Morris tribune., 1902-03-01

4 panied by a numerous staH of Tarta
Z officers. His face was more serious
i than usual, and his contracted outlines
indicated q great anger, which was onl!
waiting for some object on which K
| hurl itself.
| Michael Strogoff, lost in a group Of
| prisoners, saw this man pass by. He
/ had a presentiment that great calam
| ity was about to happen, for Ivan Oga
ref now knew that Maria Strogof was
| the mother Of Michael Strogof, captain
| in the corps of the couriers of the czar
Ivan Ogaref arrived at the center OF
the camp, dismounted from his horse
and the horsemen Of his escort formed
a large circle around him.
At that moment Sangarre approach
ed and said:
81 have nothing new Of, which to in
form you, Ivan"
Ivan Ogaref answered only in giving
a short command to one of his officers.
Immediately the ranks Of the prisoners
were traversed in brutal manner by
the soldiers. These unfortunate ones,
urged on with blows and pushed with
the wood of the lances, quickly arrang-
ed themselves along the outer edge Of
the camp. Four lines Of infantry and
cavalry drawn up at the back rendered
all escape impossible.
Order for silence was at once given,
and at a sign from Ivan Ogareff San
garre directed her steps toward the
group in the middle of which was Mar
ia Strogoff. .......-... ...>
The old Siberian saw her coming.
She understood what was about to hap
pen. A disdainful smile played on her
lips. Then, turning to Nadia, she said
to her in low voice:
"You do not know me any longer, my
daughter. Whatever happens and how
ever trying may be this examination,
not a word, not gesture. 1t is for
him, not for me, they search" e.
At this moment Sangarre, after hav-
ing looked around for an instant, placed
her hand upon the shoulder of the old
Siberian. 81 y
"What do you wish from me?" said
Maria Strogof.
r-s s I . !. ) Il .. 81
Come" answered Sangarre.
And, pushing her with her hand, she
led her into the middle Of the reserved
space before Ivan Ogaref.
Michael Strogof kept his teyelashes
half closed in order that the brightness
Of his eyes should not betray him.
Marta Strogoff, having come in front
of Ivan Ogareff, Strengthened her per-
son, crossed her arms and waited.
care you indeed Maria StrogoffY' de-
manded Ivan Ogaref. ..
EYES, answered the old Siberian,
with ca1mness.
'Have you changed your mind as re-
CARDS the statement you made to me
when, three days ago, Intercepted
you at Omsk?"
mo" .'-. ~.
$50 you are ignorant of the fact that
your son.; Michael Strogoff, courier of.
the car, has passed through Omsk?'
Il am ignorant of it." s
'"And that the man that you believed
to have recognized as your son at the
posthouse was not he-was not your
sonF
"He was not my son." - -.
"And have you not seen him since
among the prisoners p *s
''No"
"And if he were shown to you would
you recognize him?" =. 81
"No."
At this answer, which showed an in
flexible determination to avow nothing,
a murmur Of appreciation arose from
the crowd. -. r.
Ivan Ogareff could not restrain a
gesture. ,9~.&% .a...s.s:
"Listen," said he to Maria Strogoff. |
"Yourj son is here, and you go at once
to point him out" ~@
"No." !
GAIL these men, taken at Omsk and at |
Kalyvan, are going to defle before
your eyes, and if you do not point out |
Michael Strogoff you shall receive as
many blows Of the knout as there shall |
be men who have passed before YOU"
Ivan Ogareff had now realized that, |
threats. he migL utter and to
whatever fortunes he might subject her,
the indomitable Siberian would not
speak. To discover the courier of the
car he now counted not upon her, but /
upon Michael Strogof himself. He did
not believe it possible that when the
mother and the son should be brought /
into the presence of each other an ire
sistible impulse would not betray them.
Certainly if he had only wished to
gain possession of the imperial letter
he could simply have given orders for
all these prisoners to be searched. But
Michael Strogoff might have destroyed
this letter after learning its contents,
and if he were not recognized and he
should gain Irkutsk the plans of Ivan
Ogaref would be all frustrated. Where
fore it was not only the letter which ne
must have from the traitor; he must
have the bearer of it.
Nadia at length understood all, and
she now knew who was Michael Stro-
goff and why he had wished to tray
nrse without being known the invaded /