Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-04-14

ing through Stryetensk, breaks into
Manchuria.
On a river in transatlantic that
runs for many miles parallel with this
mighty ant-trail, a sledge was flying
eastward, drawn by three horses, all
abreast. The river was frozen to the
very heart and SHOWS, drifting
over it, had swept and polished
its surface till it was smooth
as glass. Wrapped in furs and his
head shrouded in a thick cap, the
driver sat on the forward seat, partly
protected by the ~high-curving dash,
and managed the lines. On a low seat
behind him were a man and a woman,
also wrapped deep in robes of fur,
while a third woman sat silent in the
bottom of the sledge.
Somewhere behind them the rails
had spread and the road had given out
and the trains were halted while re-
pairs were made.
There Frederick CORTLAND Hardy,
on his way to S~tryetensk, had over
taken the princess, fastening to the
front, undergoing all hardships, en-
tirely forgetful of self, that she might
employ her strength, her fortune and
her high courage and example in the
relief of her wounded and suffering
countrymen.
She greeted Hardy with frank
| friendliness, explained her mission
and told him that he had arrived just
in time to help her carry out a plan
of hers.
1--WE can take sledges down the
river" she said, ito Petroyska-Zavodi
I where | have no doubt we shall be
able to catch an outgoing train. ]
should have started before, but was
! deferred by the fact that-that-in
fact, I was afraid. Now, with my gal
liant defender of the Amur, l shall
have nc hesitation in going. Will you
come with us-with my maid and
me?"
eyes," he replied gravely, II will
go. I am overwhelmed by my good
fortune. 1t was too great an honor to
be hoped for-that I should ever be Of
service to your highness again."
The mere presence Of this woman
transformed him from the merchant
into the courtier and polished gentle
man.
"You forget" she said, while the
ghost Of one of her merry smiles light
cd up her beautiful features, "that
such things are to be said in French
The maid, Hardy scarcely noticed
She came out at the last moment, hel
head covered with a fur hood that al
most entirely obscured her face, anC
took her place in the bottom of thu
sledge.
There were long desolate stretcheI
Of snow, with here and there a house
the roof covered with snow, nesting
among the white hills.
They passed occasional patches o
forest, the limbs etched very blacl
and distinct against the background
of snow. They had left the town abou
two o'clock and it was half-past thre'
now.
There must be a farmhouse some
where near" observed Hardy, IF you
highness feels cold. | saw q large do
running among the trees a moman
ago"
t Just then the driver pointed wit
the whip toward the woods an
i crossed himself. The princess ais
: made the sign Of the cross, and sal
} quietly:
: Those are wolves! May the hol
1 Virgin protect u.s."
t Two large, gray animals with bush
tails, that were dogs and yet not dog
were seer fitting among the tree
Their tongues hung out Of thei
mouths, and as they glanced frol
time to time at the sledge and its O.
d cupants. their teeth could be plainl
3 seen
81 Have no fear" said Hardy. THE