual aban- 
 donment by her family! 
 
 He painted the splendor of the life of Andre and 
 Alexandre at the court ! "1, alone, can put them in your 
 power — so that you shall have a fitting station, — a future 
 life of luxury — and a following worthy of you!" 
 
 The Princess Vera laughed for very joy when she 
 received the news of Arcady's sudden meteoric rise in 
 the brilliant winter social skies of Nice! 
 
 "He — with his still beautiful sister in law, was now, a 
 marked feature of that restless suspicious Russian col- 
 ony, which, there by the Corniche, drinks the pleasant 
 cup of vice to the dregs! 
 
 And, now, Lili Radovich knew of the shameful hold 
 which Arcady held upon her supine husband, and his 
 tyrannical brother! The concerted murder of Pierre 
 Dumont, — the knowledge of Princess Vera, — who had 
 secretly withheld General Ratzo's report, and^ — the dark 
 20 
 
3o6 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 suspicions of his mind that Magda Radovich — a living 
 entity, — was the secret Sultana of Serge Dumont's palace 
 of the steppe. 
 
 "Vera Orbelefif owes that brute a debt of vengeance, — 
 you know what Milovitch was to you, — ^you owe him 
 your lover's death, — your exile here, — on the doled 
 out bounty of your pusillanimous husband! 
 
 "I owe to Serge Dumont the shame of being chased 
 out of the Kherson with the Cossack's hungry sword be- 
 hind me ! And — now — if you will only aid me, the heavy 
 debt shall be paid, — in due time! Aid me to return in 
 secret! Ivan will be safe there alone! 
 
 "I will find out the hiding place where this petit 
 maitre has hidden the wayward girl! 
 
 "You shall give me a letter to Ivan to tell him to 
 avenge his sister's dishonor! 
 
 "For, by the God above I shall never breathe freely till 
 I see that brute's blood flowing in expiation." 
 
 And^ then he told the woman who still mourned Milo- 
 vitch, night and day, of the secret attack upon the 
 woman in the Park! "Had I gone with him, I would 
 have, at once, recognized Magda — and, — so — dead or 
 alive, borne her away." 
 
 "But, now — our vengeance will be complete, — dearer, 
 — sweeter! For, with Ivan at my side, if I find them to- 
 gether, he dies! 
 
 "Even the Czar will pardon the red handed killing of a 
 man who abducted his Imperial Consort's Maid of 
 Honor! It is high treason, — Siberia, — forfeiture of the 
 estates, — and a disgrace forever!" 
 
 "Why do you not drag him down instead of killing 
 him?" anxiously demanded the vengeance hungry Lili. 
 
 "Because," answered Arcady, "it is only by a tour 
 de force that we can catch them together — then — it is our 
 blood, — or his life! 
 
 "For — the fellow is naturally desperate! He has the 
 girl hidden there, — of course, — in the chateau — for, An- 
 ton swears to the face of Magda! 
 
 "The poor superstitious fool believes that the dead 
 return!" 
 
'THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 307 
 
 "Alas! They do not!" sobbed Lili Radovich, in a 
 frenzy of sorrow. 
 
 "For if the dead could come back, — Michel Milovitch 
 would have been led by love from that lonely grave in 
 the Caucasus, — to follow me to the end of the earth!" 
 
 "Arcady!" she cried, with desperate energy, "kill him! 
 Follow him like a tiger! I will be your slave! You 
 shall have money ! I will do your bidding — and — -Ivan — 
 my brave boy — shall have my blessing, or else, have a 
 mother's curse hanging over his head, — to blacken his 
 days, — unless he strikes to wipe out this foul stain!" 
 And, so the weaving spider knitted up his toils! 
 
 While the Lord of Khaminavatka and his beautiful 
 wife became daily more careless in their movements, — 
 lulled by the winter quiet and the isolation of the cooped 
 up villagers, — Xenia, with a disturbed heart, walked 
 the upper corridors of the old castle. 
 
 "If only Arcady Radovich were dead — or — deported to 
 Siberia," she mused, "there might be less danger, but, 
 the time of discovering must surely come!" 
 
 The peasant born woman knew the deep underlying 
 cunning of the Ukraine, — the wild passions of the Danu- 
 bian blood of their enemies, — and, — she recalled all the 
 record of Arcady Radovich for stealthy wickedness. 
 
 "He will come back, — some day!" she shuddered, and, 
 mindful of her midnight encounter, she always carried 
 the keen Circassian knife in her bosom ! 
 
 In her frequent sleigh rides with her master, she tried 
 to keep him alive to a sense of danger, but, lulled to se- 
 curity. Serge Dumont was now steeped in his happiness, 
 and lightly put her warnings by! 
 
 The only practical measures which she could force 
 upon the Barin, were to alternate her rides with those of 
 her mistress, and to exhibit herself ostentatiously un- 
 veiled before departure, to the lingerers in the court- 
 yard! 
 
 The same furs, turbans, and veils transferred to the 
 hidden beauty caused the disarming of all suspicions! 
 
 But, the Russian moujik has his own craft, and long 
 before the Easter came around to release them, — with 
 its mournful "Recollection Day," — to commemorate the 
 
308 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 beloved dead, — an unnoticed accident had placed the se- 
 cret of the vanished Day Star in the possession of one 
 other than the three who fondly concealed it! 
 
 And, he, the sleigh driver, — low browed, — sullen, — 
 cunning and brutal, was only restrained by fear from 
 taking advantage of a secret in which he saw the means 
 of future wealth! 
 
 An abject fear of violence at Barin Serge's hands, so 
 far had tied the tongue of the cunning rogue, — half 
 crazed with unsatisfied cupidity! 
 
 "I must wait," he muttered. "I must wait! The 
 General and the Barin will soon come to Bratskoe! I 
 know their people ! There must be a way to get money, 
 — and — to have no one suspect me!" 
 
 But, to no other soul on Khaminavatka's broad do- 
 main did the driver breathe the discovery, — the result of 
 a sinister accident which happened long after the mur- 
 mured tenderness of the voices behind him had led him 
 to believe that another than the comely village woman 
 possessed that flute-like voice! 
 
 And, while the Christmas and New Year's festivals 
 were secretly observed, in joy, by the three prisoners 
 of Love, — while the St. Petersburg season found Gen- 
 eral and Barin Radovich still mounting in state and 
 splendor, — the watchful quartette of enemies were clos- 
 ing up the toils around the proud noble who was be- 
 leaguered by fate in that lonely Palace on the steppes! 
 
 Lili Radovich had already dispatched Arcady to his 
 conference with Madame la Princesse Vera Orbelefif at 
 Stockholm ! 
 
 And, when these two separated, Arcady hastened back 
 to join his crafty ally, — the discarded and neglected wife 
 at Ulitza! 
 
 With true feminine slyness, she had surprised the two 
 brothers by her willingness to remain another year on 
 the Danube. 
 
 "Only I shall send two or three servants to bring with 
 me all that I require for another year's absence!" 
 
 It was this embassy in the early spring which brought 
 Arcady Radovich as a disguised traveller to the lonely 
 mansion of his birth on the Dying Water. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 309 
 
 Sheltered there by the Intendant, he defied the careless 
 supervision of the Russian Lieutenant in charge ! 
 
 The crocus and daisies were starring the thin grass of 
 the faintly dawning spring when Princess Vera, steal- 
 ing away alone to Kief, met her young lover Ivan now 
 detached for his year's service in the Kherson! 
 
 The two feudal lords in Saint Petersburg were as com- 
 pletely bhnded as the young lovers waiting for the early 
 summer to set them free! 
 
 While Serge Dumont was making his secret prepara- 
 tions for crossing the frontier, — Princess Vera, at Kief, 
 gave to Ivan his first sinister suspicion ! 
 
 "When you and I are alone on the Dying Water — I 
 have a secret of deadly import to tell you!" she faltered. 
 "But, not till you are wholly mine!" 
 
 And, then, the man who had a secret to sell, heard of 
 the young officer's coming, and then laughed for very 
 joy. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 AT THE NEW POST STATION.— A WOMAN 
 SCORNED. 
 
 The long game of cross purposes in the Serbian family 
 had ended with the coming of spring, and the two heads 
 of the Radovich clan were secretly delighted at Baroness 
 Lili's unexpectedly cheerful determination to remain 
 abroad willingly another year! 
 
 A golden tide of fortune was drifting the General and 
 the Barin bravely along. The lucrative contracts for 
 horse furnishing and the army supplies in Little Russia 
 and New Russia drifted, without competition, into their 
 hands. General Andre chuckled with delight, for he 
 knew that the powerful Jewish syndicate to whom the 
 brothers sublet their monopolies, were also making 
 heavy secret presents to the War Minister. 
 
 Only the poor shivering soldiers of the Czar who re- 
 ceived but a third of their real furnishings reviled this 
 
310 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 comfortable arrangement, but, the Princess Vera laughed 
 in her sleeve! 
 
 The brothers had taken a splendid villa at Wiborg for 
 the summer, and they had early dispatched Princess Vera 
 to take up her station at Bratskoe, and secretly watch 
 General Ratzo and Prince Youresief. 
 
 A dainty little fragmentary estate near Bobrinetz had 
 been presented to the Princess by the doting War Min- 
 ister, who had received it as a "bonne bouche" from the 
 sly rogues heaping up pyramids of stolen roubles. 
 
 "You will now always have a little pied a terre, Ma 
 belle amie," said the old Minister, "and if I should get 
 tired of these greedy Radovichs, you will have a little 
 southern nest of your own! I may go down next year 
 to the Ukraine, and the Crimea," dreamily said the 
 ancient voluptuary. "And, — of course — I should ask 
 you to be of my party to Yalta !" 
 
 The hoodwinked brothers were equally delighted in 
 Captain Ivan Radovich's orders to the Kherson, — and — 
 the Princess Vera's secret mission. For, already there 
 were murmurs in the Ukraine as to the vast interests 
 gliding into the hands of the unpopular Serbian emigres ! 
 The Russians of pure race secretly mutinied to see these 
 interlopers, backed by the ubiquitious Israelites, gather- 
 ing in the profits of nearly all the governmental con- 
 tracts ! 
 
 At the assembly of Notables at Elizabethgrad, the 
 Prince Youresief sadly confided his sorrows to the 
 hugely disgusted boyars. "What would you have!" 
 cried one. "No one could make head against these 
 greedy fellows, but Serge Dumont, — a natural born 
 leader! 
 
 "There he is, steeped in the lowest humiliation at 
 Khaminavatka ! A beggar village woman, sleek of form 
 and comely of face, has throned herself where our best 
 blood has always reigned! 
 
 "I was obliged to omit the usual invitation to him, 
 here, for even Madame Federofif, his sister, the head of 
 the old aristocracy, has been forced to suspend all rela- 
 tions until this mad Tannhauser leaves his serf-bred 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 31 1 
 
 Venus, — the cast off wife of a moujik post station- 
 keeper!" 
 
 But, the others who had seen similar instances of self- 
 surrender, many of them sadly culpable, in their own 
 days of lawless youth, — merely grinned, — and — nursed 
 their growing wrath against the lucky Radovichs! 
 
 At St. Petersburg, on the night before the Princess 
 Vera's departure, General Andre gave the sparkling 
 witch his secret orders! 
 
 "I wish you to visit Elizabethgrad, Kharkof, Kief and ■ 
 Wosnesceijk ! Go over to Bobrinetz, see all the leading 
 nobles, — placate Ratzo and Youresief, — you well know 
 how," he smiled. "And counteract all influence raised 
 up against us! Here is twenty thousand roubles, for 
 pin money! 
 
 "Madame Cherikofif puts the villa unreservedly at your 
 disposition! Invite gay company, — and — try to make us 
 popular ! 
 
 "You will see Ivan, of course! He will spend half his 
 time at the Headquarters at Kief — and the other half at 
 Alexandre's mansion, on the Dying Water! 
 
 "I'll write him to entertain you and your friends, hand- 
 somely. Aid him. He has all my secret instructions, 
 but he is to be kept in the dark as to our relations! 
 Remember, he is young, foolish and jealous! He has a 
 brilliant career, if he is well handled! 
 
 "The Minister has hinted to me that he may soon be 
 advanced to the grade of Major!" 
 
 "He will not suffer in my hands. General," said the 
 pretty deceiver, with downcast eyes, and a peculiar smile. 
 "I think that I know just how to handle him — and, — I 
 will watch over him, — for your sake!" 
 
 "One thing more," hastily said the General, as he 
 threw on his fur pelisse and grasped his sabre. 
 
 "Lili Radovich writes me that Arcady has suddenly 
 cleared out of Nice and gone to Alexandria with some 
 wild fellows! She is fond of him! Thank God! He is 
 off our hands! But, he is a queer devil! If he should 
 try to steal back to the Kherson — notify Ivan at once, — 
 he will send a courier to me! 
 
 "For, should the madcap appear, I've given Ivan or- 
 
312 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 ders to have our Intendants lock him up and hide him, 
 till I can get an order interning him in an asylum tem- 
 porarily ! 
 
 "That would relieve us of any future responsibility for 
 his past outbreaks or any further deviltry! For, when 
 he is adjudged insane, no one would blame us for his 
 freaks!" 
 
 "You are very wise, mon General," replied Princess 
 Vera. "Count on me — you have chosen the right 
 course!" 
 
 "As to Serge Dumont," hazarded the General, turn- 
 ing back at the door, after an ardent embrace which sur- 
 prised the young beauty. 
 
 "Let him reign^ with his kitchen beauty, at his side!" 
 sneered Princess Vera. "Why, even the easy-going 
 Noblesse of the Kherson have ignored him completely — 
 not for his vices^ — but for being such a fool as to pub- 
 licly drag down the honor of an ancient house." The 
 little Princess was severe as to offences against good 
 taste ! 
 
 A half an hour after the star-decorated and bemedaled 
 General had driven away, Captain Ivan Radovich sprang 
 up the stairs to Vera Orbeleff's rose-colored boudoir! 
 
 "I am told," he cried, as he folded her in his arms, 
 "that the Minister has already spoken of my promotion!" 
 He covered her bejewelled fingers with kisses. "I owe 
 it to you! My own darling!" 
 
 "You will" — cried the blushing woman, — ^fired by her 
 young lover's audacity,— and touched by his tenderness — 
 "you will, — when you have earned it!" And she then 
 drew his head down upon her breast. "I shall not say 
 'good by' to you, — even when you are a Colonel, — for, 
 — I shall always be your good fairy." And — the flatter- 
 ing spell did its work thoroughly! 
 
 Before Princess Vera had reached Bratskoe, Madame 
 Cherikoff had sent over her own maids to assist the serv- 
 ants sent from Ulitza, in removing all the multitudinous 
 luxuries which Russian aristocrats drag around the con- 
 tinental states with them on their ostentatious tours. 
 
 It was with a glad sigh of relief that she saw the laden 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 313 
 
 baggage wagons at last disappear, on the roads leading 
 to Wosnescenk! 
 
 Down the river to Odessa, — thence, to Kustendje, and 
 up the Danube, — was an easy voyage for the Serbian at- 
 tendants! The good lady was overjoyed to see these 
 evidences of a long foreign sojourn of the stormy- 
 hearted Baroness! 
 
 "It is better for them both" — she thankfully ejaculated, 
 "and Ivan will soon become a leading noble!" 
 
 For — all the steppe would know now that Captain 
 Ivan Radovich was the responsible master of the two 
 splendid estates whose owners had crystallized into 
 shining ornaments of the brilliant court on the Neva! 
 The village of Bratskoe was in a general rejoicing, for 
 the handsome, liberal young Guardsman was a local 
 hero, and generally beloved. 
 
 The coming of the vivacious Princess Vera was a joy- 
 ous herald, too, of a happy summer in a lovely land, — 
 where, with rudely expressed hospitality, — the wheels 
 were often taken off the wayfarers' carriages until the 
 isolated hosts were willing to allow the welcomed guest 
 to depart finally in peace, after long-drawn-out cour- 
 tesies! 
 
 Around the merry Princess always centered the jollity 
 of the whole country side, and, Olga Cherikoff well knew 
 the magnet which would soon bring the young officers 
 from Wosnescenk, — and — the ardent youthful nobles, all 
 in from the outlying domains ! 
 
 Peace and a coming happiness had smoothed every 
 wrinkle from the widow's fair face, — but, her tranquil 
 evening prayers before the bejeweled icon would have 
 been changed to anxious supplications, had she known 
 that Arcady Radovich, now burly with prosperity, — and 
 the fatness of Baroness Lili's table, — hidden in a huge 
 beard, and swathed in the Serbian national costume, — 
 was now comfortably installed with the Intendant of his 
 brother's village on the Dying Water ! 
 
 The stern orders of Captain Radovich, — ^the new 
 Master, — had made the frightened Intendant Arcady's 
 very slave! 
 
