Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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There is no occasion to proclaim its zneritsfron the housetops, but those wbo bave used * WHEELER'S CHILL TONIC will tell their neighbors, " It has cured me and it will cure you." FOR SA LE BY, THE R. B. LoRYEA Drug Store, ISAAC M. LORYEA, Prop 'PHOEK E 5. 2. - MANMING, S. C. Kodol yspepsia Cure ,igests what you eat. thspreparation contains all of the dietnsand digests all kinds of fo.-It-gives-instant relieftand never failstocure. It allows you to eat all the foodyouwanlt. The most sensitive stomachs can take it. By its use many thousands of dyspptics have been ~ure~af~eveytbng else failed. It pre*ets fomton otgason the stom ach, -lijeing all distressaftereating. Dietingunnecessary. Pleasant to take. tt can't ,eip Sbut do ye good The R. B, Loryea Drug-Store. *MONEY TO LOAN. 1 am prepared to negotiate loans on'good real estate security, on rea sonable terms. R. 0. PURDY, Sumter, S. C. The Times DOES NEA T Job Printing. GlIVE US A TRIAL. Comes ;" Exposition, Every attention will be shown visit ors 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 thos~e w hich we can guarantee. Our Tailoring Department is perhaps the largest -in the State and our tailors are experienced workmen. A Suit made by us is sufficient wvar rant to fit. Come to see us. JI L DAVID & BRO,, Cor. King and Wentworth Sts.. THE C OETH By Juls CHAPTER XII. HE nezt day. the 1Cth o August. the loud tongue( trumpets sounded i hrougl the camp. The Tartar sol diers sprang at once t( arms. Ivan Ogareff, after hav. ing quitted Zabedeiro, arrived, aecom panied by a numerous staff of Tartai officers. His face was more seriom than usual, and his contracted outline indicated a great anger, which was onil waiting for some object on which t< hurl itself. Michael Strogoff, lost in a group oi prisoners, saw this man pass by. HE had a presentiment that a great calam ity was about to happen. for Ivan Oga reff now knew that Maria Strogoff was the mother of Michael Strogoff, captair in the corps of the couriers of the czar. Ivan Ogareff arrived at the eenter of the camp, dismounted from his horse, and the horsemen of his escort formed a large circle around him. - At that moment Sangarre approach ed and said: "I have nothing new of which to in form you. Ivan." Ivan Ogareff answered only in giving a short command to one of his officers. immediately the ranks of the prisoners were traversed in a brutal manner by the soldiers. These unfortunate ones, urged on with blows and pushed with the wood of the lances, quickly arrang ed themselves along the outer edge of the camp. Four lines of infantry and cavalry drawn up at the tack rendered all escape impossible. Order for silence was at <oce given, and at a sign from Ivan Ogareff San garre directed her steps toward the group in the middle of which was Mar fa Strogoff. The old Siberian saw her coming. She understood what was about to hap pen. A disdainful smile played on her lips. Then, turning to Nadia, she said to her in a low voice: "You do not know me any longer, my daughter. Whatever happens and how ever trying may be this examination, not a word, not a gesture. It Is for him, not for me. they search." At this moment Sangarre, after hav ing looked around for an instant, placed her hand upon the shoulder of -the old Siberian. "What do you wish from me?" said Marfa Strogoff. "Come," answered Sangarre. And, pushing her with her hand, she led her into the middle of the reserved space before Ivan Ogareff. Michael Strogoff kept his eyelashes half closed In order that the brightness of his eyes should not betray him. Maria Strogoff, having come In front of Ivan Ogareff, straightened her per son, crossed her arms and waited. "Are you Indeed Marfa Strogoff?" de manded Ivan Ogareff. "Yes," answer-ed the old Siberian. with calmness. "Have you changed your mind as re gards the statemr1ent you made to me wvhen, three days ago. I interrogated you at Omsk?" "No." "So you-are ignorant of the fact that your son, Michael Strcgoff. courier of the czar, has passedL through Omsk?" "I am ignorant of it." "And that the- man that you believed to have recognized as your son at the posthouse wvas not he-was not your son?" "He was not my son." "And have you not seen him since among the prisoners?" "No." "And if he were shown to you would you recognize him?" "No." At this answer. which showed an in flexible determination tt avow nothing. a murmur of ajprobation -arose from the crowd. Ivan Ogareff could1( not restrain a menacing gestuire. "Listen." said he to Marfa'Strogoff. "Your son is here, and you go at once to point him out." "No." "All these men, taken at Omsk and at Kalyvan, are going to defile before your eyes, and if you do not point out Michael Strogoff' you shall receive as many blows of the knout as there shall be men who have passed before you." Ivan Ogareff had no,w realized that. whatever threats he might utter and to whatever tortures he might subject her, the indomitable Siberian would not speak. To dlscover the courier of the czar he now counted