The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-03-05

to these beauties of nature Yegor had be-
come insensible,
One morning, he hat taken his betrothed
with him. They were seated side by side,
filed with sad thoughts. Suddenly. raising
her head and looking in the direction where
the steppe stretched towards the south,
bounded only by mountains with din out
Lines, Nadege cried;
t'The mirage!"
Yegor, gazing}in the same direction, saw
the full realization of the opium smokers
fantastic dreams. The old chaman of the
pole had touched the distant mountains
with his wand, and from blue lake lost IN
the distance had arisen the walls and domes
'0f a marvellous city, an immense town OF the
llands0ftthe sun. On the borders OF the
lake, masses of dark green foliage, bathed
lby the water, were reflected upon its mirror
like surface, while little further to the
rear thewhite cupolas were encircled with
gold blythe first rays of the rising sun.
Never was the illusion of summer amid
the SHOWS of winter, of life in death, more
complete.
Instinctively, Yegor turned and looked
around him to assure himself that he was
not dreaming. The establishment of Nadege
and himself was extreme.
But when they again looked towards the
south, the splendid blue lake and the I'M
posing lines of the mirage cOnfOunded their
reason anew by their supernatural beauty,
and the tall minarets Of the mosques, the
lofty towers of the palaces, seemed, by com
ing out in holder relief, to protest against
the ,supposition of a dream.
Nevertheless, little by little, the magic
apparition faded, then shone forth anew
and finally, vanished in confused mass;
from it's ruins emerged two immense col
mms of pink marble, which gradually united
their curiously sculptured capitals, thus
forming gigantic portico-a vast gate OF
heaven, from which one might almost ex-
pect to see defile the brilliant cOrtege Of the
radiant inhabitants of marvellous world.
This portico, in its turn, sinking upon It
self, became a fortress, with massive bas-
lions. numerous embrasures and Lofty, en-
battled towers, an impregnable refuge, the
lines and shades of which were as natural
as the reality itself could have been.
Then, at last, all grew confused; the mir
age faded away. Then Yegor and Nadege
again turned their eyes towards the sea and
the coast. There, nothing was changed;
there, no mirage bewildered.
", 'look-that is not an illusion-dO you
see?n
Eyes, / see, stammered Yegor, turning
pale from emotion; sit is shipp
Nadege threw herself into Yegors arms.
AS it safety, Yegor-is it safety!" CRIED
she, excitedly.
''It is safety"
'But-what if the ship should be sailing
from U.s."
The watched it with anxious eyes. In
few minutes-how long they seemed Veg
or said:
II think am not deceived. The ship is
coming towards us. It is lacking to avoid
the floating ice blocks which cucumber
the entrance to the Bay Of Onemene. If it
came straight on, it would only be delayed
by a useless and dangerous struggle"
''Ah! this is, perhaps, the last day we
shall pass upon this shore, Yegor! But,
what if it should be an enemy-a Russian
vessel?"
':Let us hope for the best!" answered
Yegor. His voice trembled, for he also en-
tertained the fear felt by Nadege.
''When shall we know what fate is in re-
serve for e" asked Nadege.
''This evening, tonight, or tomorrow
morning at the latest, according to the dift1
Guilty of the navigation amid the ice. will
go to the ship in the baydare."
"But if they should keep you-a prisoner
lost to me, to us!"
Treasure yourself, Nadege. You look al
everything in the worst light.
''No do not wish you to leave me-IwiI
go with you. We will take the emeralds
and offer them for our ransom"
go with me-in the baydare, a boat that
the smallest shock might send to the bot
toms"
II have shown enough courage heretofore
to warrant you in trusting me at the last
moment. On seeing both of us, perhaps,
they may be touched by our so little merit
ed misfortune"
II will go alone, Nadege; that ana fully
resolved upon" said Yegor firmly.
'eYou would expose yourself too much by
doing that, Yegor," said M. Lafleur, who
had advanced sufficiently to hear the con
yersation between the two young people. ~
will go on board the ship!"
'sYou?" cried Yegor and Nadege, in one
voice.
Certainly. I have nothing to fear. An
not Frenchman! will make a recon
noissance."
This will be, hope, the last service that
we shall receive from you, my dear Mon
sieut Lafeur," said Yegor, grasping the
Parisians hand.
1.-THE last service |" responded the latter
in tone of protest ''Ah hope mott"
Yegor wished M Lafeur to take Nadege
back to the hut, in order that she might
rest from her excitement and prepare her
self for whatever might happen. AS to him,
he would remain at his post Of observation
In the evening" Nadege and M. Latieur
were compelled to come and tear him
away from it. The ship was moored to an
ice field as near as possible to the shore OF
the bay.
The next day. at dawn, M. Lafeur and
Tekel, drawing the baydare over the ice
along the coast, advanced towards the YES
sci. When openings in the ice field pre-
sented themselves. the bayd:re was set
afioat and did its Office. NJ Lafeur, on
quitting the hut. had been much surprised