San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-09
CHAPTER Iv.-pAvIpoFF's DEATH.

CHAPTER Iv.-DAvIDoFF's DEATH.
Yegor had recovered all his energy. Very
easily impressed, like all the Slavonians, he
passed suddenly from one extreme to the
other. Though he had been terribly dis
couraged a few days before, he now felt
himself strong again, ready to struggle furi
ously against fate and resolved to continue
the battle of life to the end.
Without even examining his domicile, he
returned to the street, stopped the first
outsk an exile by the name Of Davidoff.
'Davidoffl"
'The poet, )" added Yegor, quickly.
''Davidoffl the name sounds familiar to
me. But question Issakoff, the innkeeper,
who resides at the extremity of the suburb;
he has good reason to know everybody, for
he gives credit"
81 thank you, said Yegor And he start
ed off rapidly.
The Jew Issakoff informed him that Davi-
dotf and his daughter dwelt in little ham.
let in the environs of the city.
81 am good walker" said Yegor; chow
long will it take me to reach their housed"
Twenty minutes"
But night had come on, and it was difficult
for stranger to find his way. Yegor, there
fore, begged the innkeeper to procure him
guide, as he wished to see Davidoff and his
daughter at once.
"Ah!f you were the bearer of his pardon
you would be doing a good uctionl" cried
Issakoff, tine poor man is not .oug for this
world! The announcement Of his pardon
would give him new life"
Yegor anxiously demanded some explana-
tions in regard TO the condition of the I'M
fortunate exile, but the innkeeper limited
himself to replying in monosyllables
Punishment want such things kill !"
One of Issakoffs sons, who served at the
inn, accompanied Yegor.
At the gate of the city, they informed the
sentinels whittier they were going, and
made their exit without being disturbed.
The sky sparkled with stars. In the
country sleep already reigned. Behind
them, around the sombre walls Of Irkoutsk
the Angara resembled a flow of fused silver
They reached the hamlet, consisting Of q
long street of dilapidated little wooden
houses, the roofs Of which with their broken
gables had the look of fantastic jaws. Here
and there, stray light shone through the
sheets of oiled paper which replaced the
panes Of glass in the windows. There was
not sound. Everywhere the silence of
death. One might have believed himself
in the midst of a cemetery at the hour
when the will-o'-the-wisp dances upon the
tombs.
The innkeeper's son showed Yegor an isbs
of still more melancholy appearance than
any of the rest; he extended his hand for his
drink-money and retraced his steps.
Yegor, with sad heart, stood breathless
and motionless before the door, without dar
ing to knock.
At last, he tapped gently with his stick.
The door opened.
Upon the threshold appeared young girl,
clad in the costume of Siberian peasant;
small corsage held by a crossed strap over
white body with pulled sleeves, and skirt
of red serge.
Yegor sprang towards her.
"Nadeger' cried he; 'do you recognize
me?"
She drew back, frightened; but the sound
of his voice had found such an echo in her
heart that she returned to the young man.
She examined him for an instant, exclaimed
"YegOr!1 and fell into his arms.
Then, taking him by the hand, she led
him into the second apartment of the isba.
in the centre of which was seated, upon q
rough stool, a pale old man, with white
hair and beard, dressed also i'll the costume
of Siberian peasant; a long caftan tied
about the waist with a red sash, and greer
boots.
''Yegor, Yoror Semcnoff !" cried Nadege.
conducting the visitor to tho old man.
YES, father, it is l, said Yegor, embrac-
ing Davidoff.
You! what brings you here!"
YegOr hesitated to reply.
'TBanishment!" said he, finally.
'"He alsO" said the aged poet, as if talking
to himself 'Ahl poor child"
Yegor was forced to tell him in detail OF
his arrest, how he had been sent to the cop
per and verdigris mines of Nertchinsk, and
how, by chance, NJ Nadeicff, the grantee OF
the mines, having need of a secretary, had |
taken him into his service.
Father why do you not look at mo?' said |
Yegor, at last seeing that the old man kept |
his eyes persistently closed.
"Look at youl am blind, my son!" said |
the latter. "But see you all the same, |
herew And he laid his hand upon his |
heart.
They spoke for a long while of their ma
tive land and of the sufferings endured upon |
the soil of exile. Davidoff described to |
Yegor his journey with his daughter, in q
sledge, through the snow, during which |
all their nights were sleepless. 1t was in
of the fatigue then endured that |
his eyes had become weak and he had lost
his sight.
Yegor visited the house of his friends on
the morrow, and every day thereafter.