The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-03-27

details he saw only the main figure
of his Desires in Sonia, and she,
pleading the cause of humanity, was
for this reason no less fair; but
Michael, being unconvinced and be-
lieving Sonia's mission, calculated to
postpone their wedding day, and
dreaming of nothing worse. would,
when overburdened with Sonia's
earnest appeals, often thrust his
clasped hands above his head In a
gesture of dissenting submission
that called forth from Catharina the
acusation:
Michael has given his usual sign
of distress, Sonia; cannot you see
that 1t is you he is giving up to and
not to your logic? 1t Is more of
yourself that he wants, Sonia, and
less of the advocate. Is 1t not true,
Michael?"
'True, true, Catharina; IL I have
Sonia | want nothing more In all the
world"
Catharina heard of the arrest with
dread, although assured by Michael
Andrachenko that Sonia's release
would quickly follow; but nothing
justified this prophecy. Sonia was
hurried to condemnation, and when
sentence of exile followed Michael
was stunned, and Catharina seemed
inconsolable, yet arousing them
selves they used every means in
their power to avert the sentence,
and when 1t became apparent that
further effort was hopeless Michael
Andrachenko signed his patrimony
to younger brother, renounced his
titles and expatriated himself from
his native land, declaring himself
unable to live In "a land whose gov
ernment was maintained by tnflict-
ing indiscriminate injustice.
Catharina labored till the last
with ever diminishing hope, until
she was compelled, In order to see
Sonia ere she left the last outpost of
civilization, to hurry by train to that
point, where exiles were periodically
gathered, to be deported In single
company, made up of convicts from
different parts of the empire, some
of them deported for political rea-
sons, some as punishment for crime.
Among the convicts was young
man dressed in a nondescript habit
that effectually perverted his true
appearance; his manner betokened
gentility of birth, although he spoke
but little and seemed wholly alb
sorbed In himself Catharina was at
tracted to him and made inquiry
about his name and the character of
his offence
She was told that his name was
unknown, as he carefully concealed
his identity and was sentenced under
fictitious name, but he had been
apprehended in the act Of secreting
dangerous explosive near the resi-
dence of the governor in a remote
province of the empire and had
pleaded guilty when charged with
conspiracy to assassinate the COVER
nor, and was sentenced for life to
Siberia. G
But Catharina's attention was at
last solely bent ON Sonia, for the
company was preparing to move for
ward. Sonia turned to Catharina
and fondly kissed her, and took a
place In the line that fell nearest the
young convict.
In mortal distress Catharina saw
Sonia depart. Not many steps had
been taken when Catharina, whose
eyes were fixed on Sonia. saw her
hand fall lightly on the arm of the
young convict whose appearance had
| attracted her attention. AS If in re-
| sponse to her touch the convict's
arms were swiftly raised In sub
missive gesture above his head.
At this familiar gesture Catha-
rina's heart stood still, for in a
flash 1t was revealed to her that
there before her. near to Sonia and
following her into exile, was
Michael AnGrachenko.
Catharina's rigid features 6ea
and softened as there wellel FoM
her heart the words of Sonias gos-
pei;
Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can the floods drown IT,
illustrated Bits