 "Look you, — my good man!" said Ivan. "My uncle 
 
314 THE WHITE LADV OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 is here on a secret mission, he has my authority to give 
 orders in my name! I will easily hoodwink this young 
 officer with his guard. 
 
 "After I go back to Kief, I will have them all sent 
 away, — and — Baron Arcady is to suit himself in his own 
 habits ! 
 
 "And — now — you guard him with your life! Your 
 only business is to please him, — and — then you will be 
 retained here for life, — when I am the master." 
 
 The Intendant needed no second word, for, loyal and 
 dumb, he was attached to Baron Arcady, as a native-born 
 son of the steppe. 
 
 Moreover — the coarse familiarity of the noble who 
 had let himself down, — was pleasing to the underlings 
 who preyed upon the simple villagers left helpless under 
 them! He was one after their own heart! 
 
 Here was always a sure friend, — and apologist, — in the 
 disguised noble, — and — the "unjust steward" proceeded 
 to fawn upon the man who now represented the young 
 Master! 
 
 The ostentatious luxury of Baroness Lili's winter in 
 Nice, — the lavishness of the coming hospitalities, — ^the 
 disregard for expense in the embassy of Serbian at- 
 tendants, all confirmed the magnified rumors of the sud- 
 den rise in the family fortunes ! 
 
 It was not long before Captain Ivan's importations of 
 foreign luxuries proved that wine, — wassail — and 
 women, would surely rule on the Dying Water^ in the 
 brilliant summer. 
 
 Before Princess Vera had arrived at Bratskoe, with an 
 escort of several young cavaliers, and a visiting bevy of 
 ladies, — the military guard was withdrawn from Baron 
 Alexandre's home! 
 
 What need of a plebeian Lieutenant and a few beg- 
 garly Cossacks, — when the magnificent young Guards- 
 man, — now Aide de Camp to the Corps Commander at 
 Kief — clattered around with his own dragoon guard and 
 fierce Cossack orderlies. 
 
 It was high tide in the fortunes of the Radovichs — 
 for, with a wise liberality, — the General and the Baron 
 had loosened the purse strings to placate the trouble- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 31$ 
 
 some woman who had blazed out as a social star of the 
 first magnitude at Nice. 
 
 And, noWj all was ready for the delicious tete-a-tetes 
 by the Dying Water, — in which Ivan Radovich, with an 
 impetuous eagerness, waited to receive at the fair hands 
 of Princess Vera, — the coveted commission of Major. 
 
 The young noble was even now dimly aware of some 
 mysterious bond between Arcady and the woman who 
 ruled his opening life, — the beautiful witch who show- 
 ered sudden preferment upon him ! 
 
 On his way back to Kief, for a fortnightly attendance 
 at the military levees of his chief, — he led Princess Vera 
 out into the garden of the Bratskoe villa, in the hush of 
 a balmy spring night! 
 
 The Easter had glided by and hundreds of teams were 
 busy once more in the emerald steppe, — turning up the 
 rich, fat soil, for the coming harvests! Where they 
 stood they could see the slender marble shaft, marking 
 the untenanted grave of his beautiful sister, lost, in the 
 very flower of her young womanhood ! 
 
 Ivan was eager and appealing in his passionate affec- 
 tion! "When I come back — you must be wholly mine," 
 he whispered. 
 
 Then, with gleaming eyes, the crafty woman broke ofif 
 a little bud from the nearest rose tree. 
 
 "In two happy weeks, — there will be blossoms, — roses 
 here, — and — the roses will be blooming in your own 
 gardens, on the Dying Water! Come back, — my king, 
 my lover! Come to me, there, by the Mertvovod. You 
 will find me — waiting with a glowing heart, — and, — open 
 arms, — and, — we will gather the roses together! It is 
 the time of roses — but — wait, till they bloom for you!" 
 
 When, the next morning, the watchful Circe had 
 driven a dozen miles on the way with the love-blinded 
 Ivan, — as he rode happily of?, at the head of his escort, — 
 she turned back when her young hero could no longer 
 see her fluttering handkerchief! 
 
 "Drive to Baron Alexandre's! Quickly! Do not go 
 back through the village! Hasten, for, — I have much to 
 do there!" 
 
 Before the evening shadows fell,— Arcady Radovich 
 
3l6 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 had gone over every point of their double plot with the 
 woman whose hatred now sparkled in her eyes, as she 
 raised her menacing hand toward the steppe palace of 
 Khaminavatka, blazing out to the north resplendent in 
 the golden rays of the setting sun, — far beyond the purl- 
 ing stream! 
 
 "He must die, — the brute!" she cried, "but, not, til! his 
 shame is established, — till the name of Dumont is dis- 
 graced, — till he is known as a cowardly abductor of a 
 peevish girl whom he has dragged down to share his 
 harem with that serf witch who has dragged him even 
 deeper down." 
 
 And — then her hungry eyes sought Arcady's, with a 
 malignant gleam. 
 
 "When?" she whispered. "I dare not tell Ivan till he 
 is my very own! Till he is drunken with love — and 
 the philter of the dawning summer makes each vein run 
 madly in passion! But, — what have I to tell him? He 
 comes in two weeks! It is the last chance to avenge 
 Milovitch, — Lili, — yourself, — and, " the proud wom- 
 an paused, for she would not own how deeply her soul 
 had been stirred by Serge Dumont's careless avoidance 
 of her offered charms. 
 
 Arcady growled, "So far, I have made no real prog- 
 ress! I dare not cross the Dying Water alone! I can 
 not work without one brave helper! Ivan is a devil 
 when aroused — and — you must awake his wrath and give 
 him to me! I will carry on his frenzy, but, — you must 
 speak the first words." 
 
 "A man, — and — a coward!" Vera sneered. "I am 
 but a woman, — and, — I swear I will find out the secret 
 of yonder seraglio ! I go now for a flying visit of a week 
 to Ratzo and Youresief! My young lord does me the 
 honor to be jealous," she demurely smiled. And, so she 
 made haste to finish her delicate maneuvers in his ab- 
 sence. 
 
 Arcady Radovich crushed the angered woman's arm 
 with his left hand till she winced with pain! "See there!" 
 he cried, showing the ugly red scar crossing the back of 
 his rigfht hand. "My hand was nearly cut of? by one of 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 317 
 
 that cur's disguised messengers^ when he was plotting 
 to steal away this rebellious girl! 
 
 "I have sworn to turn my knife around in his heart, 
 in payment! 
 
 "Find the clue, my lady — only find the clue! And, 
 then, — ^leave me to do the work! For, I will turn Ivan 
 into a fiend, — after you — have turned him into a fool !" 
 
 And, so, the two crafty schemers were well in accord — 
 before they separated! Vera cried — "Use every craft, — 
 use money, — I will furnish it! I will give a place for 
 life on my new estate to any one who will betray them!" 
 
 "Damn him!" growled Arcady. "He only treats his 
 menials too well. Has he not taken his queen from 
 among them? 
 
 "When Anton kept the station, I could reach all his 
 messengers easily ! A few roubles, — a half dozen bottles 
 of vodki, — and — the thing was done! But, now — the 
 station is at the meadow farms! Boursakofi — a good 
 enough bull of a fellow, has married the farmer's pretty 
 girl Marika! 
 
 "I dare not go there now. It would mean my instant 
 arrest! 
 
 "But — you, — a woman, — a sleek serpent, — why can 
 you not linger there? They would bow down to the 
 Princess Vera!" 
 
 The capricious beauty smiled approvingly on Arcady. 
 "You have given me an idea! I will linger going and 
 coming, — and — there may be a way to work a spy in 
 there ! Never mind ! Our day will come, — and — you — 
 and I — and Ivan, with Lili, will give a festival when 
 Serge lies rotting in yonder chapel!" 
 
 "What a satin-skinned devil you are!" mused the 
 acute Arcady,— as Vera drove away, intent upon an au- 
 dacious scheme suggested by his Machevellian wisdom! 
 "You were chasing down the dead Pierre — and, then — 
 faute de mieux, — this fool, over there, whose serf-born 
 mistress has taken the place that — you so long dreamed 
 of, — the Lady of Khaminavatka!" 
 
 He ground his teeth in rage. "If Magda is in that 
 house" — he swore, "we must find them together! His 
 blood shall flow at her feet, — her presence there alive is 
 
3l8 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 a complete exoneration! — but, — only Ivan and I, must 
 strike the blow! No outsiders. It must be a family 
 vengeance!" 
 
 With an infinite cunning, over his vodki that night, he 
 reconstructed the interior plan of the chateau from his 
 vigilantly taken mental notes on the long examination 
 made on the day of the police descent! 
 
 "They are off their guard now, — surely, — where does 
 he hide her? There has never been a rumor." 
 
 Suddenly, he climbed the stairs and then began to 
 gaze with his night glass over at the splendid palace of 
 the steppes. 
 
 The two lower stories and the great buttressed base- 
 ment were wrapped in darkness! But, — all the win- 
 dows of the third story blazed out with light! "I have 
 it," cried the excited wretch ! 
 
 "The towers, — the corner towers, — now, I know the 
 way! I will be ready for Ivan! We can take a body of 
 our people and hide them in the sedges on the river 
 bank ! I can give a signal for their help — but — not — till 
 we have struck home! 
 
 "Oh! My God! For just one clue! I must trust to 
 the Devil,— and,— to Vera Orbelefi!" 
 
 By day, while waiting for the retinue of the visiting 
 Princess, — Arcady Radovich was busied in his rooms 
 with a secret labor, over which he grinned as he toiled 
 with the devotion of a peasant workman. 
 
 When not engaged in his secret task, — lying straight- 
 ened out on the roof of the old mansion, — he was now 
 studying every corner and weakness of his enemy's 
 stronghold. "I know how to get in there now, — to leave 
 no sign of our coming, — and, — if we only find that she- 
 devil alone with them, — to leave no trace of our de- 
 parture! We must only use the knife! 
 
 "It shall be done, in silence, — in the night, — and — the 
 long score of years shall be paid in full ! Ivan is a head- 
 long devil — and — nothing will stop him — when he 
 knows that his sister is there. He must only know, 
 when all is ready!" 
 
 And — so, he waited for the woman who had gone 
 away to beguile General Ratzo and Prince Youresief— 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 319 
 
 and to wheedle out of them — the gossip which had been 
 long denied her! 
 
 It never dawned upon the disgraced nobleman that 
 Madame Vera's game was to undermine the whole house 
 of Radovich, — that she destined the heedless youth to be 
 the convenient mask of her own strange wayward game 
 of Life. 
 
 The visiting Princess had already laid her skillful 
 snares ! 
 
 Armed with all the secret knowledge of the whole in- 
 trigue, — pregnant with its coming tragedy, — ^Vera Or- 
 beleff had determined to extort from General Ratzo and 
 the discouraged Prince Youresief, the very last detail of 
 the aftermath of the seizure of Khaminavatka! She 
 knew well that but one distant possibility made the three 
 brothers Radovich tremble! 
 
 "If Serge Dumont should produce the missing man 
 who had so artfully effected Pierre Dumont's death! If 
 — Moschka and Anton Antonovitch had confessed all to 
 the veteran Marechale de Noblesse! Then, — their last 
 defenses would go down like straw in the flames!" 
 
 But, — the voluptuous siren smiled in her pride of 
 strength! Well she knew the fear of the Police General 
 Ratzo of her secret influence over the uxorious Minister 
 of War, — too well, she knew that Prince Youresief 
 dreaded a sudden removal as Marechale de Noblesse in 
 case of any resumption of the vendetta in the Kherson, — 
 and, she knew, too, how to inflame the fears of these dis- 
 tant officials with a lightly delivered revelation of her 
 superior and private knowledge! But — one name was 
 to be tabooed — the name of Magda Radovich, — the miss- 
 ing Day Star! 
 
 In her mind, Arcady's suggestions had ripened, and, 
 when she halted at the meadow farms, for the refresh- 
 ment of her horses for the long drive toward Bobrinetz, 
 — the gracious Princess charmed all by her winning af- 
 fability. 
 
 A few presents, — a little feminine diplomacy, and she 
 easily obtained the right to leave one of her coachmen 
 taken suddenly ill, for a week with the clustering peas- 
 
 21 
 
320 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 ants until she should return from her flying trip to Bo- 
 brinetz! 
 
 And, then — with his pockets well stuffed with roubles, 
 — Vera Orbeleff's Petersburg coachman was left to earn 
 an independence for life — by corrupting some wayfarer 
 from Khaminavatka ! "Promise anything" — she said — 
 "I will make it good, — if you only succeed!" 
 
 So, — with a peach-bloom cheek and a smiling face, — 
 the happy-looking young Court beauty departed to fool 
 the two provincial officials to the top of their bent! 
 
 All unarmed before her glowing feminine charms, — 
 these wise men both listened to her cooing voice, and, 
 gazing into her kindling eyes, — babbled on as men will — 
 and told bit by bit — different stories, — which when 
 matched by the triumphant beauty set her heart aflame 
 with the certainty of a coming vengeance. 
 
 "He must never leave the Dying Water alive," mur- 
 mured Vera Orbeleff, on the night before her departure, 
 for the indiscretion of General Ratzo was well paid by a 
 few casual intercharges of future caresses a la mode de 
 Russie. 
 
 "I'm glad that fool Dumont is soon going abroad!" 
 muttered the Police General, "for young Radovich is 
 hot-blooded enough! It's well to have them separated! 
 Dumont sent me his passports to be vised to go abroad 
 for six months or a year! 
 
 "I wonder if he will take the village beauty abroad as 
 Madame la Baronne Dumont! She dresses up to the 
 part now, — and — to do her justice, — acts it! They tell 
 me that he is her lover, — schoolmaster, — slave, — and — 
 music teacher!" laughed Ratzo. 
 
 And, — all that night, — Vera Orbeleff fretted that she 
 could not send a courier to warn Arcady! She dared 
 not, — for Ratzo's spies were all-powerful in the Kherson! 
 "If he slips away — he must be followed and killed on the 
 road! It is easy enough" — she mused, for the General 
 ■had told her of the Baron Dumont's application to have 
 his passports vised for Unghein, — on the Roumanian 
 frontier. 
 
 "The shortest straight line out of Russia" — she cried, 
 — her bosom heaving. "The road to wild Roumania, 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 32I 
 
 unfrequented by the gentry! I see it all. The woman 
 will either be with him in disguise, precede him, or else 
 follow him! 
 
 "Oh! for an hour now with Ivan and Arcady! We 
 must have our spies at the frontier before him!" 
 
 And — much marveled her princely hostess to see the 
 young patrician lose her beauty sleep and depart, at, 
 dawn, for distant Bratskoe! 
 
 She had twisted the two wary men of the world around 
 her pretty finger, — and left the Prince Youresief won- 
 dering at woman's easy forgetfulness ! "Last year, — her 
 heart was racked with Love's soft pains for Serge — this 
 fool, — and, — here — she never even mentioned his name!" 
 
 The good-natured old noble plumed himself upon her 
 soft yielding to his feebly volunteered coquetries — for, — 
 old as he was, — a pretty woman was still the queen of the 
 hour, — and, — of his too facile heart! A fool, — a vain 
 fool, — in his own conceit — even as all aged lovers, — and 
 potentates, — ^the rich and high in station, — who would 
 writhe to know a bright-eyed boy lording it boldly over 
 the charms which they approach with such trembling 
 reverence ! 
 
 "Ah! Si la jeunesse savait, — si la vielleisse pouvait!" 
 
 It was eight o'clock of a starlight night when Madame 
 la Princesse Vera Orbelefif's horses clattered into the 
 meadow farms! She passed the deserted station on the 
 hill and the lonely cross where Pierre Dumont's body 
 had been found, with the glance of a restless tiger ! 
 
 Before she had set foot to the ground, her coachman 
 was at her side,— the now rejuvenated invalid who had 
 become the coq du village, — in this happy week of in- 
 validism. 
 
 "You must pass the night — ^here" — he whispered. 
 
 "Are you mad?" the Princess answered. "I must 
 reach Bratskoe — on the gallop, — if it kills the horses, and 
 — then go on to Baron Alexandre's to-night! It is a life 
 and death matter!" 
 
 "Listen! Barina," the man murmured, detaining her 
 gloved hand, raised to push him away. "I know all — I 
 have the Barin Dumont's discharged coachman drunk, 
 down here, in my hut! We hold the secret that you need/" 
 
 21 
 
322 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Tell ffle — tell me," his mistress hissed. "Be quick!" 
 
 "That depends, on how much you are willing to pay 
 for it! We are agreed, — Dimitri and I, — and — We want 
 our cash in good blue roubles ! For, we will never work 
 again !" 
 
