Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-02-02
The Courier
of the Gar
BY jules Verne

"Ah. my brave boyw thought Maria.
"No. / will not betray you. and fortunes
shall not wrest from me the avowal
that II was you whom l saw at Omsk."
Narfa could with n word have paid
Nadia for all her devotion TO her. She
could have told her that her compan-
ion, Nicholas Korpanoff, or, rather, Mi
chael Strogoff. had not perished in the
waters Of the Irish, since II was some
days after that incident that she had
met him. that she had spoken TO him.
But she restrained herself. she was ST.
lent and contented herself with saying:
Hope, my child. Misfortune will
not overwhelm you. You will see your
father again. / feel It. And perhaps
he who gave you the name Of sister is
not dead. God cannot have allowed
your brave companion to perish. Hope,
my child, hope. DO as | do. The
mourning which 1 wear is not yet for
my son."
Such was now the situation of Maria
Strogoff and Nadia toward each other.
The old Siberian had understood all,
and II the young girl was ignorant
OF the fact that her companion so
much regretted still lived she knew at
least the relationship which he held
toward her whom she had made her
mother, and she thanked God for hav-
ing given her that Joy and pleasure
thus TO be able to replace at the side
OF the prisoner that son whom she had
lost.
But that which neither the one nor
the other could know was that Michael
Strogof, taken at Kalyvan, was one of
the same convoy and was bound like
themselves for Tomsk.
At length, on the 18th Of August, to-
ward evening, the convoy reached the
little town of ZabedeirO some thirty
versts from Tomsk. At this place the
route again lay along the course Of the
Tom.
All this night the prisoners were to
camp on the banks of the Tom. The
emir in fact, had deferred until the
next day the entry of his troops into
Tomsk. 1t had been decided that
military display should mark the in
auguration Of the Tartar headquarters
in this important city. Feofar Khan
already occupied its fortress, but the
body Of his army blvouacked under the
walls, waiting for the moment to make
n solemn entry.
Ivan Ogareff had left the emir at
Tomsk, whore they had both arrived
the evening before, and he returned to
the encampment at Zabedeiro. Next
day he had TO start from this place
with the rear guard of the Tartar army.
A house had been placed at his dispos-
al where he could stay the night. At
sunrise, under his command, horse and
foot set out for Tomsk, where the emir
wished TO receive them with all the
pomp and display of an Asiatic sover-
eign.
When the orders for halt had been
given, the prisoners, worn out with a
three days journey, a prey to the most
burning thirst, could at length quench
their thirst and take some repose.
The sun had already set, but the hori-
ron was still lighted up by TIE twilight,
when Nadia, supporting Maria Stro-
gofr, reached the banks of the Tom.
ht ANO uhu hOl DtGh dblC 81 AdL W
penetrate the ranks Of those who
thronged the high bank. and they came
10 drink In their turn.
The old Siberian bent over the fresh
stream. and Nadia, having plunged her
hands into II, carried II TO the lips OF
Maria. Then she refreshed herself in
her turn. The cold water Of the pure
stream seemed TO give back life to the
old woman and the young girl. Sud-
denly Nadia, as she left the banks,
Strengthened herself. An involuntary
cry escaped her lips.
Michael Strogof was there and only
some PAGES from her! II was be!
At the cry OF Nadia Michael Strogor
had started, but he had sufficient com.
mand Of himself not to utter q word
which could compromise him.
And Jet at the very moment that Ma
ala had recognised him be had recog.
niSed his mother. Michael Strogor n,
this unexpected meeting. not feeling
himself to BE- any longer master OF him
self, raised his hand TO his eyes and I'm
nediatsly left the spot Nadia was In
Etinctively Fastening forward to rejolr
him when the old Siberian whispered
these words In her ear:
Stay. my dauEhterF'
1T IL her answered Nadia In Q voice
trembling with emotion. He lives
motheri II 10 her
''It 10 my son." answered Maria Stro
gor; ''it Is Michael StrogoH. and yor
zee that do not take one step towart
him. Follow my example,"
Michael Strogon had Just experienced
one OF the most violent emotions which