Morris tribune., 1902-03-08

have believed that lie was following q
route which the Tartars might cut of
at any moment.
Nadia, holding the hand of Michael
Strogoff, stood on one side.
The kfbitka stopped. and the driver
looked at the young girl, at the same
time smiling.
And where are you going in this
fashion? he asked her as he looked
pleasantly round.
At the sound OF his voice Michael
Strogof said to himself that he had
heard it somewhere, and without doubt
it was sufficient to cause him to rec
ognize the driver Of the kibitka, for his
face at once became serene.
Well, now, where are you going r.
repeated the young man, addressing
himself more directly to Michael Stro-
goh.
1--WE were going to Irkutsk,n answer
ed the latter.
"Oh, my good man, do you not know,
then, that there are many, many yersts
between this and Irkutsk 2"
II know it,
"And you are going on foot?''
con foot.''
GAS for you, it's all right, but the
missY
'She is my sister," said Michael Stro-
goff, who thought it more prudent to
give this name again to Nadia.
"Yes, your sister, my good man. But,
believe me, she will never be able to
reach Irkutsk."
Friend" replied Michael Strogof as
he drew near, ''the Tartars have rob-
bed US, and have not a copeck to offer
thee, but if you will take my sister
near you will follow the carriage on
foot. will run if it be necessary and
will not delay you one hour"
Brother" cried Nadia, 81 do not
wish it! do not wish it! Sir, my
brother is blindv'
"BlindY' said the young man in a
voice moved with emotion.
''The Tartars have burned out his
eyes! answered Nadia, stretching out
her hands as though to implore pity.
Burned your eyes? Oh, poor, dear
man! am going to Krasnoiarsk.
Well, now, why do you not mount with
your sister into the kibitka? In sitting
little closer we shall hold each other
up Besides, my dog will not refuse to
go on foot. Only I do not go fast in or
der to spare my horse"
"Friend, what do they call your
asked Michael Strogoff.
II am called Nicholas Pigassof."
"It is a name that shall never for
get" answered Michael Strogof. II
'Well, then, mount, my good blind
man. Your sister shall be near you at
the back of the car; in front to con-
duct. There are some good birch bark
and some barley straw on the bottom.
It's like nest. Come, Serko, give us
room" Ill.,, H"
The dog jumped off without much
asking. It was an animal Of the Sibe-
rian breed, with a gray hide, medium
size, with good, large and caressing
head, and which appeared to be very
to his master.
Michael Strogof and Nadia in an in
slant were installed in the kibitka. Mi
chael Strogoff had stretched out. his
hands as though to search those Of
Pigassof. r. y
"Is it my hands you wish to press?''
said Nicholas. "Here they are, my
good man. Shake them as much as
you like" .-.-a
The kibitka was soon in motion. The |
horse, which Nicholas never struck, |
ambled along. If Michael Strogof did
not gain much in rapidity, at least new
'atigues would be spared to Nadia.
And such Was 1hs exhaustion OF the
young girl that. rocked by the monoto-
lous motion Of the kibitka, she soon
ell into sleep that resembled an utter
,rostration. Michael Strogoff and Mich
'las made a bed for her on the birch
caves as we'll as they were able. The
young man was much
moved, and if a tear did not escape the
yes Of Michael Strogoff in truth it
vas because the redhot iron had burn
d them dry. .~r ....,
"She is pretty" said Nicholas.
"Yes," answered Michael Strogoff.
'"These darlings would be strong, for
hey are courageous, but they are real
7 only weak. Do you come great
istance"
"From a great distance"
"Poor young folks! 1t must have
urt you much when they burned your
yes" s~
every much" said Michael Strogoff,
1rning as though he could see Nicho-
IS. .E,ssf,. ~. .5~&ia4s,,
Ibid you not cry?" '''t5', :, r.
eyes"
81 also should have cried. To think i
lat one can never see again those he ,
yes! Anyhow they see you. That is i
erhaps some consolation" j
Eyes, perhaps. Tell me, friend" de- j
anded Michael Strogof, shave you t
ever seen me anywhere before to- (
W" ,,s..,~-,s.,.,se J
"You, my good man? No, never" t
'tIt is because the sound of your voice i
not unknown to me"
fETN -. .1-,-.s -,