San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-10

see him regulate the movements Of the
"Siberienne" with the delicate sounds of his
pocket violin, interrupted during certain
steps the time for which he beat himself
supplying in these intervals with his voice
the missing music of the instrument
On such occasions he assumed the noble
attitudes Of the old French school, which
had reached him by one knew not what ira
ditions; then, suddenly, shaking himself,
loosening his joints and twisting himself, he
mingled the free and easy movements Of
the balls of the barrieres Of Paris with the
classic rigidity of the dances of the old-time
court.
Yegor finally obtained, to his great Joy,
permission to hunt with the governors
guns. He had bought, secretly, at Irk.
outsk, at the moment Of his departure, q
double-barreled carabine and pair of re-
volvers; but these weapons remained care
fully hidden.
The chase would give him an opportunity
to study the region. He made many excrr-
sions during the winter, and was even &C.
companied, once or twice, by Mile. Agrafe-
ma, with few Cossacks as escort.
He sometimes quilted the town with a
sledge drawn by horses, and remained away
three days, in order to accustom the COVER.
nor to prolonged absences.
Yegor was treated with affability by the
governor and all his family. Notwithstand.
ing, he never took Nadege to the govern.
ment palace. He asserted that the young
girl suffered from weakness to justify her
seclusion.
One spring morning, Yegor, at an early
hour, had started with his sledge over the
softened snow. Driving himself, he was
proceeding, as fast as two good horses Of
the country could 60, along the great west
ern highway, when he met another sledge
in which was traveller carefully enveloped
in furs, in whom Yegor thought he recog.
nized the man of the whip Of the Oukboul
mine, the corporal whom he had struck and
defed. Such meeting in this spot was
passably strange! What strengthened veg.
or in his supposition, almost inadmissible,
however, was an involuntary movement he
surprised. He could not doubt that this
man was the Russian, Yermac.
1t was he, in fact. Yegor knew it with
certainty that very day.
Yermac had been relieved of his VOW of
expiration and humiliation. The governor of
western Siberia, when he learned the mo-
tives for the resignation of the Ipravsnik of
Nertchinsk and was informed of his en-
trance into the service of the mines, resolved
to induce the honest functionary to recon-
slider his determination. He fell 30 work
and succeeded in overcoming his obstinate
resistance and excessive scruples. At last,
Yermac yielded; but he made a condition,
namely that he should leave the district.
General k gave him letter Of recon.
mendation to the governor Of Yakoutsk and
enabled him to go to him.
On the day succeeding this meeting, Yeg.
or saw the ex-guard enter the governors Of.
fee. An instant afterwards, the latter
summoned his secretary.
Monsieur Semenoff," said me, ''this is
our new chief Of police, M. Yermac; aid
him in taking possession Of his post. M.
Yermac, however, has been long in the ad.
ministration and has no apprenticeship to
undergo"
The governor noticed the constrained air
of the two men, the smiles of irony upon
their lips, and their strange glances.
perhaps you know each other alreadyl"
said he.
"Your Excellency is not deceived" re-
piled the new chief Of police. Monsieur
seems greatly surprised to see me again
here"
"After having left you with those con-
victs at Oukboul; yes, L admit it." said
Yegor.
"Ah very well. 1 see how it isl" ex-
claimed the governor.
But" resumed Yermac, ~ beg Mon
sieur to believe that the chief of police of
Yakoutsk has left at the bottom of the mine
the remembrance of the sometimes rigorous
relations of the Ouhboul guard with the con-
victs placed under his surveillance" And he
added, with emphasis: 81 never remember
but one thing-the strict accomplishment of
my duty"
81 extend to you my compliments, Mon
sieur," answered Yegor, land regret that
the somewhat naughty fashion in which you
have spoken forbids me to thank you person
ally"
Every well, Messieurs, very WELL" inter
rupted the governor, who feared that the
words exchanged might become bitter.
"You will have leisure to renew your &C
quaintance under different and, above all,
better conditions"
These words cut short a sort Of presenta-
ton deprived of all cordially.
Yegor saw in the presence Of the former
corporal of the mines another obstacle to hi
projects.
"This Yermac," thought he, cannot have
completely forgotten the affront put upon
him. Should he find occasion to avenge him
self while executing his duty, he will seize
upon it; he is an attentive observer capable
of making an excellent police bloodhound.
He will watch me closely"