The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-05-17


letin on the wall announcing the num-
Der of convicts that had passed there that
year. One of the guards attempted TO
kiss her, but with fiercely cleaning eyes
she pushed him roughly aside and bound
ed like deer ont of the door She for
got her sufferings. Only TO get away
from those cruel men, to get beyond
reach of their jeers and cruel words.
"He is dead" she murmured to herself
again and again.
For days she retraced her steps, scarce
ly knowing where sho was going. Some
times rough men stared ut her, but the
look of absolute misery in her face
served as an armor to protect her, for
they only stared and passed on. Once
a Tartar man who locked at her with
his kindly black eyes, thinking she was
but child, picked her mp in his arms
and Carried her q long distance. They
are very strong, those Tartars, who in
habit this part Of Siberia. She could
not understand his language, but knew
he was trying TO speak kindly to her.
His swarthy skin, black hair and high
pale face and sun kissed hair. He
doffed his small embroidered skull cap
as he left her at the door of his cabin
and shook his head when she slipped
some rubles into his hand.
1t was night when she reached Thu
men and found shelter in a miserable
inn. AS she sat near the fire in the
smoky room she attracted the attention
of an old man, who addressed her in
Polish.
Are you in troublei" he asked. She
was such child in spite Of the care in
her face!
"Yes," she replied wearily.
81 am pardoned exile from Obdorsk.
was sent there for drunkenness. have
suffered too"
His worn, attenuated frame and sunk
en- eyes seemed to echo his words.
"Did you ever see any of the political
exiles?" she asked eagerly.
Eyes. met some at Tobolsk. From
there they go to the Trans-Baikal dis
trict"
"How long were you there?" She
searched his face with her restless eyes
to see if she could read there any sign Of
his having seen her lover.
Give yearsl' He wondered that she
expressed no sorrow. 1t was long time
to spend in that godforsaken country,
but she was saying to herself, 81 might
have known he had never seen Ivan"
Still something prompted her to tell
him. Her heart was aching for some
one to advise her. Merely telling our
troubles sometimes lightens them.
II had n lover who was exiled. So
handsome and brave. But he was shot
near Tobolsk."
Near Tcbolsk2 How long ago?"
"Six days
"Was he dark, with eyes like Tartar?"
Eyes. His eyes were like midnight
skies, with twinkling stars shining
through" She seems paralyzed from
cold and fatigue and wonders vaguely
how he knows that Ivan's eyes were dark
Is he sane? What does he mean? He is
saying that he has seen Ivanl II was
only three days ago Mother of God, is
it true? No, she must be dreaming!
"Your lover is living" he repeats. 81
saw him at Berezov three days ago.
inc 70 take n steamer for Amer;co
f. Ia Lone befora ha con- maLa Sor an
derstond bnt he tolls ber aoa;n and
again She starts hastily to bor foot
"T will ao 70 him " sho w,h;snors ord
s,,bougb Se insists tbat sho met wa;t
unt;l morning che shaLos hor hoaI Wo
gives her some advice 90 70 tho ro,,to
erd COOS ,nany varsts nth Ion l., .u;to
Of his feebIencss He can scorcolv bon
mn with ber Sbe sooms 70 bayo on,
nr;rod ,,au, anoro,, ond aI,nost 49,
Az davbreal tbev And n hootmam u,,o
rows bcr some d;stanco tho n,d mnn
leaving bor ~ tho r;var han,, .Gad ca
snead Souw bo said brt sho th;mls onIr
of reacbing Ivan and soaroolu ioo,,s ~
tbe natbetic f@nro % wov;na h;s % tattoro1
hat at her from Tho sbore Hor bands
,yoro c,asrad 4, hor ,an Somath;na I;,,o