The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-01-11

Marta Strogoif came and stood before
him.
my mothcr" cried he. Yes. yes
on thee must be turned my last look
and not on this miserable man. re-
main there before me- that may sul
see thy beloved figure; that my eyes
may close while looking n thecr'
The old Siberian, without ulteriug
word came forward,
Drive away this womauet SAID Ivan
Ogaref.
Twe soldiers pushed back Maria Stro-
4 goif. she drew back, but remained
standing some PAGES distant from her
SOD,
The exeeutioner appeared This time
he held hls naked sword ia his hand
That sword heated 70 a white heat. he
had just drawn from the iron pan
where the perfumed Goals were burn.
ing.
aiichael suogo6 was about to be
made blind according 70 the Tartar GUS
tom, with O heated blade passed over
his eyes!
Michael rtrogoG did not seek 10 re-
sist Nothing else existed in his eyca
thnn his mother, whom he devoured
then with his look An his life was in
this last vision.
Maria Strogon with her eyes wlle
open aud her arms stretched toward
him, was looking at him.
The white heated blade passed over
Z a.. .....~.. Nff.T.n.F kft..,.....
4 loud cry Of despair was heard. Old
Maria fell lfelcss to the earthl
Michael Strogon was blind,
Ills ORDERS having been executed. the
emir renred with an his household.
Soon there only remained on the plA-
tean Ivan Ogareff aud the torchbear,
ers.
Did the miserable wretch wish 60 In
suit him still more and after the ex-
ecutloner give him tle last blowg
Ivan Ogaren slowly approached MI
chael Strogon, who heard him coming
and nc once Strengthened himself.
Ivan Ogarenl dfew from his pocfts
the cmperor's letter He opened It md
as the last insult placed It before thc
eyes OF the courier OF the car. 'ooforo
those eyes whose light had been hru.
tally eNtingushed forever Saying 1T
the same dime:
rRead now, Michael SrOgoR; read
and ge and repeat at lrbUtSk what you
shall have read The true courier of
the ear Is myself"
Having said this. the traitor placed
the letter. ia his breast. Then, without
turning round. he Left the places and
the torchhearers fo.loyed him.
Michael Strogon Fonalned alone
some PAGES from hfi mother, who was
lifeless, perhaps dead.
One heard at n distGnce The CRIES. Tx
songs, all the noise OF the orgies
Toulsk was Illuminated and was bright
as o city during great feast
Michael Strogom listened. The, seen,
Of the late reycis and crime was silen
and deserted
He dragged himself by gDplns to
ward tie place where his mother La,
fallen. He found hcr with his hand
He bent down toward her. lie hrough
his figure near TO beTs. lie listCneI
TO the beatiugs Of her heart. Then on
would have said. Lat hc spoke TO he
In low voice.
DID old Maria Fiil live and did sh
hear the words bcr son spoke 30 her?
IN any case she IA not make an.
sign Of life by movement.
Michael Suogoff kissed her forehead
and hcg white hairs Then he rose
and, gripping with his foot and tryin;
/ to hold lis bands Ia such way as T.
guide BIN, he walked by little and liz
tie 70 the end az the plateau
Suddenly nadia appeared
She went g'ralght 90 her companion
A dagger ;Lat she held served TO en-
the curds Tint bound the arms OF nj
chael StroSoG
lie Dl-nd as he was, did no, know
who Ii was Who Was releasing him, FOL
Nadia had non spoken word.
Bot, tiiat done, said She
"Brothcrr'
nadia" murmurcd Michael strogoI
"Nadia"
Come, brother replied nadia
"I1cncpfo-'h my eyes shall be youi
eyes ana IL is / who will conduct yor
TO Irkutsk!~
Ia half ar hour after Michael strc
goM and Nadia had left Tomsk.
a certain number OF the prisoners on
thai night were able 60 escape from tic
Tartars for officers and soldiers. all
more or less tesotted. had unconscious
~ relaxed the severe surveillance which
they had maintained up TO that time
both at the camp OF Zabedeiro and dur
Ing thc march Of the convoy.
Nadia, after having been led out
with the other prisoners. bad been able
70 escape and return to the plateau al
the very mQmct Michael Strogon was
being conducted before the emir.
There In the midst OF the crowd sl,c
had kccn All. Not a cry had escaped
Aer when Tie blade. white with heat,
passed over the eyes OF her companion.
She had the strength to remain motion
less and silent 4 providentlal inspira-
tion told her 20 preserve, herself SILL
\ free ~ guide the son OF Mnrfa sr0g0a