The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-09-29

every stop her naked feet were cut
and torn by sharp stones. She was
drenched to the skin and the wet
skirts clinging to her legs impeded
her progress; so she took off her up
per garments, and found that she
could walk more freely. A little fur
Their on, her feet touched something
soft and clammy. She stopped down,
but drew away her hand again in hor-
ror as she felt the face of a man
covered with grizzly beard, cold and
deadi
Evidently some unhappy prisoner
who had persisted there and been for
gotten A wild cry broke from her
lips, which, echoing through the dark
cavern, frightened even herself, and
she fed at full speed, like one pos
sessed, away from that accursed spot.
What If this were the fate of Karl
Seliedof, too! Perhaps-perhaps this
was his body! That thought froze the
young blood in her veins. But 1t was
dangerous to run thus in the dark
ness. She had not gone many yards
ere she came in violent contact with
huge projecting rock and fell heav-
lily to the ground. She strove to rise,
but must have sprained or broken her
ankle; it was so painful that she sank
back again.
Then she looked about and began
to realize her position, and that she
could plainly distinguish surrounding
objects. There was wide opening
here from above, and the silvery
| moon shone clear and cold into the
mine.
A few feet from her there lay what
appeared to be a bundle of rags, but.
on looking more closely, she could
distinguish the outline of man lying
on a bed of straw. She called family
for help The bundle moved. The
man came toward her. In that mo-
ment she knew him, though he was
woefully changed.
KARL"
"Nadia!" he cried; you here! Oh,
no, no! Heavens! l must be dream
ing!'
But ne soon knew 1t was realty, for
Nadia was locked in his arms, her
face pressed close to his, covering his
lips and sunken, bearded cheeks with
kisses, weeping and laughing hysteri-
cally, all in breath, from the wild
ness Of her joy.
"Oh, my poor love!" Karl said, at
T. ot,1 10 q
little, and lay upon his rude coucn;
"how-why did you come to this fear
full placer"
1.-THE longing to be near you once
more was more than could bear. Be-
sides, listen, have good news to tell
you l went to the Princess Naris-
kline; she promised to intercede for
you, and at any moment you may re-
ceive your pardon"
my own brave. true-hearted Ma
dial"
She spoke and thought only of him,
not of her own perils and sufferings;
but he soon found that her arms and
feet were terribly lacerated. and her
ankle so confused that she was unable
to move.
With loving care he tended and
soothed her. binding up her wounds
with strips torn from his own cloth
ing, and wrapped in each others arms
they lay, finding comfort and happi-
ness in their misery. even in that
-forsaken plice, since those two
loving hearts were once more togethr.
The pale dawn was lighting up the
sky when an officer and some armed
guards descended the mine.
':Come, No. 49, said the former.
roughly. "get to work"
Seliedof rose obediently.
Hello! what is this? Whom have
we here? A woman!"
'It is my wife," the prisoner said,
quietly, who has come the breadth
of Russia to see me-
THAT is a very pretty story. must
say; but she will have to clear out
of here. Tramp, begone!"
Nadia strove to rise. but her ankle
had swollen terribly. and she fell back
exhausted.
you see. captain. she cannot rise"
Karl said, In beseeching tones. Can
she not remain here at least little
time while go to work."
mo-" the chief answered. brutally.
I'VE will soon find means to make her
move;" and he made sign to one Of
his attendants. who brought down his
great whip upon the Door woman's
scantily protected shoulders.
A sharp cry of pain broke from her
lips, which went right to her hus-
bands heart and aroused the man in
him which Russian despotism had
been trying its very hardest to crush
out
"She is not your prisoner" he
cried: do not dare to touch her!"
But the petty despot laughed a
laugh of conscious power. and the
great lash was raised again. and fell
on Nadia's back and naked arms.
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