The Iola register., 1902-01-24


like good citizens who must needs come
or lose their money. All this Is only
the rising Of the curtain. 1t would
have been better taste to have arrived
only for the ballet"
"What balletY asked Harry Blount.
"The obligatory ballet, faith. But l
think the curtain Is about to rise"
Alcide Jolivet spoke as If he were at
the opera, and, taking his glass from
It's case, he prepared to have look at,
as a connolsseur the first subjects of
Feofar's troop.
But tedious ceremony was TO pre-
cede the amusements.
Meanwhile most Of the prisoners had
passed before the emir, and in passing
each of them had to prostrate the fore
head TO touch the very dust as sign
of servlity. 1t was the slavery which
commenced with humiliation. When
the unfortunatcs were too slow in bend
ing, the rude hand of the guards cast
them violently to the earth. Alcide
Jolivet and his companion could not
assist at such a spectacle without feel
ing the greatest Indignation.
This is cowardly! Let us go awayv
said Alcide Jollvet.
mo" replied Harry Blount; 1--WE
must see ALL"
"See all! Ahw cried Alcide Jolivet
suddenly, seizing the arm Of his com
panion.
"What is the matter with you?" ask
ed the former.
Look! Blount, It is she"
"She?'
"The sister Of cur fellow traveller.
Alone and prisoner! We must save
hcr!'
Restrain yourself" coldly replied
Harry Blount our Intervention in
behalf of this young girl would be more
hurtful than useful to her."
Alcide Jolvet. ready TO rush forward,
stopped himself, and Nadia, who had
not perceived them, being half yelled
by her hair, passed in her turn before
the emir, without attracting his atten-
/ tion.
! In the meantime. after Nadia, Maria
Strogoff had arrived, and as she did
not throw herself quickly enough into
the dust the guards brutally pushed
/ her.
Maria Strogoff fell.
Her son made terrible movement,
which the soldiers who We're guarding
him could with difficulty master
But old Maria raised herself, and
they were about to drag her when Ivan
/ Ogareff interviewed, saying:
Let this woman remain"
As for Nadia, she was thrown back
among the crowd of prisoners. The
look of Ivan Ogarer had not fixed IT.
self upon her
Michael Strogoff was then led before
the emir, ana there he remained erect
without lowering his eyes.
"Your face to the groundw Ivan Oga-
ref cried out TO him.
"No" replied Michael Strogo1. Two
guards wished To force him to bend
but it was they who were thrown tc
the ground by the hand of the robust
young man.
Ivan Ogareff advanced toward MI
chael Strogof.
81 shall die" fiercely answered MI
chael Strogof, but your face of trait
or, Ivan viii not the less bear and for
ever the infamous mark of the knout!
Ivan Ogaref at this answer became
horribly pale,
"Who is this prisoner" demanded
the emir in a voice the more mcnacinl
bpcaisp of ifs calunasc
"A Russian spy answered Ivan Oga
ref.
In making out Michael Srogorf a SPY
he knew the sentence pronounce,
against MN would be the more terri
bic.
Michael Stroson moved toward Ivan
Ogaror
The soldiers stopped linn.
The ouir thou made gesture before
which the whole crowd bent thoi
, heads ArtorWard he motiouod wifi
h.s hand for the Koran, which Wa
3 brought 90 him. lie opened the ho0l
and placed h.s finger ou one of tA
pages.
10 was chance o, rathcr as Chest
orjonlaIs ,HnE, NuI hm.a.r who Ua
J alou, 90 decide the ru NJ Miohao
S"n.oa. TLe people Of central Asia
give l.. name ui "la" to- this practice
. After having interpreted the sense %
g th' verso touched by the finger OF OH
judge they apply the sentence, what
ever 10 may Doe,
3 ihe cmir lad left his finger resting
ON ,le page OF lle Koran. Tile chic