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Loryea Drug Store. 13 MONEY TO LOAN.~ I am prepared to negotiate loans on good real estate security, on rea sonable terms. s R. 0. PURDY, al Sumter, S. C- he The Tirnes" 51 fa DO.S NEA1T vi ec at Job Printing.+ i GIVE US A TRIAL. Iw el Come O TH Ex position Every attention will be shown visit cs and we especially invite the people to visit our handsome store to inspect our lines of Gent's Furnishings* Clothing, and Hats. We handle no goods but those which! we can guarantee. l Our Tailoring Department is perhaps the largest in the State and out' tailors are experienced workmen. A Suit made by us is sufficient war-, rant to tit. Come to see us. .l L DA VID & BRO," Cor. King and Wentworth Sts., . THEC --- By Jul CHAPTER I. IRE. a fresh dispatch. "Whence?" 'From Tomsk." "Is the wire cut be yond that city?" -Yes. sire. since ye, terday." "Telegraph hourly to Tomsk, genei , and let me be kept informed of a iat occurs." "Sire, it shall be done." answere eneral Kissoff. These words were exchanged abot wo hours after midnight, at the n lent when the fete given at the Nei alace was at the height of its splei or. An hour later General Kissoff, wh ad just re-entered. quickly approache is m::jesty. "Well?" asked the latter abruptly, a e had done the former time. "Telegrams reach Tomsk no longei re." "A courier this moment!" And, leai ig the hall, hs maijesty entered trge antechamber adjoining. The czar had not so suddenly left th allroom of the New palace when th Ate he was giving to the civil and mili try authorities and principal people o oscow was at the height of its bri] ancy without ample cause, for he ha< st received information that seriou rents were taking place beyond th rontiers of the Ural. It had becom rident that a formidable rebellioi ireatened to wrest the Siberian prov ices from the Russian crown. Asiatic Russia, or Siberia, covers i iperficial area of 1,700,208 squar iles and contains nearly 2,000,000 o Lhabitants. Extending from the Ura tountains, which separate it fron ussia in Europe, to the shores of th, acific ocean, it is bounded on thi >th by Turkestan and the Chinesi nplre, on the north by the Arctli :ean, from the sea of Kara to Be ng strait. It is divided into severa >ernments or provinces, those of To ylsk, Yeniselsk, Irkutsk, Omsk an( akutsk; contains two districts, Ok Atsk and Kamchatka, and possesse ro countries, now under the Musco te dominion-that of the Kirghiz and tat of the Tshowktshes. Two governor generals represent th4 ipreme authority of the czar over thi, ist country. One resided at Irkutsk ie capital of western Siberia. Th ver Tchonna, a tributary of the Yen! , separates the two Siberias. No rail yet furrows these wide plains me of whic4 are in reality extremel -rtIle. No iron ways lead from thes ecous mines which make the Sibe i~n soil far richer below than above its rface. The traveler jourrneys In sum er in a kibick or telga; In winter, in i edge. An electric telegraph, with a singl4 ire more than 8.000 versts In length one affords communication betwee! Le western and eastern frontiers o: :berla. On issuing from the Ural 11 sses through Ekaterenburg, Kasi o, Tionmen, Ishim, Omsk, Elamsk alyvan, Tomsk, Krasnoiarsk, Nijnx dinsk, Irkutsk, Verkne-Nertsekinlk relnk, Albazine, Blagowstenks, Rad , Orlomskaya, Alexandrewskoe and kolaevsk, and G rubles and 19 co eks are paid for every word seni om one end to the other. From Irkutsli ere Is a branch to Kiatka, on the ongolan frontier, and from thence r 30 copecks a word, the post conveyi .e dispatches to Peking in a fort ght. It was this wire, extending from Eka renburg to Nikolaevsk, which had en cut, first beyond Tomsk and ther ~tween Tomsk and Ihalyvan. This was the reason why the czar, t< e communication~ made to him foi e second time by General Kissoff d only answered by the words, ".A >rier this moment !" The czar had remained motionless al .e window for a few moments whez e door was again opened. The chiel 'police appeared on the threshold. "Enter, general," said the czar brief "and tell me all you know of Ivat gareff." "He Is an extremely dangerous man, re," replied the chief of police. "He ranked as colonel, did he not?" "Yes, sire." "Was he an Intelligent officer?" "Very intelligent, but a man whose ilrt it was impossible to subdue and ~ssessng an ambition which stopped nothing. He soon became involved secret intrigues, and it was then thai was degraded from his rank by his ghness the grand duke and exiled tc beia." "How long ago was that?" "Two years since. Pardoned aftei x months of exile by your majesty's vor, he returned to Russia." "And since that time has he not re sited Siberia?" "Yes, sire, but he voluntarily return .there," replied the chief of police ding and slightly lowering his voice, here was a time, sire, when none re red from Siberia." Well, while I live Siberia is and all be a country whence men can re The czar had the right to utter these ords with some pride, for often by his emency he had shdwn that Russiat stice knew how to pardon. "Did not Ivan Ogareff," asked the ar, "return to Russia a second tim< 'ter that journey through the Siberiar -ovinces, the object of which remainm xknown?" "He did." "And have the police lost trace 01 m since?" "No, sire." "Where was ivan Ogareff last heard "In the province of Perm." "In what town?" "At Perm itself." "What was he doing?" "He appeared unoccupied, and ther< as nothing suspicious in his conduct.' "Then he was act under the surveil ne of the secret police?" "No, sire." "When did he leave Perm?" "About the month of March." "To go"-. "Where is unknown." "And since that t~ime it is not knowt hat has become of him?" "No, sire, it is not known." "Well, then. I myself know," answer E3 CZAR es Verne and in tih face of (rets now takin; place beyond the front:c- I have every reason to believe that icy are correct." "Do you mean. sire," cried the chief of police. "that Ivan Ogareff has a hand in this Tartar rebellion?" "Indeed I do, and I will now tell you something which you are ignorant of. After leaving Perm Ivan Ogareff cross ed the Ural mountains, entered Siberia and penetrated the Kirghiz steppes and there endeavored, not without success. to foment rebellion among their no madie population. He then went so far south as free Turkestan. There in the provinces of Bokhara, Khokhand ind Koondooz he found chiefs willing to pour their Tartar hordes into Siberia D and execute a general rising in Asiatic I Russia. The storm has been silently gathering, but it has at last burst like s a thunderclap, and now all means of communication between eastern and western Siberia have been stopped. Moreover, Ivan Ogareff, thirsting for vengeance, aims at the life of my brother!" The czar had become excited while a speaking and now paced up and down e with hurried steps. The chief of police . said nothing. but he thought to him r self that during the time when the em - peror of Russia never pardoned an ex I le schemes such as those of Ivan Oga g reff could never have been realized. ! A few moments passed, during which ? he was silent, then, approaching the I czar, wbo had thrown himself Into an armchair, he said: "Your majesty has of course given , orders that this rebellion may be. sup pressed as soon as possible?" "Yes," answered the czar. "The last I telegram which was able to reach Nij ni Udinsk would set In motion the troops In the governments of Yenisei, Irkutsk, Yatw sk, as well as those in the provinces 0 the Amur and Lake Baikal. At the same time the regi menti'from Perm and Nijni Novgorod, I and the Cossacks from the frontier are advancing by forced :narches toward I the Ural mountains. But unfortunately some weeks must pass beore they can, attack the Tartars." "And your majesty's brother, his highness the grand duke, is now Isolat ed in the government ot Irkutsb ': no longer in direct communicati I Moscow?" "That Is so." "But by the last dispatches he must know what measures have been taken by your majesty and what help -he may expect from the governments nearest to that of Irkutsk?" "He knows that," answered the czar, -"but what lhe does not know Is that Ivan Ogareff, as well as being a rebel, Is also playing the part of a traitor and that in him he has a personal and bit ter enemy. It Is to the grand duke that ivan Ogareff owes his first disgrace, and what is more serious' is that this man is not known to him. Ivan Oga reff's plan, therefore, Is to go to Irkutsk and under an assumed name offer his services to the grand duke. Then, aft er gaining his confidence, when the Tartars have Invested Irkutsk, he will* betray the town and with It my broth er, whose life is directly threatened. This is what I have learned from my secret inteliigence, this Is what the grand duke does not know and this is what lie must know!" "Well, sire, aninelgtcuaos courier"- Inelgncuaos "I momentarily expect one." "And it is tc. be hoped ne will be ex peditious," added the chief of police. "for allow me to add, sire, that Siberia is a favorable land for rebellions." All communication was interrupted. Had the wires between Ksalyvan and Tomsk been cut by Tartar scouts, or had the emir himself arrived in the Yeniseisk provinces? Was all the low er part of western Siberia In a fer ment? Had the rebellion already spread to the eastern regions? No one could say. The only agent which fears neither cold nor heat, which can nei ther be stopped by the rigors of winter uer the heat of summer and whi h~fles with the rapidity of i'ghtning-the elec tric current-was pre'cented from trav ersing the steppes, and it was no longer possible to warn the grand, duke, shut up In Irkutsk, of the danger threaten ing him from thei treason of Ivan Oga reff. A courier only could supply the place of the Interrupted electric current. It wobld take this man some time to traverse the 5.200 versts between Mos cow and Irkutsk. To pass the ranks of the rebels and invaders he must dis play almost aperhuman courage and intelligence. Ikt with aclear head and a firm heart much can be done. '"Shall I be able to find this head and heart?" thought the czar. CHLAPTER II. SHE door of the imperial cabinet wasa again open ed, and General Kissoff was announced. "The courier?" inquir-' ..