not upon her, but upon Michael Strogoff himself. He did not believe it possible that when the mother and the son'should be brought Into the presencee of each other an irre sistible impulse would not betray them. Certainly if he had only wished to gain possession of the imperial letter he could simply have given orders for all these prisoners to be searched. But Michael Strogoff might have destroyed this letter after learning its contents, and if he were not r-ecognized and he should gain Irkutsk the plans of Ivan Ogareff would be all frustrated. Where fore it was not only the letter which he must have from the traitor; he must have the bearer of it. INadia at length understood all, and she now knew who was Michael Stro goff and why he had wished to trav erse, without being known, the Invaded provinces of Siberia. On the order of Ivan Ogareff the pris oners passed one by one before Maria Strogoff, who remained immovable as a statue and whose regard expressed only the most complete indifference. Her son was in the last ranks. When In his turn he passed before his moth er, Nadia shut her eyes in order not to see him. Michael Strogoff had remained ap parently impassible, but his hands were b'eeding from the pressure of the fet ters. Ivan Ogareff was conquered by the son and the mother. Sangarre, placed near him, only said one word-"Kinout!" "Yes," cr-iedl Ivan Ogareff, "let this old jade hare the knout and let the punishment continue until she dier' A Tartar soldier-, carrying that terrn ble instrument of torture, approached Maria Strogoff. The knout is composed of a certain number of leathier thonigs, to the ends Iof which are attached twisted iron wire. One can easily understand that to be condemned to receive a hundred and twenty blows from'such a whip is the same thing as to be condemned to earth c i:make her spealk. and she had already offered the sacrifice of her life for her scu's safety. Marfa Stregoli, having been seized by two soldiers. was thrown on her knees on the ground. Her robe, having been torn, exposed her naked back. A saber was fixed before' her breast at the dis tance of only a few inches, and in case she should bend uader the pain her breast would be pierced with the sharp point. The Tartar raised the lash. He was waiting. Go on!" said Ivan Ogareff. The whip hissed In the air, but before the blow had fallen a powerful hand had wrenched it fro:n the hands of the Tartar. Michael Strogoff vwas there! He had leaped before this boi-rible scene! If at the posthouse of lchim he had re strained himself at the blow from Ivan Ogareff. here before his mother, wno was about to be struck, he was not able to master himself. Ivan Ogareff had succeeded. "Michael Strogoff!" he cried. Then, advancing, Le said: "Ah, was this done by the man of Ichim?" "Himself!" said M izhael Strogoff, and, raising the knout, he tore with it the face of Ivan Ogareff himself. "Blow for blow!" "Well givea" cried the voice of a spectator, who fortunately hid himself in the tumult. Twenty sold:ers threw themselves on Michael Strogoff, and the,- were about to kiii him. But 1i-an Ogareff, from whom a cry of pain and rage had es caped, stopped them with a motion of his hand. "This man is reserved for the justice of the emir!" The letter to the imperial armies was found In the breast of Michael Strogoff, who had not had time to dcstroy it, and it was handed over to Ivan Ogareff. The spectator who had uttered aloud those words "well given" was no other than Alcide Jolivet. His companion and himself, having halted at the camp I of Zabedero, were present at this sMy God," said*he to Harry Blount, "these people of the north are rough men! Do we not owe some return to our companion of the journey? May Korpanoff or Strogoff succeed! What splendid revenge for the affair of Ichiml" "Yes, revenge !::Geed." said Harry Blount. "But Strogoff is a dead man. For his sake it would perhaps be better not to remember him any longer." "And allow his mother to perish un der the knout? "Do yon believe that he has acted better by his rash haste than his moth-, er and his sister?" "I don't believeanyt hing; I know noth lng," answered Alcide Jolivet, "only, had [ been in his place I should not have acted othierwis?. What a slash! Eh, what-the devil, we must boil over sometimes. God would have placed1 water in our veins m~d not blood had he wished us to rema-in always and ev erywhere imperturbable." "What a splendid incident for a news paper article!" said Harry Blount. "If Ivan Ogareff would only communicate to us the contents of that letter!" Ivan Ogareff, after having wiped off the blood which cov ?red his face, had broken the seal of the letter. He read it again and again for a long time, as if he wished to fathom its contents. Then, having give'n h's orders that Michael Strogoff, strongly fettered, should be sent On- to Tomsk with the other prisoners, he took command of the troops encamped a't Zahcedeiro, and amid the deafening soujids of drums and trumpets he marched to the town where the emir was awaiting him. They had not long to wait for the lieutenant of Feofar. Itesounding