Evening Star Newspaper, October 4, 1890, Page 7

JULES VERNE, AN ICE FIELD'S IDYL. —_—.—— WRITTEN FOR THE EVENING STAR BY JULES VERKE. ———_ HE ENGLISH ADAPTATION BY PHILLIPR PREVOST, ——-+_—. (Copyrighted) CHAPTER L F I didn’t know for a certainty that Prince Louk Lonkitch Narkine was dead 1 should say that you were that man!” At this remark there were outbur sts 0 Janghter, glasses were clinked against each other and there were cries of ‘‘iealth to the prince!” “Long live the priuce!” Hurrah for Prince Narkine! The man who had made this statement was ne of those secret agents whom Russia had left in Alaska after the cession of that country to the United States to watch the movements of such prisoners ef state as might take refuge in that territory. He was a short, vigorously framed man with full beard and a shock of stubborn brown hair, and wore the Russian aniform and the flat cap,the symbol of that despotic power which sits like an incubus upon Europe and Asia. The leading fur trader of Port Clarence—the most northern settlement on the east coast of Bebring’s straits—had en- tertained a party of friends that day and the dinner was now drawing toan end, when the attention of every one had thus been riveted upon Leo Pechkoff, one of the guests, by the remark of the Russian secret agent. The party was essentially polyglot, for the Russian, English and French languages had been jumbled into a genuine olla podrida dur- ing the dinner, At the right of the host sat Col. Solon Rivers, ® graduate of West Point, an eminent engineer who had taken part in the construction of sev- eral mountain railways in the great west. At the request of the Russian government he was now on his way to Siberia, where he was to traverse the projected route of the Trans- Bibezian railway and report such changes in the original plans as he might deem advis- le. ‘Ou the opposite side of the table was seated @ citizen of another republic—the French—a bronze-visaged, intellizent-looking man ef itty, Cesar Girard by name, and next him sat Russian, Pechkoff. upon whose face the se- eret agent still kept his eyes fastened in a sort of uneasy fascination. Girard was by far the most interesting man at the table and merits even a word or two more of comment than Col. Rivers. By profes- sion a most skillful photographer and inventor he had crossed the Atlantic, accompanied by his wife and daughter Virginie, for two pur- | so one to pay a visit to the famons col- lege founded by his ancestor Etienne (Ste- phen) Girard, at Philadeiphia, and the other to make a series of large photograpbs of the views of scenery in the Rocky mountains, Yo- semite valley, &c. To be able to effect this thoroughly he had Srought along with him a studio on wheels about the size and shape of a circus wagon. a miniature house in fact, not only with com- plete arrangements for photographic work, but with every convenience for sleeping, cooking, &c. From San Francisco he liad made his way by steamer to Portland, and from that point to Sitka and thence to Port Clarence. This wild and roving life seemed to have an equal.charm for Madam Girard and for Virginie, her father’s faithful assistant, a beautiful young girl, lithe and active as an Indian maiden, and Seemingly insensible to fatigue. Her arrival at Port Clarence had been quite an event and Girard found himself neariy buried beneath the stock of valuable pelts which natives and traders laid at the feet of the fair Virginie, but the two who seemed most deeply touched b: the grace, beauty and wit cf the young Frenc! woman were Col. Rivers and Leo Pechkoff. They contended in friendly but none the less earnest rivalry for her smiles, and, although Girard and his wife had such perfect confidence in their daughter that theywere not at all fear- ful that she would be spoiled by the flattery of the debonnair Russian and the distinguished American, yet the expression of their faces at times was tinged with anxiety. “By the way, friend Girard,” cried Rivers abruptly, “why not come along with us across the straits? I say us, for I suppose you know that Peckhoff is on his way home.” Here the secret agent gave @ start, but quickly recovered his composure. “You'll be able to make a series of views of Siberian life that will be worth a small fortune when you get home again.” ‘The idea seemed to strike Girard most favor- ably, for his face brightened up, and turning to his host he inquired how far it was across the straits at this point and when the ice would be passable with horse and sledge? “fo Numana the distance is about 60 miles,” replied the host, “and if the mercury continues to fall without any warm break to undo the Progress already made, I should say that you would be able to cross with perfect safety in two weeks’ time.” Cesar Girard sat for moment absorbed in thought. a “My dear colonel,” said he then as he fixed his large gray eyes upon the thin but hand- some and clean-cut face of the American, “I mast consult my partners.” “Tean’t speak for madame,” cried Pechkoff, With a slight inclination of the head, “but take my word for it, friend Girard, Mademoiselle Virginie will receive the proposition with reat favor. She