- ed the czar eagerly. "He is here, sire,"re plied General Kissoff. "Have you found a fitting man?" "I will answer for him to your majes ty." "Has he be-en in thxe service of the palace?" "Yes, sire." "You know him?" "Personally, and at various times he has fulfilled difficult missions with suc-: cess." "Abroad?" "In Siberia itself." "Wher-e do'-s lhe come from?" "From Oms~k. Hie is a Siberian." "Has he cooine~es, Intelligence, cour age?" "Yes, sire; he has all the qualities necessary to succeed even where others might possibly fall." "What is his age?" "Thirty." "Is he strong and vigorous?" "Sire, he can bear cold, hunger, thirst, fatigue, to the vecry last extremities." "He must have a frame of iron." "Sire, he has." "And a heart?" "A heart of gold." "His name?" "Michael Strogoff.'' "Is he ready to set out?" "He awaits your majesty's orders in the guardroom." "Let him come in," said the eza. In a few minutes Michael Strogoff, brary. The czar fixed a penetrating lo4 upon him without uttering a wor while Michael stood perfectly motio less. Michael Strogoff was a tall, vigorot broad shouldered, deep chested ma His powerful head possessed the fi features of the Caucasian race. B well knit frame seemed built for t] performance of feats of strength. would have been a difficult task move such a man against his will, f when his feet were once planted on t] ground i was as If they had taken ro< As he doffed his Muscovite cap loc] of thick curly hair fell over his broa massive forehead. When his ordinai ly pale face became at all flushed, arose solely from a more rapid acti of the heart, under the influence of quicker circulation. His eyes of a de( blue looked with a clear, frank. fir gaze. The slightly contracted eyebrows I dicated lofty heroism--the hero's co courage," according to the definition the physiologist. He possessed a fl nose, with large nostrils, and a w( shaped mouth, with the slightly pr jecting lips which denote a generoi and noble heart. Michael Strogoff had the temper ment of a man of action, who does n bite his nails or scratch his head doubt and indecision. Sparing of ge tures as of words, he always stood m tionless like a soldier before his sup rior, but when he moved his step shoN ed a firmness, a freedu of movemen which proved the conlidence and viva ity of his mind. Michael Strogoff wore a handson military uniform, something resemblir that of a light cavalry officer in tl field-boots, spurs, half tightly fittir trousers, brown pelisse, trimmed wil fur and ornamented with yellow brail On his breast glittered a cross at medals. Michael Strogoff belonged to the sp cial corps of the czar's couriers, ran] ing as an officer among those picke men. His most discernible characte istic-particularly in his walk, his fac in the whole man, and which the czt perceived at a glance-was that he wr a "fulfiller of orders." He therefoi possessed one of the most serviceab: qualities in Russia-one which the celi brated novelist Turgeneff says "w] lead to the highest positions in tl Muscovite empire." In short, if any one could accomplis .this journey from Moscow to Irkuts across the rebellious country, surmour obstacles and brave perils of all sort Michael Strogoff was the man. A circumstance especially favorab] to the success of his plans was that I was thoroughly acquainted with tl country which he was about to tral erse and 'understood its different di lects, no.t only from having travele there before. but because he was Siberian origin. When he was fourteen, Michael Stri toff had kined his first bear quil .done. Tha was nothing. But aft( stripping it he dragged the giganti animal's skin to his father's hous many versts distant, thus exhibitin remarkable strength in a boy so youn Gifted with marvelous acutenes when every object was hidden in mi. or even in higher latitudes, where th polar night is prolonged for many day: he could find his way when othe; would have had no idea whither to d rect their steps. He had' learned I read almost imperceptible signs, tl forms of liiicles, thie appearance of tl small branches of trees, mists risin: far away on the horizon, vague sound in the air, distant reports, the flight c birds through the foggy atmosphere thousand circurnstances which are .s many woi-ds to those who can deciphe them. Moreever, tempered by sno' like a Damascus blade in the waters C Syria, he had a frame of Iron, as Get eral Kissoff had said, and, what wa no less true, a heart of geld. The only sentiment of love felt b; Michael Strogoff was that which he er tertaned for his mother, the aged Ma: fa, who could never be induced to lear the house of the Strogorfs at Omsk, o: the banks of the Istish, where the oli huntsman and she had lived so long tc gether. When her son left her, h went away with a full heart, but pron sing to come and see her whenever h could possibly do so, and this promis he had always religiousiy 1:ept. When Michael was twenty, if was de ided that he should enter the~ persons service of thle emiperor of Russia. in th corps of the couriers of the czar. Th hardy, inteligent, zealous, well cot ducted young Siberian first distinguisli ed himself especially in a journey t, the Caucasus, through the-mnidst of: difficult country, ravaged by some rest less successors