Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-12-10

was an animal Of mettle, capable OF
enduring much fatigue, and Michael
Strogoff, accomplished horseman as he
was, could make good use OF 1t.
The horse cost high price, and q
few moments later Michael was ready
to start. 1t was then 4 o'clock In the
afternoon.
Michael Strogoff, compelled to wait
till nightfall in order to pass the fortl-
fications, but not desiring to show HIM
self in the streets of Omsk, remained In
the posting house and there partook OF
food.
There was q great crowd In the pub
lie room, it being the resort Of numbers
Of the anxious inhabitants, who ut this
eventful period collected there to OBJ
tain news. They were talking OF the
expected arrival Of corps Of Musco-
vite troops, not at Omsk, but at Tomsk,
corps intended to recapture that town
from the Tartars Of Feofar-Kahn.
Michael Strogoff lent an attentive ear
to all that was said, but took no part
in the conversation.
Suddenly a cry made him tremble, q
cry which penetrated to the depths OF
his soul, and these two words, so to
speak, rushed into his ear:
"My son."
His mother, the old woman Maria,
was before him! Trembling, she smil-
ed upon him. She stretched forth her
arms to him. Michael Strogoff arose.
He was about to throw himself
The thought Of duty, the serious dan
GER for his mother and himself In this
unfortunate meeting. suddenly stopped
him, and such was his command over
himself that not a muscle Of his face
moved.
There were twenty people in the pub
lie room. Among them were perhaps
spies. and was it not known in the
town that the son Of Maria Strogoff
belonged to the corps Of the couriers OF
the czar?
Michael Strogoff did not move.
"Michael! cried his mother.
"Who are you, my good lady" MI
chael Strogoff stammered, unable to
speak in his usual firm tone.
"Who am I, thou askest? Dost thou
no longer know thy mother"
"You are mistaken" coldly replied
Michael Strogoff. "a resemblance de-
ceives you"
The old Maria went up to him and,
looking straight into his eyes, said:
"Thou art not the son Of Peter and
Maria Strogoff?"
Michael Strogoff would have given
his life to have locked his mother In his
arms, but If he yielded 1t was all over
with him, with her, with his mission,
with his oath! Completely master OF
himself, he closed his eyes in order not
to see the inexpressible anguish which
agitated the revered countenance OF hls
mother. He drew back his hands IN
order not to touch those trembling
hands which sought him.
81 do not know, in truth, what 1t Is
you say, my good woman" he replied,
stepping back.
"Michael!" again cried his aged moth
er.
"My name Is not Michael. l never
was your son! l am Nicholas korpa'
noff, q merchant Of Irkutsk."
And suddenly he left the public room,
while for the last time the words re-
echoed:
"My son, my son!'
Michael Strogoff, by a desperate ef.
fort, had gone. He did not see his OLD
mother, who had fallen back almost In
animate upon a bench. But when the
postmaster hastened to assist her the
aged woman raised herself. Suddenly
q thought occurred to her. She denied
by her son! 1t was not possible. as
for being herself deceived and taxing
another for him-equally impossible. II
was certainly her son whom she had
Just seen, and IL he had not recognized
her It was because he would not, II
was because he ought not, 1t was be-
cause he had some cogent reason for
acting thus! And then. her mother
feelings arising within her, she had but
one thought-"Can 1 unwittingly have
ruined him"
81 am mad" she said to her inter-
rooo+ors "My ewes have deceived me!
This young man is not my child. He
had not his voice. Let US think no
more Of it. If we do, shall end by
finding him everywhere"
Less than ten minutes afterward q
Tartar officer appeared in the posting
house.
"Marfa Strogoff" he asked.
at Is l." replied the old woman In a
tone so calm and with face SO tram
ouil that those who had witnessed the
meeting with her son would not have
known her.
"Come" said the officer. Maria Stro'
goff, with firm step. followed the Tar
tar officer and left the posting house.
Some moments afterward Maria Stro'
coff found herself in the chief square
and in the presence Of Ivan Ogareff. to
whom all the details of this scene had
been Immediately reported.
Ivan Ogareff, suspecting the truth, IN
terrogated the old Siberian woman.
"Thy name| he asked In rough
voice.
MARIA Strogoff."
"Thou hast q SON.?
"Yes."
"He is q courier Of the czarT'
ayes"
2 "Where Is he?"
"At Moscow"
"Thou hast heard no news OF himT
"No news"
."Since how long"
"Since two months"
"Who, then, was that young man
whom thou didst call thy son rev
moments ago at the posting house|
"A young Siberian whom took for
him." replied Maria Strogoff. "This Is
the tenth man h whom l have thought
I recognized my son since the town has
been SO full Of strangers. l think see
him everywhere"
$50 this young man was not Michael
Etrogoff"
at was not Michael Strogof."
"Dost thou know, old woman, that
can torture thee until thou avowest the
truth?