Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-12-15

being able to leave the town in the
prescribed time, which would expose
them to some brutal treatment from
the governors agents.
Owing to the strength Of his elbows,
Michael Strogoff was able to cross the
court. But to get into the Office and
up to the clerks little window was a
much more difficult business. How
ever, word into an inspectors ear and
a few judiciously given rubles were
powerful enough to gain him a passage.
The man, after taking him into the
waiting room, went to call the proper
clerk
Michael Strogoff would not be long
in making everything right with the
police and being free in his movements.
While waiting he looked about him,
and what did he see? There, fallen
rather than seated on a bench, was
girl, prey to silent despair, although
her face could scarcely be seen, the
profile alone being visible against the
wall.
Michael Strogoff could not be mistak-
en-. He instantly recognized the young
Livonian.
Not knowing the governors orders,
she had come to the police Office to get
her pass signed. They had refused to
sign it. No doubt she was authorized
to go to 1rkutsk, but the order was per-
emptory; it annulled all previous au-
thoriZations, and the routes to Siberia
were closed to her. Michael, delighted
at having found her again, approached
the girl.
She looked up for moment, and her
face frightened on recognizing her trav-
cling companion. She instinctively
rose, and, like drowning man who
clutches at spar, she was about to
ask his help. At that moment the
! agent touched Michael on the shoulder.
'"The head of police will see YOU" he
said.
"Goodv' returned Michael, and with
| out saying a word to her for whom he
had been searching all day, without re-
| assuring her by even a gesture which
might compromise either her or him
self, he followed the man through the
| crowd.
The young Livonian, seeing the only
| being to whom she could look for help
disappear, fell back again on her bench.
Three minutes had not passed before
Michael StIogoff reappeared. accompa-
MED by the agent. In his hand he held
his podorojna, which threw open the
roads to Siberia for him. He again ap-
| preached the young Livonian, and,
holding out his hand, "Sister," said he.
She understood. She rose as if some
sudden inspiration prevented her from
hesitating a moment.
SISTER" repeated Michael Strogoff,
1--WE are authorized to continue our
/ journey to Irkutsk. Will you comew
81 will follow you, brother" replied
the girl, putting her hand into that of
/ Michael Strogoff, and together they left
| the police station.
Michael Strogoff and the young Lii
vonian had taken passage on board
the Caucasus. Their embarkation was
made without any difficulty. AS is
! known, the podorojna, drawn up in the
name of Nicholas Korpanoff, authorized
this merchant to be accompanied on his
journey to Siberia. They appeared,
therefore, to be a brother and sister
travelling under the protection of the
imperial police. Both, seated together
at the stern, gaZed at the receding
town SO disturbed by the governors
order. Michael had as yet said moth
ing to the girl. He had not even ques-
toned her. He waited until she should
speak to him whenever that was nee
essary. She had been anxious to leave
that town, in which but for the provi-
dental Intervention of this unexpected
protector she would have remained i'm
pfisoned. She said nothing, but her
looks spoke her thanks.
To be continued.