of Schamyl; then, later in an important mission to Petrepolou ski, in Kamchatka, the extreme limi of Asiatic Russia. During these Ioni ourneys he displayed such marvelou coolness, prudence and courage as ti gain him the approbation and protec tion of his chief, who rapidly advanced him in his profession. The furloughs which were his du after these distant missions, althougl he migh-: be separated from her b: thousands of versts and winter hai rendered the roads almost impassablE he had never failed to devote to hi old moth:er. Having been'. much em poyed in the south of the empire, hi had not seen old Marfa for three year -three ages-the first time in his lif he had teen so long absent from het Now, however, in a few days he woul< obtain his furlough, :and he had aC ordingly already made preparation: for departure for Omsk when th< events which have been related oc urred. Michael Strogoff was there fore introduced into the czar's presenci in complete ignorance of what the em peror expected from him. The czar, apparently satisfied witi his scrutiny, went to Igis bureau and motioning to the chief of police to sea himself, dictatcd in a low voice a lette: of not more than a few lines. The let ter penned, the czar reread it attentive ly and then signed it, preceding hi: name with these words, "Byt pt semon," which, signifying "so be it, constitutes the decisive formula of th< Eussian emperors.. The letter was placed in an envelope which was sealed with the imperia arms. The czar, rising, told Michael Stro gaff to draw near. Michael advanced a few steps an< then stood motionless, ready to an swer. The czar again looked him full in the face, and their eyes met. Then in a; abrupt tone: "Thy name?" he asked. "Michael Strogoff, sire." "Thy rank?" "Captain in the corps of couriers o0 the czar." "Thou dost know Siberia?" I am a Siberian." "A native of" "Omsk, sire." "Hast thou relations there?" "Yes, sire." "What reatins?" The czar suspended his questions ft )k a moment, then, pointing to the lett( d, which he held in his hand, he said: n- "Here is a letter which . charge the< Michael Strogoff, to deliver into th s, hands of the grand duke ,,ud to no oil n. er but him." 2e "I will deliver it, sire." is "The grand duke is at Irkutsk." le "I will go to Irkutsk." It "Thou wilt have to traverse a rebe to lious country, invaded by Tartar. or whose interest it will be to intercer le this letter." it. "I will traverse it." "Above all, beware of the traitc d, Ivan Ogareff, who will perhaps mec r thee on the way." it "I will beware of him." m"Wilt thou pass through Omsk?" a "Sire, that is my route." T! "If thou dost see thy mother, ther will be the risk of being recognize Thou must not see her!" - Michael Strogoff besitated a momen Ol "I will not see her," said he. I "Swear to me that nothing will mak 1 thee acknowledge who thou ai t no whither thou art going." 0- "1 swear it." is "Michael Strogoff," continued the cza giving the letter to the young couriel a- "take this letter. On it depends th A safety of all Siberia and perhaps th M life of my brother, the grand duke." s- "This letter shall be delivered to hi D highness the grand duke." L "Thou wilt pass whatever happens? V- "I shall pass, or they shall kill me." "I want thee to live." 0- "I shall live, and I shall pass," at swered Michael Strogoff. te The czar appeared satisfied with Strc :g goff's calm and simple answer. "Go, then, Michael Strogoff," said he "go for God, for Russia, for my brothe and for myself." d The couriet', having saluted his sov ereign, Immediately left the imperia cabinet and in a few minutes the NeN palace. . d "You made a good choice there, get r- eral," said the czar. e, "I think so, sire," replied Genera i Kissoff, "and your majesty may b s sure that Michael Strogoff will do a] e that a man can do." e "He Is indeed a man." said the czar. CHAPTER III. HE distance between Mos T cow and irkutsk, abou h to be traversed by MI k chael Strogoff, was 5,20 it versts. Before the tele Sgraph wire extended fron the Ural mountains to e the eastern frontier of Siberia the dis e patch service was performed by con e riers, those who traveled the most rap Idly taking eighteen days to get fron . Moscow to Jrkutsl. d In the first place, however, he mus not travel as a courier of the czar usu ally would. No one must even suspec what he really was. Spies swarm in : e rebellious country. Let him be recog r nized, and his mission would be in dan e ger. Also, while supplying him with : large sum of money, which was suffi cient for his journey and would facill tate it in some measure, General Kis soff had not giv'en him any documen specifying that he was in the emperor'f service, which is the sesame par ex cellence. ie contented himself witi furnishing him with a podorojna. The podorojna was made out in tha name of Nicholas Korpanoff, merchant e living at Irkutsk. It authorized Nicho las Korpanoff to be accompanied, I: e requisite, by one or more persons, and .mnoreovear, it was by special notificatiot s made available in the event of the Mus covite government forbidding nativel Sof any other countries to leave Russia 0The podorojna is simply a permissiol r