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


that Michael Strogoff was obliged to
leave the railway. which at the time
did not go beyond this town. Thus as
he advanced his travelling would be-
come first less speedy and then less
safe.
Mini Novgorod, the fixed population
of which is only from 10000 to $4,000
Inhabitants, contained at that time
more than 800, O00-that is to say, the
population was increased tenfold. This
addition was in consequence of the Gel
ebrated fair which was held within
the. walls for three weeks. Formerly
Makarisw had the benefit Of this con-
Eourse 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 Strogoff strolled through the
town quietly, looking out for some inn.
He was looking for supper rather than
d bed, but he found both at the sign
bf the City of Constantinople.
His supper finished, Michael Strogoff
instead of going up to his bedroom
hgain strolled out into the town.
Why did not Michael Strogoff go
quietly to bed, as would have seemed
more seasonable after a long railway
tourney? Was he thinking Of the
young Livonian girl who had for so
many hours been his travelling compan-
ion? Having nothing better to do, he
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! I 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 bandsw
Michael Strogoff 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 brave-and she certainly is Sober
strength must fail her, and, to say
nothing Of dangers and obstacles, she
will be unable to endure the fatigue of
such a journey. Never can she pass
drkutskv'
Indulging in such reflections, Michael
Strogoff 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 a bench against
the wall of a large wooden cottage
which stood, with others, on q vast
open space.
He had scarcely been there five min
utes when a hand was laid heavily on
his shoulder.
"What are you doing hereY roughly
demanded a large and powerful mar
who had approached unperceived.
II 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 Strogoff in tone some
what too sharp for the simple merchant
he wished to personate.
"Come forward, then, that I may SEE
you," said the man.
1T is not necessary" he replied, anC
he calmly stepped back ten PAGES or SO
The man seemed, as Michael observ
ed him we'll, to have the look Of a 30
hemian, such as are met at fairs anC
with whom contact, either physical OF
moral, is unpleasant. Then, as he look
ed more attentively through the dusk
which was coming on, he perceived
near the cottage large caravan, thu
usual travelling dwelling Of the gypsies
who swarm in Russia wherever a few
copecks can be obtained.
As the gypsy took two or three steps
forward and was about to interrogate
Michael Strogof more closely the doo1
OF the cottage was opened. He coule
Just see a woman, who advanced quick
ly and in a language which Michae
Strogoff knew to be mixture of the
,Mongol and Siberian she said: "Anoth
Ter spy! Let him alone and come tt
supper. 1t is waiting for you"
Michael Strogoff could not help smil
ing at the epithet bestowed on him
dreading spies as he did above al
things.
But in the same dialect, although his
accent was very different, the Bohe
milan replied in words which signify:
"You are right, Sangarre. Besides
we start tomorrow"
Tomorrow repeated the woman II
surprise.
Eyes, Sangarre," replied the Bohe
milan, tomorrow, and the Father him
4 self sends us-where we are going"