Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-12-08
The Courier
of the Gar.
BY jules Verne

fitting tunic, the traditional belt of the |
moujik, wide trousers, gartered at the |
knees, and high boots, Michael Stro-
goff arrived at the station in time for
the first train. He carried no arms,
openly at least, but under his belt was
hidden a revolver and in his pocket
one of those large knives with which o
Siberian hunter can so neatly disem-
bowel a bear without injuring it's pre-
cious fur.
A crowd of travellers had collected at
the Moscow station. The stations on
the Russian railroads are much used as
places for meeting not only by those
who are about to proceed by the train,
but by friends who come to see them
off. 1t indeed resembles from the va
riety of characters assembled a small
news exchange.
The train in which Michael took his
place was to set him down at Mini
Novgorod. There terminated at that
time the iron road which, uniting Mos
cow and st. Petersburg, will eventually
continue to the Russian frontier. 1t was
a journey of about 400 versts, and the
train would accomplish it in ten hours.
Once arrived at Mini Novgorod, Stro-
goff would, according to circumstances,
either take the land route or the steam
er on the Volga, so as to reach the Ural
mountains as soon as possible.
Michael Strogoff ensconsed himself
In his corner like a worthy citizen
whose affairs go well with him and
who endeavors to kill time by sleep.
Nevertheless, as he was not alone in
his compartment, he slept with one eye
open and listened with both his ears.
In fact the rumor of the rising of the
Kirghiz hordes and of the Tartar inva-
sion had transpired in some degree.
The occupants Of the carriage, whom
chance had made his travelling compan-
ions. discussed the subject. though with
that caution which has become habit
ual among Russians, who know that
spies are ever on the watch for any
reasonable expressions which may be
uttered.
At the vladimir station fresh trav-
elers entered the train. Among others,
a young girl presented herself at the
! door of the carriage occupied by Mi
chael Strogoff
A vacant place was found opposite
the courier of the car. The young girl
took 1t after placing by her side a mod
est travelling bag of red leather which
seemed to constitute her luggage. Then,
seating herself with downcast eyes. she
| prepared for journey which was still
to last several hours.
| Michael Strogoff could not help look
ing attcntive:y at his newly arrived fell
low traveller. AS 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 slight bend of her grace
full neck.
The young girl appeared to be about
sixteen or seventeen years of age. Her
head, truly charming. was of the purest
Slavonic type - s''~ht'y sovere, and
which would when a few summers had
passed over her unfold into beauty
rather than mere prettness. From be-
meath sort of kerchef which she wore
on her head escaped in profusion 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 nostrils. The
lips were finely cut, but it seemed as IL
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
pelisse that covered her. Although she
was still 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
Strogoff. Evidently this young girl had
already suffered in the past. and the
future doubtless did not present itself
to her in glowing colors. But it 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 a man would be likely
to give way or lose his self command.
Such was the impression which she
produced at first sight. Michael Stro-
goff, 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
noyance by a too persistent gaze, he
observed his neighbor with no small In
terest. The costume of the young trav-
eler 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 pelisse, which
Eel, n 4Ao ~,