to take post horses, but Michael Stro Sgoff was- not to use it unless he wa: sure that by so doing he would not .ex cite suspicion as to his mission-that i: to say, while he was on European ter ritory. The consequence was that i2 V Siberia. while traversing the insurgen -provinces, he would ~have no powe over the relays either in the choice o1 e horses in preference to others or In de Smanding conveyanees for his persona use. Neither was Michael Strogoff t< forget that he was no longer a courier but a plain merchant. Nicholas Korpa noff, traveling from Moscow to Irkutsk e and as such exposed to all the impedi e ments of an ordinary journey. To pass unknown more or less rapid ly, but to pass somehow or other-sucl were the directions he had received. CThirty years previously the escort a1 a traveler of rank consisted of not les: than 200 mounted Cossacks, 200 fool soldiers, 25 Baskir horsemen, 300 cam els, 400 horses, 25 wagons, 2 portablh boats and 2 pieces of cannon. All thi: was requisite for a journey in Siberia. Michael Strogoff, however, had nei ther cannon nor horsemen nor foot sol tdiers nor beasts of burden. He woul( travel ihn a carriage or on horsebacla s when he could, on foot when he coulk not. There would be no difficulty in get ting over the first 1,500 versts, the dis tance between Moscow and the Rus sian frontier. Railroads, post carriages steamboats, relays of horses, were al every ene's disposal and consequently at the disposal of the courier of th( czar. SAccordingly on the morning of the 16th of July, having doffed his uniform with a knapsack on his back, dressed 3 in the simple Russian costume, tightly a fitting tunic, the traditional belt of thi -moujik, wide trousers, gartered at thi I knees, and high boots, Michael Stro -gff arrived at the station in time foi i the first train. He carried no arms. Sopenly at least, but under his belt was - jhidden a revolver and in his pockel -! one of those large knives with which t Siberian hunter can so neatly disem - bowel a bear without injuring its pre clus fur. 1 A crowd of travelers had collected ai ,the Moscow station. The stations or t the Russian railroads arc much used as places for meeting not only by those -who are about to proceed by the train, - but by friends who come to see then off. It indeed resembles from the va riety of characters assembled a small 'news exchange. 3 The train in which Michael took his place was to set him dowa at Nijn ,Novgorod. There terminated at thai 1 time the iron road which, uniting Mos cow and St. Petersburg, will eventually . continue to the Russian frontier. It was a journey of about 400 versts, and the train would accomplish it in ten hours Once arrived at Nljni Novgorod, Stro gff would, according to circumstances, either take tihe land route or the steam er on th~e Volga, so as to reach the Ural mountains as soon as possible. Michael Strogoff ensconsed himself in his corner like a worthy citizen whose affalirs go well with him and who endeavors to kill time by sleep. Nevertheless, as he was not alone it his compartment, he slept with one eye open and listened with both his ears. In fact, the rumor of the rising of the Kirghiz hordes and of the Tartar inva sin had transpired in scnme degree. The occupants of the carriage, whomx chance had made his traveling compan ions, discussed the subject, though with cauenotion which hasneonme hahit. ual among Russians, who know th r spies are ever on the watch for ar treasonable expressions which may uttered. e At the Wladimir station fresh tra elers entered the train. Among other a young girl presented herself at t: door of the carriage occupied by 31 chael Strogoff. A vacant place was found opposi i the courier of the czar. The young gi took it after placing by'her side a mo t est traveling bag of red leather whi< seemed to constitute her luggage. The seating herself with downcast eyes, s: r prepared for a journey which was st t to last several hours. Michael Strogolf could not help loo ing attentively at his newly arrived fR low traveler. As she was so placed . to travel with her back to the engir e he even offered her his seat, which sl might prefer to her own, but she than ed him with a slight bend of her grac ful neck. The young girl appeared to be abo e sixteen or seventeen years of age. H r bead, truly charming, was ohhe pure Slavonic type - slightly severe, at which would when a few summers ha pgssed over her unfold Into beau1 -, ratLer than mere prettiness. From b e neath a sort of kerchief which she wo: e on her head escaped in profusion ligi golden hair. Her eyes were brow: s soft and expressive of much sweetnec of temper. The nose was straight !r attached to her 1ale and scmewhat thi cheeks by delicate mobile nostrils. TI lips were finely cut, but it seemed as they had long since forgotten how 1 smile. The young traveler was tall and u: right, as well as could be judged of h< , figure from the very simple and amp r pelisse that covered her. Although si was still a very young girl In the lIter . sense of the term, the development I her high forehead and clearly cut fe , tures gave the idea that she was tI possessor of a great moral energy, . point