The Iola register., 1901-12-13


ing attcntively at his newly arrived fell
low traveller. Az she was so placed as
TO travel with her back to the engine.
he even offered her his seat which she
might prefer to her own, but she thank
ed him with a slight bend OF her grace
full neck.
The young girl appeared to be about
sixteen or seventeen years Of nge Her
head. truly charming. was of the purest
Slavonic type - slightly severe, ana
which would when n few summers had
passed over her unfold into beauty
rather than mere prettiness. From be
meath = sort OF kerchief which she wore
on her head escaped in profuslon light
golden hair. Her eyes were brown,
soft and expressive of much sweetness
OF temper. The nose was straight and
attached to her pale and somewhat thin
cheeks by delicate mobile nostrlls. The
lips were finely cut. but 1t seemed us II
they had long since forgotten how to
smile.
The young traveller was tall and up
right. as well as could be Judged OF her
figure from the very simple and ample
pelsse that covered her, Although she
was still a 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. a
point which did not escape Michael
Strogon. 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
ly 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-
goif, 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
noyancc by n too persistent gaze, he
observed his neighbor with no small in
elcr 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 long. dark pellsse, which
was gracefully adjusted at the neck by
blue tie. Under this pellsse short
skirt, also dark, fell over n 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 thlckly soled. as II cho-
sen in the anticipation of n long jour
ney, covered her small feet.
Michael Strogoff fancied that he rec.
ognlzed by certain details the fashion
of the costume of Livonia, and he
thought that his neighbor must be u
native of the Baltic provinces.
But whittier was this young girl go-
ing alone at an age when the fostering
care Of father or the protection of
brother Is considered matter OF ne
cessity? Had she now come after an
already long journey from the prov
inccs of western Russia? Was she
merely going to Mini Novgorod, or was
the end OF her travels beyond the east
crn 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 as much isolated
in the town as she was in this com
partment, where no one, she must
think, appeared to care for her? II
was probable.
Michael Strogoff 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 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-
amlned 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
partmcnt, all bound for Mini Novgo-
rod, their appearance, happily for them,
was in nowise suspicious.
The young girl in her turn exhibited
not passport, since passports are no
longer required In Russia, but permit
indorsed with private seal and which
seemed to be OF special character.
The inspector read the permit with at
tentiou. Then, having attentiyely ex-
amined the person whose description 1t
contained, he said:
"You are from Riga?'
"Hcs" replied the young girl.
"Hou are going to IrkutskT'
Eyes"
"By what routeY'
"By Perm"