Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-04
CHAPTER III.

"The straits are closedi The straits are
closed" was the cry which rang through the
streets of Port Clarence two days later, for the
hardening Of the ice foes into a solid field is
quite an event in that region. Traders begin
their preparations to transfer their pelts across
to the opposite shore and troops of natives
come and go on swift snow shoes. exchanging
pelts for tobacco and spirits which reach the
eastern coast from the store houses of Si.ka.
Girards atelier could no longer be called the
rolling studio. for it glided along almost noiss-
lessly over the ice fields. The fair Virginie
waved her friends and admirers last adieu
from the balcony of the studio and tears be-
dewed the eyes of mother and daughter as the
assembled crowd cent mp cheer after cheer.
Both Grard and Pechkotf understood the use
OF snow shoes and moved of with ease and
CELEBRITY, but the colonel in attempting to fol-
low them without first accustomlng himself to
the novel foot gear went down most ignomini-
ously.
Yirginie, in spite Of her mothers reproof,
laughed heartily at her suitor's downfall but
Pechkof made haste to assist his rival to his
feet and to instruct him in the science Of loco
motion on snow shoes.
Whose tracks are these. Pechkoff?" asked
the colonel. pointing to foo. prints in the
freshly fallen snow.
Secret service agents Of the Russian gov
ernment," replied Pechkotf significantly.
After tramp OF six hours Col Rivers was
glad to call a halt and retire to the salon of
Girards studio for rest and refreshment and
chat with the fascinating Virginie, whose
spirits seemed proof against the cold and
cheerlessness OF endless ice fields, wrapped an
they were in the gloom of a sunless day.
To speak plainly. my friends" said Pech-
kof, who had in former years made this Jour
ney across the straits, II don't like the idea of
this rise In the temperatures; we must press on
without halt until We reach one OF the several
points Of rock in the middle of the straits. Its
our only safety"
Cesar Girard felt shiver fit through bis
breast as his ear caught these words 1t was
not fear, for Girard was brave man: it was a
paDg of remorse upon the realization OF the
ing the lives OF his wife and daughter to such
needless danger.
But just then virginie's musical laugh rang
out loud and clear above the roar Of the blast
which was sweeping over the ice fields and
Girard took heart
1t, he murmured to himself as he turned TO
reprove virginie for leaving the studio and join.
ing him in the toilsome tramp over the ice
Col. Rivers and Pechkoh were delighted To
have the maiden as a travelling companion and
each bid fair to exhaust his store of 6atterv in
enameratng Nirginie's wonderful qualities.
Again the air WAS filled with skurrying snov
fakes twisted, whiried and blown into fantastic
shapes. IL was bad sign and meant = still
further rise Of temperature.
PechkoGs trained ear now caught the faint
peculiar cracking sound of ice fields breaking
mp, and again he drew near to Girsrd and
hlvsTs ana urged them 70 greater speed
on her fathers arm, II hear dogs bsrkinrr'
"rou are our good angel, MsdsmoissllS vir.
ginie," cried PechkofH, joyously, and have nre-
claimed eur safety. "1aey are not dogs which