 The raging woman was forced to temporize. "The 
 Barin Dumont is going away!" she murmured. "Not 
 for a week!" coolly said her impudent servant. "Dim^ 
 itri was going to drive them to the frontier! He was 
 discharged to-day for drunkenness, and — for a slip of 
 the tongue! Be quick now and decide! You must stay 
 here! He will not go to Bratskoe — or to Baron Alex- 
 andre's!" 
 
 "What excuse have I?" softly whispered the Princess 
 Vera, — blushing even in the dark to be at the beck and 
 call of her blackmailing coachman. 
 
 "I'll fix that easily!" the sly rogue said, as he twisted 
 a rope from a few strands of horse hair plucked from the 
 tail of one of the panting steeds! 
 
 In an instant, two of the four splendid trotters were 
 artfully lamed by tight-drawn strands of twisted horse- 
 hair cutting into the flesh of their fetlocks! 
 
 When the household approached to ofifer their homage 
 to Madame la Princesse, — already the two coachmen 
 were leading away two painfully hobbling horses! 
 
 With obsequious alacrity, the distinguished traveler 
 was conducted to the best room of the prosperous farm 
 steading, for the fifty acres of ever-green Sunken mead- 
 ows were a fortune, in the exposed steppes, an oasis of 
 delightful fertility. 
 
 Not long after the Princess' hasty supper, — she de- 
 parted to examine the condition of her petted carriage 
 horses, under the voluble ministrations of her own 
 retinue. 
 
 One of her men, mounted on a borrowed Cossack 
 pony, had already disappeared in the direction of Brats- 
 koe, riding as he who brings tidings of life and death 
 moment! 
 
 It was after midnight when Arcady Radovich leaped 
 out of his bed, in the Intendant's house on the Dying 
 Water. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 3^3 
 
 With grumbling curses, he struck a Ught— and — then 
 stared as one who sees a ghost, when he read the few 
 words which sealed the fate of the two whose ruin and 
 exposure he so ardently begged at the hands of the gods! 
 
 "Found! They are there, — ready to depart now for 
 the frontier! Send a courier for Ivan! Tell him I bid 
 him to come! Say that the Roses are in bloom, — and, 
 waiting! Give him no sign of your mission, but bid him 
 ride, without delay. Tell him I will await him — with 
 you." 
 
 And, before the excited man had fairly realized the 
 delicious sense of his new power, — power to crush, — to 
 destroy — his hated enemy — the flying Ukraine steed, — 
 fleetest of the stable,^was bearing their lightest rider 
 on to Kief, — with the summons for the new Barin— 
 Captain Ivan of the Guards I 
 
 Pale and ghastly was the Princess Vera as she re- 
 turned to the farm house from her examination of her 
 horses at dawn! She had lingered an hour with her 
 coachman confidant, and answered the profifers of help 
 calmly. 
 
 "My two horses are much better! I can now proceed 
 slowly, — and — I have sent a man, picked up here, on to 
 Bratskoe with a message to send fresh horses out to me 
 on the road!" Her largesse was liberally distributed, 
 and willingly, too, for she had achieved the crowning 
 triumph of her campaign of revenge ! 
 
 The discharged coachman of Khamiriavatka, — his 
 waving beard shaven, — and — clad in a Cossack's cast-of? 
 rags — rode past Nicolas BoursakofT, on his way to 
 Novokrainka, without Baron Dumont's Intendant know- 
 ing that the squalid pony rider carried the life and death 
 of his proud master in his dirty, traitorous hands, — now 
 crossed with a Judas price of silver roubles! 
 
 Pale-faced, — but with burning eyes, — Vera Orbeleflf 
 smiled an adieu to her humble court, as her carriage 
 moved slowly away ! 
 
 The instant relief of cutting the tightened strands soon 
 brought her horses into their wonted form, as they 
 crowned the hill ! 
 
 But, it was only when a mile away, out of sight, that 
 
324 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 she thrilled her blackmailing servant with the order, 
 "Drive like the wind! We must arrive there with him! 
 He must not get away!" 
 
 "He dare not! Barina!" grinned the driver. "Dimitri 
 has taken his life in his hand!" It was the very sweetest 
 moment in Vera Orbeleff's life, — to ride past Nicolas 
 Boursakofif, speeding over the steppe, — and know that 
 he was journeying to Bobrinetz to bring back his doomed 
 master's passports! 
 
 "A long voyage, — a long voyage, — Serge" — she mur- 
 mured,- — as she smiled her acknowledgment of the In- 
 tendant's humble salutation, — "a voyage to that dark 
 land, whence no one returns! 
 
 "And, — your lady love — goes to a gloomy cell in a 
 nunnery, — for life, — to dream there of the vanished joys 
 among the roses of Khaminavatka! — and I, — Ivan comes 
 to me, — love in his heart, — to earn his rank — to meet me 
 among the roses — and — to learn that he must give a life, 
 —for a life!" 
 
 In a delicious trance, — she drove three hours later past 
 Khaminavatka, where the green leaves had come back to 
 the trees and Nature was throbbing with the wild, hid- 
 den rapture of Earth's perennial spring! 
 
 The faint blue column of smoke hung over the lonely 
 palace of the steppe where the happy married lovers were 
 preparing for their hegira of love, — the brief voyage to 
 that frontier which was to both of them a salvation! 
 
 "Wait!" she whispered. "Apres moi, — le deluge!" 
 Her unforgiving woman's heart was filled with all the 
 sense of a delicious coming triumph, — but yet poisoned 
 with the rage of a woman scorned! 
 
 And,^bitter tears wet her trembling lashes before she 
 met the breathless Arcady, in the gloomy drawing room 
 of the Radovich mansion at eve. 
 
 "I have him safe — locked up, — as you wrote! He will 
 not speak a word,— till you come!" hoarsely cried Ar- 
 cady. "I will unlock his lips" — smiled Vera. "Roubles 
 will work wonders — the victory is ours! 
 
 "Now, — to our work, — for, — when Ivan comes the 
 final blow must be struck! Boursakofif has gone for the 
 passports! It will take him four days! Ivan will be 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 325 
 
 here in two — and, — the Intendant must find his master 
 dead — and the police in possession — when he returns! 
 The empty-headed girl must be safe in Bratskoe, under 
 the charge of the magistrate, — and Madame Cherikoflf. 
 
 "She will not get away from me!" grimly said Vera, — 
 her white teeth closing with a wolf-like snap. 
 
 In the time-darkened old dining hall of the gloomy 
 mansion, — in a half an hour, — Baron Arcady Radovich 
 sat with the Princess Vera at his side interrogating the 
 sly coachman who was the treasurer and spokesman of 
 the Blackmailing and Judas association, so recently 
 formed. 
 
 "How shall we insure their fidelity?" muttered Princess 
 Vera to her fellow conspirator! The old house was de- 
 serted, and only the death watch ticked in the worm- 
 eaten wainscoting! 
 
 A single candelabra illumined one end of the vast hall, 
 whose doors had been carefully locked by the crafty 
 Arcady! 
 
 Before him lay his sword and two heavy revolvers, for 
 now, under the ban, he trusted no man ! 
 
 "I will take care of that," replied Arcady. "Did you 
 bring money enough from Bratskoe?" 
 
 "I could only get two thousand . roubles, but — I will 
 make it five in a week," the Princess whispered. "Think 
 of the risk, — your life, — Ivan's! Oh! My God — if these 
 fellows should lie!" 
 
 And then — Arcady laughed grimly. "I will lock this 
 fellow up with our Intendant, money and all, — when we 
 make our attempt! 
 
 "If he has deceived us, — he will have his throat cut! 
 I'll not let the Intendant cross the river! As for the 
 other — the Khaminavatka fellow — my men will take him, 
 bound — down into the rushes with them, in hiding! 
 
 "If the girl is not in that old rat hole of a palace, they 
 will just knock him in the head, — and — pitch him into the 
 river! 
 
 "So, — they gage their lives — for ours! They won't 
 know this, — ^till after we have bought them ! And — fear 
 — will then keep them close to us, — for protection from 
 that she-devil old Barbe Federoff !" 
 
326 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Good!" said Vera— her eyes sparkling. "Now— 
 question him! First, the bargain, — I have the money 
 in two packets in my bosom!" 
 
 With a keen, searching glance, — ^Arcady addressed the 
 low-browed moujik who had been intently studying the 
 faces of the two patricians. "How much do you fellows 
 want?" he roughly said. "Be quick about it!" 
 
 "A thousand roubles, money down — and — you and 
 the Princess to take care of us both! We want to go 
 away to her new place by Bobrinetz. Here, — ^the other 
 fellows would soon kill us!" 
 
 He jerked a dirty thumb in the direction of the castle, 
 where the innocent enemy slumbered in each other's 
 arms! 
 
 "How do we know that you do not lie?" fiercely cried 
 Arcady. "You have our heads to answer for it!" boldly 
 said the coachman, with confidence. "Then, — be quick 
 about it! Tell us all!" — said Arcady, as he tossed him a 
 package of bank notes! "Can you count that money?" 
 
 "I only count up to ten/' said the simple brute, — his 
 eyes gleaming at the sight of the bills which Princess 
 Vera had thrown on the table. 
 
 He stubbornly refused to say a word until the Princess 
 had piled up and arranged the money for him which he 
 only knew by the pictures and figures upon the greasy 
 paper roubles which had crossed a thousand villainous 
 palms. 
 
 At last, he began ! "Dimitri will tell you the rest ! He 
 knows her hiding place, — and — that he would not tell 
 me — until I gave him the money! 
 
 "He has been the coachman for years to drive the 
 Barin's finest team and sleigh! It never came to him 
 that there was anything wrong, for a long time! 
 
 "He has been driving out Xenia, — that woman who is 
 the young Barin's lady love.^often both in the day and 
 the night, — and, always — with the Barin ! 
 
 "And — he finally noticed both in the carriage and the 
 sleigh, that the young Barin never caressed Xenia, nor 
 talked much with her! 
 
 "But, often at night, both in the summer and the 
 winter, — the Barin would be very loving and, — then — ^at 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 327 
 
 last, though the woman with him wore Xenia's dresses, 
 shawls and veils, — Dimitri saw that she was a much 
 smaller woman! 
 
 "And, — not showing his watching,^he would slyly 
 listen to her voice! It was not the voice of Xenia! 
 And, — so, — you know what our peasants are! Not so 
 very foolish! Dimitri always noticed that when Xenia 
 drove, she would often boldly uncover her face, — and — 
 so, — the Barin drove with her all around the villages — 
 and — even into Bratskoe, — as well as over to the meadow 
 farms ! 
 
 "But, when the smaller woman was with him, it was 
 always on the lonely roads, — and often only over the 
 steppe itself — or buried in the plantation shades! 
 
 "Besides, even Boursakofif did not dare to approach 
 or stop the Barin's carriage or sleigh,— not at any time! 
 And— why not, — if the woman was Xenia^the same 
 mud of the steppe as the rest of us? 
 
 "At last, — one day, two months ago, — after Father 
 Adrian was driven out home, — ^when he came for Easter, 
 — the sudden fierce steppe wind tore away the veil of 
 the woman by the Barin's side! 
 
 "Dimitri did not dare to speak — for, he had stolen 
 one glance — ^just one — when the young Barin leaped out 
 to recover the veil, blown fifty archines away, — and 
 lodged there on a thorn bush! 
 
 "He held his head to the front, — while the Barin 
 talked with the young Barina Magda, in a strange lan- 
 guage." 
 
 "French, of course," muttered Arcady, to the excited 
 Vera. "It was all too late," continued the coachman. 
 
 "They drove home at once — and,— for two or three 
 daj^s — the Barin eyed Dimitri closely, and, took another 
 driver for his midnight frolics. 
 
 "And, Dimitri, angry and ashamed, then watched and 
 spied ! He told no one ! He found out what he will only 
 tell to you ! 
 
 "And, — then, — as he is a moujik,— he began to drink 
 on the sly, and, — the Barin sent him over to Novo- 
 krainka, with the fine troika of the best Orloffs when 
 
328 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 General Androffsky passed by two weeks ago ! Dimitri 
 got drunk at the old Post Station ! 
 
 "The horses ran away, — the best one broke his leg, — 
 and had to be shot — and then, — the General waited per- 
 force three hours at Novokrainka! 
 
 "There was a great row — and — Boursakoff at once, 
 discharged Dimitri, keeping back his wages for the year 
 to pay for the horse, — a part only — for, the horse was 
 worth a thousand roubles! 
 
 "And — Barin Serge would listen to nothing! His 
 dead brother had loved the horse, — and so, — poor Dim- 
 itri was soon chased off the domain, penniless! So, — 
 you see why he wants his revenge on Boursakoff, — who 
 has turned him away from the village where he was born I 
 And — on the fool of a Barin, too." 
 
 "Did Barina Magda know that the coachman saw her 
 face clearly uncovered?" huskily cried Arcady — his fin- 
 gers straying toward his revolver! "Yes!" simply an- 
 swered the man! "It is a gentle dove, — she was afraid, 
 — afraid that the Barin would beat the coachman! And, 
 — so — she said nothing, — nothing, — only^ — all the way 
 home that time, she lay in the Barin's arms, and sobbed 
 in silence! She was so frightened!" 
 
 "And, the Barin spoke not a word, — not even one word 
 to Dimitri?" broke in the Princess impatiently. "How 
 could he?" cried the man. "He saw nothing. He was 
 fifty yards away! You know, we drivers never look 
 back at our masters! We are too well trained for that!" 
 
 Arcady leered viciously. "I know! Goon!" "And, 
 then, — Dimitri was driven to drinking crazy with the 
 jeers of the peasants who saw him come down to be a 
 ragged vagrant — from being a fine coachman, with his 
 silk hat and blue gown, — and splendid robes to warm 
 him ! He did not leave Khaminavatka till he made sure 
 where the bird is hidden! The rest he will only tell to 
 you!" 
 
 "Come on!" cried Arcady, — seizing a revolver. 
 "Come with me, and tell him that you have your money! 
 Here you see his, — lying ready on the table! We will 
 protect you — and, — give you both a handsome present 
 — if he tells the whole truth! If not" — Arcady suddenly 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 329 
 
 cocked his revolver and leveled it at the blackmailer, who 
 fell on his knees in abject terror. 
 
 "Get up, you fool! Come on!" said Arcady, — as he 
 left the Princess pacing the long room like a caged 
 tigress. While Arcady was gone, she took up the 
 branched silver sconce and glided into the deserted 
 drawing room. 
 
 Before a picture of Magda Radovich, — the lost Day 
 Star, — she halted, and gazed at the young girl's sweet 
 face in silence! 
 
 Through the windows she caught a gleam of brilliant 
 light in the third story of the chateau across the sleeping 
 meadows ! 
 
 "Is it worth while!" she murmured, as a shudder shook 
 her lissome body. 
 
 And — then — a relentless devil in her heart, suddenly 
 loosened by the thought of raptures stolen from her cov- 
 eted treasures of life — answered: 
 
 "Yes! Let him die!" 
 
 With a firm step she returned to face Dimitri, the 
 shivering Judas of the Mertvovod! "There is your 
 money! Take it!" coldly said Arcady — "and, — now, — 
 be brief! Tell us where she is hidden! Do you know?" 
 
 "I have seen them together! I know" — cried the 
 greedy wretch — "but, — I will only tell you! You are of 
 our own Kherson people! 
 
 "The Princess is a woman ! A Court lady. They will 
 all talk!" he mumbled. "And, — I take my life in my 
 hand!" 
 
 "So, he is coward as well as traitor!" sneered Vera, — 
 as she walked away to the end of the room to examine a 
 portrait of Lili Radovich, — in all her unveiled audacious 
 beauty, — one over which Milovitch had gloated while the 
 hoodwinked husband sat at his side — and the glowing 
 original's passion-laden eyes met his across the table. 
 
 "Take your money, — and, — speak out — or I will blow 
 your brains out! Worse, — I will send you over to 
 Barin Serge and he will turn his Ukraine dogs loose upon 
 you! You know what that means!" 
 
 In whispered tones, — the abject scoundrel gave to the 
 infuriated Arcady, the vile secret of how he had gained 
 
330 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 a place from where he had seen the lovers clasped in each 
 other's arms ! "And, — you will swear that the woman is 
 the Barina Magda?" solemnly demanded Arcady. "I will 
 risk my life on it ! Go there, — catch them, quickly ! Be- 
 ware lest he steals away to Unghein ! 
 
 "Already Boursakoff has sent the horses forward on 
 the road! For, they were to drive to the frontier without 
 stopping, — three hundred versts! You know why!" 
 
 "Swear to me on the cross, that you have told the 
 truth!" cried Arcady, suddenly flashing a jeweled cross 
 before the astounded Dimitri's eyes! 
 
 With trembling lips, he kissed the cross,' — sinking to 
 his knees and crossing himself abjectly. 
 
