The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1902-01-02

1--WE were going to Irkutsk." answer
ed the latter.
"Oh my good man. do you not know
then. that there are many. many versts
between this and Irkutsk ~
II know it."
And you are going on foot?"
ION foot"
"As for you. it's all right. but the
miss?''
''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 Strogoff as
he drew near, 1.-The Tartars have rob-
bed us. and have not copeck to Offer
thee, but if you will take my sister
near you will follow the carriage on
foot. l will run if it be necessary and
will not delay you one hour"
Brother" cried Nadia, 81 do not
wish it! l do not wish it! Sir, my
brother is blindv'
"Blind! 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! l am going to Krasnoiarsk.
Well, now, why do you not mount with
your sister into the kibitka? In sitting
a little closer we shall hold each other
up. Besides, my dog will not refuse to
60 on foot. Only I do not 60 fast in or
der to spare my horse"
Friend, what do they call your
asked Michael Strogoff.
II am called Nicholas Pigassof"
ut is name that l shall never for
get" answered Michael Strogoff.
"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"
The dog jumped off without much
asking. 1t was an animal of the Sibe-
rian breed, with gray hide, medium
size, with good, large and caressing
head, and which appeared to be very
attached to his master.
Michael Strogoff 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
Nicholas Pigassof. -.
"Is it my hands you wish to press?"
said Nicholas. Here they are, my
good man. Shake them as much as
you like"
The kititka was soon in motion. The
horse, which Nicholas never struck,
ambled along. If Michael Strogof did
not gain much in rapidity, at least new
fatigues would be spared to Nadia.
And such was the exhaustion of the
young girl that, rocked by the monoto-
nous motion Of the kibitka, she soon
fell into sleep that resembled an utter
prostration. Michael Strogoff and Mich
olas made bed for her on the birch
leaves as we'll as they were able. The
compassionate young man was much
moved, and if tear did not escape the
eyes of Michael Strogoff in truth it
was because the redhet iron had burn
ed them dry.
"She Is pretty" said Nicholas.
eyes," answered Michael Strogoff.
"These darlings would be strong, for
they are courageous, but they are real
ly only weak. Do you come great
distance?
"From a great distance"
"Poor young folks! 1t must have
hurt you much when they burned your
eyes,"
"Very much" said Michael Strogoff,
turning as though he could see Nicho-
las. -
"Did you not cry"
"Yes."
81 also should have cried. To think
that one can never see again those he
loves! Anyhow they see you. That is
perhaps some consolation"
Eyes, perhaps. Tell me, friend" de-
manded Michael Strogoff. "have you
never seen me anywhere before to-
day?"
"You, my good man? No, never"
TT is because the sound Of your voice
is not unknown to me-"
do you see" said Nicholas, smiling.
"He knows the sound of my voice.
Perhaps you ask me this to learn
whence l come. Oh, I am going to
tell you. l am coming from Kalyvan."
"From Kalyvan" said Michael Stro-
goff. "Well, then it is there that l met
you. You were at the telegraph Of
fice?
'That may be-" answered Nicholas.
IT lived there. was employed as tele-
graph operator"
And you remained at your post to
the last moment?
.'Eh! 1t is especially at that moment
one ought to be there" II
1T was the day when an Englishman
and Frenchman, rubles in their
hands, disputed the turn at your wick
ct, and when the Englishman telegraph
ed the first verses of the Bible?"
THAT, my good man. is possible. but
/ do not remember it."
What! You do not remember it?'
II never read the dispatches which I