The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-12-04

it would have been useless, thought OF
presenting his podorojna at the office
Of the head Of police. The proclama-
ton evidently did not concern him,
since the emergency had been foreseen
for him, but he wished to make sure
that nothing would hinder his depar-
ture from the town.
Michael thrn returned to the othe!
side of the r-olga, to the quarter IN
which was the office of the head of po-
lice.
Every one was in hurry, for the
means of transport would be much
sought after among this crowd or pan
ished people, and those who did not set
about it soon ran great risk OF not
being able to leave the town in the
prescribed time, which would expose
them to some brutal treatment from
the governors agents.
Owing to the strength Of his elbows
Michael Strosoff was able to cross the
court. But to get into the office and
I'D to the clerks little window was
much more difficult business. How
ever, q word into an inspectors ear anu
a few judiciously given rubles were
powerful enough to gain him passage.
The man, after taking him into the
waiting room, went to call the proper
clerk
Michael Strogof would not be long
in making everything right with the
police and being free in his movements.
While waiting he looked about him,
and what did he see? There, fallen
rather than seated on bench, was a
girl, prey to silent despair, although
her face could scarcely be seen, the
profile alone being visible against the
wall
Michael Strogof could not be mistak-
en-. He instantly recognized the young
Livonian.
Not knowing the governors orders,
she had come to the police office to get
her pass signed. They had refused to
sign it. No doubt she was authorized
to 20 to Irkutsl, but the order was per-
emptory; it annulled all previous au-
thorizations, and the routes to Siberia
we're closed to her.. Michael, delighted
at having found her again, approached
the girl.
She looked up for moment, and her
face frightened on recognizing her traV-
cling companion. She instinctively
rose, and, like q drowning man who
clutches at q spar, she was about to
ask his help. At that moment the
agent touched Michael on the shoulder
The head Of police will see you," he
said.
"Good.' returned Michael, and with
out saying a word to her for whom he
had been searching all day, without re-
assuring her by even a gesture which
might compromise either her or him
self, he followed the man through the
crowd.
The young Livonian, seeing the only
being to whom she could look for help
disappear, fell back again on her bench.
Three minutes had not passed before
Michael Strogof reappeared, accompa-
MED by the agent. In his hand he held
his podcro' IA, which threw open the
roads to Siberia for him. He again ap-
preached the young Livonian, and,
holding out his hand, "Sister," said he.
She understood. She rose as If some
sudden inspiration prevented her from
heSitatinG q moment.
SISTER" repeated Michael Strogof,
eve are authorized to continue our
Journey to Irkutsk. Will you Gomez"
81 will follow you, brother" replied
the girl, putting her hand into that Of
Michael Strogoff, and together they left
the police station.
Michael Strogof and the young Ii
vonian had taken passage on board
the Caucasus. Their embarkation was
made without any difficulty. AS is
known, the podorojna, drawn up in the
name Of Nicholas Korpanof, authorized
this merchant to be accompanied on his
tourney to Siberia. They appeared,
therefore, to be j brother ami s.s.er
travelling under the protection OF the
imperial police. Both, seated together
at the stern, gazed at the reccding
town so disturbed by the governors
order. Michael had as yet said moth
ing to the girl. He had not even ques-
toned her. He waited until she should
speak to him whenever that was nee
essary. She had been anxious to leave
that town, in which but for the provl-
Dental intervention Of this unexpected
protector she would have remained I'M
prisoned. She said nothing. bnt her
looks spoke her thanks.
The Caucasus had been steaminS on
for about two hours when the young
Livonian, addressing herself to Michael
Strogoff, said:
'.Are you going to Irkutsk, brother:
Eyes, sister," answered the young
man. "We are both going the same
way. Consequently wherever 90 you
shall 60"
Tomorrow, brother, you shall Know
why I left the shores Of the Baltic to
60 beyond the Ural mountains"
Il ask you nothing, sister,
You shall know ALL" replied the girl,
with a faint smile. "a sister should
hide nothing from her brother But l
cannot today. Fatigue and sorrow have
broken me down"
'sWill you go and rest in yGur cabin:'
asked Michael.
"Yes-yes, and tomorrow
''Come. them
He hesitated to finish his sentence as
if he had wished to end it by the name
Of his companion, Of which be was still
ignorant.
Nadia" said she. holding out her
hand.
Come, Nadia" answered Michael,
"and make what use you like of your
brother Nicholas Korpanoff." And he
led the girl to the cabin engaged for
! her off the saloon.