 "I swear before God and Saint Vladimir and Saint 
 Dimitri, — my patron saint, — that I have told the truth!" 
 
 "Very good!" coolly said Arcady! "I am going to 
 risk my life on it,— and,— yours too ! You shall go with 
 me — and, help me up there!" 
 
 "Spare me, — spare me," howled Dimitri. "Barin 
 Serge is a young lion!" 
 
 "He will be a dead lion" — growled Arcady-^"and, you, 
 — a dead dog, — if I don't find that girl up there ! I have 
 the chateau watched even now! If any carriage leaves 
 there, it will be followed and attacked — but — Barin 
 Ivan comes to-morrow night! 
 
 "It is the dark of the moon! You will only have to 
 go over and show me the place! 
 
 "I will take twenty good men into the garden — and 
 hide them in the rushes near the stream. The Dying 
 Water is only two feet deep now! 
 
 "And— Barin Ivan will bring all his own soldiers! 
 You shall both have a good extra present! Now — you'll 
 have the other fellow to keep you company till I call for 
 you, at midnight, to-morrow! 
 
 "The Intendant will give you all you want! And, — 
 both of you fellows shall go later to the Princess' place, 
 — to be well taken care of for life ! You shall want for 
 nothing!" 
 
 With an. impatient gesture, the Princess advanced^ 
 crying, "You shall be rich for life, — if you protect the 
 Barin Ivan and my friend here!" The magic word "sol- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 33I 
 
 diers" had put confidence into the brute's heart 1 "I'll 
 go!" he murmured, — as he buckled the price of his shame 
 under his leather belt! For, "soldiers" meant — the 
 heavy hand of the White Czar ! 
 
 Long after the two scoundrels had slept, — their con- 
 sciences dulled by a bottle of vodki, the exquisite 
 Princess Vera and her murderous confidante lingered 
 over a bottle of champagne, — talking in whispers of, a 
 deed without a name. 
 
 "There is but one thing I absolutely demand of you, 
 Arcady," said the Princess, as she stood above on the 
 stairway, while the dissolute Baron prepared to go and 
 watch his two caged scoundrels! "Leave Ivan to me, — 
 to me, — alone, — if you wish him to avenge your family 
 honor! He will be here by sunset to-morrow! 
 
 "Keep away from us, — till I call you in, — and, — then, 
 — I give him over to you, — and to vengeance! But,— 
 first, — he is mine — to mould him to my will! He must 
 know that he strikes for my sake — as well as, yours!" 
 
 "I understand"— significantly growled Arcady. "You 
 will drive him love crazy, — first!" 
 
 With a meaning smile, the beautiful Sphinx ascended 
 the stairway to dream of a happy future with her darling 
 dupe and lover Ivan ! "He shall pay the price !" she mut- 
 tered, as she studied her unfaded beauties in the glass. 
 
 "Why not? We all do, — in this world! As for the 
 other, — bah! A priest's fable!" and, she lay down to 
 pleasant dreams in the room where Lili Radovich had 
 often plotted her soft self-surrender to the man now lying 
 dead in far-away Circassia. And, — the old proverb 
 "birds of a feather" was strangely verified. 
 
 There was the hush of a holy peace in another cham- 
 ber across the Dying Water, where a dim light burned 
 in a red crystal globe ! 
 
 There, beside his wife, — harassed now by his anxious 
 forebodings, — Serge Dumont watched over the darling 
 of his heart ! 
 
 Magda's rich brown hair flowed over her marble 
 bosom and she lay with one slender hand beneath her 
 cheek, — her rounded artp resting lightly on her gently 
 heaving bosom! 
 
332 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Serge knelt beside her and kissed the fellow of the 
 hand beneath her velvet cheek, for, on its slender fingers 
 now shone his mother's wedding ring! 
 
 In the dim watches of the night a thousand new fears 
 beset him. 
 
 He had counseled long with Father Adrian on the 
 visit which had made their lovely Christmas and New 
 Year's a hidden festival of joy. 
 
 The general rejoicings of the peasants had allowed 
 him to shower benefits with a liberal hand upon all, — 
 though the great chateau was still rigidly closed to his 
 people, — save an occasional passing guest of note, — who 
 brought the military and court gossip to the lonely pris- 
 oner of Love! 
 
 Serge Dumont's whole life had mingled with that of 
 the brave and spirited girl who had dared disgrace, — 
 exile, and perhaps, — a nun's cloister prison — for his sake! 
 
 And, — while Xenia kept her faithful watch, — the 
 three innocently plotted to arrange the departure for 
 Hungary — by the short line through Roumania. 
 
 It was Father Adrian who had suggested the safe dis- 
 guise of a nun ! 
 
 "I can send her, by a trusted follower, — one of our 
 nuns, — furnished with a complete extra outfit for you! 
 In her company, — escorted by your husband, — you can 
 travel in a closed carriage, and, so, be passed over the 
 frontier, with superstitious respect! 
 
 "The passport of one of our dead sisters, — for — alas! 
 they, too, die, — will suffice ! I will see that it is properly 
 vised, and, the sister will bring it with her. In crossing 
 at Unghein, you have the shortest road! 
 
 "The only fear. Serge" — mournfully said Father 
 Adrian, "is the betrayal by some crafty wretch! Be- 
 lieve me, — you may know the camp, — the court, — the 
 foreign world, — but, the sly craft of our Kherson and 
 Ukraine peasantry is beyond belief!" 
 
 "I shall have a good escort! I will be armed to the 
 teeth!" hotly cried the young husband. 
 
 "Alas! what I fear is a secret betrayal to the wild Rado- 
 vichs! 
 
 "Then, a hue and cry, — a pursuit, and, — once, — that 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 333 
 
 the veil is lifted, — there is the dreadful anger of the Czar ! 
 
 "In any case — all your devotion, — ^your life blood, 
 even, would not save your darling !" 
 
 And — yet, — after a long discussion, there seemed to be 
 no other plan! It was a forlorn hope! Love's only 
 thoroughfare. 
 
 On this lonely night, — while Serge Dumont watched 
 his sleeping wife, he felt gloomy forebodings of an un- 
 known disaster! 
 
 Cut off from his stern and unforgiving sister — forced 
 into a false position by the need of Xenia's aid and min- 
 istrations to the White Lady of Khaminavatka, — 
 estranged from Wassili, his proud nephew, and, chafing 
 under the silence of Prince Youresief, — the avoidance of 
 the nobles, and the cold distance of General Ratzo, — he 
 knew that in God's mercy alone was his trust! 
 
 His only aid was his faithful Xenia, — and the noble 
 Father Adrian, whose hands were tied by his vows! 
 
 Even he, — had risked name, — honor, and liberty, in 
 celebrating the informal marriage! 
 
 With a restless heart. Serge awaited the return of 
 Boursakoff with his own passport, a vital necessity! 
 
 He had already paid the tax for a foreign residence 
 of a year — and, — the last needed formality was General 
 Ratzo's granting the passport. 
 
 Even now, the relays of horses were on the road, — 
 the friendly nun was on her way from Kharkov, — for, a 
 warning courier had arrived! 
 
 The bell beat midnight as he walked to the window, 
 and tried to read the secret of the stars! His heart 
 throbbed in an exquisite bliss as he gazed upon her there, 
 — the idol of his soul — the sweet Lady of Khaminavatka. 
 
 With a strength that was as the strength of ten, — he 
 swore "Love shall prevail! It is for my darling's sake!" 
 
 He stooped and kissed her a loving "good-night." 
 
 "May God bless my own darling!" 
 
 He stole away to examine every bolt and bar, — every 
 lock and barrier, — for, he murmured, "Only two nights 
 more, — if Boursakoff brings my passport!" For, on the 
 Easter visit. Father Adrian had completed every last 
 arrangement to cover the flight of the lovers. 
 
334 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Then, — would come safety, — Youresief's tardy help, — 
 pardon, — and peace and happiness! 
 
 But, there was one riding on from Kief through this 
 starry night who rode as the avenger of blood rides! 
 
 Sweeping on in advance of his wearied Cossacks, Cap- 
 tain Ivan Radovich looked back at the church domes of 
 Cordova and smiled! "To-morrow night, I shall meet 
 her! It is the time of Roses." He thought of her burn- 
 ing words! 
 
 The fierce joys of possession, — of his unrestrained 
 ownership of the panting beauty, captive in his arms — 
 goaded him on! 
 
 And, so — never a word did he speak as he rode into 
 Bratskoe, in the glare of the afternoon sun! Madame 
 Cherikoff paled as Ivan's charger staggered and fell to its 
 knees when the lithe rider leaped from the dying steed! 
 
 "A horse, — quick," — he cried. "I must go on, to the 
 Dying Water!" 
 
 A draught of wine refreshed him, and then, — away he 
 sped, — never drawing rein, — till in the glow of the dying 
 day, he rode into the courtyard of the lonely mansion! 
 
 At the door, veiled from sight, Arcady met him. 
 
 The sight of his uncle's face brought a shudder to the 
 young lover's heart. "Vera"- — he gasped — "where?" 
 
 But — Arcady only pointed, and, — going out, — softly 
 closed the door. 
 
 Ivan turned and saw her standing on the stair above 
 him, — the woman whose image had haunted his heart 
 for the long-drawn-out weeks, — the woman whose light- 
 est word was his law, — the idol of his enraptured soul ! 
 
 With softly shining eyes, she stood there above him, — 
 her arms opened, — and — her trembling lips only mur- 
 mured, "Come!" 
 
 With a glad cry, he sprang up the stair to meet the 
 woman whose lightest mood swayed him as the wind 
 moves the quivering forest leaves ! 
 
 And, then, the fair Circe, conscious of her powers, led 
 the young lover to a window. "See, my Ivan," she 
 whispered. "The buds have blossomed, — the blossoms 
 have ripened into full-hearted flowers! 
 
 "Take me out, — among the roses, — till you hear the 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 335 
 
 story of my heart, — the fond story of a woman's love, — 
 the story of a woman's devotion to you, — and yours!" 
 
 They stood clasped, — heart to heart, — there in a trance 
 of burning passion ! 
 
 When he drew his lips away, — leaving her trembling 
 and with her pallid cheeks aflame with the burning fever 
 of her exaltation, — she whispered, "I shall know to- 
 night, — I shall know if you are a man, — if you are wholly 
 mine — and you, shall hear all my story, — under the rose!" 
 
 He followed her down the silent hall, — and, — out into 
 the deserted garden, where Magda Dumont had kept her 
 love watch as Magda Radovich. 
 
 They talked of that future, — in which their lives were 
 to mingle as in one golden glow, — lit up with the un- 
 dying fire of Love ! 
 
 It was two long hours that Arcady Radovich waited 
 impatiently for their reluctant feet! He saw them slowly 
 reenter the house, and, then, knew by the gleaming light 
 that Princess Vera had led her lover into the vast drawing 
 room ! 
 
 There — before the sacred icon where Magda had 
 prayed as a child, — Vera Orbeleff, with burning eyes, 
 turned to her fiery lover! "Swear to me, on this icon, 
 on my baptismal cross, that you will marry me before you 
 see General Radovich, or the Baron again! Your whole 
 future, — the honor of your family, — the General's rank, 
 — ^your father's wealth, — and your mother's station, de- 
 pend upon your answer !" 
 
 "I swear!" he cried, as he kissed the cross. "Here" — 
 murmured Vera Orbelefif, "is your commission as Major! 
 I have carried it on my heart. I only received it two 
 days ago! I shall live to see you a Colonel, — a General. 
 For, my last sigh is yours! And, now to prove to you 
 that I would lay down my life for the honor of your 
 family!" 
 
 She dragged him by the wrist, with convulsive force, to 
 the window. "Do you know what I brought you here — 
 for — Ivan, my Ivan — my husband! Do you see those 
 lights gleaming in that scoundrel's castle — beyond the 
 Dying Water? There — Serge Dumont keeps Magda, — 
 
 23 
 
336 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 our sister, — as his Sultana! I have long suspected it! 
 It was I who hounded him down for your sake !" 
 
 "He must die" — yelled Ivan! "Arcady, — Arcady — I 
 must go!" "Wait" — she cried, prisoning him in her 
 lithe arms. "All is ready for your vengeance! Arcady 
 is ready to strike, with you to lead — ^to-morrow night! 
 They are in the toils!" "She shall die in convent walls!" 
 cried Ivan! 
 
 "Go — go — Ivan — my husband!" the fierce woman 
 murmured, caressing him with her honeyed kisses, 
 "See — Arcady! We have the whole force ready, — ^the 
 plans for secret entrance, — for surprise. See him — 
 then," — she cried, with burning eyes fixed on him, "come 
 back to my arms!" 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 A MIDNIGHT SURPRISE.— BACK FROM THE DEAD! 
 LOVE'S MIRACLE. 
 
 The darkness of midnight wrapped the palace on the 
 steppes as a score of men silently met and exchanged 
 their signals of greeting on the southern bank of the 
 Dying Water! Here and there, a star faintly struggled 
 through the murky night, and the spring breeze moved 
 the rushes by the river murmuring the eternal song of 
 Pan, the lament for the dead gods of Greece. 
 
 There was no sound save the rippling current, or the 
 faint distant yelp of a Ukraine dog in the village, a half 
 mile away! 
 
 To the left, the heavy masses of the hoary trees in the 
 silent Park loomed up, with funereal blackness, clear cut 
 against the softer murky blue of the skies of night! But 
 two windows in the chateau of Khaminavatka showed a 
 faint gleam of light, the massive pile standing out like 
 a vast lonely rock in the midnight seas. 
 
 All the men grouped together wore Polish caps, and 
 were clad in rude peasant costume save two, who now 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 337 
 
 eagerly conferring, questioned a third in low whispers. 
 Ivan Radovich alone disdained the weakness of dis- 
 guise. His elegant figure was still clad in the uniform 
 of the Preobajenskys, save that instead of a sword, he 
 carried two heavy pistols and a long hunting knife, at 
 his belt! 
 
 "Have you the ropes?" whispered Ivan to Arcady, 
 who, still clad in his Serbian disguise, carried a belt 
 revolver and a heavy knife. "Are you sure that they are 
 long enough?" "Perfectly," huskily growled Arcady. 
 "And, my ladder is a good ten feet longer than we need!" 
 
 "Let one man go in then, and wade across, and see 
 how deep it is! Be sure there is no pot hole to flounder 
 in! We want to hurry her back across here, if we find 
 her!" said the excited captain. 
 
 Magda's brother was trembling like a leaf, he had not 
 slept since he had thrown himself from his horse, the 
 night before — and, — his potations only served to in- 
 flame the mad blood beating on his brain like a trip- 
 hammer. 
 
 Keeping his hand firmly gripped on the wrist of the 
 man by his side, the intending murderer turned and 
 gazed back at the darkened mansion where but one win- 
 dow showed a gleam of light! There, Vera Orbeleff 
 waited to hear of the death of her mortal foe ! 
 
 "Shall we go on?" urged Arcady. "It is now after 
 twelve!" 
 
 "Let us wait till one o'clock and see if that Hght is not 
 extinguished! Have you all your dark lanterns ready?" 
 
 Four men standing near, a separate squad, raised the 
 hand in salute! They alone wore the Cossack dress of 
 the irregulars ! And, these wild devils were now ready to 
 follow their young Captain to the mouth of hell itself! 
 
 The body of his followers had thrown themselves down 
 upon the grass, while Ivan and Arcady spoke in low 
 tones. 
 
 "How will you get her down, — if all goes well?" anx- 
 iously demanded Arcady, who, both brave and cruel, 
 thirsted now for the hour of triumph and vengeance ! 
 
 He gripped his heavy Circassian blade tightly as he 
 spoke, "Gag her!" gruffly answered Ivan, "roll her up 
 
338 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 in rugs, then lower her with the extra ropes, down the 
 ladder to the men below! 
 
 "If the portfire is lit, our men will dash over and 
 swarm up the ladder! If what you say is true, no one 
 can get up in the three galleries while we control the 
 principals — and — our man here on the horse will have 
 the police in two hours. We could easily hold the upper 
 story till then! 
 
 "The villagers, even if alarmed, would not dare to 
 fire the chateau, and, we will have a strong force on the 
 roof! They can not shoot at us! You tell me the bat- 
 tlements are five feet high!" 
 
 "Yes, — and we will put Xenia, that handsome devil, 
 up for a target!" chuckled Arcady. "Boursakoflf is not 
 here! That's one good thing, — all the others are fools!" 
 
 Stealing behind a hummock and lighting a match, — 
 Ivan looked at his watch. 
 
 "It is now after one!" he cried, for they had listened 
 for three-quarters of an hour to the wailing night birds! 
 
 The agony of suspense was intolerable to the young 
 soldier who had never been left a moment out of the sight 
 of Vera or his attendant devil Arcady, — since the dis- 
 closure which had made him a ravening wolf! 
 