bu ges announced his arriasl. ea ready begun to call him--dressed t' time in the uniform of a Tar'tar officerI arrived on horseback before the tent of the emir. He was accompanied by a body of the soldiers from the camp of Zabedeiro, who drew up along the sides of the plateau, in the middle of which he remained only duiring the time allotted to the amusements. One could see a deep gash cutting obliquely the face of the traitor. Ivan Ogareff presentedl to the emir! his principal officers, and Feofar-Kihanf, without departing from the coldness which was the main foundation of his dignity, received them in a manner which made them satIsfied with their reception. Alcide Jolivet and Harry Blount then joined the crowd and looked on in such a manner as not to lose any detail of a feast, which was to furnish a hundred good lines for the newspapers. They gazed with astonishment on Feofar Khani In his magnificence. his women, his officers, his guards and all this ori ental pomp. of which the ceremonies of Europe can give no idea. But they turned away with disdain when Ivan Ogareff presented himself before the emir, and they waited, not without some impatience. for the !east to be gin. "Do you see, my dear Blount," said Alcide Jolivet, "we are come too soon, like good citizens who must needs eome or lose their money. All this is only the rising of the curtain. It would have been better taste to have arrived only for the ballet.'i "What ballet?" asked Harry Blount2 "The obligatory bal-let, faith. But I think the curtain is about to rise." Alcide Jolivet spoke as If he were at the opera, and, taking his glass from it case, he prepared to have'a look at, as a connoisseur, the first subjects of Feofar's troop. But a tedious ceremony was to pre cede the amusements. Meanwhile most of the prisoners had passed before the emir, and in passing each of them had to prostrate the fore head to touch the very dust as a sign of servility. It was the slavery which commenced with humiliation. When the unfortunates were too slow in bena ng, the rude band of the guards cast them violently to the earth. Alcide Jolivet and .his companion could not assist at such a spectacle without feel ing the greatest indignation. "This is cowardly! Let us go away!" said Alcide Jolivet. "No," replied Harry Blount; "we must see all." "See all! Ah!" cried Alcide Jolivet suddenly, seizing the arm of his com nanin "What is the matter with you?" ask ed the former. "Look! Blount, it is she!" "She?" "The sister of our fellow traveler. Alone and a prisoner! We must save her!" "Restrain yourself," coldly replied Harry Blount. "Our intervention In behalf of this young girl would be more hurtful than useful to her.' Alcide Jolivet, ready te rush forward, stopped himself, and Nadia, w.bo had not perceived them, being half veiled by her hair, passed in her, turn before the emir, Without attracting his atten tion. In the meantime, after Nadia, Marfa Strogoff had ar-ived. and as she did not throw herself quickly enough into the dust the guards brutally pushed her. Marfa Strogoff fell. Her son made a terrible movement, which the soldiers who were guarding him could with difficulty master. But old Marfa raised herself, and they were about to drag her when Ivan Ogareff intervened, saying: "Let this woman remain." As for Nadia, she was thrown back Anong the crowd of prisoners. The look of Ivan Ogareff bad not fixed it self upon her. Michael Strogoff was then led before the emir, and there he remained erect, without lowering his eyes. "Your face to the ground!" Ivan Oga reff cried outto him. -"No:" -plIed Michael Strogoff. Two guards :..!:l to force him to bend, but it wa., ' y. who were thrown to the ground by the hand of the robust young man. - rvan Ogareff advanced toward Mi chael Strogoff. "You are about to die," said he. "I shall die," fiercely answered Mi chael Strogoff, "but'your face of trait or, Iran, will not the less bear and for ever the infamous mark of the knout!" Ivan Ogareff at this answer became horribly pale. "Who is this prisoner?" demanded the emir in a voice the more menacing because of its calmness. "A Russian spy." answered Ivan Oga reff. In making out Michael Strogoff a spy he knew the sentence pronounced against him would be the more terri ble. Michael Strogoff moved toward Ivan Ogareff. The soldiers stopped him. The emir then made a gesture before which the whole crowd bent their heads. Afterward he motioned with his hand for the Koran. which was brought to him. He opened the book and placed his finger on one of the pages. It was chance, or, rather, as these rientals thina, God himself, who was about to decide the fate of Michael Strogoff. The people of central Asia give the name of "fal" to this practice. After having interpreted the sense of the verse touched by the finger of the judge they apply the sentence, what-. ever it may be. The emir had left his finger resting on the page of the Koran. The chief of the ulemas, then approaching. read with a loud voice a verse which fin ished with these words: "And he shall sece no more the things f the earth." "Russian spy," said