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

that the executioner did not nold nis
naked sword in his hand.
Then suddenly, as If at a given sig
nal, all the fires Of the fantasia were
extinguished, the dances ceased, the
dancers disappeared. The ceremony
was terminated, and the torches alone
lit up the plateau which some instants
before was so full Of lights.
At sign from the emir Michael Stro
goff was led into the middle of the
square.
Little DESTROYS Of assisting at the tor.
ture reserved for this unfortunate man.
Harry Blount and Alcide Jolivet then
re-entered the city.
An hour later they were Fastening
along the road to Irkutsk, and it was
among the Russians they would at
tempt to follow what Alcide Jolivet
called by anticipation "the campaign
of revenge"
The emir made a gesture. Michael
Strogoff, pushed by the guards, ap-
preached the terrace, and then in that
Tartar language which he understood
Feofar said to him:
Russian spy, you are come to see.
You have seen for the last time. In an
instant thine eyes shall be forever shut
to the light!
1t was not with death, but with
blindness that Michael Strogoff was
about to be stricken. Loss of sight,
more terrible perhaps than loss Of life!
The unhappy man was condemned to
lose his eyesight.
Nevertheless on hearing the penalty
pronounced by the emir Michael Stro-
goff did not become weak. He remain
ed impossible, his large eyes open, as
If he were wishing to concentrate all
his life in this one last look.
To ask for pity from these fierce men
was useless and, besides, unworthy of
him. He did not even think of it. All
his thought was concentrated on his
mission that had irrevocably failed, on
his mother, on Nadia, whom he should
never see again! But he did not allow
to be seen any Of the emotion which he
felt.
Besides, the feeling Of vengeance, to
be accomplished at some future time,
carried away his whole being.
"Ivan," said he, with menacing
voice, "Ivan, the traitor, the last threat
of my eyes shall be for thee"
Ivan Ogareff shrugged his shoulders.
But Michael Strogoff deceived him
self. 1t was not in looking at Ivan
Ogareff that his eyes were to be fixed
never more to open.
Maria Strogoff came and stood before
him.
any mother!" cried he. ayes, yes,
on thee must be turned my last look
and not on this miserable man! Re-
main there before me, that I may still
see thy beloved figure; that my eyes
may close while looking at theev'
The old Siberian, without uttering a
word, came forward.
"Drive away this womanw said Ivan
Ogaref.
Two soldiers pushed back Maria StrO-
goff. She drew back, but remained
standing some PAGES distant from her
son.
The executioner appeared. This time
he held his naked sword in his hand.
That sword. heated to a white heat, he
had just drawn from the iron pan
where the perfGmed Goals were burn
ing.
Michael Strogoff was about to be
made blind according to the Tartar GUS
tom, with u heated blade passed over
his eyes!
Michael Strogoff did not seek to re-
sist. Nothing else existed in his eyes
than his mother, whom he devoured
then with his look. All his life was in
this last vision.
Maria Strogoff, with her eyes wide
open and her arms stretched toward
him, was looking at him.
The white heated blade passed over
the eyes of Michael Strogof.
A loud cry of despair was heard. Old
Maria fell lifeless to the earth!
Michael Strogoff was blind.
His orders having been executed, the
emir retired with all his household.
Soon there only remained on the pla-
teau Ivan Ogareff and the torchbear-
ers.
Did the miserable wretch wish to in
suit him still more and after the ex-
acutioner give him the last blow?
Ivan Ogareff slowly approached Nj
chael Strogoff, who heard him coming
and at once Strengthened himself.
Ivan Ogareff drew from his pocket
the emperor's letter. He opened 1t and
as the last insult placed it before the
eyes Of the courier Of the czar, before
those eyes whose light had been -bru-
tally extinguished forever, saying at
the same time:
"Read now, Michael Strogoff; read
and go and repeat at Irkutsk what you
shall have read. The true courier Of
the czar is myself"
Having said this, the traitor placed
the letter in his breast. Then, without
turning round, he left the place, and
the torchbearers followed him.
Michael Strogoff remained alone,
some PAGES from his mother, who was
lifeless, perhaps dead.
One heard at distance the cries, the
songs, all the noise Of the orgies.
TQmsk was Illuminated and was bright
-