 "Come on!" he cried, tightening his belt, "You drop 
 the men off every ten yards, — Arcady. I'll take this 
 fellow and my Cossacks! 
 
 "Leave half the men in hiding at the bank here! All 
 are to rush to the southwest corner tower and come 
 up the ladder, if the portfire is lit. Otherwise they are 
 to await orders, sent back by one of us!" 
 
 As the resolute young officer dragged the traitorous 
 coachman to the edge of the stream, the frightened brute 
 sank to his knees in terror. 
 
 "Up, or I drive this through your heart," said Ivan, 
 pressing the sharp point of his heavy knife into the fel- 
 low's shrinking breast. 
 
 "You went up before, — you can do it again!" 
 
 And, — so, — silently the dark forms dropped one by 
 one into the shallow stream, and led by Ivan, supported 
 by the Cossacks, — the last were marshalled by Arcady, 
 leaving a line of sentinels down to the bank, "Remem- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 339 
 
 ber, the knife only," he whispered. "No noise! Choke 
 and gag any straggler, man, woman or child, — you all 
 have cords!" 
 
 And then stealing up in Indian file, through the shrub- 
 bery of the ravine, a natural covered way, — Arcady 
 joined Ivan at the foot of the southwest tower, from 
 whose summit the red lights and white lights had flashed 
 their message of love or fear across the Dying Water! 
 
 It was easy to clamber up to the open pavilion of the 
 tower, left without windows at each story for the en- 
 joyment of the matchless river valley view, — the air, — 
 and the sight of the superb park with its lakes, chalet and 
 the beautiful temple of the dead! 
 
 It was Arcady who afiSxed the rope ladder, quickly 
 drawn up by one of the Cossacks, who, nimble as a 
 squirrel, had easily scaled the clustered columns of the 
 projecting wooden tower. 
 
 In an instant, seven men were huddled on the plat- 
 form of the first story. 
 
 Ivan, — his teeth set in a pitiless rage, — sternly moT 
 tioned upward, — for, the dreaming silence was unbroken ! 
 Below, he could just descry the silver stream, dividing the 
 darkened meadows, and, — afar shone out the light from 
 the window where Vera Orbelefif, with a wildly beating 
 heart, awaited the signal of the red post fire at the south- 
 west angle of the roof! It was a game for Life or Death 
 now! 
 
 "Up !" whispered Ivan, as he grasped the swaying rope 
 ladder, — the fruit of a fortnight's toil of the ingenious 
 Arcady. Its braided strands of tough Russian rawhide 
 would have safely held up a field piece, and the active 
 marauders soon stood on the upper balcony, at the head 
 of the tower! 
 
 The. lightest Cossack soon clambered up over the bat- 
 tlement — and lashed the ladder firmly fast! 
 
 Then, — with a ferocious gesture, — Ivan grasped the 
 coachman's trembling hand. "Now, remember, you die, 
 if you betray us ! Show us the way!" 
 
 In a last thrilling whisper, Ivan gave his orders to the 
 Cossack who crouched on the corner of the roof in the 
 darkness, ready with his post fire he had already lighted 
 a slow match ! 
 
340 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 And — in the profound silence — the six men crept over 
 the roof, following the shivering Judas who had sold his 
 master to shame — to ruin — to death — for a few greasy 
 roubles ! 
 
 Below them — in the rooms where Xenia had queened 
 it for a year, — were two women now anxiously finishing 
 their last preparations for the secret flight to Unghein! 
 
 All the splendid treasures of Xenia's apartment had 
 been dismantled, and hidden away in the farthest one of 
 the three secret apartments, where Magda Dumont had 
 passed the first months of her strange married life! 
 
 Scattered around were many light packages of lug- 
 gage — and, — out on the northern corridor, — at an open 
 window, Serge Dumont, now completely arrayed for 
 travel, was gazing northwardly over the darkened steppe 
 to see the lights of Boursakoff's travelling carriage. 
 
 His heart beat high in happy anticipation ! 
 
 A courier had arrived at midnight with the message 
 that the faithful Nicolas, escorting the nun, had all the 
 passports ready for their departure. 
 
 With an admirable sagacity. Serge Dumont designed 
 to leave Khaminavatka at four o'clock — travel through 
 sleeping Bratskoe, in a leisurely manner, — and then, — 
 speed for life and death to the frontier! 
 
 Even now, the closed travelling carriage was all 
 packed, save the last luggage in the courtyard, — ^nothing 
 but the presence of the nun and Magda's clerical dis- 
 guise being wanting! 
 
 "Poor Boursakoff!" sighed Serge. "He will be 
 ready to sleep like a tired hound! Let him do so! 
 
 "When he wakes for my orders in the morning, he will 
 find me fifty versts away ! I will take the second Intend- 
 ant!" 
 
 He grew tired of watchin'g for that faint twinkling 
 light which was to be the sign of his deliverance from 
 his awful burden, — the fears for his beloved one, — his 
 darling, — his dearly bought wife! 
 
 And, yet, even now, on the threshold of his deliverance, 
 the forebodings of Father Adrian came back to oppress 
 his wearied soul! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 341 
 
 "Even the most trifling thing," he mused, "the break- 
 ing of a wheel, — the fall of a horse, — a sudden sickness, 
 — a drunken policeman's curiosity, — or some malignity 
 of those wretches, over there, — could bring us both to 
 ruin, — to shame, — perhaps, — to Siberia!" 
 
 And, then, disturbed at heart. Serge stole back to 
 comfort the frightened beauty who waited for the gloomy 
 robes of the Russian nun to hide her loveliness. 
 
 Already her silken hair had been cut, and laid away, — 
 a hallowed treasure! 
 
 Serge paused a brief moment at the southern win- 
 dows! 
 
 A sudden fear smote him as he noted the bright light 
 shining out of the second story windows where the Prin- 
 cess Vera, with wolfish eyes, now awaited the signal of 
 his death! 
 
 "Tell me, darling one," he softly said, "what windows 
 are lit up over there." And, then, with a sudden start 
 of horror, Magda Dumont cried, "Serge ! Oh ! My God ! 
 It is in my mother's rooms! She has returned! We 
 are lost, — lost, — she will discover all!" 
 
 And, then, sadly did the lover husband plead with his 
 beloved. "It is always the same, — the upper servants 
 make merry when their lords are absent! 
 
 "Perhaps the mansion is to be used this summer, — 
 there may be some visitors of rank." And, yet, with 
 secret misgivings, he bade Xenia lead her mistress in 
 to rest until he could descry the coming carriages of 
 Boursakofif! 
 
 "Only a few hours more. Darling, and the White 
 Lady of Khaminavatka will walk no more ! 
 
 "But over there, in the happy west, in the spicy groves 
 of Sicily, you shall forget all this year of trial, — our 
 prison love, — you shall be free, darling, for love shall 
 make you free! 
 
 "Once over the border, Youresief has to accept my 
 story, — the government will be powerless to disprove 
 it, — we can not fail!" 
 
 With a growing anxiety in his heart. Serge Dumont 
 returned to his eyrie at the northern end of the gallery 
 to watch for the twinkling lights of the two carriages! 
 
342 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Suddenly, with a faint cry of joy, he sprang back to 
 the room where Xenia was comforting her young mis- 
 tress. 
 
 There were tears clinging to Magda Dumont's lashes 
 as she gazed out across the darkened valley. "My 
 mother! Oh! My mother!" she wailed, for it came to 
 her lonely heart now that she had never really known a 
 mother's love! 
 
 All her lonely childhood, — the long twelve years of 
 absence at the Catherine Institute, returned to her mind. 
 "I shall soon be a stranger in a strange land," she 
 sobbed, and, looking down at the dreaming valley, 
 whence the night wind brought all the freshening odors 
 of the spring, she whispered: "Good-bye to Russia! 
 Good-bye to the Dying Water! It is the end of all!" 
 
 Suddenly, her husband, her lover, her lord, clasped her 
 in his arms! "They are coming — even now — my heart's 
 own! In two hours you will be on your way to free- 
 dom, — out of the home of bondage! 
 
 "And, — then, — soon, — all our troubles will be cleared 
 away,— for, Youresief is all powerful, — Barbe Federoff 
 can marshall all the nobles to aid us, — and, — even the 
 General and your brother, are reasonable human beings! 
 There is only — " he ceased, for he saw the silent agony 
 of her face, as she turned her wearied eyes to that light 
 gleaming out across the stream, — a menacing signal! 
 
 "Serge, my beloved!" she whispered, "we have paid a 
 fearful price for our happiness! I was not worth it! A 
 poor simple girl." "You shall live to bless the memories 
 of these days of danger which have drawn us heart to 
 heart," he cried, as he kissed her trembling lips. 
 
 "Now, Xenia!" he cried, "hasten, for the traveller 
 must have refreshment. Then, when you have changed 
 our White Lady into a 'dark ladye,' we are off for 
 Unghein ! 
 
 "I will go down and meet Boursakofif! He must soon 
 be here, rather/' he hesitated, "I will unlock the doors 
 of the three galleries, and, you can go down — tell him 
 to await me, — and — then, bring the nun directly up 
 here!" 
 
 At the end of the corridor, he watched the lights 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 343 
 
 gleaming out now, not a mile away, — and he descended 
 to the first gallery below. 
 
 The key was already turning in the door when a fearful 
 shriek rang out from the rooms where his darling 
 awaited his return! 
 
 Serge had scarcely left the room when Magda slipped 
 through the open sliding door into her retreat, leaving 
 Xenia arranging the little feast prepared to refresh Fa- 
 ther Adrian's gentle messenger,- — the bearer of the dis- 
 guise, and passports, which were to carry "Sister 
 Agatha" out of Russia, on a mission to the Superior of 
 the Greek convent at Bucharest! 
 
 While Serge Dumont held Magda in his arms, three 
 excited men had peered down through the circular win- 
 dows of the roof, whence a faint glow of light showed 
 the interior of the hidden nest of love. 
 
 "Here!" muttered the trembling betrayer, "this one is 
 loose." They never thought that anyone could get up 
 on the roof!" 
 
 "Give me the rope!" hissed Ivan, as he sprang to a 
 chimney and quickly looped the double knotted rope 
 around it! "Follow me, Arcady!" he muttered, as he 
 threw the rope down, and slid boldly down into the va- 
 cant room! 
 
 Arcady was hardly beside him, when the form of Mag- 
 da Dumont appeared at the door! The two avengers 
 had sprung behind an armoire! 
 
 One glance told the young wife of the hostile sur- 
 prise as she lifted her eyes at the current of cold air 
 sweeping through the open scuttle! H was the dreaded 
 midnight surprise— at last ! 
 
 Palsied with fear, she turned to fly out, but she was 
 crushed in her brother's strong arms. 
 
 "At last!" he growled. "The door — ^bar the door!" 
 he shouted to Arcady, as Magda's voice rang out in a 
 wild thrilling wail! 
 
 There was the sound of hurrying feet, and Arcady, 
 fumbling with the slide, was hastily thrust aside by Serge 
 Dumont, who leaped headlong into the room! 
 
 "Kill him!" cried Arcady. "Do as you will! They 
 are ours!" 
 
344 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Ivan Radovich, with his left hand, supported his faint- 
 ing sister's form, and then his right stole to his pistol 
 holster! 
 
 As he threw up the heavy revolver, the cHck awakened 
 the wife's lion heart! 
 
 Throwing her arms around her maddened brother, she 
 screamed: ^'Hold! He is my husband!" 
 
 It was too late, for a heavy report rang out, and the 
 room was filled with stifling smoke! 
 
 Serge Dumont staggered back, but, flung himself like 
 a lion upon the man who now vainly tried to cock the 
 weapon for a deadly shot! "Harlot! You lie!" yelled 
 Arcady^ as he rushed toward Serge Dumont, knife in 
 hand! 
 
 There was a gliding sound, the flash of a glittering 
 blade, and, Arcady Radovich pitched forward upon his 
 face — dead before he reached the floor! 
 
 Xenia, with blazing eyes, threw herself between the 
 two men. "Barin!" she solemnly said, as Arcady's life 
 blood stained her shoes, standing there beside the man 
 whom she had killed! "Here, — in this very room, — 
 Father Adrian married them! You would kill your 
 brother! Ah! My God, — she is dead! 
 
 And then the brave woman, who had saved Serge's 
 life, fell on her knees beside the senseless body of the 
 White Lady of Khaminavatka ! 
 
 "Is this true — on the cross?" gasped Ivan, as he gazed 
 at his reeling and helpless enemy, whom he had easily 
 pushed away from him! 
 
 "She has been my wife — for a year," faltered Serge, as 
 he sank slowly to the floor. He was at his enemy's 
 mercy now! 
 
 With a groan, Ivan hurled his smoking pistol out 
 through the open window, and turned to Xenia. "Tell 
 me that she lives — we must have help! Help!" he cried. 
 
 And — then — there was a loud crash, — as Tourko and 
 Sergeant Michaelovitch, sword in hand, came dashing 
 along the corridor. Upon the silence of the night, in an 
 instant, broke out the wild alarm of the Intendant's bell ! 
 
 Upon the roof was heard the confused sound of hurry- 
 ing feet, and, — before stout Nicolas Boursakofif could 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA 345 
 
 reach the upper corridor, — all the waiting marauders had 
 slid down the rope ladder and the whole band were soon 
 in a wild retreat to the sedgy river! 
 
 It was the wild-eyed coachman who led in the mad 
 stampede, — and who was the first to reach the Princess 
 Vera, — with the news that both the Radovichs were 
 dead. 
 
 And, — then, — a wailing and guilty thing sobbed and 
 writhed under the ministrations of the frightened scoun- 
 drel, — shivering in the fear of the coming dawn! 
 
 She had seen every window of Khaminavatka suddenly 
 lit up, — and the wild notes of the alarm bell had pealed 
 out across the Dying Water its message of failure and of 
 horror. The attack had failed! "Ivan, — my Ivan!" she 
 cried, "I sent you to your death!" 
 
 But a moment did Ivan Radovich linger irresolute, as 
 he gazed at the two men lying on the floor ! His strong 
 arms lifted his sister and tenderly he laid her on the bed ! 
 
 He was now sobbing, "Magda, — my own Magda, — • 
 look up! My darling! I forgive! I know all! Look 
 up! Speak to me!" when Tourko and the Sergeant 
 rushed into the room! And, this sight disarmed their 
 fury! 
 
 It was Xenia who led them back into her own room, 
 their eyes staring as they gazed on the hidden Para- 
 dise, with speechless surprise. 
 
 Cries and yells resounded without as Nicolas Boursa- 
 kofif strode into Xenia's parlors. "Hasten !" the devoted 
 woman cried. "Here is the Barin wounded nigh to 
 death ! 
 
 "Send a courier, — ^two, — on the gallop, for Prince 
 Youresief — and, — the Doctor Boris Yaroslaw! Tell 
 them to ride like the wind! Send, too, for the Police 
 Doctor at Bratskoe! 
 
 "But, no police! Say that it was an accident!" 
 
 When Tourko leaped away to do Boursakoff's bid- 
 ding, Xenia led him into the room where Ivan Radovich, 
 kneeling at his enemy's side, was quickly twisting a 
 handkerchief around Serge Dumont's bleeding arm! 
 
 "What is all this?" cried the Intendant, starting back, 
 as he recognized their mortal foe. 
 
346 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "They drove her half crazy," said Xenia, pointing to 
 the still senseless Magda. "We sheltered her here. The 
 Barin was married to her by Father Adrian, — they 
 searched secretly for her! You know the rest! This 
 dead dog!" she cried, spurning Arcady's body with her 
 foot, "led her brother in here to murder our young mas- 
 ter! 
 
 "And now, Nicolas Boursakoff, you know the White 
 Lady of Khaminavatka, at last! You know why I 
 played the lady, to save our darling! 
 
 "Help me to carry her into my own room, — then, — 
 send back Tourko and the Sergeant. They must not 
 talk! 
 
 "Send Anna Ivanowna here — and none of the three 
 shall leave me. 
 
 "No one must know but Prince Youresief, — to save 
 my beloved master and mistress! Send the people all 
 home! Quick, or — we are lost!" 
 
 In half an hour, Anna Ivanowna and Xenia, alone, 
 watched by Magda Dumont, who slept the sleep of a 
 tired child, for the resolute peasant woman had given 
 her a potion to bring on a blessed self-forgetfulness ! 
 
 It was by Serge's bedside that Boursakoff knelt and 
 talked in a low tone with the now repentant Ivan, who 
 was dazed by the sudden termination of his blood feud! 
 
 "What shall I do, Barin?" soberly said Boursakoff. 
 
 "Get your men and take Arcady's body decently, over 
 the river to the mansion! I will send a letter to Prin- 
 cess Vera Orbelefif, who is there! 
 
