Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-11-26
| THE COURIER 81
! OF THE CAR 50
BY Jules VerDe



cheeks by delicate mobile nostrils. The
lips were finely cut, but 1t seemed as II
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 very young girl in the literal
sense Of the term, the development OF
her high forehead and clearly cut fea-
lures gave the idea that she was the
possessor of great moral energy. q
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 1t 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, he
observed his neighbor with no small In
terest. The costume Of the young trav-
eler was both extremely simple and
appropriate. She was not rich-that
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 a leather bag under
lock and key. and which. for want OF
room. she held on her lap.
She wore a long. dark pelisse, which
was gracefully adjusted at the neck by
blue tie. Under this pelisse short
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 cho-
sen in the anticipation Of long Jour-
ney, covered her small feet
Michael Strogoif fancied that he rec
ognlzed by certain details the fashion
| of the costume Of Livonia, and he
thought that his neighbor must be q
native of the Baltic provinces.
But whittier was this young girl 60
ing alone ut an age when the fostering
care of a father or the protection OF a
brother is considered a matter Of ne
cessity? Had she now come after an
already long journey from the prov
inces of western Russia? Was she
merely going to Mini Novgorod, or was
the end of her travels beyond the cast
ern frontier Of the empire? Would
some relation. some friend, await her
arrival by the train, or was 1t not
more probable, on the contrary. that
she would find herself rs much isolated
in the town as she was in this COM
partment. where no one, she must
think, appeared to care for her? 1t
was probable.
Michael Strogoft observed her with
interest, but. himself reserved, he
sought no opportunity Of accosting her.
although several hours must elapse be-
| fore the arrival Of the train at Mini
Novgorod.
At last the train. at half past 8 in the
evening, arrived at the station OF Mini
Novgorod.
Before any one could get out Of the
carriages the inspectors OF police pre-
sented themselves at the doors and ex-
amined the passengers.
Michael Strogoff showed his podo-
rojna made out in the name OF Nicholas
Korpanoff. He had consequently no
difficulty.
As to the other travellers In the com
partment, all bound for Mini Novgo-
rod. their appearance, happily for them
was In nowise suspicious.
The young girl in her turn exhibited
not a passport, since passports are nc
longer required In Russia, but permit
indorsed with q 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 routeY
"By Perm"
"Good! replied the inspector. "Take
care to have your permit vlsed at the
police station of Mini Novgorod." The
young girl bent her head in token OF
assent.
Hearing the questions and replies
Michael Strogoff experienced d min
gled sentiment both Of surprise and
pity. What. this young girl alone jour
neying to that faroff Siberia and at
time when to its ordinary dangers were
added all the perils Of an invaded coun
try and one in state Of insurrection
How would she reach It? What wouic
become Of her?
The inspection ended. the doors Of
the carriages were opened, but before
Michael Strogof could move towarc
her the young Livonian. who had beer
the first to descend. had disappeared II
the crowd which thronged the plat
4 forms of the railway station.
Mini Novgorod. Lower Novgorod, sit
uated at the junction Of the VOlga and
the Okla, is the chief town in the dis
trict Of the same name. 1t was herr
that Michael Strogoff was obliged tt
ll leave the railway. which at the timt
did not 60 beyond this town. Thus al
he advanced his travelling would be
come first less speedy and then lest
safe.
Il Mini Avvgorod. the fixed population
i ue which IL only from 10000 to S5,0o(
inhabitanta contained at that tim
n more than 900, ,OOO-that is to say, tn
II population was increased tenfold. Thi
i addition was in consequence Of the Gel
ebrated fair which was held withil
the walls for three weeks. Formerl!
Makariew had the benefit Of this con
course Of traders, but since 1917 tn
fair had been removed to Mini Novgo
III v<A