Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-02-08

secretly uneasy at a scene which /
would have been better to avoid.
sEnough! said the traveller.
Then, going up to the postmaster:
-Let the horses be taken out OF til,
tarantass and put into my berlin, b,
exclaimed, with a threatening gesture.
The postmaster, much embarrassed
did not know whom to obey and looked
at Michael, who evidently had the RICH.
to resist the unjust demands of tht
traveller.
Michael hesitated an instant. He die
not wish to make use of his podorojna
which would have drawn attention tc
him, and he was most unwilling either
by giving Up his horses to delay his
journey. and yet it was important not
to engage in struggle which might
compromise his mission.
The two reporters looked at him
ready to support him should he appeal
to them.
my horses will remain in my car
riage," said Michael, but without rails
ing his tone more than would be suit
able for a plain Irkutsk merchant.
The traveller advanced toward Mi
chael and laid his hand heavily on his
shoulder.
rs it sog' he said in a rough voice.
You will not give up your horses to
me?"
mo, answered Michael.
very well, then they shall belong to
whichever Of us is able to start. De
fend yourself, for I shall not spare
you"
So saying the traveller drew his saber
from it's sheath, and Nadia threw her
self before Michael.
BIount and Alcide Jolivet advanced
toward him.
81 shall not fight" said Michael quiet
~, folding his arms across his chest.
''You will not fightY
t'No."
'sNot even after this?" exclaimed the
traveller, and before any one could pre-
vent him he struck Michaeps shoulder
with the handle of the whip At this
insult Michael turned deadly pale. His
hands moved convulsively, as if he
would have knocked the brute down.
But by a tremendous effort he master
ed himself. A duel! 1t was more than
a delay; it was perhaps the failure Of
his mission. It would be better to
lose some hours. Yes, but to swallow
this affront!
"Wi1l you fight now, cowardY re-
peated the traveller, adding coarseness
to brutality.
"No," answered Michael, without
but looking the other straight
in the face. p.
. '"The horses this moment" said the
man and left the room. The postmas-
ter followed him.
The effect produced on the reporters
by this incident was not to Michael's
advantage. Their discontinue was Wis
ible. How could this strong young
man allow himself to be struck like
that and not demand satisfaction for
such an insult? They contented them
selves with bowling to him and retired.
A moment afterward the noise Of
wheels and the cracking of a whip
showed that the berlin, drawn by the
tarantass' horses, was driving rapidly
away from the posthouse.
Nadia, unmoved, and Michael, still |
luiyering, remained alone in the room.
The courier of the czar, his arms
crossed over his chest, was seated mo-
,fonless as a statue. However, color
which. could not have been the blush
If shame had replaced the paleness on |
ais manly countenance.
Nadia did not doubt that powerful |
'easons alone could have allowed him
o suffer so great a humiliation from
such man.
Then, going up to him as he had come
o her in the police. station at Mini |
Sovgorod, she said: -@# 1852 /
"Your hand, brother"
And at the same time her hand with
n almost maternal gesture wiped away 4
tear which sprung to her compan-
on's eyes. -aass a