Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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fi Beverly "~ "T; want to talk about last night. Yo ?were very reckless to do what yo ?id." *Oh, yon were playing the sp: then?" she asked scornfully. "An involuntary observer, believe m --end a jealous one. I had hoped t ?win the affections of an innocent gir *Ti- v. - saw last night shocked me b< yond expression." "Well, you shouldn't. ?ave looked, ehe retorted, tossing her chin, and th red feather in her hat hobbed angrily. "I am surprised that one as cleve as you are could have carried on a ?nour so incautiously," he said blandly **What do you mean?" "I mean that I saw everything ths Recurred." *WelI, Tm not ashamed of it," obst ?lately. "Goodby, Count Marlanx." "One moment, please. I cannot Ic yon off so easily. What right had yo to take that man into your room, place sacred in the palace of Grat stark? Answer me, Miss Calhoun." Beverly drew back in horror and bc Wfiderment "Into my room?" she gasped. "Let us waste no time in subtei fuge. I saw him come :!rom your wii dow, and I sawal! thatj>assed betwee: you^ih lie "balcony: Tove's "eyes ar keen. What occurred in your ehambe I can only" "Stop!" How dare you say such ; ding to me?" she fiercely cried. **Yo miserable coward! You know he wa not In my room. Take it back-tak "buck every word of that lie!" Sh was white with passion, cold with ter xor. ""Bah! This is childish. I am no the only one who saw him, my deai Ee was in your room-you were in hi arms. Ifs useless to deny it And K tiiink that I have spared him fron ?c-aih to have it come to this! . Yoi ji^ed no: look so horrified. Your se *c:-et is safe with me. I come to mak< '?enns with you. My silence Sn ex xSange for your beauty. It's worth I to you. One word from me, you an -disgraced sod Baldos dies. Conte, urj t s tr : 5dy, give me your promise. Itt JL good L^.rgain for both." Beverly vas trembling like a leaf "This phase of his villainy bad not oe caxred to her. She was like a bird try fc:g to a^old tile charmed eye of thc serpent. "C'a. vcr*-yon miserable wretchr ste cried, hoarse with anger and de ?pair. "What a cur you are! Yon lmow you are not speaking the truth. . How can you say such things to mei ? have never wronged you"- She was almost in tears, impotent with shame and fear. "It has been a pretty game of love ?or you and the excellent Baldos. You have deceived those who love you best and trust you most What will the princess say when she hears of last night's nierry^escapade? What will -she say when she learns who was host? ess to a common guardsman at the midnight hour? It Is no wonder that you look terrified. It is for you to say whether she is to know or not You can bind me to silence. You have lost Baldos. Take me and all that I can give you in his stead, and the world never shall know the truth. You love him, I know, and there is but one way to save him. Say the word and he goes free to the hills; decline and his life is not worth a breath of air." "And pretending to believe this of rn?, you still ask me to be your wife. What kind of a man are you?" she de? manded, scarcely able to speak. "My wife?" he said harshly. "Oh, aa You are not the wife of Baldos," be added significantly. ""Heavens!" gasped Beverly, crush? ed by the brutality of it all. "I would sooner die. Would to heaven my fa? ther were here. He would shoot you as he would a dog! Oh, how I loathe y wi! .Don't you try to stop me! I shall go to the princess myself. She shall know what manner of beast you are." She was racing up the steps, flaming with anger and shame. "Remember, I can prove what I have said. Beware what you do. I love you so much that I now ask yon to become my wife. Think well over it Your honor and his life! It rests with you," he cried eagerly, following her to the door. "You disgusting old fool." she hissed, turning upon bim as she pulled the big brass knocker on the door. "I must have my answer tonight or you know what will happen " he snarl? ed, but he felt in his heart that he had lost .throngh his eagerness. fihe flew to Yetive's boudoir, consum? ed by rage and mortification. Between sobs and feminine maledictions she poured the whole story, In all its ugli? ness, into the ears of the princess. "Now, Yeti ve. you have to stand by ' ce in this," announced the narrator conclusively, her eyes learning hope? fully thr?ugh her tears. '*! cannot prevent General Marians from preferring serous charges against Baldos, dear. I know he was not in your room last night. You did not have to tell me that, because I saw both at the balcony rail." Bever 3 face took on such a radiant look of cing that Yeti ve was am; ?ly paid -e surprising" au?. gratifying ac igment of a second period of .^dropping. "You may depend up .. ^ me to protect rou from Marians. ?S* ??I^S?