lacks but the opportunity to Soa ueckat Yo usa brave woman is a daughter of the gods!” “Nay, Pechkotf,” added Col. Rivers, coloring Hightiy, “I protest against the translation of Mademoiselie Virgime, except in a tarantass {s sort of half-covered Russian vehicle) across the straits.” “A tarantass,” exclaimed the host, “is called n instrument of torture by the Russians them- selves. I advise you against using one. Be- sides in a snow storm wheels would sink into the drifts and freeze fast. You must use asledge for the ladies; the men may go on snow shoes.” “What, and abandon my rolling studio wagon?” cried Girard. “Never, gentlemen; that ends the matter. You must cross the Straits without me.” “Abandon? nothing, my dear Girard,” re- Plied Col. Rivers in that calm tone so typical of bis nation, “Leave me to take care of your beloved studio. I'll mount itou two sets of tunners, and harness my Cossack ponies to it and my word for it, the ladies will not lose a aight’s rest while we are on the tramp across the ice fields.” ‘These words of Col. Solon Rivers seemed to itt abeavy weight from the Frenchm: breast, and presently he rose from the table and took his leave of the company, which re- Mained to smoke cigarettes and drink tee for several hours afterward, i “Brother,” suddenly came from the secret agent as he raised a tiny glass of vodka and fixed bis deep-set eyes on Pechkoff; ‘to our father at Petersburg’ “<To his majesty Alexander III,” effed Pech- — Bend = all the Russias and stanca iend, as was his father ee before him, of our “Then you are an American?” stammered the secret agent more bewildered than ever. a! id Pechkoff calmiy,as he set his pty glass onthe table and ret steady look which the spy kept fastened apron a him. “A born Ame: y x asian —— citizen, the c' of “And his name,” almost secret Pichon ty oat gasped the Je tar = gars Pechkoff.” “Wom ful, wonderful ‘eg ured the agent half aloud. pia te oon know Prince Louk Loukitch Narkine?”* “My father knew him quite well,” said Pech- kof. “He became & suspect in '75, was ate rested in the following year, sentenced to the mines for life in made his escape from Inkoutsh in 80 and ‘was killed im My looked upon him as an innocent siting sound te eaprees a conneage! Tt C 8 conte! “ you, sir, the man was very bed, an =E— THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.©.. SATURDA ee sf the nibilists.” “Bat he is dead now and why vex his ghost?” said Pechkoff laughingly. “True, my friend, why? But he may not be so dead as yon think,” replied the agent, lean- ing across the table and fairly hissing the words out; for just “nih ms hry as the vodka heated his bi he become more and more convinced thas the man seated iy yer to him was none other than Prince Loakitch Narkine. The company now broke up. Col. Rivers, closely followed by Pechkoff for neither was willing to trust the other in the presence of the fair Virginie—made his way to the studio wagon to learn the decision of Cosar Girard us to the scheme of crossing the straits aud traversing Siberia with him. No sooner bad these two men quitted the room than the Russian agent made haste to have an interview with his subordinate officer end bid him hold himself in readmess to cross the straits the very moment the ice fieids be- came solid enough. Said he: “Assure as truth is truth Leo Pechkoff ia none other than Prince Louk Leukitch Narkine, the escaped nihilist. This is « glorious chance for us and means pro- motion and a rich reward. Boing a political prisoner it would be folly to demand his deliv- erance into our hands by the American author- ities. We must wai tiently ut foot on Russian soil and then arres' accomplish this we must set ont for Numana a day in advance of the party. Once in our power it will be an easy thing tosecuro astrong escort and take him to Petropaulovsk or Irkoutsk.’ Whule the secret agents were thus nee in laying their plans for the arrest of Pechkoff that gentleman and Col. Rivers were seated be- neath the hospitable roof of the rolling stndio, the capacity of whose salon. as Girurd termed it, was taxed to its uttermost to furnish seats for the party. Col. Kivers had been fortunate enough to se- cure position next to Virginie, who presented & most charming appearance in her fur cos- tume. Pechkoff seemed depressed, and for once made no effort to keep even pace with the colonel in paying court to Virginie. Girard was quick to notice the Russian’s pre- occupied manner, and good humoredly de- manded an explauation. “My friends,” rephed Pechkoff solemnly as he saluted the two women with courtly grace, “I cannot accompany you across the straits. I have resolved to remain under the tection of our republic's glorious b: say ‘ours,’ for. as you know, I have the to be an American citizen. “Then you'll be safe in any quarter of the globe,” cried Col. Rivers impressively. it 80, my good friend,” answeted Pech- koff; “the mightiest empire the world has ever seen is closed against me——” Rivers was on his feet in a moment. ‘How's this, Pechkoff, you are as this spy declares — “Prince Louk Lonkitch Narkine!’ said Pech- koff, uttering these words with great delibera- tion. “I had hoped that ten years’ absence, aided by a terrible illness which brought me to death’s door several years ago, had so changed my personal appearance that my own po, pal ple would not recognize me, but you see I am already under surveillance.” “Prince Narkine,” cried Rivers, laying his band on the man’s sboulder, have you an American passport?” “I have,” replied Narkii not——” “Then I'll be responsible for your safety, interrupted Rivers, “And now, Mr. Pechkotf, continued the colonel, “by virtue of my com- mission from the Russian government I appoint you my assistant and empower youto act as my private secretary and interpreter.” The Girards had listened to these rapid and startling disclosures with rapt attention. and as Col. Rivers ceased speaking and Pechkoff grasped his hand, too deeply moved for words, the Frenchman burst out with: “Well, am I to do nothing to assist in rescu- ing our friend Pechkoff from the persecution of this zealous agent?” “fa good time, in good time, my dear Girard.” exclaimed the coloncl, as he rubbed his palms together with almost childish delight, for now that he had, as be imagined, effectually disposed of Pecbkoff as a rival, he already felt asort of filial teuderness for Virginie’s father. ‘But 1 retuse to wait.” ericd Girard, “and ask for the attention of this mecting. During my journey along the Central and Union Pa- cific railways I observed that in spite of their many miles of snowsiieds the trains were often blocked for several days from the lackot a proper snow plow to pierce through the enormous drifts, Well, my dear colonsl, being aninveutor. I at once set myself the task of solving this great problem, The thing is done, sir; my drawings are made.” Col. Rivers bent forward with parted lips, “Aud now,” continued Girard, ‘as the same obstacles are to be encountered on the ‘Trans- Siberian road, I propose, iu order still more effectually to cover up our friend Prince Narkine’s incognito, to turu this invention over to him and permit him, with your approval, to lay it before the Russian authori “Splendid! Superb! Magnificent!” ejacu- intel Gal, Siemens tn bh aotianaeen not only grasping Girard’s bat also Virginie’s hand. Madame Girard’s samovar was now in rendi- ness and the little party, after inaumerable cups of tea, found iteelf in a most hopeful mood. When the hour came for taking ieave aud the door of the rolling studio was opened the colonel pronounced the arctic night one of honor “but that will the most beautiful be had ever seen, and | invited Mademoiselle Virginie to step outside and contemplate the glory of the sorthern lights. He drew her arm through his and con- ducted her to a favorable position to observe the splendid corruscations which illuminated the firmament. At last they were alone. “My dear Mise Virginie.” be began, “I have jong——" But he could say no more. Pechkoff waa on the other side of Virginie pointing out to her the peculiarities of the elevtric effulgence. In a few days the temperature had fallen so low that the ice floes were knit together into a solid mass, and as the rolling studio had under Col. Rivers’ superintendence already been se- eurely mounted upon runuers, the party only awaited the report of the natives who tested the ice fields every twelve hours for word to set out for the Siberian coast. CHAPIER IL . “The straits are closed! The straits are closed!” was the cry which rang through the streets of Port Clarence two days later, for the hardening of the ice floes into a solid field is quite an event in that region. Traders begin their preparations to transfer their pelts across to the opposite suore and troops of natives come and go on swift snow shoes. exchanging pelts for tobacco and spirits, which reach the eastern coast from the store houses of Sitka, Girard’s atelier could no longer be called the rolling studio. for it glided aloug aimost noise- lessly over the ice ficids. The fair Virginie waved her friends and admirers a last adieu from the balcony of the studio and tears be- dewed the eyes of mother and daughter as the assembled crowd sent up cheer after cheer. Both Girard and Pechkotf understood the use of snow shoes aud moved off with ease and celerity, but the colouel in attempting to fol- iow them without first accustoming himself to the novel foot gear went down most ignomini- ously. Virginie, in spite of her mother’s reproof, laughed heartily at her suitor’s downfall. but Pechkoff made haste to assist his rival to his feet and to instruct him in the science of loco- motion on suow shoes. “Whose tracks are these, Pechkoff?” asked the colonel, pointing to foot prints in the freshly fallen snow. “Secret service agents of the Russian gov- ernment,” replied Pechkotf significantly. After a tramp of six hours Col. Rivers was glad tocallabaltand retire to the salon of Girard’s studio for rest and refreshment and a chat with the fascinating Virginie, whose spirits seemed proof against the cold and cheerlessness of endless ice fields, wrapped as they were in the gloom of a sunless day. “To speak plaialy, my friends,” said Pech- koff, who bad in former years made this jour- ney across the straits, “I don’t like the idea of this rise