The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-11-14

prepared for a journey which was still
to last several hours.
Michael Strogoff could not help look
ing attentively at his newly arrived fel-
low traveller. AS she was SO placed as
to travel with her back to the engine.
he even offered her his seat, which she
might prefer to her own, but she thank
ed him with a slight bend of her grace
full neck.
The young girl appeared to be about
sixteen or seventeen years OF age. Her
head. truly charming, was Of the puress
Slavonic type slightly severe ana
which would when few summers had
passed over her unfold, into beauty
>ather than mere prettiness. From be-
meath a sort of kerchief which she wore
on her head escaped in profusion light
golden hair. Her eyes were brown,
soft and expressive of much sweetness
of temper. The nose was straight and
attached to her pale and somewhat thin
cheeks by delicate mobile nostrils. The
lips were finely cut, but it seemed as If
they had long since forgotten how to
smile.
The young traveller was tall and up
right, as we'll as could be judged of her
figure from the very simple and ample
pelisse that covered her. Although she
was still a very young girl in the literal
sense of the term, the development OF
l.; nd ri a
lures gave the idea that she was the
possessor of great moral energy, a
point which did not escape Michael
Strogoff. Evidently this young girl had
already suffered in the past, and the
future doubtless did not present itself
to her in glowing colors. But it. was
none the less certain that she had
known how to struggle and that she
had resolved to struggle still with the
trials of life. Her energy was evident
~ prompt and persistent and her calm
ness unalterable even under circum
stances in which man would be likely
to give way or lose his self command.
Such was the impression which she
produced at first sight. Michael Stro
goff, being himself of an energetic tenn
permanent, was naturally struck by the
character of her physiognOmy, and
while taking care not to cause her an
noyance by a too persistent gaze, ne
observed his neighbor with no small IN
terest. The costume of the young trav
eler was both extremely simple anC
appropriate. She was not rich-tha1
could easily be seen-but not the slight
est mark of negligence was to be dis
cerned in her dress. All her luggage
was contained in leather bag under
lock and key, and which, for want OF
room, she held on her lap.
She wore long, dark pelisse, which
was gracefully adjusted at the neck by
a blue tie. Under this pelisse shor1
skirt, also dark, fell over a robe which
reached to her ankles and Of which the
lower edge was ornamented with some
simple embroidery. Half boots Of work
ed leather and thickly soled, as If eho
sen in the anticipation of long jour
ney, covered her small feet.
Michael Strogoff fancied that he rec
ognized by certain details the fashion
of the costume of Liyonia, and he
thought that his neighbor must be 6
native Of the Baltic provinces.
But whittier was this young girl 60
ing alone at an age when the fostering
care of father or the protection Of
brother is considered a matter of ne
cessity? Had she now come after al
already long journey from the prov
inces of western Russia? Was shf
merely going to Mini Noygorod, or was
the end Of her travels beyond the east
ern frontier of the empire? Would
some relation, some friend, await hel
arrival by the train, or was TT no
more probable, on the contrary, thai
she would find herself as much isolated
in the town as she was in this com
partment, where no one, she mus
think, appeared to care for her? i
was probable.
Michael Strogof observed her will
interest, but, himself reserved, hi
sought no opportunity Of accosting her
although several hours must elapse be
fore the arrival of the train at Min
Novgorod.
AT last the train, at half past 8 in thu
evening, arrived at the station of Min
Novgorod.
Before any one could get out of thu
carriages the inspectors of police pre-
sented themselves at the doors and ex
amined the passengers.
Michael Strogoff showed his podo
ROMA made out in the name Of Nichola.
Korpanoff. He had consequently NJ
difficulty.
AS to the other travellers in the com
partment, all bound for Mimi Novgo
rod, their appearance, happily for them
was in nowise suspicious.
The young girl in her turn exhibited
not passport, since passports are NJ
longer required in Russia, but permit
Endorsed with a private seal and which
seemed to be Of a special character
The inspector read the permit with at
tention. Then, having attentively ex
amined the person whose description +
contained, he said:
"You are from Riga"
eyes," replied the young girl.
"You are going to IrkutskT
EYES,"
"By what route?'