CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1903-02-05

MKKY IAU lllt tppAscHl-DdsCni kdNt
v0H0ky the order 10 start
Alcide and Blount. hav
Ing bought horses, had already taken
the road 10 Tomsk.
Among the prisoners brought by Ivan
Ogareff TO the Tartar camp was an old
woman. whose taciturnlty seemed to
keep her apart from all those who shar-
ed her fate. Not murmur issued from
her lips. She was like a statue Of grief.
This woman was more strictly guarded
than any one else and. without her ap-
pearing TO notice or even to suspect.
was constantly watched by the gypsy
sangarre. Notwithstanding her age.
she was compelled to follow the con
voy Of prisoners on foot. without any
alienation OF her suffering.
However, kind Providence had plac
ed near her a courageous. kind hearted
being TO comfort and assist her. Among
her companions in misfortune a young
girl. remarkable for her beauty and a
taciturnity equal 10 that Of the Sibe-
rlan. seemed to have given herself the
task of watching over her. No words
had been exchanged between the two
captives. but the girl was always found
at the old woman's side just when Der
help WAS useful. At first the mute a.
slstance OF the stranger was not ac-
cppted without some mistrust Grad
uaIly. however, the young girls clear
glance. tier reserve and the mysterious
sympathy which draws together thoss'
who are In misfortune thawcd Marfa's
roldness.
Nadia-for Il was sbe-was thus abi,
without knowing IL TO render to th,
mother those attentions which she had
herself received from the son. Her in
,tinrtive kiLdness had doubly inspired
oer, In devoting herself to her service
N..ii a secured TO her youth and beauty
the protection afforded by the age Of
the old prisoner.
on the crowd Of unhappy people, i'm
bittened by sunerings. this silent pair
one seeming to be the grandmother, the
other the granddaughter imposed a
sort OF respect
After being carried on by the Tartar
scouts ON the Irish Nadia had been
taken 10 omsk. Kept a prisoner in tie
town. she shared tie fate OF all those
captured by Ivan OEarcG and vou~c-
quently that Of Maria StruEoG
Thanks 60 her young companion.
Maria StroEofr was able to follow the
soldiers who guarded the prisoners
without being Fastened 10 saddle
bow. a. were many other Unf5Tts.a-..c
wretches. and thus dragged along this
road OF sorrow.
May God reward you. my daughter.
for what you have done for my old
age said MARTA StrcE- - lEcc. and for
some time these were the only words
exchanged between the two unfortu-
nate beings.
Nadia also. II not completely silent.
spoke little.
However. one day her heart over
flowed. and she told. without conceal
In. anything. all the events which had
occurred from her departure from
Vladimir 10 the death OF Nicholas Kor-
panoff. All that her young companion
told Intensely Interested the old Sibc-
riau.
Nicholas Korpanofrg'' said she. Tell
me again about Nicholas. know only
one man. one alone. among all the youth
Of the time In whom such conduct
would not have nstunishcd me. Nicho-
las Kcrpanon, Was that really his
name? Are you sure OF II, my daugh-
ter"
"Why should he have deceived me in
this" replied Nadia. when he deceived
me In no other wayE'
Moved, however, by kind OF pre-
sentiment. Maria STogoff put questions
upon questions TO Nadia.
You told me he was fearless, my
daughter You have proved that he
has been SO. said she.
Eyes. fearless indeed" replied Nadia.
at was just what my son would
have done" said Maria to herself,
Then she resumed;
"Did you not say that nothing stop.
ped him. nothing astonished him. that
he was SO gentle in his strength that
you had a sister as well as brother in
him and that hc watched over you like
a motherY''
"Scs. yes said Nadia; brother. ais
ter, mot. cr--he has been all to me-"
"And defended you like a liony'
"A lion indeed" replied Nadia. "les,
a lion. a hero
My son, my SOM thought the old
Siberian. But do you say that he has
submitted TO terrible afrront in the
posthouse OF lchim?"
He has borne with It," answered Ma.
dia, lowering her head.
Has he submitted to itg' murmured
Maria Strogoff. trembling with fear.
Mother, mother" cried Nadia, do
not condemn him. There IL a secret
there OF which God alone Ia the Judge
at the present timer
And" said Maria. raising her head
and looking at Nadia as though she de
sired to read the depth OF her soul in
this hour of hnmllln ton "harn ynu de