in the temperature; we must press on without a halt until we reach one of the several points of rock in the middle of the straits. It's our only safety.” Cesar Girard feltashiver flit through his breast as bis ear caught these words. it was not fear, for Girard was a brave man; it was a pang of remorse upon the realization of the crime he had committed in thus rashly expos- ing the lives of his wife and daughter to such needless danger. But just then Virgi musical laugh rang out loud and clear the roar of the blast which was sweeping over the ice fields and rt Girard took hea‘ “We shall get eyes Paes) I feel it; I know it,” he murmured to himself as he turned to reprove Virginie for leaving the studioand join- him in toilsome tramp over the ice. aR Rivers and Pechkot were delighted to have the maiden as a traveling companion and each bid frir to exhaust his store of flatter in enamerating Virginie’s wonderful pon by ain the air was filled with skurrying snow bg “i whirled and blowa into fantastic skapes. It was a sign and meant a still further a of temperature. php my the faint on sinter” cried Feshied, toy claimed our safety, aey fou bear’ bat seals on the rocks of Diomede + “¥es, yes,” exclaimed the young girl, “‘Ican see them now. ‘The rocks are alive with them. Thousands upon ten thousands, Will they not swarm down upon us and do us some imjury/ “Possibly, my dear Miss Virginie,” replied eg gt “is ape better for a retire to the studio. We may observe strange sight of these thickly inhabited cliffs from the Selseny. At times the patriarchs of the herd are inclined to dispute man's i through their dominions,” and taking Virginie’s hand the gullant colonel led her back to the little house on runners and soon emerged with her upon the balcony, ‘The moment the cliffs had been reached a halt was made and the driver. began his pre- parations to shelter his horses and provide them with provender. The travelers had no sooner drawn up under the sheltering cliffs of Diomede Isle than the omincus crackling sounds became louder and louder until they buret upon the car like the discharge of fire- arms; but although the vast ice fields threat- ened every moment to go to pieces still the final catastrophe was so slow in arriving that the party took heart again. Meantime Col. Rivers and the beautifal Vir- ginje, stationed upon the ony of the studio, were busily engaged in Watching the vaat herds of seals each under the guidance of its patriarch, At times they would surge down in the direction of the trav: ad stare with their large, soft and almost human eyes upon the strangers encamped upon their territory. Now and then one more adventurous than the others would draw near to sniff the Cossack jonies and invariably catch the flavor of their eels for his curiosity. But Col. Rivers was taking only a slight in- terest in the seals and their movements, save iu so far as they justified his lingering by Vir- ginie’s side. The long-wished-for moment had apparently arfived, ‘The swirling and eddying snow flukes and the hoarse barking of the seals were hardly a fit accompanimeat for a tender declaration of love. Aud yet snch another chance might not be his. “Moreover, it be- hooved him to bestir himself now, for .a live Russian prince was a most dangerous rival even for an American colonel, Just at that moment a patriarch seal of colossal size made a mad plunge toward the Cosanck ponies, scattering their. provender and causing their driver to make a free use of his club to drive the intruder back. With an in- voluutary scream Virginie threw herself back into the colonel’s arms. He clasped the fair maiden even more tightly than seemed alto- gether called for, and asshe in her sudden alarm forgot to disengage herself from his arms he deemed the moment a heaven-favored one and acted accordingly. My dear Miss Virginic, I have long—” at was one of the largest seals I ever cried some oue at the cvlonel’s elbow. It was Pechkoff, “Lhe Rassian police wiil get that man yet!” grumbled Rivers to himseif as he withdrew his arm from Virginie’s waist, Supper was now announced by Madame Girard, aud in spite of the cracking of the dis- tant ice fields, the barking of the seals and the moaning of the winds, the little circle of friends was animated with a delightful spirit of mirth and gayety. Cesar Girard called-upon Prince Narkine to relate the story of his escape from the mines of Siberia, and so deeply touched did Virginie seem to be by this tale of sorrow and suffering that the gallant colonel came very restive and his vivid imagination saw another Othello in this mysterious person- age so noble in bearing and so sympathetic in voice. Rivers deemed himself called upon to make acouater demonstration, and as he was the owner of a full and resonant barytone voice, he proposed music. Virginie had learned many of the popular songs of the day during her residence in the United States, and inu few moments their voices were biended in most pleasing harmony. Prince Louk Loukitch Narkine and Col. Solon Rivers, late of the United States army, in their confidences of later days discovered that at that moment, as the beautiful French girl sat in front