Romance of Port Arthur.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8178, 10 August 1906, Page 4

Romance of Port Arthur.

Day after day passed in drear; monotony la tar away Port Arthur. It was winter, leal Siberian winter, which almost made the blood Irene in your reins, and many a sentry had already been found frozen dead oil his post In the barracks in the great fort on top of til* Oolden Hill a roaring fire was crackling in the big fireplace and around the fire were ■aatad a dozen officers in the uniform of the Giar. Two of them wore the dark blue uniform of the nary, while the others were high offioers in command of the garrison of the fortreea. The conversation vaa lagging, a heavy baling of central uneasiness was in the air; no an« knew why Admiral Alexieff, the allpowerfol representative of the Czar, had tailed the oouncii this evening. If he wanted to speak to hij officers of the plans of defence why had be not called them to the Viceregal Palaoe, instead of meeting them in a simple room in the barracks ? " The Viceroy is lata to-night," (aid Colonel Sergiui PusiakoS, a giant of six feet font, with an enormous moustache; " the Osar's ooarieT arrived hen two hours ago, tnd Altxieß'i adjutant told me that he looked wry serious ai be read the despatches. lam afraid that tbere is grave tronble ahead." "Lieutenant VorouzaS, of torpedo boat No. 37, says that on his cruise outside the port to-day he noticed that the Japs were unusually active, and that all their ships are stripped (or actionsaid Captain Wroblewsky of the Czar's battleship Betvizan, " but let them come; we will show them the shortest way to the bottom of the sea ; then we shall lee if those yellow mongrels can swim as well as they can brag." Heavy footsteps were heard outside, a clanking of sabres and spurs, and in the open door appeared the broad-shouldered figure of the Czar's Viceroy, followed by his personal stall. » The officers in the room jnmped to their (eet, a dozen hands shot to the caps in silent salute, whicb was gtavely responded to by Admiral Alexieff. •' Officers of the Czar,"Tie said in a deep, solemn voice, and his usually genial, benevolent face wore an expression of the deepest concern, " I have chosen to meet you here instead of in my own house, because Japanese spies have succeeded in gaining entrance thereto. Tiro of my Chinese cooks were found to be Japanese soldiers. \"o one can see any difference between these iiungoli.ms. The utmost carefulness is necessary lest the enemy may find oat our deepest secrets and war may break oat at any minute. The Japanese squadron is at oar very doors, mid it is important that every precaution be taken to prevent them from getting any knowledge of oar plans. For tbis reason all unnecessary signalling between our ships and forts must cease, and all flirtations must also cense. Too, Lieutenant Beretinsky are, I understand, betrothed to a Japanese young lady in this township. You mast forget her, sir. In abort, every oftcer must remain at his post, vhetber tbis Le in the forts or on board the ships, aod a close watch must be kept on the movement* of the Japanese squadron. These are the Czar's orders, and they must be obeyed." A few more detailed orders were given by the viceroy, and then the council of war was dismissed. The two natal officers donned their heavy eoats and started toward the port, where a launch was waiting to take them aboard the Betvizan. 11 1 really do not think lean keep my promise to yoa, Sascha ; you heard the Czar's order, and if yoo were found in the city after midnight it might cost both oar lives. You bad better come with me now." "Yoaare my captain, Wladimir, and of eoorse if yoa order me to do so I shall have to obey; but yoa know how much I am betrothed to little Takami, and hot? faithful she is to Russia. She says she hates her own countrymen, the Japs, as much as she io\cs me. It would be cruel to leave her witnout saying good-bye. Let me see her to bid her adieu, and the launch can wait for m- at the point, where no one will ever think of looking for it—l shall be careful.*' Captain Wladimir Wriblewsky a;«d the four years younger Lieutenant Sascha Beretinsky, had been chums ever since lie cay *hen they first met at the naval academy, doth were loyal patriotic officers, ready to shed their last drop of blood for Russ : a and (he Czar, but while the captain, wl> > was poor, had never had eyes for anything but his military duties, Lieutenant Beteiinsky was the mos>t reckless of fellows. Bti; Wroblewsky loved him as a brother, and had »:e : pe<l him out of many a scrip?. Nor could he this night resist his pleadings, and with i he saw his tail, manly figure disappear in the darkness, then he hurried to the *juay, md the swift Ihunch carried him to the gangway of the Ketvizan. Lieutenant Beretinsky picked his way through a number of narrow streets. Mever once looking behind him, and therefce n::t noticing that he was being followed, lie stopped in front of a littie cottage, knocked three times softly on the window, the door was opened and a beautiful Japanese girl clad in the nreltiest of kimonas rushed into his arms. 9 "Ob, So-chfoka, my love, I thought you would never coir'.*. Why did you'not come early, as yon promised ? " 44 My darling, I came as early as I could, and even now I cannot stay, bat I could not leave you without saying good-bye." 44 Oil. Sascbinka, has the war broken out and must you go out to meet those terrible countrymen of mine ? They will kill you, I know it, they are as ioxes, and do not ! fight like men in the opon." I 44 Do not be afraid, Takami, dear, them is no war yet, and we will have tostay on board, but w.hat of yo:i, my promised wife ? " 44 What do I matter? But yo;;r ship is outside the forts, and those cruel torpedo boats may blow yoti up in the night when it is dark." ,4 Who cares for those miserable little boats? Our searchlights will find them cut miles away, and if tl ««y do not give the signals, one shot from one of our smallest puns send them to the bottom of the sea." 44 80t S.;schinka, dear, they have spies sverywhere, and I am sure they know your secret signals. Why, even poor little I know the two short and one long flash and a blue light." 14 Ha, ha. Takami, there you are mistaken; the signal is ';ae long, one short and one long flash and a 1- ieand red light, and no one knows about it, the signals were changed yesterday. Thero, now, you have a state secret to keep, and when we cannot see one another any more yoa may watch the ships from your window, and if your countrymen come, as I hope they will, you shall see some fun. But nor yoa most 9ing to me, and we will have a glass of tea." "Sa chinka, my heart is so heavy with fear, and I shall I do not see your face any more, bat I will sing to you to make yoa feel happy and forget the sadness of parting." She sang as Beretinsky had never heard ber before, and the minates flew until tho time had come when he dared stay no longer. With a sigh he rose, buckled on his sword and with a little cry the girl fell into his arms. 11 Mast you really go ? It breaks ray heart, ami I fear we may never meet again. I know you want me to be brave as you arc, but I can do nothing but cry and look toward your •hip when you have gone, and pray for you, •ter. Goai bye, my big, brave darling—