*. ?25&d*?Z&l> ??2?2i-^Z?- ^i^j^SSm. lr He can make lt very unpleasant for Baldos, but be shall pay dearly for this insult to you. He has gone too far." "I don't think he has any proor against Baldos," said Beverly, think? ing only of the guardsman. "But it is so easy td manufacture ev? idence, my dear. The Iron Count ha3 set his heart upon having you, and he is not the man to be turned aside eas? ily." "He seems to think he can get wives as easily as he gets rid of them, I ob? serve. I was going back to Washing? ton soon, Yeti ve, but I'll stay on now j and see this thi?gT?The ??cL^He can't scare a Calhoun; no sir-ee! I'll tele? graph for my brother Dan to come over ; here and punch his head to pieces.*' "Now, now, don't be so high and mighty, dear. Let us see how rational we can be," said the princess gently, whereupon the hot headed girl from Dixie suspended* hostilities and became a very demure young woman. Before long she was confessing timidly, then boldly, that she loved Baldos better than anything in all the world. "I can't help it. Yetive. I know I oughtn't to, but what is there to do when one can't help it? There would be an awful row at home if I married him Of course he hasn't asked me. Maybe he won't In fact, I'm sure he won't I shan't give him a chance. But if he does ask me I'll just keep putting him off. Fve done it before, you know. You see, for a long, long time I fancied be might be a prince, but he isn't at all. Tve had his word for it He's just an Ordinary person, like-like - welL like I am, only he doesn't look so ordinary. Isn't he hand? some, Yetive? And, dear me, be is so impulsive! If he had asked me to jump over the balcony rail with him j last night I believe I would have done ! it Wouldn't that have surprised old Martenr?? Beverly gave a merry laugh. The troubles of the morning seemed to fade away under the warmth o? her humor. Yetive sat back and marveled at the manner in which this blithe young American cast out the "blue devils." , "You must ^ not do anything foolish, Beverly," she cautioned. "Your par? ents would never forgive me if I al? lowed you to marry or even to fall in love with any Tom, Dick or Harry over bera Baldos may be the gallant I honest gentleman we believe him to : be, but he also may be the worst of ad ! venturers. One can never tell, dear. I wish now that I had not humored you in your plan to bring him to the castle. Fm afraid I have done wrong. Yon have seen too mach of him, and oh, welL you will be sensible, won't you, dear?' There was real concern in the face of the princess. Beverly kissed her rapturously. .Dont worry about me, Yetive. I know bow to take care of myself. Wor? ry about your old Gabriel, if you like, but don't bother your head about me," she cried airily. "Now let's talk about the war. Marlanx won't do anything until be hears from me. What's the use worrying?" Nightfall brought General Marlanx in ( from the camps outside the gates. He But her h-nnd teas pointing to ttie door. came direct to the castle and boldly sent word to Beverly that he must speak tojier at once. She promptly an? swered that she did not want to see him and would not. Without a mo? ment's hesitation he appealed for audi? ence with the princess, and it was granted. ne proceeded, with irate coolness, to ask how far she believed herself bound to protect tiie person of Baldos, the guard. Ile understood that she was un? der certa'n obi iga lions ti> Miss Cal? houn, and he wanted to be perfectly sure of his position before taking a step which now seemed imperative. Baldos was a spy in the employ of Dawsbergen. He liad sufficient proof to warrant his arrest and execution; there were dominent* and liiere was positive knowledge that be had con? ferred with strangers from time to time, even within the walls of the cas? tle grounds. Marians cited instances in which Laidos had been seen talking to a strange old man inside the grounds, and professed to have proof that be bau gone so far as to steal away by i night t? meet men beyond the city walls. He was now ready to seize *t guard, but would not do so until had conferred with his sovereign. "Miss Calhoun tells me that you ha made certain proposals to her, Cou Marians," said Yetive coldly, her ey upon his hawkish face. "I have asked he? to be my wii your highness." "You have threatened her, Con: Marlanx." "She has exposed herself to you? would not have told what I saw la night" "Would it interest you to know th I saw everything that passed on tl balcony last night? You will alio me to say, general, that you have h haved in a most outrageous manner approaching my guest with such fe proposals. Stop, sirl She has told r everything, and I believe her. I I lieve my own eyes. There is no ne< to discuss the matter further. Y< have lost the right to be called a ma For the present I have only to say th you shall be relieved of the commai of my army. The man who mak war on women is not fit to serve on As for Baldos, you are at liberty prefer the charges. He shall have fair trial, rest assured." "Your highness, hear me," implon Marlanx, white to the roots of his hai "I will hear what you have to S? when my husband is at my side." "I can but stand condemned, the your highness, without a hearing. 