Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-01-26

ing bought horses, had already taken
the road to TOmsk.
Among the prisoners brought by Ivan
Ogareff TO the Tartar camp was an old
woman, whose taciturnity 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 APP
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 n courageous, kind hearted
being 10 comfort and assist her. Among
her companions in misfortune young
girl, remarkable for her beauty and
taciturnity equal to that of the Sibe-
rian, 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 her
help was useful. At first the mute as
sistance of the stranger was not ac
cepted without some mistrust. Grad
ually, however, the young girls clear
glance, her reserve and the mysterious
sympathy which draws together those
who are in misfortune thawed Marfa's
GOODNESS.
Nadia-for it was she-was thus able
without knowing it to render to the
mother those attentions which she had
herself received from the son. Her in
stinctive kindness had doubly inspired
her. In devoting herself to her service
the protection afforded by the age Of
the old prisoner.
On the crowd Of unhappy people, i'm
Filtered by sufferings, this silent pair
one seeming to be the grandmother, the
other the daughter-imposed a
sort of respect.
After being carried off by the Tartar
scouts on the Irish Nadia had been
taken to Omsk. Kept a prisoner in the
town, she shared the fate Of all those
/ captured by Ivan Ogareff and conse-
Quently that of Maria Strogoff.
Thanks to her young companion,
Maria Strogoff was able to follow the
soldiers who guarded the prisoners
without being fastened to q saddle
bow, as were many other unfortunate
wretches, and thus dragged along this
road of sorrow.
MAY God reward you, my daughter,
for what you have done for my old
ager' said Maria Strogoff once, and for
some time these were the only words
exchanged between the two unfortu-
nate beings.
Nadia also, If not completely silent,
spoke little.
However, one day her heart over
flowed, and she told, without conceal
ing anything. all the events which had
occurred from her departure from
Vladimir to the death of Nicholas KOr-
panoff. All that her young companion
told intensely interested the old Sibe-
rian.
Nicholas KorpanoffT said she. "Tel
me again about Nicholas. l know only
one man. one alone, among all the youth
Of the time in whom such conduct
would not have astonished me. Nicho
las Korpanoff! Was that really his
name? Are you sure of it, my daugh
ter"
"Why should he have deceived me il
this" replied Nadia, when he deceived
me in no other wayT
Moved. however. by a kind Of pre-
/ sentiment, Maria Strogoff put question:
=. upon questions to Nadia.
"You told me he was fearless, m.
: daughter. You have proved that b.
has been So" said she.
, "Yes, fearless indeed" replied Nadia
: at was just what my son woult
) have DONE" said Maria to herself.
Then she resumed:
4 Ibid you not say that nothing STOP
: ped him, nothing astonished him, tina
e he was so gentle in his strength tina
/ you had a sister as well as a brother i
o him and that he watched over you lik
( q mother?'
r Yes, yes" said Nadia; brother, 81.
e ter, mother-he has been all to me-"
i "And defended you like lion?
s "a lion indeed" replied Nadia. "Ye
T lion, hero"
e my son, my SON. thought the oil
l. Siberian. But do you say that he hs
J. submitted TO a terrible affront in Il
posthouse Of Ichim?'
.e HE has borne with it" answered n
is dia. lowering her head.
II HAS he submitted to TT" murmure
Y Maria StrogoE. trembling with fear.
10 Mother. mother" cried Nadia. ''C
not condemn him. There is a seer
T. there Of which God alone is the jud:
n. At the present timer
n And" said Maria. raising her hei
= and looking at Nadia as though she
x sired to read the depth Of her soul
Is this hour of humiliation. have you d
IN spised this Nicholas KOrpanOTE
n. Il have admired him without undo
O standing him." answered the your