 "There must be no police here — not a word of any- 
 thing but an accident to Major Dumont! I will handle 
 the whole affair myself with Prince Youresief! 
 
 "When you have sent off this body, take your best 
 carriage and bring Madame Cherikoff here to nurse my 
 brother-in-law ! 
 
 "Tell her that I will remain here — until she can come 
 to be the companion of my dear sister! Then, I will 
 ride over in the morning, and see the Princess Vera. 
 
 "We will handle this whole affair. 
 
 "Let us now take him down to his own rooms, below, 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 347 
 
 for the Police Doctor will be here in an hour ! Then, — 
 even he, — will know nothing!" 
 
 It was with joy that Xenia and Anna Ivanowna aided 
 the two anxious men to effect Barin Serge's removal — 
 and, before dawn, — the surgeon in charge had pro- 
 nounced the wounded man's recovery to be only a matter 
 of a few weeks. The heavy ball had only plowed an 
 ugly furrow in the shoulder muscles! 
 
 By the side of the wounded husband lover, — ^the pale- 
 faced nun sat now in attendance, when Madame Olga 
 Cherikoff arrived to hear Ivan Radovich's wonderful 
 story of a misdirected vengeance! 
 
 "You, — dear Olga, are to be mistress here, — until I 
 can return and have Serge grant me his forgiveness! 
 There is much to do ! Seal your lips ! For, both Serge 
 and Magda's fate hangs now on our prudence!" 
 
 They were both seated in the drawing-room of the 
 hostile castle, — hostile no more, — by Love's metamor- 
 phosis and the failure of the useless craft of Arcady 
 Radovich. 
 
 The sunlight had come again to gild the beautiful 
 spring landscape — when Xenia entered to say that the 
 .."Barin Captain's carriage was awaiting him!" 
 
 The two anxious ones started, in surprise, to see the 
 promoted beauty clad^ again, in her plain peasant robes! 
 
 "I am a lady no longer, — only the peasant-born girl!" 
 she simply said. "You — and all — must know — that I 
 only played the Barina, to save Magda Radovich's life! 
 But — now — she is my dearest Barina — and — I am only 
 a serf-born village woman again! And, — there is blood 
 on my hand," she sobbed. 
 
 "Xenia!" cried Ivan, "forget how Arcady Radovich 
 died, — for — you saved me from killing my sister's hus- 
 band, — perhaps, my sister, too!" 
 
 "I can not forget," sobbed the woman, who had only 
 struck blindly to save her beloved master's life ! 
 
 And, — then, — she fell on her knees before the sacred 
 icon as the sweet-faced Olga Cherikoiif glided up stairs 
 to clasp the one who had come back from the dead to her 
 loving breast! 
 
 "No one must know — of this, Ivan," she said, "until 
 Youresief comes, for Ratzo would ruin us all!" 
 
348 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 And,— then, the now composed Boursakoff drove 
 Captain Ivan Radovich over to the mansion where Prin- 
 cess Vera had awaited the news of the slaughter of her 
 lover. 
 
 "I have already done all to quiet the whole affair, 
 Barin," said Boursakoff. "The two men will not leave 
 the Doctor for an instant! I've sent all the peasants 
 away to the field. 
 
 "Xenia will keep the three upstairs who saw the end 
 of the trouble — and, — you — and Barin Serge will have it 
 all your own way ! God be thanked that the blood quar- 
 rel is over forever!" 
 
 And, — the memory of Arcady Radovich passed out 
 of the memory of man, from that very day, for only Ivan 
 and the Intendant at the mansion of his birth knew of 
 the sodded mound which blankly marked his hidden 
 grave ! 
 
 As he was never known to have returned, — ^the Kher- 
 son gossips long waited to hear of some new outbreak of 
 the man who went unmourned to his grave, — the mad 
 Radovich! 
 
 "Be sure to escort the Doctor back yourself," said the 
 shaken Ivan, as he bade adieu to the Intendant, en the 
 steps of his father's house. "Take a horse and gallop 
 back! I want your carriage." 
 
 When the pale-faced young officer entered the rooms 
 where Princess Vera awaited him, she flung herself into 
 his arms with a wild cry of passionate love! 
 
 There was a long and fateful conference between the 
 startled lovers, and — then, both saw but one means of 
 securing their own safety. "Youresief will be here in a 
 day, with Doctor Boris, — the Police General may fol- 
 low. 
 
 "The whole tragedy must be kept from Madame Fed- 
 eroff, from Ratzo, from the General and your father! 
 
 "There is but one way to explain our presence here," 
 said Vera Orbeleff, reading the same conclusion in her 
 lover's eyes. "We will take this carriage, drive into the 
 villa, send for the village priest, be married, and return 
 here. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 349 
 
 "Then — the old Marechale de Noblesse will see at once 
 our reason for the little masquerade here, — otherwise, — 
 our own ruin may follow on the exposure of Serge and 
 Magda! Do you know, Ivan," faltered the loving wo- 
 man, "if you had died instead of Arcady, to-night would 
 have been my last on earth!" 
 
 There was no falsehood in her eyes, — she spoke but 
 the truth, — and, — then, — with a manly memory of his 
 oath, — Major Ivan Radovich said, "Vera! There is no 
 blood on my hand! Come — we will not face any of 
 them, — ^till we are married — and, — this will help to save " 
 them! 
 
 "Do you know we have all been blind! I never 
 even dreamed that Serge Dumont could have married 
 Magda! Did you not ever think of it?" 
 
 The Princess Vera, pale-faced, clasped her lover's 
 hands. "We have all been groping in the dark! The 
 dead has come back, — and — to-day, brings us Love's 
 miracle ! 
 
 "For, Ivan, you and I will face the world together now, 
 — there are only the two heads of your family at Saint 
 Petersburg to placate!" "I fear that we, as well as 
 Serge and Magda, will have their bitter enmity!" 
 
 "I know a way to easily control them," grimly said 
 Vera, as she descended to her carriage. "And if I mis- 
 take not, Youresief will do the rest!" 
 
 Across the Dying Water there reigned the silence of a 
 forced calm! Only a few words fell from Barin Serge 
 Dumont's lips as he recovered from his sleeping po- 
 tions. 
 
 "Send instantly for Father Adrian!" he murmured to 
 Boursakofif, and then his head fell back, until Olga Cheri- 
 koff led in a lovely vision in white robes, — the gentler 
 Lady of Khaminavatka ! 
 
 With a glad cry, Magda sprang to her husband's side 
 and laid her gentle head upon his breast! 
 
 "Be bright-hearted, little one!" he murmured. "You 
 shall yet see Italy, for, the worst is over now. It is 
 through night to light! Youresief will save us now, 
 with good Father Adrian to help !" 
 
 When Xenia stood before them, in her gayly embroid- 
 
35° THE. WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 ered peasant garb, her borrowed finery all laid away, 
 Serge Dumont smiled faintly. 
 
 He saw the proud woman's sign of release from her 
 false position, the escape from wearing the silken badges 
 of shame! 
 
 "Come here, Xenial" he softly said. "You can be a 
 peasant girl at Khaminavatka, in Russia, as long as you 
 will! When we go to Italy, you shall be a Barina^ to 
 the end of your days. For, you saved my life!" 
 
 And, then, the White Lady of Khaminavatka clasped 
 'her humble sister to her grateful heart! "Xenia! Xenia!" 
 she cried, "you are my sister forever!" 
 
 When Madame Olga Cherikoff drew off her choicest 
 diamond and turquoise ring and pressed it upon Xenia's 
 finger, she said, severely, "You must obey me, for I am 
 mistress here, now ! I am the Lady oi Khaminavatka for 
 a time!" 
 
 Before sunset, the return of Major Barin Ivan Rado- 
 vich in the carriage enabled him to assure himself that 
 the whole misdirected affray had been adroitly hushed 
 up! 
 
 He had attended to his own Intendant's injunctions of 
 secrecy^ and the whole countryside merely knew that 
 Baron Serge Dumont, on the eve of travel, had injured 
 himself accidentally with his own revolver! 
 
 It was Olga Cherikoff's turn to meet the surprise of 
 her life, when Ivan drew her aside, — "Youresief arrives 
 to-night," he said. "I shall not come again, till he has 
 gone. You will find us over there, or at the villa, for 
 Princess Vera is now my wife, — and, I wish you to let 
 the Prince know! 
 
 "We were married to-day at Bratskoe — and, of course, 
 I shall never bring her to see Serge and Magda, till their 
 marriage is openly proclaimed, but you can now tell them 
 all." 
 
 While over the flowering prairies, the fleet troikas 
 were speeding to Khaminavatka, bringing Prince Youre- 
 sief and the old Doctor to the rescue, and Father Adrian, 
 also, to witness the very catastrophe which he had feared, 
 the alert-minded Princess Vera Radovich walked the 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 35 1 
 
 floor of Baroness Lili's salon, in a study of the strange 
 chess-board of fate! 
 
 She shuddered over the gulf which had yawned before 
 her — and, — at last, — saw that only a mad thirst for Serge 
 Dumont's blood had led the dead Arcady on to his fatal 
 mistake ! 
 
 But, with a wonderful acumen, she sought to even 
 make a new capital out of the happy ending of the un- 
 foreseen tragedy. 
 
 To her youthful husband, the crafty Princess confided 
 all her material plans! "You can go over there, for 
 Serge and Magda are one, — Youresief and Doctor Yaro- 
 slaw are to be trusted, — and,— this Father Adrian is of 
 our oldest noblesse! Say nothing, — do nothing, — but 
 go over at once and become one in heart with your sister 
 and her husband! 
 
 "At any rate, it doubles the strength of your family, 
 it pacifies the Kherson, it has brought you and I to- 
 gether! But, remember, no one can handle the General 
 and your father but myself! No one can placate the 
 Czar but Youresief! 
 
 "And, our marriage must only be divulged at Saint 
 Petersburg by Prince Youresief. If you can prevent 
 Serge writing to the Excellence Barbe Federoff, if all of 
 us keep silence as to your mother, father and the Gen- 
 eral, I have a plan to draw a substantial profit from this 
 whole sudden tumult! General Ratzo must be kept 
 hoodwinked ! 
 
 "Olga Cherikoff and our three Intendants can easily 
 quiet all the peasant gossip, and Father Adrian, if he 
 comes, can bring in the village Pope to aid! You must 
 simply go over to your sister, and, our new brother," she 
 bitterly sneered, "but, avoid Youresief! 
 
 "Let him come over here and see me, but only after he 
 and the Dumonts, with Father Adrian, have made up 
 their plans!" 
 
 "What is the best thing to do, to avoid trouble at 
 court?" asked Ivan, in wonder at his wife's acuteness. 
 
 "First, to get these people at once over the frontier, if 
 Serge can be moved, until our own hands are out of the 
 lion's mouth. 
 
 23 
 
3S2 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Then, for Prince Youresief, after Serge leaves Fa- 
 ther Adrian as his secret representative, to go at once 
 to Petersburg, and then, get a permission for the public 
 marriage, on the ground that this imprudent love match 
 antedated the appointment as Maid of Honor!" Major 
 Ivan's eyes kindled! 
 
 "That is, if Adrian, once a man of the world, vvill lie 
 like a gentleman, to save the destinies of two families — 
 and, — to end the Kherson feud! There is but one fatal 
 obstacle! My father and mother will never consent!" 
 gloomily concluded Ivan. 
 
 "They will control the General; they will see their 
 grand opportunity for a crushing revenge!" 
 
 "Wait, wait, my Ivan!" confidently answered Princess 
 Vera, "until the Prince and I have done with them! You 
 shall see them bend, for they all fear Youresief, who 
 could bring General Ratzo down on them for this breach 
 of the truce — and, — I hold your uncle's destiny in the 
 hollow of my hand, — there is a power nearer the throne 
 than even an Imperial Aide de Camp! 
 
 "But, I must not now meet Magda, nor the Lord of 
 Khaminavatka ! I am now only the architect of your 
 fortunes — and, — of my own happiness! Can you blame 
 me, Ivan?" 
 
 "It shall be as you gay — I see the awkwardness of our 
 meeting. It must seem as if the Czar had arranged it 
 all — on Prince Youresief 's representation!" "Precisely," 
 dryly answered Vera, with dreamy eyes. 
 
 "Your father must rejoin your, mother, — Serge and 
 Magda can travel abroad for a couple of seasons, — Gen- 
 eral Radovich will watch over our interests at court — 
 and, — you and I, — will go on our pilgrimage of Love! 
 I have a surprise for you, — one that I had intended to 
 keep till after our brilliant wedding, but it will come to 
 us here, when Youresief has made our peace! We were 
 on the brink of ruin, my Ivan!" 
 
 "I know it, I see it," he cried, as he folded her to his 
 breast ! And so the bright plumaged falcon fluttered into 
 a dove's nest, with becoming humihty! 
 
 It was late that night when Ivan rode his charger 
 back from the steppe palace. The reins lay idle on the 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 353 
 
 horse's neck as he crossed the ford where he had mar- 
 shalled his waiting murderers in the night. 
 
 He pondered over the words of Serge Dumont, who, 
 even while writhing with the fever of his wound, saw the 
 value of the quick witted Vera's advice. 
 
 On his knees, Ivan had implored pardon for the unful- 
 filled murder lurking in his heart! "Say no more, Ivan," 
 kindly replied Serge. "You were wrought upon, you 
 might have known that I would not dishonor this dear 
 one of ours ! And I believe Arcady to have been mad — 
 mad for years! She must never know the whole truth." 
 And Serge then pointed feebly upstairs to where Magda 
 awaited Prince Youresief's coming. 
 
 "If Boris Yaroslaw and Father Adrian will convoy me, 
 we will at once get over the frontier, and halt at Lem- 
 berg, till Prince Youresief can telegraph me there! He 
 arrives to-night! I will send him to you to-morrow. 
 
 "Say nothing of the past, and, for the sake of both 
 Vera and Magda, let her bring the old Marechale de No- 
 blesse around ! Remember — I was injured by mere acci- 
 dent — dropping my own loaded revolver! And I will send 
 Olga Cherikoff over to bring you to us, for your adieu! 
 
 "Our whole safety lies in concealing the facts of our 
 double marriage, until the Prince has made us all safe! 
 For, Magda is the bond of an eternal peace between us! 
 You and I and Vera can keep these secrets — forever! 
 
 "Why should the others know? I will keep silence 
 with all my family, — ^you do the same with yours — and, 
 — all will be well ! We must not meet publicly until it is 
 out of General Ratzo's power to unfold the secret history 
 of these strange bridals!" Both the young men were 
 now one in heart and grasped at this means of safety! 
 
 When Ivan Radovich told the whole story to his bril- 
 liant wife — she mused apart, with a thoughtful face! 
 "The best thing that I can do — if Serge and Magda go 
 away — is to take charge of the Bratskoe villa, — fill it up 
 with merrymakers, — ^you can return to Kief, — and, — 
 when Prince Youresief telegraphs to Baron Serge at 
 Lemberg, — then let him telegraph also to you at Kief. 
 
 "For, I have the last act — to arrange — at Saint Peters- 
 burg, — a little surprise! 
 23 
 
354 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "In this way, — the local noblesse, — the Headquarters 
 at Kief, — and the whole of Kherson will look at the end 
 of the feud as being officially directed from Saint Peters- 
 burg. 
 
 "Once that it is thought to be the work of the Czar- 
 then — all will bow!" There was wisdom in the keen- 
 eyed young bride's advice — and — safety, too! 
 
 The young bridegroom marveled at the clear discern- 
 ment of his resolute wife! "You will get a leave of ab- 
 sence — Ivan — and — Olga Cherikoflf will watch over these 
 estates, while you come with me to my own little nest, 
 my petit pied a terre, — near Bobrinetz ! The Youresiefs 
 will entertain us — and — so — our marriage will be gaily 
 lancee." The whole future seemed to be gleaming in 
 gold and rose color to them now ! 
 
 That nighty when Prince Youresief led Doctor Boris 
 Yaroslaw across the threshold of Khaminavatka, he was 
 astounded to be met by the pacid-faced Xenia in her 
 peasant garb. 
 
 The blue head handkerchief, — the white linen blouse, 
 with its crimson embroidered yoke and blue cuffs, — the 
 village-made apron of gaudy dize, her blue serge petti- 
 coat, — the rich sash, — the earrings beloved in Little Rus- 
 sia, — and the chain of gilt beads, with the pendant cross, 
 were classic in serfdom. 
 
 "If the Barin will follow me" — she murmured, — as 
 she dropped her eyes under his piercing gaze. "A falling 
 off here" — growled the astonished Prince. "I do believe 
 that this old rathole is haunted ! Nothing happens here, 
 but, some new devilish surprise!" And — with a gloomy 
 face, he followed his surgical friend until Anna Ivanowna, 
 — demure in her black silken gown and proud of her 
 silver key chain, showed them to their rooms. 
 
