Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-05-02

dIC uOI OuhNAlh . A~N r. .
hunger. l know what it is to
want food, for the gaunt wolf has
long been gnawing at my vltuals'
Yes, I must do it, KartiDa, or you
and our children Will starve.
"Good.bye, old rOck,' he cried
in anguish, STOPPING and kissing
the cold, unresponsive stone, "you
have witnessed my happiness in
the past-you now witness my
misery. 1t was on you sat that
beautiful spring morning a dozen
years ago, when all nature smiled
and 1 told Katrina OF my love.
You saw us folded IN each others
arms, our hearts beating in unison
How happy | was tben-how mis-
erable | am now! My God this
is terrible, to be compelled to leave
forever all | love ~
After a few minutes of uncOr'
trolIabIe grief he removed all traces
of his tears and strode rapidly
down the road.
He begged a morsel or two OF
bread from serfs along the road
and, when night settled over the
valley, crawled into a hedge and
from sheer exhaustion soon fell
asleep. The sun was peering over
the Ural mountains before he
awoke. Stiff and sore, he rose and
painfully wended his way toward
the great iron works.
The sun had crossed the merid-
ian, the shadows were lengthening
and rot a mouthtul of food had
passed his lips, as every one OF
whom he had asked a mOrsel to
eat he'd refused him suddenly the
loud report OF a gun, several hun
dred yards away, rang out on the
chilly air, and almost Immediately
ptarmigan fell dead at his feet.
"That was a lucky shot for me-
happily exclaimed Petroff, picking
up the bird and thrusting it under
his Jacket. Looking around tC
make sure that the hunter had moi
seen him he hurried on, and, aftel
covlng a mile or more. stopped by
the roadside and built fire, which
he cooked his ptarmigan, and al
though he ate it without bread o.
salt he telt much strengthened
afterward.
Sleeping in the colo night al
had given him a twinge OF rheuma
tism, and he resolved that he would
not sleep in the hedge again If h'
could help it.
AS the great orb Of day smiling
ly dipped below the western horl
zon he began looking about hin
for some place in which to spen'
the night. When it grew so darl
that it was difficult TO distinguish
objects 100 yards away he came t
the large estate of Count Roman
of. Passing YEARLY by the grea
castle, with Its turrets aud battle
ments, he was highly elated a
seeing a large barn about III
yards from the highway. Clan
bering ever the fences as quick
as his stiff and benumbed limb
would allow him, he slipped alon
hedge to escape observation, an
reaching the barn, climbed in at
low, open window, and, lying dow
10 the new.mowD hay, soon forge
his troubles in slumber.
1t was nearly IL o'clock whel
being awakened by the sound
voices, he lay perfectly quiet an
listened. Just outside the door |
could hear two men talking in 10
tones.
"This isn't the stable" he heal
some say.
"No, ,confund it !" replied anOthe
"I remember now the stables a
back of the of the castle. We W
90 aud take three of the be
} horses and carry them around
the lodge gate. We will not on
, get a handsome ransom for t
count, but we will have thr
of his best horses. 1t is now
O'Clock, and We must be at I
rendezvous by 3. Come-we ha
, no time to lose here y
ol Norvitski lay perfectly still
. til the shound of the footsteps di
away In the distance, when
. arose and dropping out OF
u window nOiselessly approach
a the castle aud pulled the la1
9 brass knocker. It's echoes /
scarcely stopped vibrating throu
;, the great house when a servi
came to the door and inqul
y hat was wanted.
81 must see your master at ono
. replied PetrOff in low voice.
- "You must come IN the me
ing" replied the servant. Mas
.fI has long since retired, fatigr
:. with the chase of the day"
m "I must see your master at ont