The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-01-31
CHAPTER XII.
THE NAME OF THE NAN.


He looked at me with an expression |
in his eyes which passed at once from
hopelessness to bewilderment. He
seemed to be uncertain whether it was
a phantom or man he was looking at.
He rose to his feet in dazed, stupefied |
way, and stood face to face with me,
whilst his wretched fellow-prisoners
pressed curiously around us.
"Mr. Vaughan Here! In Siberiar'
he said, as one not believing his own
senses.
II came from England to see you.
This is the prisoner am looking for"
l said, turning to the officer who stood
at my side, mitigating to some extent
the nervousness of the atmosphere by
the cigarette he pulled vigorously.
" / am glad you have found him." he
said politely. Now the sooner we
get outside the better; the air here is
unhealthy"
Unhealthy! 1t was fetid! l was
filled with wonder, as | looked at the
bland French-speaking Captain at my
side, at the state of mind to which a
man must bring himself before he
could calmly stand in the midst of his
fellow-creatures and see such misery
unconcernedly-could even think hr
was but doing his duty. Perhaps he
was. 1t may be the crimes of ths
prisoners forbade sympathy. But, oh!
to stand there in the midst of those
poor wretches, turned for the time into
little more than animals! / NAV be
wrong, but it seems to me that the
jailer must have q harder heart than
the worst of his captives!
81 can see him-talk to him alone?"
l asked.
Certainly; so you are authorized
to do. am a soldier; you in this mat
ter are my superior officer"
MAY | take him to the imp"
81 think not. l will find you room
here. Please follow me. Phew! that
is relief"
We were now outside of the prison
door and breathing fresh air once more.
The Captain led me to kind of office,
dirty and furnished barely enough,
but paradise compared to the scene
we had just quilted.
"Wait here: will send the prisoner
to YOU"
As he turned to leave me, thought
of the miserable, detected appearance
Ceneri had presented. Let him be the
greatest villain in the world, could
not keep from wishing to do some little
thing to benefit him.
Il may give him food and drink"
/ asked.
The Captain shrugged his shoulders
and laughed good-temperedly.
"He ought not to be hungry. He has
the rations which Government says are
sufficient. But then you may BE-
hungry and thirsty. If so, | do net
see how l can stop you sending fQJ
wine and food-of course for yourself. ,
/ thanked him and forthwith dis
patched my guide in quest of the best
wine and meat he could get. Wine,
when ordered by gentleman, means
in Russia but one thing champagne.
At an inn of any standing champagne,
or at least its substitute, wine of the
Don, may be procured. My messenger
soon returned with bottle of the real
beverage and a good supply of cold
meat and white bread. As soon as il
was placed on the rough table, a tall
soldier led in my expected guest.
l placed my chair for Ceneri, into
which he sank YEARLY. AS he did so
l heard the jingle of the irons on his
legs. Then | told my interpreter to
leave us. The soldier, who no doubt
had received his orders, saluted me
gravely and followed his example.
He had somewhat recovered from his
stupefaction, and as he looked at me,
| saw an eager, wistful expression on
his face. Drowning as he was, nc
doubt he caught at the straw of my
unexpected appearance, thinking ii
might assist him to freedom. Perhaps
it was to enjoy moment or two
frightened by the faintest or widest
CLEAN of hope, made him pause before
he spoke to me.
81 have come long, long way to SEE
you DR.. Ceneri," began.
"If the way seemed long to you
what has it been to me? You can re
turn when you like to freedom ant
happiness.
TO BE CONTINUED.