Feofar-Khan, "you came to see what [ passing in the camp of' the Tartars! ook, then, with all your eyes! Look!" CHAPTER XIII. IC ALSTROGOFF, Mwi::b his hands bound, was held In front of the emir's throne at the foot of the terrace. His mother, overcome at last by so many phys cal and moral to:'tures, had sunk down, not daring to look or listen any longer. "Look with all your eyes! Look!" eofarKhan had said, stretching out is threatenIng hand toward Michael Strogoff. Without doubt Ivan Ogareff, knowing well the Tartar customs, had under stood the bearing of that word, for his ips parted for an iristant in a cruel smile. Then he wvent to take his place ear Feofar-Kha2. A call of trumpets was heard imme iately. It was the signal for the musements. "Now we have the ballet," said Al dde Jolivet to Hzirry Blount; "but, con trary to all custonm, these barbarians give it before the drama." Michael Strogoff had been ordered to look. He did look. A swarm of female ancers came upon the space reserved for them. Various Tartar instruments, nited with the guttural voices of the singers, formed a strange harmony. here were a mandolin with a long neck ade of the wood of the mulberry tree, with two strings of twisted silk, a kind f vIoloncello, open at the back, fur nished with horsehair and made to vibrate with a bow, a long flute made f a reed, trumpets, tambebcrines ind otoms. At once the dances ,began. These dancers performed very grace fully various dances, sometimes singly and sometimes in groups. They had their faces uncovered, but from time to time they drew a light veil ever their figures, and one would have said that cloud of gauze was passing over their sparkling eyes like a vapor over the starry heaven. When this first entertainment was over, a grave voice was heard, which said: "Look with all your eyes! Look!" The man who repeated these words of the emir, a Tartar of high stature, was the chief executioner o:! Feofari Khan. He had taken his position be hind Michael Strogoff, and he held in is hand a sword with a bt'oad and curved blade, one of those D~amascus blades which bad been tempered by the famous armorers of Kaichl or of Hissar. Near him some guards had Urought a tripod on which was placed an iron dish, where some redhot coals were burning without emitting any smoke. The light crug~t which crowned them was due only to the incineration of a resinous and aromatic substance, a mixture of frankincense and benzoln, which had been thrown on their sur Meanwhile gnother group o: dancers had succeeded' the first, hut of a race very different, which Michael Strogoff at once recognized. And we must believe that the two journalists also recognized them, for Harry Blount said to his confrere: "These are the Zingari of Nijni Nov gorod." "The very ones!" cried Alcide Jolivet. I Imagine their eyes bring more mon ey to these spies than their legs!" And In making them out to be agents an the service of the emir Alcide Joll vet, it is well known. did not deceive himself. In the first rank' of the gypsies fig ured Sangarre, In her superb costume, strange and picturesque as it was. which set off still more her beauty. Sangarre did not dance, but stood in the middie of her dancing girls, whose fantastic steps partook of all the coun tries which their race hna traversed in Europe, of Bohemia, of Egypt, of Itaiy and of Spain. They became animated at the noise of the cymbals which clanged on their arms and at the swell ing of the "daires," a kind of driii sounded by the lingers. Sangarre, holding one of these dairecs. whieh trembled between her hands, ex cited this troop of veritable corybantes. Then came forward a youthful gyp sy, some fifteen years old at most. HE held in his hand a douare. the two cords of which he made to vibrate by a simple gliding of the nails. lie sang. During the couplet of his cong of fan tastic rhythm a danseuse came and placed herself near him and remained immovable, listening to him, but each time the burden came to the lips of the young singer she again took up her in terrupted dance, shaking her daire near him and deafening him with the sound of her drum. Then, after the last verse, the dancers enlaced the gypsy in a thousand turn ings of their dances. At this moment a shower of gold feil from the hands of the emir and his al lies, from the hands of the officers of all' grades, and to the noise of the pieces which struck the cymbals of the dancers were blended the last murmurs of the doutares and tambourines. "Prodigal as freebooters!" said Al cide Jolivet in the ear of his compan ion. And, indeed, it was stolen money which fel in showers, for with the Tartar tomans and sequins rained also Muscovite ducats and rubles. Then silence was made for an in stant. and the voice of the executioner, placing his hand on the shoulder of Mi chael Strogoff, again spoke those words whose repetition rendered them still more sinister: "Look with all your eyes! L-3ok!" But this time Alcide Jolivet observed that the executioner did not hold his naked sword in his hand. Then suddenly, as if at a given sig nal, all the fires of the fantasia