Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-01-04
THE COURIER OF THE CAR.
Bx JULES VERNE.

"A redhot iron Is perhaps insufficient
to destroy the sensibility of the optic
nerve. To be modified"
Afterward the two correspondents
we'll installed In Irkutsk, occupied
themselves in putting in order the I'm
pressions Of their journey. From thence
two interesting chronicles Of the Tartar
invasion were sent to London and Par
is, which. strange to say, only contra
dicted each other on points Of less mo-
ment.
For the rest the campaign was bad
for the emir and his allies. That inva
sion, useless. as are all those that at
tack colossal Russia. was most fatal te
them. They soon found themselves cut
of by the troops Of the czar, who re-
took successfully all the conquered
towns. Besides. the winter was terri
BILE, and of those hordes. decimated by
the cold. only a small number returned
to the steppes of Tartary. The route
from Irkutsk to the Ural mountains
was free.
The grand duke was in haste to re-
turn to Moscow. but he delayed bis
Journey in order to assist at a touching
ceremony which took place some days
after the entry of the Russian troops.
Michael Strogoff had sought out Ma,
.dla and In the presence Of her father
had said to her. Nadia. my sister still,
when you left Riga to come to lrkutsk
had you no other regret but that OF
leaving behind sou your mother"
mo-" replied Nadia; none what,
ever"
$50 that no part of your heert has
remained down there?'
"None, brother"
"Then, Nadia" said Michael Strogof'
81 do not believe but that God In bring
ing US together. In allowing US to pass
through these great trials together. has
wished US to be united forever"
"Ahw said Nadia as she fell into the
arms of Michael Strogoff. and. turning
toward Wassili Feodor. MY father"
she said, blushing deeply.
NADIA" said Wassill Feodor. my
Joy will be to call you both my chill
drenw
The marriage ceremony took place In
the cathedral Of Irkutsk. 1t was very
simple in its preparations. but very
beautiful in the concourse of the MILL
tary and civil population. which thus
wished to show its gratitude to the
young couple, whose strange journey
had now become legendary.
Alcide Jolivet and Harry Blount OF
course assisted at the marriage, OF
which they wished to give an account
to their readers.
"And does it not make you envious to
initiate them? asked Alcide Jolivet to
his companion.
"Pshaww exclaimed Harry Blount.
"If, like you, had cousin!'
"My cousin Is not any longer mar
riageable." laughingly answered Alcide
Jolivet.
"All the better" added Harry Blount.
"for they speak Of difficulties which
are about to arise between London and
Peking."
Would you not like to see what Is
passing there?"
"Wky, my dear Blount." cried Alcide
Jolivet, II was about to propose 1t to
your'
This is how the two inseparables set
out for China.
Some days after the ceremony Mi
chael and Nadia Strogoff. accompanied
by Wassili Feodor. started on their
Journey to Europe. That road of sor-
rows was only one Of happiness on
their return. They travelled very rapid
ly with one Of those trains which gllut
like an express over the frozen stc'peS
Of Siberia.
Meanwhile, arrived ut the banks OF
the Dinka. just opposite Brlskoe. they
stopped there one day. Michael Stro'
goff sought out the place where lie nat
Inferred poor Nicholas. y cross was
planted there. and Nadia prayed for
the last time on the tomb Of the hum
BILE and heroic soul which neither the
one nor the other would ever forget.
At Omsk Old Maria was awaiting
them in the little house Of the Stro'
goffs. She pressed in her arms that
noble girl whom in her heart she had
already q hundred times called her
daughter. The brave Siberian Oh that
day had the right to own her son anu
to say that she was proud Of him.
After somv days passed at Omsk, MI
chari and Nadia S;rogoff returned TO
Europe. and, Wassili Feodor being well
fixed in ST. Petersburg. neither his son
nor his daughter had any occasion ever
to leave him. only when they went TO
| see their old mother.
| The young courier had been received
by the car. who attached him specially
to his person and decorated him with
the cross Of st. George.
Michael Strogoff afterward attained
to a high post in the empire. But 1t Is
not the history Of his success, but the
history of his trials, which has deserV'
ed to be chronicled.
THE END.