The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-12-04

Masaricw had the benefit Of this con-
loursc Of traders, but since 1917 the
fair had been removed to Mini Novgo-
rod.
The town, dreary enough at most
times, then presented truly animated
scene. Six different races Of merchants,
European and Asiatic, were fraterniz-
ing under the congenial influence of
trade.
Michael Strogof strolled through the
town quietly, looking out for some inn.
He was looking for supper rather than
bed, hut he found both at the sign
of the City Of Constantinople.
His supper finished, Michael Strogof
instead Of going up to his bedroom
again strolled out into the town.
Why did not Michael Strogof go
quietly to bed, as would have seemed
more seasonable after a long railway
journey? Was he thinking Of the
young Livonian girl who had for so
many hours been his travelling compan-
ion? Having nothing better to do, be
was thinking of her.
Alone" he said to himself; ''alone in
the midst of these wandering tribes!
And yet the present dangers are moth
ing to those she must undergo. Sibe-
ria! Irkutsk! am about to dare all
risks for Russia, for the car, while
she is about to do so for whom? For
what? She is authorized to cross the
frontier. And the country beyond is
in revolt. The steppes beyond are full
of Tartar bands"
Michael Strogof stopped for an in
slant and reflected.
without doubt" thought he, "she
must have determined on undertaking
her journey before the invasion. Per-
haps she is even now ignorant Of what
is happening. But, no; that cannot be,
for the merchants discussed before her
the disturbances in Siberia, and she
did not seem even surprised. She did
not even ask for an explanation. She
must have known it then, and, though
knowing it, she is still resolute. Poor
girl! Her motive for the journey must
be urgent indeed! But, though she may
be braYe-and she certainly is so-her
strength must fail her, and, to say
nothing Of dangers and obstacles, she
will be unable to endure the fatigue of
such q journey. Never can she pass
Irkutsk?'
Indulging in such reflections, Michael
Strogoh wandered on as chance led
him; but, being well acquainted with
the town, he knew that he could with
out difficulty retrace his steps.
Having strolled On for about an hour,
he seated himself on bench against
the wall of q large wooden cottage
which stood, with others, on a vast
open space.
He had scarcely been there five min
utes when o hand was laid heavily on
his shoulder.
what are you doing here?" roughly
demanded large and powerful man
who had approached unperceived.
"I am resting" replied Michael Stro-
goff.
"Do you mean to stay all night on the
bench" asked the man.
eyes, If I feel inclined to do so," an
swered Michael Strogof in tone some
what too sharp for the simple merchant
be wished to personate.
"Come forward, then, that may see
you," said the man.
ut is not necessary" he replied, and
be calmly stepped back ten PAGES or so.
The man seemed, as Michael obserV-
ed him we'll, to have the look Of Bo-
hemian. such as are met at fairs and
with whom contact, either physical or
moral, Is UNPLEASANT. Then, as he look
ed more attentiyely through the dusk
which was coming on, be perceived
near the cottage q large caravan, the
usual travelling dwelling Of the gypsies
who swarm in Russia wherever few
copecks can be obtained.
AS the gypsy took two or three steps
forward and was about to interrogate
Michael Strogoff more closely the door
Of the cottage was opened. he could
lust see q woman, who advanced quick
" and in q language which Michael
Strogoff knew to be mixture OF the
Mongol and Siberian she said: "Anoth-
ar spy! Let him alone and come to
supper. 1t is waiting for you"
Michael Strogoff could not help smil-
ing at the epithet bestowed on him,
spies as he did above all
things.
But in the same dialect, although his
accent was very different, the Bohe-
nian replied in words which signify:
"You are right, sangarre. Besides,
ne start tomorrow"
Tomorrow repeated the woman in
surprise.
ayes, Sangarre," replied the Bohe-
nian, tomorrow, and the Father him
self sends us-where we are going"
Thereupon the man and woman en-
tered the cottage and carefully closed
he door.
"Good! said Michael Strogof to him
self. "If these gypsies do not wish to
be understood when they speak before
me, they had better use some other Ian
yuage."
From his Siberian origin and because
he had passed his childhood in the
steppes Michael Strogoff, it has been
said, understood almost all the Ian
suages in usage from Tartary to the
Sea Of Ice. AS to the exact signifca-
ton Of the words exchanged between
he gypsy and his companion be dld
not trouble his head. For why should
It interest him?
An hour after Michael StrogoI was
sleeping sourdly on one Of those Rus
sian beds which always seem so hard
10 strangers, and on the morrow, the
18th Of July, he awoke at break of day.
He had still FIVE hours to pass at
Mini Novgorod 1t seemed to him an
age. How was he to spend the morn
ng unless in wandering, as he had
lono tho evening before. through the