were extinguished. the dances ceased, the dancers disappeared. The ceremony was terminated, and the torches alone lit up the plateau which some instants before was so full of lights. At a sign from the emir Michael Stro goff was led into the middle of the square. Little desirous of assisting at the tor ture reserved for this unfortunate man. Harry Blount and Alcide Jolivet then T re-entered the city. t An hour later they were hastening along the road to Irkutsk, and it was among the Russians they would at tempt to follow what Alcide Jolivet called by anticipation 'the campaign t of revenge." . The emir made a gesture. Michael Strogoff, pushed by the guards, ap proached the ten-ace, and then in that S Tartar language which he understood i Feofar said to him: t "Russian spy, you are come to see. You have seen for the last time. In an instant thine eyes shall be forever shut 0 to the light!" 3 It was not with death, but with e blindness that Michael Strogoff was b about to be stricken. Loss of sight, i more terrible perhaps than loss of life! t: The unhappy man was condemned to s lose his eyesight. t Nevertheless on hearing the penalty p pronounced by the emir Michael Stro- I gff did not become weak. lHe renmain- 5 d impassible, his large eyes open, as f he were wishing to concentrate all i hls life in this one last look. To ask for pity from these fierce muen t was useless and, besides, unworthy of him. He did not even think of it. All e is thought was concentrated on his t< mrission that had irrevocably failed, on hs mother, on Nadia, whom he should ever see again! But he did not allow o be seen any of the emotion which he felt. Besides, the feeling of vengeance, to e accomplished at some future time, arried away his whole being. "Ivan," said he, with a menacing oice, "Ivan, the traitor, the last threat f my eyes shall be for thee." Ivan Ogareff shrugged his shoulders. - But Michael Strogoff deceived him elf. It was not in looking at Ivan gareft that his eyes were to be fixed h ever more to open. Marfa Strogoff came and stood before hm. "My mother!" cried he. "'Yes, yes, on thee must be turned my last looka nd not on this miserable man! Re ain there before me, that I may stilla see thy beloved figure; that my eyes ay close while' looking at thee!" . The old Siberian, without uttering a word, came forward. "Drive away this woman!" said Ivan gareff.n Two soldiers pushed back Marfa Stro- e goff. She drew back, but remailled it standing some paces distant from her b On. h The executioner appeared. This time o: e held his naked sword in his hand. h [hat sword, heated to a white heat, he h ad just drawn from the iron pan si here the perfumed coals were burn- f< Michael Strogoff was about to be ade blind according to the Tartar cus- a o, with a heated blade passed over his eyes! al1 Michael Strogoff did noZ seek to re- w sist. Nothing else existed in hiis eyes than his mother, whom he devoured h< then with his look. All his life was in or this last vision. t Marfa Strbgoff, with her eyes wide sI open and h'er arms stretched toward m, was looking at him. ,n The white heated blade passed over the eyes of Michael Strogoff. , A loud cry of despair was heard. Old a: arfa fell lifeless to the earth! SI Michael Strogoff was blind. His orders having been executed, the tl emir retired with all his household. q1 Soon there only remained on the pla- h< teau Ivan Ogareff and the torchbear- h: Did the miserable wretch wish to in- a: ult him still more and after the ex enutioner gIve him the inst H:ow? S Ivan Ogareff slowly appro)ached Mi chael Strogoff, who hgard him coming 1C and at once straightened himself.t Ivan Ogareff drew from his pocket the emperor's letter. He opened it and~ f as the last insult placed it before tin P9 eyes of the courier of the czar, before those eyes whose light had been bri' S lally extinguished forever, saying at hi the same time: it -"Read' now, Michael S~irogoff; read fa and .go and repeat at Ir-kutsk what you shall have read. The true courier of re the czar is myself!" hi Having said this, the traitor- placed g< the letter In his breast. Tihen, without turning round, he left the' place, and C( the torchbearers followed him. Michael Strogoff remained alone; e some paces from his mother, who was bi ifeless, perhaps dead. One heard at a distance the cries, the songs, all the noise of the orgies. on.sk was illuminated and was bright as a city during a great feast. -m Michael Strogoff listened. The scene of the late revels and crime was silent gi and deserted. g He dragged himself by groping to. ward the place where his mother had b falln. He fond her with his hand. le bent down toward her. He brought iis figure near to hers. He listened o the beatings of her heart. Then one vould have said that be spoke to her n a low voice. Did old Marfa still live and did she car the woAds her son spoke to her? In any case she did not maka any ign of life by movement. Michael Strogoff kissed her forehead Lnd her white hairs. Then he rose, Lnd, groping with his foot and trying o hold his hands in such a way as to ,uide him, he wvalked by little and lit le to the end of the plateau. Suddenly Nadia appeared. She went straight to her companion. L dagger that sle held served to cut he cords that bound the arms of Mi :hael Strogoff. He, blind as he was, did not know Vho it was who was releasing him, for Cadia had not spoken a word. Biut, that done, said she: "Drother!" "Nadia," murmured Michael StrogoY. 