The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-12-18

old woman and the young girl. Sud
denly Nadia, as she left the banks,
Strengthened herself. An Involuntary
cry escaped her lips.
Michael Strogoff was there and only
some PAGES from her! 1t was he.
At the cry of Nadia Michael Strogcff
had started, but he had sufficient COM
mand Of himself not to utter a word
which could compromise him.
And yet at the very moment that Ma
dia had recognized him he had recog-
nized his mother. Michael StrogoG at
this unexpected meeting. not feeling
himself to be any longer master Of him.
self, raised his hand to mis- eyes and i'm
mediately 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"
1T is hew answered Nadia in voice
trembling with emotion. "He lives
mother! 1t is hep
1T is my son." answered Maria Stro-
goff; '.it is Michael Strogof, and you
see that do not take one step toward
him. Follow my example"
Michael Strogof had just experienced
one Of the most violent emotions which
it 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 Strogof holding her back at
the moment she was about to rush upon
him. Maria Strogof had understood
all and kept her secret.
Michael Strogof 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 it had passed,
had been gained by Sangarre. the spy
Of Ivan Ogaref.
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 Strogonf, the courier
Of the czar, was now at Zabedeiro
among the prisoners Of Ivan Ogaref.
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 it
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 iieuten-
ant of the emir.
Ivan Ogaref Immediately received the
gypsy.
"What do you wish. Sangarre?" he
asked.
''The son of Maria Strogoff is at the
camp" answered SaDgarre.
a prisoner"
! "a prisoner"
"Ah," cried Ivan Ogareff. Il knew
"You k~nw nothing, Ivan said the
gypsy, "tvi you do rot even know
him"
"But do you know him? EoL have
seen him, Sangarre?''
81 have not seen him, but saw his
mother betray herself by movement
which has told me everything"
!, "Do you not deceive yourself:'
81 do not
"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 lrkuiSE.
and it should be handed to the grand
duke, the grand duke would be on his
guard, and should not be able to
catch him. l must have this letter at
any price. Now, you have just told ME
that the bearer of this letter is il my
power. repeat it, Sangarre. do you
not deceive yourself:''
Ivan Ogaref had spoken with great
animation. His emotion bore testimony
to the extreme Importance be attached
to the possession Of this letter. San
garre was not at all troubled with the
persistercy Of the fresh inquiry.
81 am not deceived. Ivan." she an.
swered.
"But, Sangarre, there are at the camp
several thousand prisoners, and you
say you do not know Michael Stro-
gof?'
! NO" answered the gypsy, whose
face lighted up with a savage Joy. -!
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 it. without there be-
ing in this act Of respect habtua! to the
people Of the north anything degrading
or servile.
Sangarre returned to the camp. She
found the place occupied by Nadia and
Maria Strogof 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
Strogofr.