 Prince Gregory, an old philosopher, wondered at the 
 apparent abasement of the peasant Queen of Khamina- 
 vatka, and secretly contemplated Anna Ivanowna's rosy 
 cheeks! "It is the same, — all the world over" — he 
 sighed. "The mantle of Elisha is fallen upon Elijah!" 
 
 But, he was wary, — while Dr. Boris Yaroslaw was 
 busied at the bedside of the wounded noble with his def- 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 355 
 
 erential professional brother, — the Police Surgeon of 
 Bratskoe. 
 
 For — the impassive Nicolas Boursakoff, in attendance 
 upon the Marechale de Noblesse, — simply rehearsed the 
 story of the accident to his master — and — so — prepared 
 the old Prince for the arrival of Father Adrian! "We 
 feared the wound might be mortal" — said the Intendant 
 — "and so, sent an express for our Barin's beloved 
 friend, who came to us at Easter 1" 
 
 "Has Madame Federofif been sent for?" demanded the 
 old veteran. 
 
 "No! Barin!" hastily said the Intendant. "It was 
 Barin Serge's first wish that she should not be alarmed!" 
 
 "Something rotten in the State of Denmark!" growled 
 the Prince, as Boursakofif, uneasy at heart, fled away to 
 prepare to receive the welcome priest, for a courier had 
 dashed up, announcing Father Adrian's expected arrival 
 in three hours! 
 
 "What news?" demanded Youresief, as he stalked into 
 the library, where Doctor Boris now awaited him. "A 
 splendid constitution, — rallying marvelously, — an ugly, 
 plowing bullet wound — must have been fired at short 
 range," soliloquized the Surgeon — "and, — really, — our 
 local brother has done very well! He'll be right as a 
 trivet, soon, — but — bless me, — go up, — he asks for you!" 
 
 Then — unconscious of his betrayal of his patient,— 
 Doctor Boris Yaroslaw followed the blushing Anna 
 Ivanowna to where a dinner of choice awaited him. 
 
 "I wonder" — mused Youresief — as he mounted the 
 stair, led by Xenia, with downcast eyes — "if there was a 
 quarrel over this comely bit of deviltry — or, — did she 
 herself give him a touch of the tiger claw! The younger 
 girl seems to be now en reine — however, — here goes!" 
 The Doctor had seen many a queer social tableau from 
 his pillar of professional isolation! 
 
 The old noble's resentment faded away at the sight of 
 Serge Dumont's pale face! "Come close to me, — Greg- 
 ory" — the young man murmured. "I have much to tell 
 you, — before Father Adrian comes — for — you alone must 
 know, — you only, — save Adrian! To-morrow night, I 
 must be on my way over the frontier!" 
 
356 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 "Are you mad — Serge?" cried the astounded Mare- 
 chale de Noblesse! "Is it a duel? Have you killed " 
 
 "No one!" feebly said Serge! "Listen! For, — on you, 
 — now hangs the fate of two families, — the old enmity 
 must be buried forever — and — you alone— can be the 
 peacemaker! It is not the Radovichs — it is the dread 
 resentment of the Czar— that I fear!" And, then Serge 
 unbosomed himself in peace. 
 
 Gregory Youresief's wrinkled face was marked by a 
 stern pallor as he was unwillingly dragged away by the 
 two surgeons, and escorted to the dining-room, — an 
 hour later! 
 
 "See here, Boris" — said the Prince. "You know I 
 must see him again, — ^to-night!" 
 
 "Be reasonable!" rephed the Surgeon. "He will see 
 this meddling priest, — he swears! Take a good dinner, 
 — a long sleep, — and, — at ten to-morrow, — you can have 
 him for an hour! You do not want to throw him back 
 into a fever!" 
 
 And so, the old noble submitted to the ministrations of 
 Xenia, who waited alone upon him at the table! 
 
 In vain, when the feast was done, he tried to take her 
 hand and thank her for her noble devotion! "I am 
 going to set it all right! 
 
 "The Barin has told me everything! You are a pride 
 of our people, — a true-hearted Russian girl!" 
 
 "I serve the Barin honestly," she faltered — and then, 
 fled away to the protection of the now restored Lady of 
 Khaminavatka ! 
 
 The old Prince that night walked the south terrace 
 alone for hours, lingering over his Partaga — and cu- 
 riously eyeing the mansion across the Dying Water. 
 
 There — the second floor was still illuminated! 
 
 "I would give ten thousand roubles," he mused, 
 knocking the ash off his cigar, "to know just how much 
 of this — is that pretty little tiger cat's work — my friend 
 Vera, — over there ! If there is no meddling, — I may be 
 able to save them, — but — there is this old fool, — the 
 Minister of War! 
 
 "This snap marriage will surely make him a secret 
 enemy — bitter — implacable, — untiring. 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 357 
 
 "And — the two Radovichs — they will, of course, re- 
 fuse their consent! 
 
 "I must use the heaviest pressure! We will see! .We 
 will see! I shall let the Priest Adrian alone! I must 
 know nothing — but, — they should certainly get out of 
 Russia, — until, — I have clipped the claws of these two 
 Petersburg wolves! 
 
 "And — so, — the Princess Vera has snared young Ivan! 
 General Andre will try to crush them — for, — he is left to 
 dance the pas seul! Ah! I will ride over and see the 
 young witch, to-morrow morning! She can help me, — 
 she must, — for I can help her, — if she dances to my 
 music! What a sly little devil it is! At the last, — she 
 is a Kherson grandee, — after all! The reward of con- 
 scious virtue!" 
 
 While Prince Youresief sought counsel of the stars 
 as to his course in the long and delicate negotiations 
 suddenly thrust upon him, he was only concerned with 
 arranging a plan of action which should forever end 
 the warfare along the Dying Water! 
 
 "The favor of the Czar, I may reasonably hope for," 
 he soliloquized, "with a skillful presentment of white lies, 
 — and Father Adrian's secret aid — I must never break 
 in upon the Priest's secret! It is for him to handle the 
 Metropolitan of Russia! There is the Minister of War 
 also to be placated, — but, for General Radovich, — the 
 Baron Alexandre, — and Madame Lih, the reckless, — 
 only force or fear will do the work there! And how" — 
 there, he was left in a quandary! 
 
 Suddenly Xenia, even more handsome in her peasant 
 garb, proudly worn, — than the borrowed finery of her 
 months of glory, stood before him. "Barin! The 
 Father Adrian waits for you, at supper! He bids me 
 ask you to join him!" "I have it!" cried the Prince. 
 "This woman's face has given me the clue! Anton's 
 little story will do the business!" 
 
 He stayed the woman with a courteous wave of his 
 hand. "How many children have you?" he graciously 
 3.skcd 
 
 "Two boys,— Barin!" she curtsied. "I shall steal one 
 
358 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 of them from you, Xenia," he said kindly, "and make 
 him a man! If Barin Serge will spare me one, — he shall 
 be educated at Kharkov, and then he can ride over here 
 from Bobrinetz and see his brother, — when he is my 
 Intendant! You have earned it!" 
 
 It was a singular duel of cordial greetings and hollow 
 ignoring of the excitable events, between the silver- 
 haired noble and the dark-eyed sturdy young Priest! 
 Doctor Boris Yaroslaw, an excellent trencherman, sup- 
 plied the necessary negative element. 
 
 With a cordial bonhomie, the Prince learned of Father 
 Adrian's intention to escort Baron Serge Dumont to the 
 frontier! 
 
 "I have permitted it," gravely said Doctor Yaro- 
 slaw. "There is an excellent nurse here, — a nun, — ^and, 
 — I shall myself go as far as Unghein, with them," re- 
 marked the Surgeon! Both the men on whom Serge's 
 salvation now depended ignored the presence of the hid- 
 den beauty, who had walked the dim shades of the Park, 
 — the silent galleries, and the battlemented roof, for the 
 last time, as the White Lady. 
 
 "Then, I am free to return to Bobrinetz — to-morrow — 
 Doctor?" said the Prince with a meaning glance. 
 
 "Precisely so !" merrily said Yaroslaw, "Father Adrian 
 and I will later return together — and, — he has already 
 promised to drop me at Bobrinetz." 
 
 "Where,— you will be my wife's guest, — for a week!" 
 heartily cried Gregory Youresief. "For, though I am 
 going on to Petersburg — my wife and my old comrade 
 in arms here, — will do the honors!" 
 
 There was a grateful flash in Father Adrian's eyes, as 
 he noted the exquisite courtesy of the Marechale de No- 
 blesse in not trenching upon the hidden mystery. There 
 was much yet to do, — danger breakers still ahead! 
 
 For, even with Serge's hopeful views, — with the soft 
 enchantment of Magda's eyes, — Father Adrian knew the 
 dangers before them all! One malignant whisper — and 
 — the terrible hand of the Czar might crush them all! 
 For his own innocent double dealing he had no remorse. 
 
 "To save their lives!" he murmured. "I can atone, — 
 by fasting and prayer!" And, — then — with the breath 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 359 
 
 of the opening roses stealing in at the opened windows, 
 the dormant man in his nature, awakened to recall a 
 dead lost love of olden days, — a love which had drifted 
 him finally into the gloomy walls of the church, — a man 
 whose heart was rightly framed for life and love, — for 
 joys nearer than these, beyond the shadowy gates of 
 Death. 
 
 Silence, peace and security wrapped the strangely as- 
 sorted household in this long night of many far-fetched 
 plans of daring audacity, — and, — awake at early dawn, — 
 after a walk among the dew-gemmed flowers — Prince 
 Gregory Youresief was ready for his last day's duties! 
 
 He burned to be on that long road to the Neva before 
 rumor could reach the dangerous enemies now awaiting 
 some news of Arcady Radovich's final destination! 
 
 But, serenely confident in Ivan's dashing nerve, — the 
 brothers, now in the full tide of success, never dreamed 
 of Arcady 's mad inroad upon the dangerous steppes, 
 where the police even now looked for his sneaking return. 
 And — they knew not that his dangerous specter had 
 vanished forever from the eyes of men! 
 
 When Xenia led Prince Youresief in to Serge Du- 
 mont's room, — after the Doctor's had finished their 
 morning conclave, — Serge turned to the faithful woman 
 who had guarded his hidden treasure. "Bring her here, 
 — Xenia," he murmured. "For, — the Prince is going — 
 and, — we must thank our kind friend, together!" 
 
 The two men had concluded their brief conclave as 
 the pale White Rose glided into the sick chamber. 
 
 "I heed all my strength — Magda darling," feebly said 
 Serge — "for our long journey, which begins to-night ! 
 
 "Thank Prince Youresief, who goes to gain us the 
 liberty of our lives, — the right to live and love here, — on 
 the Dying Water ! He knows all ! If the Czar pardons 
 us, — it will be his noble work — and, — with him rests, — 
 our exile for life — or — our happiness, — the peace and 
 prosperity of Ivan and the Princess Vera, — the end of 
 the bitterly drawn out Kherson vendetta!" 
 
 The gentle girl held out her trembling hands — and — 
 laid her tired head on the old man's breast, as he kissed 
 her brow! "Fear nothing, my dear child! Cleave to 
 
360 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 him, be silent, — write nothing, — until you hear from me, 
 — and — I will only demand one thing on your return! 
 Bring back roses on your cheeks^ — for, it is the time of 
 roses, with both of you ! 
 
 "Trust me in all, — the Czar is merciful — and, — God is 
 good! You shall hear all soon at Lemberg! I never 
 was defeated yet" — said the gallant old General — "and, — 
 this is the fight of my life." 
 
 He stole away then — and left the lovers together — 
 their happy eyes busy with love's language, — as the fair 
 girl leaned over the man whose life was now mingled 
 with her own. A sweet and touching picture — the 
 White Lady of Khaminavatka — and her wounded lord! 
 
 With solemn state^ — Nicolas Boursakofif conducted the 
 Prince Youresief to the lonely mansion on the Dying 
 Water, where the Princess Vera Radovich now awaited 
 him in a singular unrest. 
 
 It was a matter of trying diplomacy for the old vet- 
 eran to appear casually unconcerned, as the radiant 
 young schemer advanced to meet him, in the drawing 
 room where Lili Radovich had reigned before her. 
 
 But, Major Ivan, with a cordial bonhomie, accepted 
 the Prince's congratulations and — then effaced himself. 
 
 "I will make but a brief stay, Baron Ivan," said the 
 Prince, — "as I leave for Saint Petersburg, this evening — 
 and^ — so I may charge myself with Madame's commis- 
 sions." 
 
 The young husband disappeared, — on hospitable 
 thoughts intent, — while Youresief drew the happy Vera 
 to a sofa! "You madcap!" he gravely said! "Tell me, 
 — what shall I do — or not do — for you, at Saint Peters- 
 burg! We must be brief! You well know what I go 
 for, — and — your woman wit may aid me!" 
 
 In half an hour, — the Marechale de Noblesse rose. 
 "You are a wonder, — a witch ! I see the rift in the cloud 
 now! And, — I > count on you to ensure the absolute 
 silence of the whole countryside here now! 
 
 "When I have tamed the General and the Baron, — 
 the latter can rejoin his wife for a season abroad, — Gen- 
 eral Andre can come down here to Bratskoe." 
 
 "And, — I shall be your neighbor. Prince," she crjed 
 
The white lady of khaminavatka. 361 
 
 gaily. "For my honeymoon near you in my petit 
 pied a terre!" "I do trust you, Vera" — said the Prince — 
 "and, if you are true to us in this juncture, — Ivan's in- 
 terests shall not suffer! I will telegraph him to Kief, — 
 and — you must remain here and at Bratskoe till I am 
 done! But, — never mention the name of Serge and 
 Magda — until we all meet in happier times!" 
 
 When he had kissed her fair hands — she timidly 
 handed him a letter. "You will deliver this, — the last, — 
 for Ivan's sake!" 
 
 She fled away with a crimsoning face — as the startled 
 Prince received her last communication to the Minister 
 of War. "You will know what to do — what to say! 
 Prince" — heartily cried Ivan, as the veteran stepped into 
 his carriage. 
 
 "I shall stand by Serge and Magda now — to the end!" 
 
 "Go over there before sunset and say 'good bye' — 
 Ivan," replied the Prince — "for, I leave at four — and 
 they must soon be over the border. They leave to- 
 night!" he whispered. "For God's sake, let no one 
 know — not even — the wonderful Vera!" 
 
 It was three weeks later when Prince Gregory Youre- 
 sief sat facing General Radovich and the wandering- 
 eyed Baron Alexandre, in a private room, in the Min- 
 istry of War at Saint Petersburg. 
 
 His telegrams from Lemberg and Bratskoe had as- 
 sured him of the perfect success of every part of the plan 
 of quiet escape. 
 
 And — Baroness Magda Dumont had telegraphed to 
 Father Adrian, now in Saint Petersburg, her happy news 
 of Serge's wonderful progress toward health. 
 
 It was in the stronghold of his friend and fellow cam- 
 paigner of the old days that the wily Marechale de No- 
 blesse had called up the two secretly quaking brothers, 
 who feared their plans of gold grabbing had miscarried! 
 
 With the powerful influence of the Minister of War, — 
 with the secret knowledge that Father Adrian had pro- 
 pitiated the Metropolitan of Russia, — it only needed the 
 formal written consent of Baron Alexandre Radovich to 
 obtain the priceless permission of the Czar to unite the 
 
3^2 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 two warring families in the marriage which should bury 
 forever the old blood feud! 
 
 At Tsarskoe Zeloe, the veteran Prince had already- 
 been graciously received by his august sovereigns. 
 
 Already an audience was arranged, where the Metro- 
 politan, with Father Adrian in attendance, would sup- 
 port the personal request of the Marechale de Noblesse 
 who waited but for the one sealed paper, to telegraph to 
 Lemberg, — and, — upon a public marriage there, — then 
 the Lord and Lady of Khaminavatka were free to seek 
 the enchanting shores of Sorrento, — ^the vista of their 
 happy dreams! 
 
 Both the brothers had furtively watched Prince Youre- 
 sief's arrival and mysterious activity with secret misgiv- 
 ings, — and — they dreaded his unexampled influence with 
 the Minister of War — ^the man whose single frown could 
 effect their financial ruin! For, they feared the stopping 
 of the Pactolean golden flood! 
 
 It was with a stern, unmoved countenance that Prince 
 Youresief related the artfully prepared story of Arcady's 
 murderous sally upon Khaminavatka, — of Ivan's partici- 
 pation, — and, — of the astounding discovery in the palace 
 of the steppes! 
 
 "Tricked, — by God!" shouted Baron Alexandre! 
 "She shall die in a nunnery, — locked in four walls!" 
 
 "And I — go to the Emperor — to demand the instant 
 arrest of this cowardly scoundrel," pitilessly cried Gen- 
 eral Andre. 
 