'Nadia!" "Cone, brother," replied Nadia. Henceforth my eyes shall be your yes, and it is I who will conduct you o Irkutsk!" In half an hour after Michael Stro off-and Nadia had left Tomsk. A certain number of the prisoners on hat night were able to escape from the artars, for officers and soldiers, all nore or less besotted, had unconscious y relaxed the severe surveillance which hey had maintained up to that time, oth at the camp of Zabedeiro and dur- E ng the march of the convoy. - Nadia, after having been led out ith the other prisoners, had been able o escape and return to the plateau at E he very moment Michael Strogoff was ieing conducted before the emir. There in the midst of the crowd she tad seen all. Not a cry had escaped ter when the blade, white with heat, assed over the eyes of her companion. ;he had the strength to remain motion ?ss and silent. A providential inspira ion told her to preserve herself still I ree to guide the son of Marfa Strogoff o the end which he had sworn to at. I ain. Her heart for the moment ceased f o beat when the old Siberian fell life- J ?ss, but a thought soon restored all 3 er energy. "I will be the dog of the blind man," f he said to herself. After the departure of Ivan Ogareff C adia had hidden in the shade. She 1 raited until the crowds left the pla- C eau. Michael Strogoff, abandoned as I , miserable being to be feared by no e ne, was alone. She saw him drag him- ' elf as far as his mother, bend him- e elf down to her, kiss her forehead; hen raise himself up and grope fot ight. Some moments later Michael and Na. t a, hand in hand, had descended the 1, teep hillside, aid, after having fol- 4 )wed the banks of the Tom as far as e extremity of the town, they hap ily passed out by a gap in the fence. k The route for Irkutsk was the only e ne that struck eastward. They could ot make a mistake. Nadia rapidly pull- t d along Michae'l Strogoff. It was possi- I le that early next morning, aftey some ours of orgies, the scouts of the emir, rowing themselves again on the teppe, would cut off all communica on.. It was then of the utmost ina ortance to outstrip them and to reach Crasnoarsk before- them, which was 00 versts separate from Tomsk-ln ne word, only to leave the highway as te as possible. The next morning, twelve hours after hueir departure from Tomsk, Michael trogoff and Nadia reached the town f Somilowskoe, after a journey of fif- I sen versts.- u CHAPTER XIV. MICHAEL STROGOFF andt MNadia had left Semilow skoe about two hours when Michael stopped Syg suddenly. Ils the road deserted?" he asked. "Without a soul on it," replied Nadia. "Do you not hear some noite beg ind?" -tI "Truly." "If these are the Tartars, we must ide ourselves. L~ook well."0 "Listen, Michael!" replied Nadia, as ending the road. which diverged somea aces to the right.h Michael Strogoff stopped an instante lone, stretching his ears to listen. e Nadia returned almost Immediately d said: "It is a vehicle. A young man is lead ig it." "He is alone?" "Alone." Michael Strogoff hesitated for a mo zent. Ought he to hide, or ought he, the contrary, try the chance of find ug a place in his vehicle. If not for imslf, at least for her? For himself, C. e would .be content to rest his hand h a it and would push when needed, for is legs were far from failing him, but e e felt that Nadia, dragged on foot n nc the passage of the Obi-namely, ~ r more that eight days-was at the e ad of her strength. He waited.- Th'e vehicle arrived s'OoDt the turn of the road.P It was a very dilapidated vehicle. b >le to hold at most three persons-t hat is called in that country a kibitka. e The kibitka is usually drawn by three d )rses, but this one was urawn only by b le. horse, with long hair and a long .ii, but its Mongolian blood affirmed r rength and courage.d A young man conducted it, havingi tar him a dog. Nadia at once saw that-this youngn an was a Russian. He had a sweet d d phlegmatic appearance which in pired -confidence.n Moreover, he did not appear to be in U Le least' hurry. Hie walked with a iet step in order not to overdrive his n >rse, and to see him one could nevers Le believed that he was following a lute which the Tartars might cut off :any moment. Nadia, holding the hand of Michael r~ :rogof, stood on one side.c The kibitka stopped, and the driver E oked at the young girl, at the same me smiling. "And where are you going in this shion" he asked her as he looked c easantly round. At the sound of his voice Michael fi :rogoff said to himself that he had lard it somewhere, and without doubt l was sufficient to cause him to rec nize the driver of the kibitka, for his el c at once became serene. "Well, now, where are you going?" n peated the young man, addressing mself more directly to