Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-12-03

"What does that matter? I must
have them. Come, be quick; ! have no
time to lose."
81 have no time to lose either" re-
piled Michael, endeavoring to be calm,
but restraining himself with difficulty.
Nadia was near him, calm also, but
secretly uneasy at scene which 1t
would have been better to avoid.
Enough" said the traveller.
Then. go.ug up to the postmaster:
"Iet the horses be taken out Of the
tarantass and put into my BERLIN" he
exclaimed, with threatening gesture.
The postmaster, much embarrassed,
did not know whom to obey and looked
at Michael, who evidently had the right
to resist the unjust demands Of the
traveller.
Michael hesitated an instant. He did
not wish to make use Of his podorojna,
which would have drawn attention to
him, and he was most unwilling either
by giving up his horses to delay his
journey, and yet it was important not
to engage in struggle which might
compromise his mission.
The two reporters looked at him,
ready to support him should he appeal
to them.
"My horses will remain in my car
riage," said Michael, but without rails
ing his tone more than would be suit
able for a plain Irkutsk merchant.
The traveller advanced toward Mi
chael and laid his hand heavily on his
shoulder.
"Is it so?" he said in q rough voice.
"You will not give up your horses to
meY
mo-" answered Michael.
Every well, then they shall belong to
whichever of us Is able to start. De-
fend yourself, for I shall not spare
you"
So saying the traveller drew his saber
from its sheath, and Nadia threw her
self before Michael.
Blount and Alcide Jolivet advanced
toward him.
81 shall not fight" said Michael quiet
ly, folding his arms across his chest.
"You will not fightT
NO"
"Not even after thisT exclaimed the
traveller, and before any one could pre-
vent him he struck Michaers shoulder
with the handle Of the whip. At this
insult Michael turned deadly pale. His
hands moved convulsiyely, as If he
would have knocked the brute down.
But by q tremendous effort he master
ed himself. A duel! 1t was more than
a delay; it was perhaps the failure OF
his mission. 1t would be better to
lose some hours. Yes, but to swallow
this affront!
"Will you fight now, cowardT re-
peated the traveller, adding coarseness
to brutality.
mo" answered Michael, without
moving. but looking the other straight
in tie face.
"rhe horses this moment" said the
man and left the room. The postmas-
ter followed him.
The effect produced on the reporters
by this incident was not to Michaers
advantage. Their discontinue was WIS.,
ible. How could this strong young
man allow himself to be struck like
that and not demand satisfaction for
such an insult? They contented them
selves with bowling to him and retired.
A moment afterward the noise Of
wheels and the cracking Of a whip
showed that the berlin, drawn by the
tarantass' horses. was driving rapidly
away from the posthouse.
Nadia. unmoved, and Michael, still
quivering. remained alone In the room.
The courier Of the czar, his arms
crossed over his chest, was seated mo-
tionless Us statue. However, a color
which could not have been the blush
of shame had replaced the paleness on
his manly countenance.
Nadia did not doubt that powerful
reasons alone could have allowed him
to suffer so great q humiliation from
such man.
Then, going up to him as he had come
to her in the police station at Mini
Novgorod, she said:
"Your hand, brother"
And at the same time her hand with
m almost maternal gesture wiped away
O tear which sprung to her compan-
ions eyes.