Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-12-31
THE COURIER &
OF THE CAR 8
BY Jules Nerpe
...:&.H
see se(eL,


twenty blows from such whip is the
same thing as to be condemned tc
death. Maria Strogon knew It, but
she also knew that no torture upon
earth could make her speak. and, she
had already offered the sacrifice OF her
life for her sons safety.
Maria StrogOff. having been seized by
two soldiers, was thrown on her knees
on the ground. Her robe, having been
torn. exposed her naked back. A sabei
was fixed before her breast at the dis
tance of only q few inches, and IN case
she should bend under the pain hel
breast would be pierced with the sharp
point.
The Tartar raised the Lash.
He was waiting.
Go onr' said Ivan Ogare6.
The whip Missed In the air. but before
the blow had fallen powerful hand
had wrenched II from the hands Of the
Tartar.
Michael Strogoff was therel He had
leaped before this horrible scene! II
at the posthouse Of Ichim he had re-
strained himself at the blow from Ivan
Ogareff. here before his mother, who
was about to be struck, he was not able
to master himself.
Ivan Ogaren had succeeded.
"Michael Strogoff" he cried.
Then. advancing, he said:
i l. h.,A h. ~
IchIm?"
"Himselfr' said Michael Strogof, and
raising the knout, he tore with 1t the
face Of Ivan Ogareff himself.
"Blow for blowP
| "Well given" cried the voice Of q
spectator. who fortunately hid himself
In the tumult
Twenty soldiers threw themselves on
Michael Strogoff, and they were about
to kill him. But Ivan Ogareff. from
whom O cry Of pain and rage had es-
capped. stopped them with q motion OF
his hand.
"This man Is reserved for the justice
Of the emir!"
The letter to the imperial armies was
found in the breast Of Michael Strogof,
who had not had time to destroy 1t, and
1t was handed over TO Ivan Ogareff.
The spectator who had uttered aloud
those words 'well given" was no other
than Alcide Jolivet. His companion
and himself. having halted at the camp
of Zabedeiro. were present at this
scene.
my God" said he to Harry Blount.
"these people Of the north are rough
men! Do we not owe some return to
our companion Of the journey? May
Korpanof or Strogoft succeed! What
splendid revenge for the affair OF
Ichim"
"Yes, revenge indeed" said Harry
Blount. "But Strogoff Is dead man.
For his sake it would perhaps be better
not to remember him any longer"
"And allow his mother to perish un-
Ter the kn0utT
"Do you believe that he has acted
better by his rash haste than his moth
tr and his sister,?
II don't belIevsanything; knownoth-
Ing" answered Alcide Jolivet "only
had I been In his place should not
have acted otherwise. What q slash!
Eh, what-the devil, we must boil over
sometimes. God would have placed
water In our veins and not blood had
he wished US to remain always and ev.
erywhere imperturbable."
"What splendid incident for news
paper articiew said Harry Blount. III
Ivan Ogareff would only communicate
to us the contents Of that letter."
Ivan Ogareff. after having wiped on
the blood which covered his face, had
broken the seal Of the letter. He read
| 1t again and again for long time, as
II he wished to fathom Its contents.
Then, having given his orders that
Michael Strogoff. strongly fettered,
should be sent on to. TOmsk with the
other prisoners. he took command OF
the troops encamped at Zabedeiro, and
amid the deafening sounds Of drums
and trumpets he marched to the town
where the emir was awaiting him.
They had not long to walt for the
lieutenant Of Feofar. Resounding bu-
gles announced his arrival.
Ivan Ogarefr-the flashed, as they al
ready begun to call him-dressed this
time in the uniform Of Tartar officer,
arrived on horseback before the tent
of the emlr. He was accompanied by
a body of the soldiers from the camp
of Zabedelro, who drew up along the
sides Of the plateau, in the middle OF
which he remained only during the
Etime allotted to,the ,amusements. One
could see deep cash cutting obliquely
the face Of the traitor.
Ivan Ogaren presented to the emir
his principal officers. and Feofar-Khan,
without departing from the coldness
which was the main foundation OF MS
dignity. received them In a manner
which made them satisfied with their
reception.
Alcide Jolivet and Harry Blount then
Joined the crowd and looked on In such
q manner as not to lose any detail OF .
feast, which was to furnish hundred
good lines for the newspapers. They
,gaxed with astonishment on Feofar-
Khan in his magniAcence. his women.
his officers, his guards and all this ori-
entail pomp. of which the ceremonies
Of Europe can give no idea. But they
turned away with disdain when Ivan
Ogareff presentedp himself before the
emir, and they waited. not without
some impatience. for the feast to BE-
gin.
"Do you see. my dear Blount." said
Alcide JolIvet. I'VE are come too soon'
Ike good citizens who must needs come
or lose their money. All this is only
! Pains in the Back
Are symptoms of o weak, torpid OF
stagnant condition of the kidneys or
| Evor oud aro a warnin0 II il extremely