Michael Stro. b, >ifl. ti "We were going to Irkutsk," answer- 01 the latter. "Oh, my good man, do you not know, sl en, that there are many, many versts e ~tween this and Irkutsk?" "I know it." "And you are going on foot?" "On foot." - "As for you, it's all right, but the h: iss?" "She is my sister," saId Michael Stro- tI ff, who thought it more prudent to al ye this name again to Nadia.b "Yes,'your sister, my good man. But, s ~lieve me, she will never be able to ex "Friend." replied Michael Strogoff as ,e drew near. "the Tartars have rob )ed us. and I have not a copeck to offer hee, but if you will take my sister icar you I will follow the carriage on oot. I will run if it be necessary and vil not delay you one hour." "Brother," cried Nadia, "I do not vish it! I do not wish it! Sir, my )rother is blind!" "Blind!"- said the young man in a -oice moved with emotion. "The Tartars have burned out his 'yes!" answered Nadia, stretching out ier hands as though to implore pity. "Burned your eyes? Oh, poor, dear nan! I am going to Krasnoiarsk. Vell, now, why do you not mount with -our sister into the kibitka? In sitting little closer we shall hold each other ip. Besides, my dog will not refuse to o on foot. Only I do not go fast in or er to spare my horse." "Friend, what do they call you?" sked Michael Strogoff. "I am called Nicholas Pigassof." "It Is a name that I shall never. for et," answered Michael Strogoff. "Well, then, mount, my good blind nan. Your sister shall be near you at he back of the car; I in-front to con [uct. There are some good birch bark nd some barley straw on the bottom. t's like a nest. Come, Serko, give us oom." The dog jumped of without much t sking. It was an animal of the Sibe Ian breed, with a gray hide, medium x ize, with a good, large and caressing t tead, and which appeared to be very t .ttached to his master. . Michael Strogoff and Nadia in an in- r tant were Installed In .the kibitka. MI hael Strogoff had stretched out his s iands as though to search those of scholas Pigassof. "Is it my hands you wish to press?" aid Nicholas. "Here they are, my ood man. Shake them as much as ou like." The kibitka was soon in motion. The iorse, which Nicholas never struck, .mbled along. If Michael Strogoff did tot gain much in rapidity, at least new atigues would be 'spared to Nadia. Lnd such was the exhaustion of the oung girl that, rocked by the monoto ous motion of the kibitka, she soon ell Into a sleep that resembled an utter rostration. Michael Strogoff and Nich las made a bed for her on the birch mves as well as they were able. The j ompassionate young man was much I oved, and if a tear did not escape the yes of Michael Strogoff in truth It as because the redhot Iron had burn- I d them dry. "She is pretty," said Nicholas. "Yes," answered Michael Strogoff. r "These darlings wduld be strong, for hey are courageous, but they are real r only weak. Do you come a great stance?" "From a great distance." "Poor young folks! It must have urt you much when they burned your yes." "Very much," said Michael Strogoff, arning as though he could see Nicho ts. "Did you not cry?" "Yes." "I also should have cried. To thnik iat one. can never see again those he >ves! - Anyhow they gee you. That Is erhaps some consolation." "Yes, perhaps. Tell me, friend," de ianded Michael Strogoff, ,"have you ever seen me anywhere efore to "You, my good man? No, never." "It is because the sound of your voice not unknown to me." "Do you see?" said Nicholas, smiling. He knows the sound of my v3ice. erhaps you ask me this to learn hence I come. Oh, I am going-to L you. I am coming from Kalyvan." "From Kalyvan?" said Michael Stro- - off. "Wiell, then It Is there that I met r u. "You were at the telegraph of "That may be," answered NIcholas. lived there.' I was ernployed as tele aph operator." "And you remained at your post to 3 e last moment?" p "Eli! It is especially at that moment 2e ought to be there." "It was the day when an Englishman y ad a Frenchman, rubles in their 3 inds, disputed the turn at your wick- ( : and when the Englishman telegraph I the first verses of the Bible?" "That, my good man. is possible, but do not remember it." "What! You do not remember It?" "I never read the dispatches which I t -nsmit. My duty being to forget r iem, the shortest way is to he igno int of them." 1 This answer was characteristic of icholas Pigassof. c; However, the kibitka kept on its easy urse,'which Michael Strogoff would lve liked to render more rapid, but icholas and his horse were accustom to a gait froin which neither the one ( r the other could depart. The i;orse atied for three hours and then rest I for one, and this day and night. uring the halfs 'the horse pastured. ie travelers of the kibitka ate In comn iny with the faithful Serko. The kl tka was provisioned for at least venty persons, andi Nicholas had gen ,ously placed the reserved food at the isposal of his two guests, whom he ti lieved to be brother and sister. I On the 22d of August the kibitka ached the town of Atchinsk, which .. -as 380 versts from 'Tomsk. A bun red and twenty versts still separated from Krasnoiarsk. No incident had arked this journey. During the sis: mys they had been together Nicholas, :chael Strogoff and Nadia had re Lained just the same. the one in his alterable calmness. the other two xious and looking forward to the oment when their comnpanion1 would ~parate from them.L On the cvening of the 25th of August ze kibitka was only half a verst fromd rasnoiarsk. One could see on the ght and left the numerous wooden C osss which are erected along the iad at t'he approaches to the town. It _ as 7 o'clock at night. 