Morris tribune., 1902-03-01

j. 81
= Alcide and Blount, hav
ing bought horses, had already taken
the road to Tomsk.
Among the prisoners brought by Ivan
Ogaref to the Tartar camp was an old
woman, whose taciturnity seemed to
keep her apart from all those who shar-
I'd her fate. Not murmur issued from
her lips. She was like statue Of grief
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 co14
voy of prisoners on foot, without any
alienation of her suffering.
However, kind Providence had plac-
ed near her a courageous, kind hearted
being to comfort and assist her. Among
her companions in misfortune a 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
sistance Of the stranger was not ac-
'cepted without some mistrust. Grad
ually, however, the young girls clear
glance, her reserve and the mysterious
sympathy which draws together those
who are in misfortune thawed Marfa's
GOODNESS.
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 douhly inspired
her. In devOting 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
Uttered by sufferings, this silent pair
one seeming to be the grandmother, the
other the daughter-imposed a
sort Of respect.
After being carried off by the Tartar
scouts or the Irish Nadia had been
taken tn OSlsk. Kept prisoner in the
town, she shared the fate of all those
captured by Ivan Ogareff and conse-
Quently that of Marta Strogoff. 4.
Thanks to her young companion,
Maria Strogoff 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
agev' said Maria Strogof once, and for
\ some time these were the only words
exchanged between the two unfortu-
nate beings.
Nadia also, if not completely silent,
spoke little.
However, one day her heart over
flowed, and she told, without conceal
ing anything, all 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 Sibe-
rian.
"Nicholas Korpanoff?' said she. "Tell
one man, one alone, among all the youth
of the time in whom such conduct
would not have astonished me. Nicho
las Korpanoff! Was that really his
name? Are you sure of it, my daugh-
ter ....' 80. 1"~:, ~'@
"Why should he have deceived me in |
this" replied Nadia, when he,decelFed
me in no other way? .s..,. /
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 he
has been So" said she.
Eyes, fearless indeed" replied Nadia.
ut was just what my son would
have DONE" said Marta to herself.
Then she resumed, ~. -. =. /
y, '"Did you not say that nothing stop. !
ped him, nothing astonished him, that
she was so gentle in his strength that
you had a sister as well as a brother in
him and that he watched over you like
a mother?"
eyes, yes" said Nadia; brother, sis
ter, mother-he has been all to me-"
"And defended you like lion?'
"a lion indeed" replied Nadia. Eyes,
q lion hero.' |
my son, my sonv' thought the old
Siberian. But do you say. that he has
submitted to terrible affront in the
posthouse Of IchimW H..
"He has borne with it, answered Ma
dia. lowering her head.
"Has he submitted to itH nurmured
Maria Strogoff, trembling with fear.
Mother, mother cried Nadia, 'do
not condemn him. There is secret |
there Of which God alone is the judge
at the present timer
"And," said Maria, raising her head
and looking at Nadia as though she de-
sired to read the depth Of her soul in
this hour of humiliation, ''have you de-
spised this Nicholas Korpanof?
81 have admired him without under
standing him." answered the young
girl. 81 have never felt him to be more