Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-12-31

the rising of the curtain. It would
have been better taste to have arrived
only for the ballet"
"Wtat balletT asked Harry Blount.
"The obligatory ballet, faith. But
think the curtain is about to RISE"
AlcIde Jelivet spoke as If he were at
the opera, and, taking his glass from
i,s case, he prepared to have look at,
as a connoIsseur, the first subjects OF
Feofar's troop.
But a tedious ceremony was to pre-
cede the amusements.
Meanwhile most Of the prisoners had
passed before the emir, and In passing
each Of them had to prostrate the fore
head to touch the very dust - a sign
of servtlity. 1t was the slavery which
commenced with humiliation. When
the unfortunates were too slow In bend
ing, the rude hand Of the guards cast
them violently to the earth. Alcide
JolIvet and his companion could not
assist at such spectacle without feel
ing the greatest indignation.
"This Is cowardly! Let US go away"
said Alcide Jolivet
NO." replied Harry Blount; I'VE
must see ALL"
"See all! Ahv' cried Alcide Jolivet
suddenly. seizing the arm Of his COM
panion.
"What Is the matter with your ask.
ed the former.
"Look! Blount. It Ii sheg'
"She%
'oThe sister Of our fellow traveller.
Alone and a prisoner! We must save
herv'
Restrain yourself" coldly replied
Harry Blount. "Our Intervention IN
behalf of this young girl would be more
hurtful than useful to her"
Alcide Jolivet, ready to rush forward,
stopped himself. and Nadia, who had
not perceived them. being half yelled
by her hair, passed in her turn before
the emir, without attracting his atten'
ton.
In the meantime. after Nadia, Maria
Strogoff had arrived, and as she did
not throw herself quickly enough into
the dust the guards brutally pushed
her.
Maria Strogoff fell.
Her son made a terrible movement,
which the soldiers who were guarding
him could with difficulty master.
But old Maria raised herself. and
they were about to drag her when Ivan
Ogareff intervened. saying:
"Let this woman remain"
As for Nadia. she was thrown back
among the crowd of prisoners. The
look. Of Ivan Ogareff had not fixed It.
self upon her.
Michael Strogoff was then led before
the emlr, and there he remained erect
without lowering his eyes.
"Your face to the ground" Ivan Oga'
ref cried out to him.
"Now replied Michael Strogoh. TWO
guards wished to force him to bend,
but It was they who were thrown to
the ground by the hand Of the robust
young man.
Ivan Ogaref advanced toward Nj
chael Strogoff.
"You are about to die" said he.
~ shall die" fiercely answered MI
chael Strogoff. "but your face Of trait
or, Ivan, will not the less bear and for
ever the Infamous mark Of the knout"
Ivan Ogareff at this answer became
horribly pale.
"Who is this prisoner" demanded
the emir In voice the more menacing
because of its calmness.
"a Russian spy" answered Ivan Oga-
ref.
In making out Michael Strogoff spy
he knew the sentence pronounced
against him would be the more terri
BILE.
Michael Strogoff moved toward Ivan
Ogareff.
The soldiers stopped him.
IQe eIulT tueu Luduc u 6cStohS DSA0AS
which the whole crowd bent their
heads. Afterward he motioned with
his hand for the Koran, which was
brought to him. He opened the book
and placed his finger on one OF the
pages.
1t was chance, or, rather, as these
orientals think, God himself, who was
about to decide the fate Of Michael
Strogoff. The people Of central Asia
give the name of "fal" to this practice.
After having interpreted the sense OF
the verse touched by the finger OF the
Judge they apply the sentence. what
ever 1t may be.
The emir had left his finger resting
on the page Of the Koran. The chief
of the ulemas, then approaching. read
with loud voice verse which fin-
ished with these words:
"And he shall see no more the things
Of the earth" Russian spy" said
Feofar-K Khan. "you came to see what
is passing in the camp Of the Tartars!
Look, then, with all your eyes! Look!'