1 The kibitka had stopped. c "Where are we, sister?" asked Ml iael Strogoff'. "A little over a half verst from the st houses," answered Nadia. "Has the town, then, gone to sleep?1 o noise strikes upon my ear." c Ten minutes afterward the kibitka itered the principal street. Krasnoiarsk was deserted! There was yt any longer an Athenian in this - ithens of the North," as it is called MinMe. de Bourb~oulon. Not one of Lose equipages, so splendidly rigged it, rattled along the handsome wide reets. Not a foot passenger trod the dewaks that skirted those magniti t .houses of wood, palatial in their _ 'andeuri Not a living soul remained in Kras >iarsk. Michael Strogoff, Nadia and Nicholas id not to search' long for a place in h~ich to rest. The first house of which - .ey tried the door was empty, as werer I the rest. They found nothing there it a heap of leaves. For want of mething better, the horse had to be Intent with thIs, meager food. As for rrontned on next p.n ] Roofing Paper. ply Roofing Paper.......75c per roll. -ply Roofing Paper.......52c pe'r roll. -ply Tarred Paper........$35 per ton. losin-Sized Sheathing Paper, 17 lbs. per roll..................30c per roll. 0-l. Paper.............38c per roll. 0-ltb. Paper. ...........50c per roll. All prices f.o.b. Charleston. For direct shipments from factory in ots of 25, 50 or 100 rolls, we can make loser delivered prices. RllNH POR[ND MN HO. 94-96 E. Bay St., CHARLESTON, S. C,. gotiriiiis 0911f (01011811. ,. oFFICE OF JUDGE OF PioBA,4 Manning, S. C, August 1, 1900. f o Executors, Administrators, GuaidIans sad Committees: Irespectfully call your attention to-annexed tatute. You will please give this matter early ttentios-. Very respeull.n Judge of Probate. Sec. 2064-(1942). Executors, Administrators, uardlans and Committees, shall annuany Ile' any estate remains In their careor es )dy, at any time before the o rst day of Julyof ach year, render to the Judge of Probate of. the Dunty from whom they obtain Letters Testa lentary or Letters of Administrators or Let 3rs of Guardianship, etc., a just and-trtieae Dunt, upon oath, of the receipts and expendi ires of such estate the preceding Caiendar ear, which, when examined~ and- apprWoved ball be deposited with the Inventory and igp raisement or other papers belonging to siah state, in the office of said Judge of Probate aere to be kept for the inspection of such per Ans as may be interested in the estate-(under 3rmer penalties.) Approved the 2d day of March, 1897. Money to Lend )n improved farming lands. Terms: s long as wanted; interest, 7 per cent n large loans;.8 per cent on. smalT >ans. For particulars apply to LEE & MOISE, Attorneys, Sumter, S. C. I have- opened up a Sewing 3Maine tore next door to Mr. S. A. Rigby's eneral merchandise store Augustist, 900. I will carry the 101 U00 of SwOg M1 The new ball-bearing "New Homie, ie best machine made: also "New leal" and "Clmax," from $18 to-40 I sell on Instalment, Easy Payment Ilan. I clean and repair' any kind-of iachines for least money possible. Call and see me. A. I. BARRON, Ag't WHEN YOU COME TO TOWN CALL AT WIELLS' SHAVING SALOON Which is fitted up with an eye to the comfort of his custdmers.-.. HAIR CUTTIN( IN A LL STYLES, S HA MPO OING .Done with neatness an A cordial invitation is extended. , J. L. WELLS. Manning Times Block. ['O CONSUMERS OF Lager Beer. We are now in position to ship our eer all over the State at the following rices: EXPORT. nperial Brew-Pints, at $1.10 per doz. :uffheiser-Pints, at..90e per doz. ermania P. M.-Pints, at 90c per doz. GERMAN MALT EX TRACT. A liquid Tonic and Food for-Nursing [others and Invalids. Brewed, from ie highest grade of Barley Malt and nported Hops, at....811per.doz. For sale by all Dispensaries, or send Syour ordei direct. All orders shall have our prompt and treful attention. Cash must accompany all orders. ERMANIA BREWING GO., Charleston, S. C. J. M. McCOLLOUGH, SHOE3IA KR, Opposite Central Hotel. Give me a trial g.nd 1 will give you te best work for little money. larness Made & Repaired. Satisfaction guaranteed. VlIoney to Loan. APPLY TO VILSON & DuRANT. and Sunyeying and ILeveling, I will do Surveying, etc., in Claren mf and adjoining Counties. Call at office or address at Sumter, S. P. 0. Box 101. . JOHN R. HAYNESWORTH. A. WEINBERG, ATTORNEY AT LAW, MANNNING, S. C. OSEPH F. RHAME, ATTORNEY AT LAW, MANNING, S. C. ~. s. wnLso~r. W. C. DURnm ILSON & DURANT, Attorneys.' and Counselors at Law, - MANNING, S. C. C. DAVIS, ATTORNEY AT LAw, MANNING, S. C. )R. J. FRANK GEIGER, DENTIST, MANNING, S. C. 'Phone No. 25.