3d vindication will come, however. Wi your permission, I retire to contrii the arrest of this spy. You may depo! me, but you cannot ask me to negle my duty to Graustark. I have tried save him for Miss Calhoun's sake" But her hand was pointing to the doo Ten minutes later Beverly was hea ing everything from the lips of tl princess, and Marlanx was cursing h way toward the barracks, vengean< in his heart But a swift messeng< from the castle reached the guardroo: ahead of him. Colonel Quinnox wi reading an official note from the pru cess when Marlanx strode angrily in1 the room. "Bring this fellow Baldos to m Colonel Quinnox," he said, withot greeting. *T regret to" say that I have but th instant received a message from hi highness commanding me to send hil to the castle," said Quinnox, with smile. "The devil! What foolishness 1 this?' snarled the Iron Count "Have a care, sir," said Quinnox stif ly. "It is of the princess you speak." "Bah! I am here to order the man' arrest It is more important than" "Nevertheless, sir, he goes to the cai tie first This note says I am to dil regard any command you may giv until further notice." Marlanx fell back amazed and stur ned. At this juncture Baldos enter? the room. Quinnox handed him an er velope, telling him that it was fror the princess and that he was to repai at once to the castle. Baldos glance at the handwriting, and his face lit u] proudly. ?T am ready to go, sir," he said, pass lng the Iron Count with a most discos oerting smile on his face. CHAPTER XXIII. ? HLDOS started off at once fo |i the castle, his heart singing 1 In the darkness of the nigh i he kissed the message whici had come to him from "her highness.' The envelope had been closed with tia official seal of Yetive, princess ol Graustark, and was sacred to the eye* of any one save the man to whom Ii was directed. The words it containec were burned deep In his brain: You are ordered to report for duty ii the castle. Come at once. Her hlghnesj has sent an official command to Colone Quinnox. Count Marlanx has been here You are not expected to desert until yoi have seen me. There is an undergrouni passage somewhere. B. Baldos went alone and swiftly. The note to Colonel Quinnox had been im? perative. He was to serve as an innei g jard until further orders. 4 Some one it was reported, had tried to enter Miss Calhoun's room from the outside dur? ing the rainstorm of the previous night and a special guard was to be station? ed near the door. All of this was un? known to Baldos, but he did not ask for any explanations. . He was halfway to the castle when the sharp report of a gun startled him. A bullet whizzed close to his ear! Baldos broke into a crouching run, but did not change his course. He knew that the shot was intended for him and that its mission was to prevent him from reaching the castle. The attend? ants at the castle door admitted him, panting and excited, and be was taken immediately to the enchanted boudoir of the princess, which but few men were fortunate enough to enter. There were three women in th : room. "I am here to report, your highness," said he, Ixy&ing v,v. h?f0re the real princess, with a smi'e upon his flushed face. "You are prompt" said the prin? cess. "What have you co report, sir?" "That an attempt has just been made to kiil a member of the castle guard," he coolly answered. "Impossible!" "I am quite certain of it, your high? ness. The bullet almost clipped my ?3ar." "Good heavens:" gasped the listen? ers. Then they eagerly plied him with more agitated questions than he could answer. "And did you not pursue the wretch?" cried the princess. "No, your highness. I was command? ed to report to you at once. Only the success of the Assassin could have made me-well, hesitate," said h^ calmly. "A soldier has but to obey." "Do you think there was a deliber? ate attempt to kill you?" asked the Countess Dagmar. Beverly Calhoun was dumb with consternation. "I ca ?mot say, madame. Possibly it was an accidental discharge. One should not make accusations unsup? ported.. If you have no immediate need of my services, your highr. will ask you to graut me leave sence for half au hour. I have culiar longing to investigate." was a determined gleam In his ej "No, no!" cried Beverly. "Don dare to go out there again. Tc to stay right here in the cast!? We have something else for you It was that awful old Marians shot at