which did not escape Micha Strogoff. Evidently this young girl ha already suffered in the past, and tb future doubtless did not present itse to her in glowing colors. But it wa none the less certain that she ha known how to struggle and that si had resolved to struggle still with ti trials of life. Her energy was eviden ly prompt and persistent and her caln ness unalterable even under circun stances in which a man would be likel to give way or lose his self command. Such was the impression which st produced at first sight. Michael Strc goff, being himself of an energetic ten perament, was naturally struck by ti character of her physiognomy, ane while taking care not to cause her ar noyance by a too persistent gaze, t observed his neighbor with no small i1 t terest.- The costume of the young tra eler was both extremely simple an appropriate. She was not rich-tha could easily be seen-but not the sligh est mark of negligence was to be di: cerned in her dress. All her luggag was contained in a leather bag unde lock and key, and which, for want c room, she held on her lap. She wore a long, dark pelisse, whic was gracefully adjusted at the neck b a blue tie. Under thlerpelisse a shor skirt, also dark, fell over a robe whic reached to her ankles and of which tb lower edge was ornamented with somn simple embroidery. Half boots of worn ed leather and thickly soled, as If ch< sen in the anticipation of a long joum ,ney, covered her small feet. Michael Strogoft fancied that he re< ognized by certain details the fashio of the costume of Livonla, and b thought that his neighbor must be native of the Baltic provinces. But whither was this young girl g< ing alone at an age when the fosterin care of a father or the protection of brother Is considered a matter of nt cessity? Had she now come after a: already long journey from the pros inces of western Russia? Was sh merely going to Nijnl Novgorod, or wa the end of her travels beyond the easi ern frontier of the empire? Woul' some relation, some friend, await he arrival by the train, or_ was it no more probable, on the contrary, tha she would find herself as much isolates In the town as she was in this com partment, where no one, she inns think, appeared to care for her? I was probable. Michael Strogoff observed her witi interest, but, himself reserved, h sought no opportunity of accosting hei although several hours must elapse be - ore the arrival of the train at Nijn N~ovgorod. At last the train, at half past 8 in th evening, arrived at the station of Nijn Novgorod. Before any one could get out of thi carriages the inspectors of police pre sented themselves at the doors and ex amined the passengers. Michael Strogoff showed his podo rojna made out in the name of Nichola: Korpanoff. He had consequently ni difficulty. As to the other travelers in the comn partment, all bound for NljnI Novge rod, their appearance, happily for them was in nowise suspicious. The young girl in her turn exhibite< not a passport, since passports are n< longer required in Russia, but a peri Indorsed with a private seal and which seemed to be of a special character The inspector read the permit with at tention. Then, having attentively ex amined the person whose description I contained, he said: "You are from Riga?" "Yes,'? replied the young girl. "You are going to Irkutsk?" "Yes." "By what route?" "By Perm.". "Good!" replied the Inspector. "Takb care to have your permit vised at thb police station of Nijni Novgorod." Thb young girl bent her head in token 01 assent. Hearing the questions and replies Michael Strogoff experienced a min gled sentiment both of surprise and pity. What, this young girl alone jour neying to that faroff Siberia and at e time when to its ordinary dangers were added all the perils of an invaded coun try and one in a state of insurrection: How would she reach it? What would become of her? The inspection ended, the doors of the carriages were opened, but before Michael Strogoff could move toward her the young Livonian, who had beer the first to descend, had disappeared in the crowd which thronged the plat forms of the railway station. Nijni Novgorod, Lower Novgorod, sit~ uated at the junction of the Volga and the Oka, is the chief town in the dis trict of the same name. It was here that Michael Strogoff was obliged to leave the railway, which at the time did not go beyond this town. Thus as he advanced his traveling would be. come first less speedy and then less safe. Nljni Novgorod, the fixed population of which Is only from 30,000 to 35,000 inhabitants, contained at that timE more than 300,000-that is to say, the population was Increased tenfold. This addition was in consequence of the eel eaed fair whirch was held withit it the walls for three we&s. Formerl Maltfriew had the benefit of this cor vourse of traders, but since 1S17 th fair had been removed to Nijni Novg< rod. The town, dreary enough at mos times, then presented a truly animate, scene. Six different races of merchant. European and Asiatic. were fraterni2 te Ing under the congenial influence o rl trade. Michael Strogoff strolled through th h town quietly, looking out for some li E' He was looking