Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-12-24

had started. but he had sufficient com.
mand of himself not to utter q word
which could compromise him.
And yet at the very moment that Ma
dia had recognized him he had recog-
nized his mother. Michael Strogoff at
this unexpected meeting, not feeling
himself to be any longer master Of him.
self, raised his hand to his eyes and Inn
medlately left the spot Nadia was In
stinctively Fastening forward to rejoin
him when the old Siberian whispered
these words In her ear:
"Stay, my daughter"
ut Is he!" answered Nadia In voice
trembling with emotion. HE LIS.
mother! 1t is her'
"It Is my son." answered Maria Stro-
goff; "it Is Michael Strogoff. and you
see that do not take one step toward
him. Follow my example"
Michael Strogo6 had just experienced
one of the most violent emotions which
1t Is ever given to man to feel. His
mother and Nadia were there. Those
two prisoners, each Of whom seemed to
hold the FIRST place In his heart, were
there Joined with him In one common
misfortune. Did Nadia know who he
was? No, for he had seen the gesture
Of Maria Strogoff holding her back at
the moment she was about to rush upon
him. Maria Strogof had understood
all and kept her secret.
Michael Strogoff could then hope that
this fresh and unexpected meeting at
the camp Of Zabedeiro would have no
injurious consequences neither for his
mother nor for himself. but he did
not know that certain particulars OF
that scene, rapidly as 1t had passed,
had been gained by Sangarre, the spy
Of Ivan Ogareff.
The gypsy was there. few PAGES
from the bank, watching as ever the
old Siberian, without her suspecting it.
She had not been able to perceive MI
chael StrogOff, who had already dis
appeared when she turned round. but
the gesture Of the mother, withhold
ing Nadia, had not escaped her. and
light from Marfa's eyes told her every.
thing.
There was no longer any doubt that
the son Of Maria Strogoff, the courier
Of the czar, was now at Iabedeiro
among the prisoners Of Ivan Ogareh.
Sangarre did not know him, but she
knew he was there. She did not then
attempt to discover him, thing which
would have been impossible In the
midst of this numerous crowd.
As for again spying after Nadia and
Maria Strogoff, this was equally use
less. 1t was evident that these two wo-
men would be on their guard, and 1t
would be impossible to seize by sur
prise anything Of nature to compro-
mise the courier Of the czar.
The gypsy had then'only one thought
to warn Ivan Ogareff. Wherefore she
Immediately left the camp.
A quarter Of an hour afterward she
arrived at Zabedeiro and was shown
into the house occupied by the lieuten-
ant Of the emir.
Ivan Ogareff Immediately received the
gypsy.
,"What do you wish, Sangarre" he
asked.
"The son of Maria Strogoff is at the
camp" answered Sangarre.
"a prisoner?"
"a prisoner"
"Ah," cried Ivan Ogareff. II knew
"You knew nothing, Ivan," said the
gypsy, "for you do not even know
him."
"But do you know him? You have
seen him, Sangarre"
81 have not seen him, but | saw his
mother betray herself by a movement
which has told me everything"
"Do you not deceive yourself?'
II do lot"
"You know the Importance attach
to the arrest Of this courier" said Ivan
Ogareff. IF the letter which was sent
to him from Moscow reaches lrkutsk.
and it should be handed to the grand
duke, the grand duke would be ON his
guard, and l should not be able to
catch him. must have this letter at
any price. Now. you have just told me
that the bearer Of this letter Is In my
power. repeat it, Sangarre. do you
not deceive yourselfW
Ivan Ogareff had spoken with great
animation. His emotion bore testimony
to the extreme Importance he attached
to the possession of this letter. San
garre was not at all troubled with the
persistency of the fresh inquiry.
81 am not deceived, Iyan," she an
swered.
"But, Sangarre. there are at the camp
several thousand prisoners. and you
say you do not know Michael Stro-
gOff?"
"No," answered the gypsy, whose
face lighted up with a savage JOY. Il
indeed do not know him, but his moth
er does. Ivan, we must force the moth
er to speak,"
Tomorrow she shall speak, said
Ogareff.
Then he held out his hand to the gyp-
sy, and she kissed 1t, without there be-
ing In this act of respect habitual to the
people of the north anything degrading
or servile.
Sangarre returned to the camp. She
found the place occupied by Nadia and
Maria Strogoff and passed the night In
watching them both, with her ears
open for any information. She could
hear nothing. BY an instructive feel
ing of prudence not word was ex-
changed between Nadia and Maria
Strogoff.
ITo BE coNTiNuED.l