you. He" "I left General Marlanx in O Qulnnox's quarters, Miss Calhorn terposed Baldos grimly. "He i uot have fired the shot For ti i three nights, your highness, I been followed and dogged with hi j ating persistence by two men we I the uniforms of castle guards. ! do not sleep at the barracks, ? ask what I have done to be subn to such treatment?" There w trace of poorly concealed indign ? in his voice. I "I assure you that this is ne\ me," said Yetive in amazement. "I am being watched as if I wi common thief," he went on b< "These men are not your agents; are not the agents of Graustark. I be permitted to say that they spies set upon me by a man whc an object in disgracing me? Who man is I leave to your royal co: ture." "Marlanx?" "Yes, your highness. He bears i deadly grudge and yet he f aars m know full well that he and his ac have built a strong case against They are almost ready to close in i me, and they will have false evid so craftily prepared that even my est friends may doubt my loyalt you and to the cause I serve. Be God, I have been true to my oath. '. loyal to Graustark. It was a s day when I left the valley and" "Oh," cried Beverly piteously, "cl say that!" "Alas, Miss Calhoun, it is true," he sadly. "I am penned up here wi I cannot fight back. Treason is against me. But, beyond all thi have permitted my loyalty to mis: my ambition. I have aspired to sc thing I can cherish, but never poss Better that I never should have tai of the unattainable than io have cup withdrawn Just as its sweeti begins to i?toxIcate.,, He stood before them, pale with s pressed emotion. The women of Gi stark looked involuntarily at Beve who' sat cold and voiceless, staring the face of the guard. She knew w he meant; she knew that sometb was expected-?? her. ~A wor?~from and he would understand that be ) not tasted of the unattainable. In brief moment she saw that she had liberately led him on, that she had couraged him, that she actually 1 proffered him the cup from which had begun to sip the bitterness. Pi and love were waging a conflict in t hapless southern glrFs heart But i was silent She could not say word *T think I know wha.: you mean, E dos," said Yetive, seeing that Beve would not Intervene. "We are soi No one trusts to your honor more ti I do. My husband believes in you. will confess that you are to be arres* as a spy tomorrow. Tonight you i to serve as a guard in the castle. Tl should prove to you that I have \ bounded faith In you. Moreover, 11 heve in you to the extent that I shot not be afraid to trust you if you wc to go out into the world with eve Beeret which we possess. You cai here under a peculiar stress of c cum stances, not wholly of your OT volition. Believe me, I am yo friend." "I shall revere your highness forev for those words," said he simply. B eyes went hungrily to Beverly's ave] ed face and then assumed a earele gleam which Indicated that he had i signed himself to the inevitable. "I am constrained to ask you oi question, sir," went on the princes "You are not the common goat hunt? you assume. Will you tell me in co: fidence who you really are?' The ot ers held their breath. He hesitated f< a moment "Will it suffice if I say that I am a unfortunate friend . and advocate ( Prince Dantan? I have risked ever: thing for his sake, and I fear I ha-v lost everything. I have failed to be c service to him, but through no fault c mine. Fate has been against me." "You are Christo?ial!" cried Dagma eagerly. He gave her a startled glance, bu offered no denial. Beverly's face wa a study. If he were Christobal, the: what of the game warden's daughter? "We shall question you no further,' said Yetive. "You enlisted to serv< Miss Calhoun. It is for ber to com mand you while you are here. Maj God be with you to the end. Miss Cal noun, will you tell him what his du ties are for tonight? Come, my dear." Yetive and Dagmar walked slowlj from the room, leaving Beverly and her guard alone. "I am at your service, Miss Calhoun,'1 he said easily. His apparent indiffer? ence stung her Into womanly revolt. "I was a fool last night" she said ab? ruptly. j "No; I was the fool. I have been the fool from the beginning. You shall not blsme yourself, for I do not blame you. It has i>een a sweet comedy, a summer pastime. Forget what I may have said to you last night forget what my eyes may have said for weeks and weeks." .T shall never forget," she said. "You deserve the l>est In the world. Would that I could give it to you. You have braved many dangers for my sake. I shall not forget. Po you know that we wore watched last night?" "Watched?" he cried incredulously. "Oh, fool that I arr.: I might have known. And I haye subjected yon io to-don't tell mo that harsh things have been said to y<>^ Miss Calhoun!" He was deeply disturbed. "General Marians saw you. He has