for supper rather tha a bed, but he found both at the sig of the City of Constantinople. His supper finished, Michael Strogol instead of going up to his bedroor again strolled out into the town. Why did not Michael Strogoff g e quietly to bed, as would have seeme< more seasonable after a long railwa; journey? Was he thinking of th young Livonian girl who had for si many hours been his traveling compan ion? Having nothing better to do, h was thinking of her. it "Alone," he said to himself; "alone ii d the midst of these wandering tribes d And yet the present dangers are noth Y Ing to those she must undergo. Sibe ria! Irkutsk! I am about to dare a] -e risks for Russia, for the czar, whil It she is about to do so for whom? Fo 4 what? She is authorized to cross th s frontier: And the country beyond i d in revolt: The steppes beyond are ful n3 of Tartar bands!" e Michael Strogoff stopped for an in stant and reflected. 0 "Without doubt," thought he, "sh< must have determined on undertakln her journey before the Invasion. Per r haps she Is even now ignorant of wha e is happening. But, no; that cannot be e for the merchants discussed before he tl the disturbances in Siberia, and sh4 d did not seem even surprised. She dh L- not even ask for an explanation. Shi e must have known it then, and, thoug] a knowing it, she is still resolute. Poo 1 girl! Her motive for the journey mus d be urgent indeed! But, though she ma: e be brave-and she certainly is so-he It strength must fail her, and, to sa: s nothing of dangers and obstacles, shu d will be unable to endure the fatigue o e such a journey. Never can she pas e Irkutsk!" Indulging in such reflections, Michae - Strogoff wandered on as chance le - him; but, being well acquainted witl Y the town, he knew that he could with out difficulty retrace his steps. e Having strolled on for about an hour - he seated himself on'a bench againsi L- the wall of a large wooden cottag< e which stood, with others, on a vas1 I, open space. i He had scarcely been there five min e utes when a hand was laid heavily ox t- his shoulder. . - - "What are you doing here?" roughIj d demanded a large and powerful mai .t who had approached unperceived. "I am resting," replied Michael Stro goff. e "Do you mean to stay all night on th( r bench?" asked the man. f "Yes, if I feel inclined to do so," an swered Michael -Strogoff in a tone some b what too sharp for the simple merchan1 F he wished to personate. t "Come forward, then, that I may -se( b you," said the man. e "It is not necessary," he replied, and e he calmly stepped back ten- paces or so :The man seemed, as Michael observ Sed him well, to have the look of a Bo -hemian. such as are met at fairs anC with whom contact, either physical o1 Smoral, is unleasant. Then, as he look n ed more attentIvely through the dusi e which was coming on, he perceivec a near the cottage a large caravan, th4 usual travelIng dwelling of the gypsief -who swarm In Russia wherever a fen~ : copdeks can be obtained. a As the gypsy tooktwo or three stept - forward and was about to interrogate i Michael Strogoff more closely the doox - of the cottage was opened. He could just see a woman, who advanced quick ly and In a language which Mlchael - Strogoff knew to be a mixture of the I ongol and Siberian she said: "Anoth er spy! Let him alone and come tc t supper. It Is waiting for you." t Michael Strogoff could not help smil I ng at the epithet bestowed on him. - dreading spies as he did above all tthings. tBut in the same dialect, although his accent was very different, the Bohe imian replied in words which signify: S"You are right, Sangarre. Besides, Swe start tomorrow." -"Tomorrow!" repeated the woman in isurprise. "Yes, Sangarre," replied the Bohe Smian, "tomorrow, and the Father him self sends us-where we are going." Thereupon the man and woman en tered the cottage and carefully elosedl .the door. ."Good!" said Michael Strogoff to him self. "If these gypsies do not wish tc .be understood when they spea-k before me, they had better use some other Ian guage." From his Siberian origin and because .he had passed his childhood In the .steppes Michael Strogoff, it has beer glid, understood almost all the lan ~uages in usage from Tartary to the Sea of Ice. As to the exact significa' *tion of the words exchanged between the gypsy and his companion he did not trouble his head. For why should it Interest him? An hour after Michael Strogoff was sleeping soundly on one of those Rus sian beds which always seem so hard to strangers, and on the morrow, the 17th of July, he awoke at break of day. He had still five hours to pass at Nijnl Novgorod. It seemed to him an age. How was he to spend the morn ing unless in wandering, as he had done the evening before, through the streets? By the time he had finished his breakfast, strapped up his bag. bad his podorojna inspected at the police *office, he would have nothing to do but start. But he was not a man to lie in bed after the sun had risen, so he rose, dress ed himself and placed the letter with the imperial arms on It carefully at the bottom of its usual pocket within the lining of his coat, over which he fasten ed his belt. Hie