but no, let me go with you I I can dress ai a boy and no one ivill know me. Just wait a moment, anil I will follow you to the quay." She was back again, dressed as a Chinese boy, her long black hair braided into a queue, and together they left the bouse. 9 Near the water front they purled, but when Beretinsky bad disappeared sho did not turn back. Instead she ran through tne streets, past the grim-looking forts, down to a little bay outside the Oolden Hill. In a little clump of trees close to the water she stopped and looked carefully around. No one was near, only far away could be seen the dim light of the campfire of a Cossack outpost. She gave the shrill cry of a water bird and repeated it twice. Then she listened. A sound came aa of muffled oars, then a soft, stealthy footfall, and a Japanese ensign stood before her. " The 6ignal," he whispered in her native tongue; " hare you got the secret signal ? " " One long, one short, and one long flash and a blue and red light—but be off with you in a hurry lest I repent. I feel as if I had Bold my soul." The ensign had gone almost before the words were spoken, and sobbing she sank down at the foot of a tree. The bitter cold roused her to action, and she turned back toward the city. She was near the foot of the Oolden Hill when a rough hand was laid upon her. "So you are out looking for secrets, • a harsh voice said," I have been watching you all night and you are my prisoner now." With a cry of fear she turned to run toward the shore, but leaving part of her dress in the hand of her captor, then suddenly she (topped. The secret signal flashed through the air, a moment all was quiet, and then terrific explosions rent the air, followed by the roar of ofßco surrounded by his staff, his face pale and his eyes bloodshot. Facing him stood Captain Wroblewsky and his young lieutenant. " Captain Wroblewsky, yon arc guilty oJ grave misconduct and disobedience of orders, and I shall so report you lo the Czar. As for you, lieutenant, you are guilty of high treason, which has cost us the loss of our best ships. The penalty is death—have you anything to say ? " " Your Excellency is mistaken. I swear by St. Andrew " "Do not swear, Alexander Beretinsky, your guilt is clear. Bring the woman in," he ordered the guard. Pale and trembling Takami was carried into the room. Beretinsky lojked at her as in a dream. " I confess," he pr. id, "agninst my will I have sinned against liussia and the Czar, and deserve death " " And die you shall," said AlexiHT, snatching a heavy revolver from his belt, and sent a bullet crashing through the young officer's brain. Without a sound he sank to the (loor. A piercing cry rang out: Takami tore herself loose from the guard, grabbed his drawn sword and, pointing it toward her heart, threw herself npon it. The paint came out below her left shoulder blade as she fell across the body of the dead lieutenant. By Viooo Toeh'er, in the S.F. Examiner.