threatened rae, Raidos" "I will kill him! What-do I care for | the consequences? He shall pay dearly | for? "Stop! -"Where are you going? Y are to remain here, sir, and take ye commands from me. I don't want y to kill him. They'd hang yon, or son thing just as bad. He's going to punished, never fear!" Baldos smil in spite of his dismay. It was imp? sfble to face this confident champ? in peencoate without catching her ( thusiasm. "What have you done wj -with that rose?" she asked sudden flushing and diffident Her eyes gi tened with embarrassment "It lies next my heart. I love it" said bravely. "I think I'll command you to reta it to me," vaguely. "A command to be disobeyed. It in exchange for my feather," he smil confidently. '".Well, of course, if you are going be mean about- Now, let me see," s said confusedly, "what are your dutj for tonight? You are to stand gua in the corridor. Once in awhile you w go out upon the balcony and take look. You see, I am afraid of sor one. Oh, Baldos, what's the use of i trifling like this? You are to esca from Edelweiss tonight That is t whole plan-the whole idea in a ni shelL Don't look like that Don't y< want to go?" Now she was tremblii with excitement. "I do not want to leave you," : cried eagerly. "It would be coward] Marlanx would understand that y< gave aid and sanction. You would left to face the charges he would mal Don't you see, Beverly? You would 1 implicated; you would be accuse Why did you not let me kill him? N I will not go!" Neither noticed ti name by which ne had called her. "But I insist!" she cried weak! "You must go away from me. I command you to" "Is it because you want to drive n out of your life forever?' he deman ed, sudden undemanding coming him. "Don't put it that way," she mu mured, "Is it because you care for me th you want me to go?" he insisted, drav lng near. "Is it because you fear tl love I bear for you?** "Lovel You dont really- Stoj Remember where you are, sir! Ye must not go on with it, Baldos. Don come a step nearer. Do go ton ?gb It is for the best I have been awfull wicked in letting it run on as it ba Forgive me; please forgive me," sh pleaded. He drew back, pale and hur A great dignity settled upon his faa His dark eyes crushed her with the: quiet scorn, *T understand, Miss Calhoun. Th play is over. You will find the luckies vagabond a gentleman, after all. Yo ask me to desert the cause I servi That is enough. I shall go tonight** The girl was near to surrender. Ha it not been for the persistent fear tba her proud old father might suffer fror her willfulness, she would have threw: down the barrier and risked every thin, in the choice. Her heart was ervin; out hungrily for the love of this u?. mysterious soldier of fortune. "It is best,*' she murmured fmalft Later on she was to know the meanini of the peculiar smile he gave her. "I go because yon dismiss me, no beeause I fear an enemy. If yoi choose to remember me at all, be jus enough to believe that I am not J shameless coward,** "You are brave and true and good and I am a miserable, deceitful WTetch,' she lamented. "Yon will seek Bavo? and the others?" "Yes; they are my friends. Thej love my poverty. And now, may i' please your highness, when am I to g< forth, and in what garb? I should n< longer wear the honest uniform of ? Graustark guard." "Leave it to me. Everything shall Ix arranged. You will be discreet? Nc one is to know that I am your" "Rest assured, Miss Calhoun. I have a close mouth." And be smiled con? temptuously, j, "I agree with you," said she regret? fully. "You know how to hold your tongue." He laughed harshly. "Foi once in a way will you answer a ques? tion ?' "I will not promise." "You say that you are Dantan^ friend. Is it true that he is to marry the daughter of the Duke of Matz, Countess Iolanda?" "It has been so reported." . . "Is she beautiful?" "Yes; exceedingly." "But is he to marry her?" she insist? ed, she knew not why. "How should I know, your high cess?" "If you call me 'your highness* again I'll despise you!" she flared miserably. "Another question: Is it true that the young Duke Christobnl fled beeause his father objected to his marriage .with a gMme warden's daughter?' "I have never heard so," with a touch of hauteur. "Does he know that the girl is dead?" she asked cruelly. Baldos did not an? swer for a long time. . He stared at her steadily, his eyes expressing no emo? tion from which she could judge him. "I think he is ignorant of that ca? lamity, Miss Calhoun," he said. "With your permission I shall withdraw. There is nothing to be gained by de? lay." It was such a palpable affront that she shrank within herself and , Could have cried. Without answering, she .walked un? steadily to the wind?w a~hd T?oked out into the night. A mist came into her eyes. For many minutes she remained ! there, striving to regain control of her emotions. All this time she know that I he was standing just where sae had left him, like a statue, awaiting her command. At last s-ie faced him reso lutely "You will receive instructions as to your duries here from the guard at the stairs. When you hear the ball clock strike the hour of 2 in the morn? ing go into the chapel, but do not let a?