The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-05-06

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They talked of many things, and it
was not until the host had returned from
his care of the beasts that conversation
turned upon the one Objet de virtu, and
the guest inquired the significan ce of the
black stone.
at is Reva's god," said the elder
woman, with an inimical leer and vi
cious emphasis.
at is curiosity" said the host, glanc-
ing angrily at his wife, "and my daughter
here has right to it, since she picked it
up herself last winter in the snow"
at came to me-" said the girl, sui
lenly.
The guest arose and examined the
stone. ga meteorite," he pronounced it,
''and an interesting specimen"
When the host limited, or grOwled
rather, that it was bed time, all retired
to the state bed except Reva. Modesty,
perhaps, but more probably the fact that
the Ambassador took much room, caused
her to determine to keep watch that
night. In the dim freight, the young
American, through his half closed eye
lids, saw her without surprise, for his
vanity had perceived the attraction he
possessed, draw nearer and nearer him,
until at last she was quietly seated by
his side.
So the night waned. When indis-
putable slumber was attested by trio of
snoring, Reva whispered to the stranger,
who rested but did not sleep.
"Wise youth, for you converse, think,
with the stars, and unravel secrets, have
you the willingness 10 help poor girl
much troubled? %
The flashing eyes of the wild beauty,
her confding air, and the evident confes-
sional nature of her appeal aroused the
youths cautiousness as sensibly as his
cordiality.
"If can help you," he said, not alto
gether sympathetically, "with advice,
perhaps shall not be unwilling"
Counsel me, then, kind stranger, how
shall find way to the land native to my
fancy. am not Russian. So is my
father, so likewise is my step-mother,
but not /. am Kirghis. My mother
was 4 slave, taken in skirmish; slave,
also wife. She died in giving me life. l
would gladly, now that comprehend all
things, exchange gifts with her. Every
day feel that / would prefer to be far
distant, for my step-mother is not beloved
by me, and-shall tell you ?-I am be-
trothed to ruffian utterly abhorrent.
Do not now give an answer" she added,
as he bestirred himself responsively,
"but sleep, my stranger, for you are
wearied of your journey; and while
you sleep l will hold your hand and con-
duct you through the dream world.
Then the door will appear to you that
shall open to give freedom to a girl most
unhappy, who would escape"
81 must go on if l die" said the
Ambassador in really irascible tone.
"We must have horses if they are moth
ing more than skeletons. We must have
a driver"
eff he is adeath's-head" said Berne, 'T
agree with you; we shall go on, my
friend, this hour"
At night-fall, after day intolerable
to the Ambassador, day made tolerable
to his companion by the novel beauty,
offspring of mixed races, and the simple
but charming coquetry of the dark eyed
daughter of the desert, the travellers re-
sumed their journey.
All night they glided along over the
shining compact snow, the Ambassador
peacefully somnolent, and his companion
moodily wakeful, vexed by a pair Of
black eyes, "burning yet tender" He
gave himself for night to the delicious
torment of one regretful whim on the
morrow he would arouse himself from
such weakness.
Near daybreak horsemen approached.
Swift riders they were, seven in number,
who seemed making speed with express
intent to waylay the Ambassador, or to
pounce with plunderous force upon the
loaded sledge of tempting luggage that
preceded him.
The aspect of these horsemen as they
rushed into clear view betokened hostility.
The Ambassador, frightened from his
lethargy, and his companion, nervously
alert, prepared to defend themselves. As
their horses were seized, and their driver,
a gigantic fellow, wrapped to his chin in
shee pskins, was unceremoniouly dragged
down from his seat, Berne sprang from
the sledge, and with his forefnger up
on the trigger of his revolver, made
parley.
at is not you that we want" cried
one of the ruffians, who had i'm
mediately dismounted; cit is your
driver"
"Our driver" said the relieved Ambas-
sador, "you are welcome to him, friend,
70 long as you furnish us with another.
Let one of your number take his place
and make off with him in welcome. l
shall be glad to get rid of the lazy dog,
who has slept at his post egregiously, or
we would have been by this time break
fasting in Kazala."
But Berne said, "Give us reason for
this capture. l will not consent to the
kidnapping of an honest man.
"You can not keep him, for he is ours
already" cried the chief of the band
1--WE will prove that" )" answered Berne,
in defiance. "The man has been en-
ployed by us; he is under our protection.
Touch him if you dare"
At this moment the driver, with q
flourish of bravado, began to cast aside
his sheepskins, tossed on the snow one
after another his feecy coverings, and
stood before them slender girl, her head
raised dauntless, her dark eyes flashing,
her lip curled with scorn.
The young American turned pale in
his astonishment. The exclamation died
upon his lips, "Reva T"
"She is mine already" shouted the
ruffian, whom the girl in her confession
had named "utterly abhorrent." He
had snatched from the hand of Berne in
that one moment of surprise and self
forgetfulness the loaded pistol, and flung
it on the snow. Reva sprang forward
and seized the weapon.
T will defend her with my life," cried
Berne, as the stalwart barbarian closed
with him in combat.
But Reva cried, "Hold He has said
the word truly: l belong to him. Take
of thy clutch, Mersniche, from the
stranger. / am thine when my father
gives me. am thine so soon as ! per.
form the task given by my father, and
bring these gentlemen to Kazala."
After some further parley the sledge