The Iola register., 1902-01-17

to drink In their turn
The old Siberian bent over the fresh
stream, and Nadia having plunged her
hands into it, carried it to the lips Of
Maria. Then she refreshed herself in
her turn. The cold water of the pure
stream seemed to give back life to the
old woman and the young girl. Sud
denly Nadia, as she left the banks.
Strengthened herself. An involuntary
cry escaped her lips.
Michael Strogoff was there and only
some PAGES from herl 1t was he!
At the cry of Nadia Michael Strogoff
had started. but he had sufficient COM
mand of himself not to utter a word
which could compromise him.
And yet Mt the very moment that Ma
dia had recognized him he had recog-
nized his mother. Michael Strogoff at
this unexpected meeting, not feeling
himself to be any longer master of him
self raised his hand to his eyes and inn
mediately left the spot. Nadia was in
stlnct lively fastening forward to rejoin
him when the old Siberian whispered
these words In her ear:
"Stay, my daughterp'
at is hew answered Nadia in a voice
trembling with emotion. HE lives,
mother 1t is her
"It is my son." answered Maria Stro-
goff; "it Is Michael Strogoff, and you
see that | do not take one step toward
him. Follow my example"
| Michael Strogoff had just experienced
one of the most violent emotions which
| 1t is ever given to man to feel. His
mother and Nadia were there. Those
| two prisoners, each of whom seemed to
! hold the first place in his heart were
! there Joined with him in one common
misfortune. Did Nadia know who he
was? No, for he had seen the gesture
of Maria Strogoff holding her back Mt
the moment she was about to rush upon
him. Maria Strogoff had understood
all and kept her secret.
Michael Strogoff could then hope that
this fresh and unexpected meeting at
the camp OF Zabedeiro would have no
injurious consequences neither for his
mother nor for himself, but he did
not know that certain particulars Of
that scene, rapidly as it had passed,
had been gained by Sangarre, the spy
of Ivan Ogareff.
The gypsy was there, n few PAGES
from the bank, watching as ever the
old Siberian, without her suspecting II.
She had not been able to perceive Mi
chael Strogoff, who had already dis
appeared when she turned round, but
the gesture of the mother, withhold
ing Nadia, had not escaped her, and a
light from Merfa's eyes told her every
thing.
There was no longer any doubt that
the son of Maria Strogoff, the courier
of the czar, was now at Zabedeirc
among the prisoners of Ivan Ogareff.
Sangarre did not know him, but she
knew he was there. She did not then
attempt to discover him, thing which
would have been impossible in the
midst of this numerous crowd.
AS for again spying after Nadia and
Maria Strogoff, this was equally use
less. 1t was evident that these two wo-
men would be on their guard, and it
would be impossible to seize by sur
prise anything Of nature to compro-
= mise the courier of the ear.
The gypsy had then only one thought
to warn Ivan Ogareff. Wherefore she
Immediately left the camp.
. A quarter of an hour afterward she
: arrived at Zabedeiro and was shown
into the house occupied by the lieuten-
ant of the emir.
Ivan Ogareff Immediately received the
gypsy.
what do you wish, Sangarre?" he
asked.
, "The son Of Maria Strogoff is at the
camp" answered Sangarre.
"a prisoner?"
"a prisoner"
"Ah," cried Ivan Ogareff, ~ knew
: "You knew nothing, Ivan," said the
, gypsy, "for you do not even know
him"
, "But do you know him? You have
/, seen him, Sangarre?"
81 have rot seen him, but l saw his
mother betray herself by movement
which has told me everything"
"Do you not deceive yourself"
81 do not"
"You know the Importance 1 attach
. TO the arrest or TINS courier, sald ivan
!, Ogareff. IF the letter which was sent
= to him from Moscow reaches Irkutsk
and it should be handed to the grand
duke, the grand duke would be on hi:
guard, and l should not be able tC
catch him. l must have this letter a
! any price. Now, you have just told me
that the bearer of this letter is in my
power. 1 repeat it, Sangarre, do yoJ
not deceive yourselfT
Ivan Ogareff had spoken with grea
animation. His emotion bore testimony
to the extreme Importance he attached
TO the possession of this letter. San
safre was not at all troubled with thu
perslstency of the fresh inquiry.
+ II am not deceived, Ivan" she an
swered.
oRut Sanparre thara N re at the camY