The Iola register., 1901-12-13

uated at the junction Of the Volga and
the Okla, is the chief town In the dis
trlct Of the same name. 1t was here
that Michael Strogoff was obliged to
leave the railway. which at the time
did not go beyond this town. Thus ms
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 300,000-that is to say, the
population was increased tenfold. This
addition was In consequence of the cell
ebrated fair which was held within
the walls for three weeks Formerly
Makariew had the benefit of this con-
course of traders, but since 1917 the
fair had been removed to Mini Novgo-
rod.
The town. dreary enough at most
times, tnen presented truly animated
scene. Six different races of merchants,
European and Asiatic, were fraterniz-
ing under the congenlal influence of
trade.
Michael Strogoff strolled through the
town quietly, looking out for some inn.
lie was looking for supper rather than
bed. but he found both at the sign
of the City of Constantlnople.
His supper finished, Michael Strogoff
instead of going up to his bedroom
again strolled out into the town.
Why did not Michael Strogoff go
quietly to bed, as would have seemed
more seasonable after a long railway
journey? Was he thinking of the
young Livonan 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 tribesl
And yet the present dangers are moth
ing to those she must undergo. Sibe-
ria! Irkutskl | am about to dare all
risks for Russia, for the czar, 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
stant 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 il, 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
I Irkutskp'
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 bench against
the wall of large wooden cottage
which stood, with others, on n vast
open space.
He had scarcely been there five min
utes when hand was laid heavily on
his shoulder.
"What are you doing herc?" roughly
demanded a large and powerful man
a
81 am resting" replied Michael Stro-
goff.
do you mean to stay all night on the
bench?" asked the man.
"Yes. If | feel inclined to do So an
swered Michael StrogoH in tone some-
what too sharp for the simple merchant
he wished to personate.
Come forward, then, that may see
you" said the man.
1T Is not necessary" he replied, and
he calmly stepped back ten PAGES or so.
The man seemed. as Michael observ-
ed him well, to have the look of n BO-
hemian, such as are met at fairs and
with whom contact, either physical or
moral, is unpleasant. Then, as he look
ed more attentively through the dusk
which was coming on, he perceived
near the cottage n large caravan. the
usual travelling dwelling of the gypsies
who swarm in Russia wherever few
copecks can he 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
| just see woman, who advanced quick
ly and in language which Michael
| Strogoff knew TO be mixture of the
Mongol and Siberian she said: "Anoth-
er 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,
dreadlng spies as he did above all
things.
But in the same dialect, although his
accent was very different, the Bohe-
mian replied in words which signify: