The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-05-17

the least hurry. He walked with
quiet step In order not to overdrive his
horse, and to see him one could never
have believed that he was following a
route which the Tartars might cut of
at any moment.
Nadia, holding the hand of Michael
Strogoff, stood on one side.
The kibitka stopped, and the driver
looked at the young girl, at the Same
time smiling.
"And where are you going in this
fashion," he asked her as he looked
pleasantly round.
At the sound of his voice Michael
Strogoff said to himself that he had
heard it somewhere, and without doubt
it was sufficient to cause him to rec
ognlze the driver of the kibitka, for his
face at once became serene.
"Well now, where are you going"
repeated the young man, addressing
himself more directly to Michael Stro-
gon.
1--WE were going to Irkutsk," answer
ed the latter.
ooh, my good man, do you not know,
then, that there are many, many versts
between this and Irkutsk?"
81 know it,"
"And you are going on FOOT"
"On foot"
GAS for you, it's all right, but the
miss?"
"She is my sister," said Michael Stro-
goff, who thought it more prudent to
give this name again to Nadia.
Eyes, your sister, my good man. But,
believe me, she will never be able to
reach Irkutsk."
Friend" replied Michael Strogoff as
he drew near, "the Tartars have rob-
bed us, and have not copeck to offer
thee, but if you will take my sister
near you l will follow the carriage on
foot. l will run if it be necessary and
will not delay you one hour" e
Brother" cried Nadia, 81 do not
wish it! l do not wish it! Sir. my
brother is blindY'
"Blindv said the young man in
voice moved with emotion.
1.-THE Tartars have burned out his
eyes!' answered Nadia, stretching out
her hands as though to implore pity.
Burned your eyes? Oh, poor, dear
man! | am going to Krasnoiarsk.
Well, now, why do you not mount with
your sister into the kibtka? In sitting
a little closer we shall hold each other
up. Besides, my dog will not refuse tC
go on foot. Only do not go fast in or
der to spare my horse"
Friend what do they call you?"
asked Michael Strogoff.
81 am called Nicholas Pigassof."
''It is name that l shall never for
get" answered Michael Strogoff
"Well, then, mount, my good blind
man. Your sister shall be near you at
the back of the car; in front to con-
duct There are some good birch bark
and some barley straw on the bottom.
It's like nest. Come, Serko, give us
room"
The dog jumped off without much
asking. 1t was an animal of the Sibe-
rian breed, with gray hide, medium
size, with a good, large and caressing
head, and which appeared to be very
attached to his master.
Michael Strogoff and Nadia in an in
slant were installed in the kibitka. Mi
chael Strogoff had stretched out his
hands as though to search those of
Nicholas Pigassof.
us It my hands you wish to press?"
said Nicholas. "Here they are, my
good man. Shake them as much as
you like"
The kibitka was soon in motion. The
horse, which Nicholas never struck,
ambled along. If Michael Strogoff did
not gain much in rapidity, at least new
fatigues would be spared to Nadia
And such was the exhaustion of the
young girl that, rocked by the monoto-
nous motion of the kibitka, she soon
fell into sleep that resembled an utter
prostration. Michael Strogoff and Mich
olas made bed for her on the birch
leaves as well as they were able, The
compassionate young man was much
moved, and if tear did not escape the
eyes Of Michael Strogoff in truth it
was because the redhot iron had burn
ed them dry.
"She is pretty" said Nicholas.
eyes, answered Michael Strogoff.
These darlings would be strong, for
they are courageous, but they are real
ly only weak. Do you come great
distance?'
"From a great distance"
Poor young folks 1t must have
hurt you much when they burned your
eyes"
Every much" said Michael Strogoff.
turning as though he could see Nicho-
las.
did you not cry?"
Eyes"
81 also should have cried. To think
that one can never see again those he
loves! Anyhow they see you. That is
perhaps some consolation"
Eyes, perhaps. Tell me, friend" de-
manded Michael Strogoff, shave you
never seen me anywhere before to-
day?"
you, my good man? No, never"
at is because the sound of your voice
is not unknown to me-"
fsnn Won COO coi1 NiaboIoc