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


go Alcide and Blount, hay
ing bought horses, had already taken
the road to Tomsk.
Among the prisoners brought by Ivan
Ogareff to the Tartar camp was an old
woman, whose taciturnity seemed to
keep her apart from all those who shar-
ed her fate Not murmur issued from
her lips. She was like statue Of Grler.
This woman was more strictly guarded
than any one else and, without her ap-
pearing to notice or even to suspect,
was constantly watched by the gypsy
Sangarre. Notwithstanding her age,
she was compelled to follow the con-
voy Of prisoners on foot, without any
alienation Of her suffering. 4
However, a kind Providence had plac-
ed near her 4 courageous, kind hearted
being to comfort and assist her. Among
her companions in misfortune young
girl, remarkable for her beauty and a
taciturnity equal to that Of the Sibe-
rian, seemed to have given herself the
task of watching over her. No words
had been exchanged between the two
captives, but the girl was always found
at the old woman's side just when her
help was useful. At first the mute as
sistarce of the stranger was not ac-
cepted without some mistrust. Grad
ually, however, the young girls clear
glance, her reserve and tie mysterious
sympathy which draws together those
who are in misfortune thawed Narfa's
coldness.
Nadia-for it was she-was thus able
without knowing it to render to the
mother those attentions which she had
herself received from the son. Her in
stinctive kindness had doubly inspired
her. In deToting herself to her service
Nadia secured to her youth and beauty
the protection afforded by the age Of
the old prisoner.
On the crowd of unhappy. people, i'm
bittered by sufferingS, this silent paiE-
one seeming to be the grandmother, the
other the granddaughter-imposed' a
sort Of respect.
After being carried off by the Tartar
scouts OF the Irish Nadia had been
taken to Omsk. Kept a prisoner in the
town, she shared the fate Of all those
captured by Ivan Ogaref and conse-
uuently that Of Maria Strogof.
Thanks to her young companion,
Maria Strogof was able to follow the
soldiers who guarded the prisoners
without being fastened to a saddle
bow, as were many other unfortunate
wretches, and thus dragged along this
road Of sorrow.
MAY God reward you. my daughter,
for what you have done for my old
agew said Maria Strogof once, and for
some time these were the only words
exchanged between the two uAfortu-
nate beings.
Nadia also, if not completely silent
spoke little.
However, one day her heart over
flowed, and she told, without conceal
ing anything, ali the events which had
occurred from her departure from
Vladimir to the death Of Nicholas kor-
panoff. All that her young companion
told intensely interested the old SlDe-
rian.
nicholas Korpanoff?' said she. Tell
NE again about Nicholas. I know only
one man, one alone, among all the youth
Of the time in whom such conduct
would not have astonished me. Nicho-
las Korpanof! Was that really his
name? Are you sure OF it. my daugh-
ter"
"yyhy should be have deceived me in
this" replied Nadia, when he deceived
me in no other way?"
Moved, however, by a kind Of pre-
sentiment, Maria Strogoff put questions
upon questions to Nadia.
'You told me he was fearless, my
daughter. You have proved that ne
has been So said she.
Yes, fearless indeed" replied Nadia. |
"It was just what my son would
have done" said Maria to herself.
Then she resumed:
did you not say that nothing stop |
ped him, nothing astonished him, that
he was so gentle in his strength thaI
YOU had q sister as we'll as brother ID |
him and that he watched over you IKE |
q mother?'
Yes, yes" said Nadia; brother, SIS
fer, mother-he has been all to me-"
And defended you like a lion?
"a lion indeed" replied Nadia. Yes, |
q lion, hero"
1Continued on next page.