Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-01-04
CHAPTER Xxx.


YNTVNN physical, had neutralizet
NS the action of the redho
blade which the execu
toner Of Feofar had passed over hi
eyes. One remembers that at the mo
ment Of that terrible punishment Mar
IA Strogof was there. stretching ou
her hands toward her son.
Michael Strogoff looked at her, as
son can look at his mother when 1t !:
for the last time. Streams Of tears
welled up from his heart to his eyes
which his high spirit tried in vain t(
restrain and. filling the sockets of hi:
eyes, had thus saved his sight. The
action of the heat had been destroyed
Just In the same manner as when
smelter. after having plunged his hanf
into water. thrusts 1t with impunity
into molten iron.
Michael Strogoff had at once under
stood the danger he would have rur
In making known his secret to any one
he realized the advantages which hi
might gain from this situation for the
accomplishment of his projects. 1t is
because they would believe him to be
blind that they would leave him his
liberty.
1t was necessary, then, that he
should be blind. that he should be
80 for all. even for Madam short
that be should be so everywhere and
that not gesture at any moment coulo
cause any doubt Of the sincerity of his
role. His resolution was taken. Ever
his very life must be risked In order
to give to all the proof Of his blindness
and one knows how he risked it.
His mother alone knew the truth
and It was on the square of Tomsk that
he had whispered It in her ear when
bending over her In the shade. he had
covered her with his kisses.
We can now understand how when
Ivan Ogareff had placed the emperor's
letter before his eyes. which he be-
lieyed to be blind. Michael Strogof had
been able to read. had read that letter
which disclosed the hateful designs OF
the traitor: hence that energy which
he displayed during the second part OF
the journey: hence that unchangin:
will to reach Irkutsk and on arrivr
there to fulfill with his own voice his
mission. He knew that the town was
to be given up by the traitor. He knew
that the life Of the grand duke was
threatened. The safety Of the brother
Of the car and Of Siberia was still IN
his hands.
In a few words all this history was
reccunted to the grand duke. and Mi
ehael Strogoff told also. and with what
emotion, the part which Nadia had TAX
en- In these events.
"Who is this young girl?' asked the
grand duke.
1.-THE daughter Of the exiled Wassili
Feodor," answered Michael Strogoff.
"The daughter OF Commander Feo-
DOR" said the grand duke, "has ceased
to be the daughter Of an exile. There
are no more exiles at Irkutsk."
Nadia. less strong in Joy than she had
been in sorrow, fell at the feet of the
grand duke, who raised her with one
hand. while he held out the other to
Michael Strogoff. An hour afterward
Nadia was In the arms Of her father.
Michael. Strogoff, Nadia, Wassili Feo'
dor, were reunited. 1t was on all sides
complete happiness.
The Tartars had been repulsed In
their double attack upon the town.
Wassili Feodor. with his little troop.
had crushed the first assailants who
had presented themselves at the Pol
chaia gate with the expectation Of find
ing it open.
At the same time that the Tartars
were driven back the besieged had rem
dered themselves masters Of the fire.
Before daybreak the troops OF Feofar'
Khan had returned to their encamp'
ments, leaving n good number Of dead
under the ramparts.
Among the dead was the gypsy San
garre, who had tried In vain to rejoin
Ivan Ogareff.
For two days the besiegers attempt
ed no new assault. They were discour'
aged by the death Of Ivan Ogaref
That man was the soul Of the invasion
and he alone. by his long continued
plots. had sufficient influence over the
khans and their hordeS to be able tc
lead them to the conquest Of Asiatit
Russia.
Meanwhile the defenders Of Irkutsb
had held themselves on their guard
and the investment continued, but OF
the 7th of October from the first streak:
of day the boom of cannon resoundet
on the heights around Irkutsk. 1t wa:
the relieving army which had arrived
under the orders Of General kissely
who thus signaled his presence to TIT
grand duke.
The Tartars did not stay any longer
They did not wish to risk q battle un
der the walls of lrkutsk. The camp o
the Angara was Immediately raised
Irkutsk was at last delivered.
With the first Russian soldiers tw'
friends Of Michael Strogoff had entered
the town. They were the inseparabl
Blount and Jolivet. By gaining tn
right bank of the Angara along tn
barrier of ice they and the other fugi
tives had been able to escape befor
the flames Of the Angara had reached
the raft. This had been put down b.
Alcide Jolivet in his notebooh and Il
this manner, "Was near ending like
lemon in q bowl Of punch"
Their JOY was great to once more mn
Nadia and Michael Strogof safe an'
sound, especially when they learne'