 "You know the penalty for the abduction of a Maid of 
 Honor! It is high treason! He shall forfeit his estate, 
 — and drag his life out in chains ! At last, — the power of 
 the Dumonts is broken!" 
 
 And both the cowards turned instantly into bullies, as 
 they sprang up to repair to the Ministry of Police. 
 
 With a menacing gesture — Prince Gregory Youresief 
 threw himself before the door! 
 
 "Hold! Madmen!" he sternly said! "First, both your 
 daughter and the man whom she will marry are now 
 safely out of Russia ! You will sign this formal consent 
 to the marriage, — Baron Alexandre! For, both Ivan 
 and Madame Cherikoff join their prayers to my wishes! 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 3^3 
 
 They alone know all!" "I will die first!" shouted the 
 vindictive father. 
 
 "Both of you, may" — pitilessly exclaimed Prince 
 Youresief. "I have here my carriage! We will go to- 
 gether to the Minister of Police! 
 
 "I was about to deposit with him the sealed full con- 
 fession of Anton Antonovitch, station keeper, which di- 
 vulges the whole details of Baron Pierre Dumont's mur- 
 der — effected by Arcady, under your orders, — partly paid 
 for by both of you — and, — of which the Excellence Serge 
 Dumont is, as yet, ignorant! 
 
 "While we wait for the carriage to come up, — I will 
 go in to the Minister and leave him also General Ratzo's 
 report upon your spoliations of the Czar under your ex- 
 isting contracts! One of your thriving Jew associates 
 has made a clean breast of the whole affair — and — nat- 
 urally — it will ruin Major Ivan!" 
 
 There was a choking sound as Alexandre Radovich 
 whirled around — and, fell into a chair, purpling in the 
 face. 
 
 "Only a fit. General" — said the agnostic Youresief. 
 "T will see the Minister of War — and send in a surgeon! 
 Loosen his collar!" 
 
 But, as Prince Youresief reached the door, — General 
 Radovich, a tottering, shivering wreck, clutched at his 
 sleeve! 
 
 "Stay — stay — for God's sake! We will do anything! 
 Anything you ask!" For, the stricken Baron has recov- 
 ered his self-control and, feebly pleading, waved his 
 hands in abject supplication! 
 
 Then, Gregory Youresief silently locked the door and, 
 springing to Baron Alexandre's side, held out the paper, 
 his flashing eyes piercing the wretch's thin mask of re- 
 pentance. 
 
 "Ah! I see! A bully one minute, — a coward, — ^the 
 next! Your blameless child has saved your life! 
 
 "I will keep your fearful secret, — for the dead can not 
 be brought back ! I would not embitter Serge Dumont's 
 happy married life ! I learned this whole damnable story 
 but a few days ago, — after my arrival here ! 
 
 "You both deserve the full measure of justice! Li§- 
 
364 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 ten! I exact that you, Alexandre, leave Russia, and 
 live at Ulitza, — with the Baroness Lili. 
 
 "You can make any arrangements with Ivan you wish 
 as to the income of your estate, but, — it must be given 
 over to Ivan, — at once, — in full ownership. 
 
 "And — this wretch shall furnish you the means to live, 
 — and give up his contracts, placing the benefits to accrue 
 yet, in Ivan's name ! I shall see that neither of you ever 
 get another contract! 
 
 "And — for you, Andre Radovich, — I leave you un- 
 shamed, in your place — on your oath that you will never 
 practice against Serge Dumont in your life, — that you 
 leave the Bratskoe estate to Magda Dumont, the wife of 
 Excellence Serge, — your victim's brother — and, — the 
 man who writhes to-day under Ivan's bullet ! I will hold 
 these two documents — and — so — I know what honor will 
 not do, — fear and force will! Do you swear^ Andre?" 
 
 "I do," muttered the humbled noble! "Then, kiss the 
 cross," cried the irate old patrician — ^taking off his Saint 
 George ! 
 
 "Now, sir! Sign," sternly said Youresief, as he laid 
 the paper down before Alexandre. When the signature 
 was affixed, the old Prince carefully folded up the paper. 
 "I will see you here, in two days,-^at the same time! 
 
 "In the mean time, know that these two papers, sealed 
 with my crest — will always be in the keeping of the Min- 
 ister of War! I give you two days to prepare the papers 
 — and, give them to me, here! It would do you no good 
 to try to assassinate me! So, — spare yourself the 
 trouble!" 
 
 "For God's sake!" pleaded General Andre — "destroy 
 them ! Think of the ruin to our family if they should be 
 discovered!" 
 
 "I will prevent that!" coolly said the Marechale de 
 Noblesse. "When the Excellence Baron Serge Du- 
 mont brings his wife home, — after their two years' wed- 
 ding tour, — the sealed papers, deposited here in the Im- 
 perial Bank, for her — shall be delivered over to her hus- 
 band to lie here unopened, just as long as my assassina- 
 tion, or his, does not finish out your record! 
 
 "For, you have made murder a trade — down in the 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 365 
 
 Kherson, — and, now you are paying the price! You are 
 safe, — for Magda's sweet sake, — the innocent child whom 
 you would have used as a bait for your damnable 
 schemes ! 
 
 "I have clipped your claws now! I fear you not! 
 And — remember, my silence depends only on your im- 
 plicit obedience! You — ^Alexandre will leave here by 
 Eydtkunen and not return to the Kherson! Ivan will 
 attend to your family business! 
 
 "As for you — Andre — I will have need of you — ^and 
 for the sake, of the cloth you wear, — I spare you public 
 shame! 
 
 "The Minister of War will have a family communica- 
 tion for you — after we meet here again! Until then, — 
 do not approach him ! If you do, — I am absolved from 
 all my pledges — and, will not delay your punishment!" 
 
 The old patrician stalked out of the room without turn- 
 ing his head— and — as he disappeared in the Minister's 
 office, the. frightened wretches fled away! 
 
 It was half an hour before the letter which Prince 
 Youresief had handed to the Minister of War was finally 
 folded up and hidden in the old functionary's bosom. 
 "You return to Bobrinetz, my dear Gregory?" said the 
 Minister, trembling with a secret rage, — for he had 
 slowly digested the letter in which Princess Vera Rado- 
 vich, with much finesse, had conveyed to her beloved 
 Numa Pompilius, — her reminder of his promise to make 
 Major Ivan Radovich a Colonel. 
 
 "I do, in two days! my dear colleague!" said Youre- 
 sief, marveling at the great official's marked trepidation! 
 
 "I will send a brief letter to the lovely bride, — in your 
 strict personal care, Gregory!" drily said the Minister. 
 "It appears that Princess Vera Orbeleff has married that 
 young Hotspur, — Ivan Radovich! 
 
 "It is a signal feat of diplomacy on her part, and — it 
 deserves my passing notice! She modestly asks him to 
 be named a Colonel, on the staff of the Grand Duke 
 Michael at Moscow! I shall promote him — to please her 
 — at once!" growled the old man, — who had seen his 
 Egeria flit away forever from his ashen, wintry life! 
 
 "There is an excellent place to be filled — at once" — he 
 
366 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 grimly said — "the Governorship of Tomsk,— i» Siberia! 
 And, — it carries much distinction, — the rank of Colonel, 
 — active duties, — and, — it will keep them both out of 
 Russia, — for four years! 
 
 "I shall at once send to Kief the order relieving 
 Colonel Radovich — and — you may say to him, — that the 
 sooner he reports at Tomsk — the better, — for his future 
 prospects ! I shall give you the commission, instructions 
 and all the papers — when we meet at dinner ! 
 
 "You go to the Palace, I presume?" "At once, — 
 Your Excellency," said Prince Youresief, — as he fled 
 away from the presence of the lonely old man — now piti- 
 able in his vain wrath, — as he sat there, — among the 
 ruins of his Castle in Spain. For, even his gilded age 
 had been vanquished by the young officer's rosy youth 
 and Vera's keen duplicity ! 
 
 Before the sun sank far out in the pale chilly Gulf of 
 Finland, — Gregory Youresief held in his hand the Czar's 
 permission for the marriage of Serge Dumont, the Manor 
 Lord of Khaminavatka, with the Baroness Magda Rado- 
 vich of Kherson. 
 
 The seal of the Emperor's Private Cabinet once upon 
 the document, — the old Prince drove like a young wooer 
 to the Minister of War's residence — ^where Father Adrian 
 eagerly awaited him. 
 
 "You have telegraphed?" demanded the noble priest, 
 his eyes lighting up with a strange emotion! "Yes! my 
 friend! Both to Lemberg and to Kief! The warfare 
 of three generations is over at last!" 
 
 "Then," — cried Father Adrian, "I have found a way to 
 atone for my breach of faith to my order. I will take a 
 double speed post carriage, to-night! And — you can 
 give me this document! For, I will meet our pilgrims of 
 Love, at Lemberg ! 
 
 "There, — in the Russian chapel, — I myself will openly 
 marry them ! These papers and certificates shall be filed 
 by me at Kharkov — and — so, — the question of the first 
 informal marriage can never be raised!" 
 
 "It is well," cried the Prince — "and I will hasten your 
 departure! For an Imperial Podrovjna shall send you 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 367 
 
 on as a courier of the Czar with lightning speed! Re- 
 main, and dine here ! 
 
 "The horses shall come here for you, — and I will speed 
 you, on your way! 
 
 It was under the northern starlight that the young 
 priest began the journey which made the timid fugitive, 
 — the Lady of Khaminavatka, before the whole world! 
 
 On his way, he often thought of Prince Youresief's 
 last message, as he handed him a superb pearl necklace 
 for the dove-eyed bride. 
 
 "They say pearls bring tears — my friend! These will 
 not!" 
 
 Prince Youresief's four splendid horses chafed before 
 the door of the Ministry of War — two days later, as, clad 
 in his traveling garb, — he received the full papers de- 
 manded from the cringing brothers who trembled now 
 at his slightest wish! 
 
 "I go back to the Kherson," he said. "Baron Alex- 
 andre, — the Minister of War knows that you leave here 
 to-night for an indefinite stay! 
 
 "Do not disappoint him! It might work you harm! 
 And — I exact, for Colonel Ivan's sake, — that you live 
 peaceably with your wife and — thus spare him and his 
 bride. Princess Vera Orbeleflf — any future scandal ! 
 
 "The Minister of War has just promoted Ivan to the 
 rank of Colonel and Governor of Tomsk, — in Western 
 Siberia! 
 
 "As I bear his orders — neither of you will see him, — 
 for his post awaits him! 
 
 "He has orders for an instant departure! And so — 
 General Andre, you had better come back to Bratskoe 
 and take charge of both estates! 
 
 "All you have to do is to remit to Ivan his money! 
 The Minister is now waiting for you!" 
 
 As Youresief departed, he could see in General Andre's 
 trembling lip — ^that the bolt had struck home! 
 
 "The Princess Vera, — the head of the Radovich clan!" 
 And so, the curtain of his little life drama was rung down 
 at last, by his nephew's hand! 
 
 While Youresief drove away, facing his long ride to 
 Bobrinetz, the two men who had been the dupes of the 
 
 24 
 
368 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 vivacious Princess Orbeleff gazed at each other in a 
 gloomy silence, — until the Minister of War, in an icy 
 tone, informed them of the change in the young Colonel's 
 status. 
 
 "You will both execute your agreement with Prince 
 Youresief, — in every way" — said the Minister, when he 
 had concluded some pithy remarks! "I shall know of it! 
 It is not necessary for you to return here to see me 1 If 
 I need you, — I will find you! 
 
 "You — General Radovich, hasten down to Bratskoe — 
 and see Colonel Ivan instantly dispatched for his new 
 station! If he lingers — he will lose his rank — and, — 
 you, — also!" 
 
 By a singular conceit, Prince Youresief determined to 
 await the return of Father Adrian at Khaminavatka, — 
 and so, he was both travel worn and weary — as he dashed 
 into the courtyard of the deserted Palace on the Steppes! 
 
 Two weeks and a half had glided by on the road, and 
 now, in the six weeks of his absence, — the witching sum- 
 mer was folding her golden tents over the steppe, — the 
 murmuring stream sang through the leafy park, and the 
 voice of the nightingale thrilled once more the trembling 
 depths of the flower-scented forests, where Magda Du- 
 mont's light foot had sought the side of her lover! 
 
 The Prince's first duty was to send stout Boursakofif 
 with the carriage on the full run to Bratskoe to bring 
 Madame la Princesse Vera Radovich to receive an im- 
 portant secret communication! 
 
 Her piquant face lit up with a mocking curiosity as the 
 dashing married beauty tore open the letter of her venge- 
 ful admirer who swayed the doors of the temple of 
 Janus. 
 
 "A delightful surprise!" she bravely cried. "Ivan will 
 be made a General, on our return! Thanks for this good 
 news, — mon Prince, — for the Minister of War has kept 
 his word — Ivan is a Colonel, — and — distance lends en- 
 chantment — when I see the epaulettes of a General 
 gleaming out there waiting for my brave Ivan!" 
 
 Touched at the gallant woman's devotion to her young 
 lover, — the Prince told her of Ivan's new station as head 
 
THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 369 
 
 of the family, — ^the reversion of Bratskoe, — and — the in- 
 come of the Dying Water domain ! 
 
 "You are a good fairy in epaulettes! Mon Prince!" 
 cried Vera, — as she impulsively kissed him. "And — 
 when we — you and I — have had a last stolen dinner here, 
 — I will send a courier for my Colonel ! 
 
 "We will be half way to Nijni Novgovod on our road, 
 — before General Andre arrives!" 
 
 In her heart — the dauntless little woman feared that 
 one face, alone, of all the world, — the man who had been 
 her cruelest dupe. 
 
 "The first lady of the Kherson !"-^she proudly cried, 
 as she drove gaily home in the starlight ! And — the tow- 
 ering little falcon saw many glittering honors awaiting 
 her in the future. 
 
 But, — there was another who challenged that proud 
 title. It was but a few days when Father Adrian brought 
 to Prince Youresief the news of the completed happi- 
 ness of the Lord and Lady of Khaminavatka ! 
 ■ "We go to Florence," wrote the happy Serge. "Al- 
 ready my dear Kherson nightingale has regained her 
 voice, — and^ — to you we owe what our whole lives can 
 not repay — a debt of eternal gratitude ! 
 
 "If there can be found a painter who can place a living 
 happiness on canvas, — you shall have the face of the 
 White Lady of Khaminavatka, to cheer your lonely 
 hours. 
 
 "Send all letters to us, at the Russian Embassy, in 
 Vienna, — where we will have our passports vised for the 
 ■ Italian tour! Do not look for our return until we have 
 found that Italy has lost its charm, — and, that even by 
 the throbbing Bay of Naples, — the heart can turn fondly 
 back to the beloved steppe ! 
 
 "And, — to you — Xenia now confides her eldest boy — a 
 trust of her honest heart! 
 
 "She has been forced to become a fine lady — again — 
 even against her iron will, — for the costume of the 
 Ukraine is perforce laid aside, until we all gather again 
 by the Dying Water!- She is a Barina — in spite of her- 
 self!" 
 
 Prince Youresief learned of the success of Father 
 
 24 
 
370 THE WHITE LADY OF KHAMINAVATKA. 
 
 Adrian's delicate embassy when he triumphantly dragged 
 away his captive guest to the hospitable halls of Bo- 
 brinetz. "I must now learn from you-^my dear Prince" 
 — said the happy priest — "all the whole untold secrets of 
 the unhappy past, — for to Excellence Barbe Federofi I 
 must now go with Serge's letters and, as far as in me lies, 
 show to her how Love, stronger than hate, led these 
 ardent hearts from hostile ground, across the Dying 
 Water to mingle in a union which has buried forever the 
 ancient vendetta of the Kherson ! 
 
 "Baron Serge has entrusted me with his full confi- 
 dence, and Captain Wassili FederoflE will find a golden 
 future awaiting him! 
 
 "It is w-elU" cried the gallant old Marechale de No- 
 blesse. "The spell is broken! The dark ban of the 
 past is lifted ! 
 
 "For, — a loving woman's tender eyes have brought a 
 new light to that lonely palace of the steppes. 
 
 "Let me fill your glass, while we drink one toast! You 
 were a soldier once — ^before you took up the cross of 
 the church! The Lady of Khaminavatka, — gentle and 
 true! God bless and keep her!" The eyes of both were 
 moist with a sudden tenderness. 
 
 "Amen!" said Father Adrian, — as he thought, — with a 
 faithful and loving memory of the one woman who had 
 made his own life, once, a Heaven on earth, — the one 
 beloved, — never absent, — the gentle guardian angel who 
 even yet — across the darkened years, ruled the lonely 
 altar of his loyal and unswerving heart. 
 
 THE END. 
 
By George Eliot. 
 
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