Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-02-04

Ivah' Ogareh re-entered his room,
then brilliantly lit up by the flames
from the Angara that overtopped the
balustrades Of the ramparts. Then lie
prepared to leave It. But scarcely had
he opened the door when q woman
rushed into the room. with her gar
ments dripping wet, her hair in disor-
der.
"Sangarre!" cried Ivan Ogaref in the
first moment of surprise and not imag'
lining that it could be any other woman
than the gypsy.
1t was not Sangarre: It was Nadia.
At the moment when. seeking refuge
on the block of Ice, the young girl had
uttered that cry when she saw the fire
spread over the current Of the Angara,
Michael Strogoff had seized her in his
arms. and he had dived with her to
seek even In the depths of the river a
shelter from the flames. After having
swum under the waters Michael Stro-
goff had fortunately put his foot on
ground at the quay. and be had Nadia
still safe with him.
Michael Strogoff was touching at last
his goal. He was at Irkutsk. ITO the
palace Of the GOVERNOR said he to Ma
dia. In less than ten minutes after
ward both arrived at the entrance to
that palace. the massive stone walls OF
which were being licked by the long
flames from the Angara, without. how
ever. their being able to set the struc-
ture on fire. Beyond. the houses on the
bank were all in flames.
Michael Strogoif and Nadia entered
without difficulty into that palace,
which was open for all. In the midst
Of the general confusion no one noticed
them. although their clothes were drip
p.ng wet 4 crowd Of officers came for
orders. and soldiers running to execute
them blocked up the grand salon on
the ground floor.
There Michael Strogoff and the young
girl, in the midst Of so great n crowd.
found themselves separated from each
other. Nadia. distracted. ran along the
lower rooms. called her campauion and
asked to be led before the grand duke.
A door leading into a room that vas
inundated with light opened Itself be-
fore her. She entered, and she found
herself Unexpectedly face to face with
him whom she had seen at lchim.
whom she had seen at TomSk. in the
presence cf that man whose cursed
hand m instant later would have deliv-
cred up the city.
Ivan Ocarcffw cried she.
On hearing his name pronounced the
miserable wretch trembled. Ills true
name being once known. all his plans
would be ruined. He had only one
thing to do-to kill the being. whoever
II might be. who had just pronounced
1t. Ivan OSareff threw himself Oh Ma
dia, but the young girl, with knife in
her hand. placed her back to the wall.
resolved to defend herself.
Ivan Ogareffw cried again Nadia,
knowing well that detested name would
bring Succor 10 ner.
"Ah, you shall be- silent" said the
traitor.
Ivan Ogarcff" cried a third time the
intrepid young girl in voice whose
hate had increased tenfo!d the force.
Drunk with fury, Ivan Ogareff drew
dagger from his belt, rushed upon
Nadia and forced her back into n cor
ner Of the room. 1t was all over with
her when the wretch. suddenly knock
ed down by tremendous blow, rolled
to the ground.
"Michaelw cried Nadia.
1t was Michael Strogoff. Michael
Strogofr had heard the appeal of Nadia.
Guided by her voice. he had arrived at
the room Of Ivan Ogareff. and he had
entered by the door which had been
left open.
Fear nothing, Nadia" he said as he
placed himself between her and Ivan
Ogareff.
"Ah," screamed the young girl. take
care, brother! The traitor Is armed!
He can see we'll"
Ivan Ogareff had risen, and. believ-
ing that he had the advantage over a
blind man, he threw himself upon MI
chael Strogoff. But with one hand Mi
chael seized the arm Of him who could
see well and with the other, turning
aside his weapon. he threw him Sec
ond time to the ground.
Ivan Ogareff. pale with fury and
shame, remembered that he was carry
Ing a sword. He drew 1t from the
scabbard and returned to the combat.
He had also recognized Michael Stro-
gofr. A blind man! He had only. In
short, to deal with blind man.
Nadia. terrified at the danger which
threatened her companion In such an
unequal struggle, ran to the door. call
ing help.
"Shut that door, Nadia" said Michael
Strogotf. do not call any one, and let
me do 1t. The courier of the czar has
nothing to fear today from this wretch.
Let him Come at me II he dare. am
waiting for him."
Meanwhile Ivan Ogaren, gathering
himself together, as II were, like t.
ger did not utter word. The noise
| Of his step, his very breathing, he
would have wished to keep back from
the ear of the blind man. He wished
| to strike him before even he had any
warning of his approach, to strike him
with a certain blow. The traitor did
not dream of lighting, but of assas'
sinating him whose name he had sto-
len.
Nadia, frightened, yet at the same
time confident, contemplated with a
sort of admiration that terrible scene.
It seemed that the old coolness had
come back to him.
Michael Strogoff had as his only
weapon his Siberian knife. and he could
not see his adversary, who was even
armed with a sword. But by what
favor from heaven was he able to over
power him?
Itching Skin