Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-23

point in the direction of the hut. keeping at
a distance Of about a hundred yards from
the coast. He Immediately thought that
they were pursued, and called the Partisan
to impart to him his fears. The latter. after
having put on his forehead, nose and ears
all the pieces of fur he could gather, finally
quilted the hut.
He thought, on seeing the flaming sky
that his friend had summoned him withou
to enjoy this spectacle yet new to both O
them, and uttered an exclamation.
"Hush!" said Yegor. land glance at those
people who are advancing towards Us in
Marta"
The bowling of the dogs had, at first, pre-
vented NJ. Laf1eur from hearing the scrapins
Of the narta's runners upon the frozen sea
He looked moment in the direction indi
Gated by Yegor.
in any case" said he, ''they are not
numerous-tWo or three at most. If they
have business with Us, they may find people
who can hold their own with them. But
isyen!"s
The marta was near enough for them t.
hear words exchanged between its occu
pants. Upon frozen surfaces sounds may b.
distinctly heard great distance.
II know that voice" cried N. Lafleur-
''And alsol' said Yegor, growing pale.
'May l never again see the Place de Ia
Bastille if it is not the voice of Ladislas!"
Your speak truly, Monsieur Lafeurl
Look! the marta is shaping its course by the
bark of our dogs"
Two minutes afterwards, the little Pole
was in the arms of Yegor and M. Lafeur
All three wept with joy at meeting again
The marta remained with it's driver upon the
surface of the frozen sea.
''With whom are you, my dear child?'
asked Yegor, at last.
with the son Of the chief of police OF
Yakoutsk, who has brought me back to yol
all"
1.-The son of the chief of police?" cried M
Lafeur. in whose ears this title had a dis
agreeable sound.
"He is very ill-wounded Thanks to the
money he possessed, he was able to induce
a rich Tunguse having very handsome rein
deer to bring us hither."
''Yegor, am going to him, said M. LAT
leur, ''While you conduct Ladislas to his
sister. But, be CAREFUL Prepare her a lit
tie for the JOY which awaits her"
M. Lafeur cautiously descended towards
the marta. The sky had much paled. Wher
he was near the travellers:
'Come on" said he; ''wa are youl
friends.''
'And my father" asked Dinnitri, in fee
BILE voice.
"He is over there, with US. More thar
once he has spoken Of you and your fate
torments him."
''Then I shall sec him-before die !" muir
INJURED the wounded man.
Before you die! All! I see-you are
ILL., my friend, very i'll; but we will care
for you Come quickly and warm yourself
at our fire, and tell cur driver to do the
same"
The Tunguse, thus invited, lifted Dimitr
and, with the aid of the Partisan, Yermac's
son succeeded in clearing the distance which
separated the sledge from the hut His
father ran to meet him.
''Father!" said the young man, on per-
ceiving him. 'give me credit for a good
action. 1 have brought you back the child
Yermac clasped Dimitri to his breast; but
he could not avoid making the following OBJ
servation to him:
''For your first good action, you have not
exactly had happy hand"
"IsW is that:n
1.-THE child is the son of exiles-he is in
company with others who are escaping"
Il did not know it, murmured Dimitri.
1.-THE merit Of the action is yours, all the
same" said Yermac. i'The moment I re-
turn this child to them, shall feel myself
completely free from every obligation in re-
gard to them. And I shall owe this very
great satisfaction to you"
Dimitri could not and did not understand
His father saw how weak he was and ask
ed him the reason.
Dimitri answered:
ut happened when I wished to quit my
companions. I was already far from them
bringing the child, in the night, when they
fired upon us. They cOmprehended that
had abandoned them. / was hit by a ball
below the left shoulder. I could not stop tc
care for myself-and that is the reason an
in this sad state"
unfortunate man! You exposed your
self to an aggravation of your conditionar
cried Yermac.
''Then you no longer wish to see me die,
father" said the young man, with a sad
smile. cat least, l have seen you again be-
fore drawing my final BREATH" added he,
'and you will, perhaps, pardon me for all
the pain have caused you!"
"Ahl Dimitri!" cried Yermac, greatly
moved, ''do not talk thus. At this moment
many things are forgotten. But how were
you able to get hereto push your search sc
far?n
1.-THE courage Of the child did everything
AS for me, I felt that Twas dying and did
not wish to lose an hour, in order to redeem
myself in your eyes, to turn from me youl
malediction"
What an affecting scene was this recon
Citation Of father and son in this vast frame
lighted up by the last phase Of the aurora
borealis, in which now the glare of a huge
contlagration was mingled with the soft
shades of early dawnl
That night was finished in the hut amid
the chat of Ladislas and the happy Mad
eye and the confidential talk of Dinlitri
and his father. The Yakoutes feted the
Tunguse.
AT length, Yermac said to Yegor:
''Thanks to my son. am able to restore
you this child whom we all benevea lost,
and who certainly, would have died of want
without Dilaitri Do you not think Sem
enof, that this is something!"
You were our debtor Yermac: I am
row yours" he answered But DO not all
these circumstances cause YOU to reflect!
VIII you not at last, depart from that cruel
attitude towards us which has made us enc
mies?"
LAS to that, it is impossible!"
Eve esteem and hate each other!"
81 have no hatred"
"But l should much prefer hatred, the
blind instrument Of barbarous legislation,
to that infeXibility of character which moth
ing can touch, nothing can convince, and