Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-01-20
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
Where am [? | halt and gaze around
me in stupid bewilderment. The east
is glimmering in cold, silver sheen, throw
ing an uncertain, mystic light on the
family defined landscape. | look back
along the straight, white road, with its
tall telegraph posts starting up at regu-
lar intervals. A sudden flash like
golden needle perces the dim distance.
a ball of gold begins to burn lower
down on the horizon. They are the spire
of the Admiralty and the dome of st.
Isaks in st. Petersburg, which l have
left behind me- Can it be possible that
| have come so far? 1t has been weary
work trudging along that road.
| take ont my handkerchief and wipe
the drops from my face, with woful
stab of dolorous recollection of the touch
of Maruscha's little f1uttering, solictous
hands as she put the handkerchief into
my pocket. In returning it my hand
comes in contact with parcel of sand
wiches. Again Maruscha! I draw them
forth, for | am ravenously hungry.
eat with a vision of her as she stood
at the table in Ivan's room, forgetful
for the moment of her grief in minis
tering to my needs, her sweet, pale face
downcast and absorbed
At last | am treading the margin of
the wood-am entering it's stately aisles.
And now that effort is no longer imper
ative, my limbs begin to yield under me.
| stagger rather than walk, catching at
the boles of the trees for support Yet
ctn 70, inf ha CHI
mist rises before my eyes. | lurch for
ward-prone on the ground, and become
instantly oblivious.
An incessant tapping over my head is
the first thing l am aware of. l open
my eyes in vague curiosity and see the
dark, interlacing branches of a pine tree
above me, and lower down on the red
stem a green woodpecker diligently at
work.
From force Of habit l insert my fore
finger and thumb in the watch pocket
which was wont to contain watch,
and am withdrawing it with a foolish,
baffled laugh, when my finger comes in
contact with some small object. l dive
for it and pull up a watch key; but that
is not all-it is tied with a bit of blue
ribbon which is attached to something
else. Another pull and | bring to light
Maruschas tiny watch!
1t is there in the palm of my hand
the little toy of a thing she has worn
ct her girdle ever since l have known
her. l gaze at it with such a mighty
rush of emotion that my whole body
thrills with sharp shock of electricity.
perceive that the tiny monitor | am
gazing at points to the hour of five. l
wind it up, and returning it to where the
tender, subtle fingers had placed it in
preparation of surprise for me, scram,
BILE to my feet.
A long, profound sleep in the invigor-
/ atine atmosphere of the sun-steeped
pines has put new life into me. 1t is
only my feet that are swollen and pain
full, and l hobble rather than walk, tc
the margin of the wood. If l can but
get lift of any kind, think will take
a bed at an inn for this one night tc
give my feet a chance Of recovering
stand and look up and down the inter
minable road.
In advance there is a long cavalcadt
of carts laden with firewood winding
slowly into the distance, each with it
attendant Mujik trudging beside it o.
seated on a shaft of his cart. Toward
me a peddler's wagon lumbers on creak
ing wheels. Its owner sits nodding OF
the box, framed in the opening of tn,
canvas tent that arches above him. TIL,
two little nags crawl along with droop
ing heads, as if they, too, were indulgin!
in nap. l take good look at th'
peddler.
He is a middle-aged man, with
strong, grizzled beard and broad, Sla'
countenance. The nose in it is like
potato. There are good-natured crease
about the corners of the eyes, so l taxi
courage.
Good day! God assist your l ex
claim amicably.
The peddler instantly removes his cap
while slow smile gradually spread
over and broadens his heavy features.
God be with you, Gentle" he replies
, "Whther are you bound?" l question
"My destination is Kovno, but to-ngh
l make halt at the village of Littl
Kolga."
) "Ah, that Is my way. Would you oh
] ject to give me lift for compensa
tion'"
"The Gentle will honor mel" TIL
peddler leaps down from his seat wit
as much alacrity as his numbering bod
and enormous boots will permit. "Woul
3 the Gentle like a seat on the front o
| the wagon, or would he prefer to reclin
!. OH the merchandise?"
: with your permission, little father
] will get inside" I say.
As advance to mount the wagon h
b remarks on the lameness of my gait
'The Gentle has hurt himself?" he oil
= serves.
l my boots cripple me somewhat"
{ reply careiessly.