>y one_see you *r suspect JLOU know where it is. The. door will be un-7 locked." "Am I not to see you again ?" he ask*> ed, and she did not think him properly depressed. "Yes," she answered after a pause that seemed like an eternity, and he! went quietly, silently away. fw> SS OOSORJSDL] COTTON BELT FOR HARRIMAX. He is Said to Have Wrested Control .. of the Road From the Goulds. Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 18.-That E. H. Harriman has ousted Mr. Gould, and obtained control of the 1,451 miles of the Cotton Belt system is the statement of an official of the system, who arrived at Memphis today from Pine Bluff, the Arkansos headquarters of the Cotton Belt. This official says that the news went direct from New York to Pine Bluff Sunday night. The statement gains credit from the known fact that Mr. Gould has not owned a controlling interest in the system, but has influenced enoug.: stock to give him, with his own hold? ings, 52 per cent. This outside stock, hitherto favoring Gould, is now, ac? cording to the official quoted, at Har riman's back. The reported acquisition gives the Harriman roads an air line from Chi? cago and St. Louis to Galveston, ope? rating over the Illinois Central via Cairo and connecting there by trans? fer across the Mississippi river and also by the new bridge at Thebes, 111., to the Cotton Belt. Mr. Harriman will be in a position to make thu gs exceedingly. interesting for the Texas lines of the Goulds, likewise, a= tv'-~ Cotton Belt system has an important business at Fort Worth, with valuable connections reaching far away to the northwest, and he can make a bid for freight for the Gulf and the south? west that has heretofore been han? dled via Houston and via El Paso by the Gould lines, to say nothing of sea? going and Mexican freights.. The report has credit in local rail? road circles and has an importont bearing for Memphis on the question whether the Goulds will still allow the 60-mile trackage agreement hith? erto existing for Cotton Belt trains over the Iron Mountain to Fair Oaks, Ark. Should the Iron Mountain re? fuse to continue this arrongement, it is probable that the Cotton Belt may run in and out over the Rock Island via Brinkley, Ark., an even shorters route. BUCKET SHOP BROKER GUILTY. First Conviction Under Georgia's Boylon Law Takes Place at At? lanta. Atlanto, Ga,, Feb. 10.-The first test in the courts of the Boykin anti bucket shop law resulted today in a conviction. The defendant, C. N. An? derson, was found guilty by the jury after 15 minutes' deliberation, of a violation of the law passed by the last legislature, and also of keeping a gaming house. Judge Roan,- of the superior court imposed a fine of $1, 000. The attorneys for the defence announced that an appeal will be taken to the supreme court of the State, and pending the decision of th? higher court the cases against other defendants will be postponed. AMBASSADOR BRYCE ARRIVES. England's Xew Representative JDands at Xew York. New York, Feb. 21.-England's' new ambassador, Hon. James Bryce, accompanied by Mrs. Bryce, arrived today. The large crowd at the pier lifted their hats to the newly arrived diplomat as he landed. $50,000 A YEAR FOR BRYCE. The embassy at Washington is now the best paid post in the British dip? lomatic service, the salary of the ambassador having been raised with the appointment of James Bryce to $50,000 a year. Paris, up to the present, has been considered the best post in the ser? vice. It pays only $45,000. Washing? ton has heretofore ranked with St.. Petersburg in' the matter of salary, but the great importance attached to the post by the British government was first evidenced by the appoint? ment of Mr. Brice, a cabinet minister,, and is now shown in the large aug? mentation of the pay attached there? to. Mr. Bryce also receives $10,000 to pay the expenses of installing him? self in the embassy. THE RUSSIAN ELECTIOXS. St Petersburg, Feb. 20.-The elec? tion for the Duoma were completed today. Government circles are stu? pefied at the unexpected success of the extremists. The social Democrats and the radical press are exultant. There is more talk of massacres to force a declaration of mn nial law, and postpone the assembling of the new duoma. - Fl '? IW i- ' CENTRAL AMERICAN WAR. Managua, Nicaraugua, Feb. 20. A renewal of hostilities between Hon? duras and Nicaraugua troops is mo? mentarily expected. Honduras has been thc aggressor.