then closed his bag and threw it over his shoulder. This done, he had no wish to return to the City of Constantinople, and, in tending to breakfast on the bank of the Volga near the wharf, he settled his bill and left the inn. By the way of precaution Michael Strogoff went first to the office of the steam packet com pany and there made sure that the Caucasus would start at the appointed hour. As he did so the thought for the first time struck him that since the young Livonian girl was going to Perm It was very possible that her intention was also to embark in the Caucasus, 1n which case he should accompany her. Michael Strogoff found hiinself in the central square when the report spread that the head of police had been sum moned by a courier to the palace of the governor general. An important dis patch from Moscow, it was said, was the cause of it. "The fair is to be closed," said one. "The regiment of Nijni Novgorod has received the route," declared another. 'They say that the Tartars menace Tomsk!" [Continnued on next nage.J Roofing Paper. e 3-ply Roofing Paper.......75c per roll. 2-ply Roofing Paper.......52c per roll. 1-ply Tarred Paper........$35 per ton. Rosin-Sized Sheathing Paper, 17 lbs. per roll..................30c per roll. 20-th. Paper...............38c per roll. r 30-lb. Paper...........c....50 per roll. All prices f.o.b. Charleston. e For direct shipments from factory in lots of 25, 50 or 100 rolls, we can make closer delivered prices. 9RROlN PORILID CRE ENT 00., 94-96 E. Bay St., CHARLESTON. S. C. gilelig8 0Ill CO151166. - OFFICE OF JUDGE O PROBATEE, Manning, S. C., August 1,1900. To Executors, Administrators, Guardians and, Committees: I respectfully call your attention to annexed statute. . You will please give this matter early attention. Very respectfull Judge of Probate. Sec. 206l-(1942). Executors, Administrators, Guardians and Committees, shall annually while any estate remains in their care or cus tody. at any time before the first day of July of each year, render to the Judge of Probate of the I county from whom they obtain Letters Testa mentary or Letters of Administrators or -Let ters of Guardianship, etc., a just ind true ac count, upon oath, of the receipts and expendi tures of such estate the preceding Calendar year, which, when examined- and approved. shall be deposited with the Inventory and ap praisement or other papers belonging to such estate, in the office of said Judge of Probate - there to be kept for the inspection of such per sons as may be interested in the estate-(under former penalties.) Approved the 2d day of March, 1897. Money to Lend On improved farming lajids. Terms: as long as wanted; interest, 7 per cent L on large loans; 8 per cent on small loans. For particulars apply to LEE & MOISE, Attorneys, Sumter, S. C. I have opened up a Sewing -Machine store next door to Mr. S. A. Rigby's general merchandise store August 1,, t 1900. I will carry the The new ball-bearing "New Edme," the best machine made: also "New Ideal" and "Climax," from $18 to $40. . I sell on Instalment, Easy Payment Plan. I clean and repair any kind of machines for least money possible. Call and see me. A. I. BARRON, Ag't. WHEN YOUCOME TO TOWN CALL AT WELLS' 81IAVING SALOON Which is fltjed up with an eye to the comfort of his customers..... HAIR CUTTING IN ALL STYLES, SH AVING N SH AMPOOING Done with neatness an dispatch.... .. .. A cordial invitation is extended. . -. J1. L. WELLS. Manning Times Block. . TO CONSUMERS OF Lager Beer. We are now in position to ship our Beer all over the State at the following prices: EXPORT. Impegial Brew-Pints, at $1.10 per doz. Kuffheiser-Pints, at....90c per doz. Germania P. M.-Pints, at 90c per doz. GERMAN MALT EX- - TRACT. A liquid Tonic and Food for Nursing Mothers and Invalids. Brewed from the highest grade of Barley Malt and Imported Hops, at-....1.10 per doz. For sale by all Dispensaries, or send in your orders direct. All orders shall have our prompt and careful attention. Cash must accompany all orders. CERMANIA BREWING GO., Charleston, S. C. GuI*lte $900 Salary YEARLY. Men and women of good address to represent us, some to travel appointing agents, others for local worke looking after our interests. 800 salary guaranteed yearly; extra commissions and expenses; rapid advancement; old estab lished house. Grand chance for earnest man or woman to secure pleasant, permanent position; liberal income and future. New, brilliant lines. Write at onca. S1'AFFORD PRESS. 23 Church St., New Haven, Connl. Money to Loan. APPLY TO WILSON & DuRANT. J. M. McCOLLOUGH, Opposite Central Hotel. Give me a trial and 1 will give you the best work for little money., Satisfaction guaranteed. J. S. WILSON. w. c. DURANT WILSON & DURANT, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, MANNING, S. C. - SURVEYOR'S CARD. Parties desiring surveys and plats made will receive my most careful and accurate attention. I am supplied with improved instru ments. Address, 5. 0. CANTEY, ---. ummnerton, S. C. Land Surveying and Leveling. I will do Surveying, etc., in Claren don and adjoining Counties. Call at office or address at Sumter, S. C. P. O. Box 101. JOHN R. HAYNESWORTH.