Morris tribune., 1902-02-15

ing to a sudden stop, sprang behind |
\ jutting wall.
What is the matter?' quickly asked
| the mujik, much astonished at this sud
den movement.
"Silenceg' hastily replied Michae
| Strogoa, with his finger on his lips.
At this moment a detachment de
bouched from the principal square int
| the street which Michael Strogof and
his companion had been just following
At the head Of the detachment, com
posed Of twenty horsemen, was an Off
Ger dressed in q very simple uniform
Although he glanced rapidly from one
side to the other, he could not have
seen Michael Strogof owing to his pre-
cipitous retreat.
The detachment went at full trot into
the narrow street. Neither the officer
nor his escort concerned, themselves
about the inha bitants. Several unlucky
ones had scarcely time to make way
for their passage. There were, there
fore, a few half stitied cries, to which
the thrusts Of the lance gave an instant
reply, and the street was Immediately
cleared.
When the escort had disappeared,
"Who is that oficer?" asked Michael
Strogof, returning toward the mujik-
And while putting the question his face
was pale as that Of a corpse.
j. SIT is Ivan Ogareff,' replied the Sibe-
rian, but in deep voice which breath
ed hatred. .:-s.,
Her cried Michael Str1goff. from
whom the word escaped y7itS an accent
of fury which he could MT conquer
he had just recognized in this officer
the traveller who had struck him at the
posting house of Ichim, and, although
he had only caught a glimpse of him, it
burst upon his mind at the same time
that this traveller was the old 'Zingari
whose words he had overheard in the
market place Of Mimi Noygorod
The mujik and Michael resumed the1I
way and arrived at the posting house.
To leave OU2sk by one of the breaches
would not be difficult after njghtfall.
AS for purchasing carriage to replace
the tarantass, that was impossible.
There was none to be let or sold. But
what want had Michael Strogof now
for a carriage? Was he not alone, alas:
A horse would suffice him, and, very
fortunately, a horse could be had. 1t
was an animal of mettle, capable Of
enduring much fatigue, and Michael
strogoff, accomplished horseman as he
was, could make good use of it.
I The horse cost a high price, and q
few moments later Michael was ready
to start. 1t was then o'clock in the
afternoon.
Michael Strogoff, compelled to wait
till nightfalI in order to pass the forti-
fcations, but not desiring to show him
self in the streets of Omsk, remained in
the posting house and there partook Of
food.
There was great crowd in the pub
Of the anxious inha bitants, who at this
aventful period collected there to OBJ
tain news. They were talking of the
expected arrival of a corps of Musco-
vite troops, not at Omsk, but at Tomsk,
/ corps intended to recapture that town
from the Tartars Of Feofar-Kahn.
Michael Strogoff lent an attentive ear
to all that was said, but took no part
n the conversation.
Suddenly a cry made him tremble, a
Try which penetrated to the depths OF |
lis soul, and these two words, so to
aal- I,71S1,oI info his
my, son" |
His mother, the old woman Maria. (
vas before him. Trembling, she smii- |
ID upon him. She stretched forth her |
lrms to him. Michael Strogoff arose. /
He was about to throw himself
The thought of duty, the serious dan
,er for his mother and himself in this
meeting, suddenly stopped
lin, and such was his command over
himself that not a muscle Of his face
moved.
There were twenty people in the pub
ic room. Among them were perhaps
pies, and was it not known in the
own that the son of Maria Strogof
to the corps of the couriers Of
he cZar?
Michael Strogoff did not move.
"Michael" cried his mother. Il
"Who are you, my good lady?" Mi II
hazel StrogoT stammered. unable to
peak in his usual firm tone. 81
"Who am L, thou askest? Dost thou
o longer know thy mother?"
''You are mistaken" coldly replied
f1chael Srogoff. "a resemblance de
elves YOU
The old Maria went up. to him and,
,oking straight into his eyes, said:
Thou arts the son of Peter and
[arfa Strogoff2"
Michael Strogoff would have given
is life to have locked his mother in his
rms, but if he yielded it was all over
18th him, with her, with his mission, ;
18th his oath! Completely master of
imself, he closed his eyes in order not L.
see the inexpressible anguish which
gftated the reyered countenance of his
other. He drew back his hands in I,
der not to touch those trembling
ands which sought him.
ar NM in ff.11&I xDhof If ic / =