Morris tribune., 1902-04-05
By Jules VerDe


Alcide Jolivet in his notebook and in
this manner, ''Was near ending like a
lemon in a bowl Of punchg'
Their Joy was great to once more find
Nadia and Michael Strogoff safe and
sound, especially when they learned
that their brave companion was not
blind, a statement which led Harry
Blount to jot down this observation:
"A redhot iron is perhaps insufficient
to destroy the sensibility Of the optic
nerve. To be modified"
Afterward the two correspondents,
we'll installed in Irkutsk, occupied
themselves in putting in order the i'm
pressions Of their journey. From thence
two interesting chronicles Of the Tartar
invasion were sent to London and Par
is, which, strange to say, only contra
dicted each other on points of less mo-
meHt
For the rest the campaign was bad
for the emir and his allies. That inVa-
sion. useless, as are all those that at
tack colossal Russia, was most fatal to
them. They soon found themselves cut
off by the troops Of the car, who re-
| TOOK successfully all the conquered
towns. Besides, the winter was terri
bic, and of those hordes, decimated by
the cold, only small number returned
to the stoppes of Tartary. The route
from Irkutsk to the Ural mountains
was free.
The grand duke was in haste to re-
turn to Moscow, but he delayed his
journey in order to assist at touching
ceremony which took place some days
after the entry Of the Russian troops.
Michael Strogoff had sought out Ma
dia and in the presence Of her father
had said to her, NADIA, my sister still,
when you left Riga to come to Irkutsk
had you no other regret but that Of
leaving behind you your mother?'
NO." replied Nadia; none what
ever"
$50 that no part of your heart has
remained down thereY'
"None, brother"
'Then, Nada," said Michael Strogof,
~ do not believe but that God in bring
ing us together, in allowing us to pass
through these great trials together, has
wished US to be united forever"
"Ahr said Nadia as she fell into the
arms of Michael Strogoff, and, turning
toward Wassili Feodor, ''My father"
she said, blushing deeply.
"Nadia," said Wassili Feodor, ''my
joy will be to call you both my chill
dren!'
The marriage ceremony took place in
the cathedral Of Irkutsk. 1t was very
simple in it's preparations, but very
beautiful in the concourse of the mill
tary and civil population, which thus
wished to show its gratitude to the
young couple, whose strange journey
had now become legendary.
Alcide Jolivet and Harry Blount Of
course assisted at the marriage, Of
which they wished to give an account
to their readers.
"And does it not make you envious to
initiate them?' asked ALcide Jolivet to
his companion.
"Pshawv' exclaimed Harry Blount.
"If, like you, had a cousinr'
"My cousin Is not any longer mar
ria geable," laughingly answered Alcide
Jolivet.
call the BETTER" added Harry Blount
"for they speak of difficulties which
are about to arise between London and |
Peking"
would you not like to see what is
passing there?', J
"Why, my dear Blount," cried Alcide T
Jolivet, Il was about to propose it to
your
This is hc-v the two inseparables set
cut for China.
Some days after the ceremony Mi
rhael and Nadia Strogof, accompanied
by Wassili FcodOr, started on their
Journey to Europe That road of sor-
COWS was only one of happiness on
heir return. They Travelled very rapid
y with one Of those trains which glide
ike an express over the frozen steppes
If Siberia.
Meanwhile, arrived at the banks Of
he Dinka, just opposite Briskoe, they
stopped there one day. Michael Stro-
5of sought out the place whore be haG
Inferred poor Nicholas. y c9Oss was
planted there, and Nadia prayed for
he last time on the tomb Of the hum
lie and heroic soul which neither the
me nor the other would ever forget. :
AT Omsk old Maria was awaiting ;
hem IN the little house Of the Stro. [ 5
offs. She pressed in hor arllls that !,
6ble girl whom in her heart she had /
lready a hundred times called her Z
aughter. The brave Siberian on that I
ay had the right to own her son and 8 Z
0 say that she was proud of him. A.
After some days passed at Omsk, Mi
hazel and Nadia Strogon returned tc q
Europe, and, Wassili Feodor being we'll I +
xed in St. Petersburg, neither his SOL +
or his daughter had any occasion ever 3
, leave him, only when they went to :
&c their old mother. ;
The young courier had been received +
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