of them thrumming her guitar, each was meditating how he might abandon his rival to the tender mercies of the white bears, several of which had been seen traversing the ice s near Diomede Isle, A sudden outery from the driver, accompanied by the loud neighing of the Cossack ponies id the hourse barking of the stampeded herds of seals, caused the two men to check the fierce tide of hatred surging up within their breasts and think only of the safety of the woman so dear to each of them, “The bears are upon us!” shouted the driver at the door of the little house on runners. In an instant Col. Rivers had thrust a pair of pistols into his belt, and seizing-a repeating riffle, sprang through the doorway. The on three of which were in sight, had doubfless scented the Cossack ponies aud were intent upon making a meai of them, Girard and Pechkcff now presented themselves fully armed and awaiting the word of command from the American, whom they instinctively felt to be the best qualified to lead them to victory. “If we were ouly certain that there are but three,” came from Rivers, ‘it would be well to decoy them away from the studio by turning the ponies loose; then we could follow them up and pick them off without diticulty.” The bears were now advaucing with rgised muzzies eagerly sniffing the air. ‘There was no time to be lost. With a few hastily spoken -vords Rivers as- signed positions to Girard an.i Pechkoff, while he himself advanced to face the largest of the three animals. Pechkoff's rifle missed fire, while Rivers had the satisfaction of seeing the huge beast he had aimed at roll over dead at his feet. Girard had only succeeded in wound- ing his bear, which, however, came to a halt, and raising himseif on his haunches sent forth a terrific bowl of rage and pain. Pechkoff was retreating before his enemy, pausing every now and then to make another effort to discharge his piece. Suddenly his right foot sank into a hole which the snow had concealed and he fell heavily to the ground. With blood streaming from his wide-opened jaws the bear was advancing upon him. A ter- rible thought flashed through Rivers’ mind, Bat it was a thought anda thought only, for the next instant the colonel’s hunting knife sank deep into the animal’s neck, and as he reared himself and turned to face this unex- pected foe arifle shot stretched him dead on the ice field. A second shot from Girard’s rifle had failed to stop the advance of the wounded bear,which now madly charged, throwing the Frenchman with terrible force full length on the ice. With a lightning-like movement Rivers turned to save his friend's life. He was too late, however, for Virginie was by her father’s side aud the loud crack of her mfle mingled with acry of terror from Madame Girard’s lips. The shot was justin time to save Girard a murderous blow trom the bear's claws and the animal wae still making an effort to reach his prostrate enemy wheu a ball from the colonel’'s revolver at close range put an end to his life. Girard was assisted to his feet and save a few bruises was found to be uninjured. “Where's my brave girl?” he called out, look- ing about for Virginie. she had hastened to minister unto her mother, who had fallen into a swoon upon uttering the sbriek of terror. Some littie time elapsed before the various emotions of tho dit- fereut members of the party gave place to suf- ficient calmness to permit them to put their gratitude to and admiration of each other into words, By unanimous vote, however, Virginie was named the heroine of the battle, and. as the two men Rivers and Pechkoff closed their eyes after partaking of some refreshment, each in bis own mind determined to ask the hand of the brave French girl in marriage the very moment he set foot on terra firma, After a further delay of twenty-four hours the wind veered, the snow squalls cae to an end and the temperature sank so rapidly that there were no more signs of a break-up in the ice fields. On every side the floes seemed to be knit together as one piece, and after a con- sultation with the driver it was resolved by the little party of adventuresome travelers to make @ push for the Siberian coast, now not more than twenty miles distant, But scarcely had they been six hours under way when the ice fields again began to warp and tremble be- neath their feet, the result, so Pechkoff as- sured his friends, of the strength and ers of the current which was now setting in wi great force from the south, * cried Girard, in @ startled tone, toward the west, the open sea,” replied Pechkof,, calmly, as he noticed the involuntary glance which Girard cast toward the little stu- dio, “but fear nothing, my friend; if we are adrift, as I think we are, every minute carries us farther north, where we shall be wedged firmly against the solid ice fields and have no difficulty in making our way to the land.” It was not long now before the studio came to a halt on the edge of a vast ice floe. Rivers Inking a gront effort to_plorce the somi-gloom ing a great e! to pierce loom of ng arctic boa a “It may possibly be two large seals, ee that ice floe which is drifting thia way, but unless I greatly mistake they are human beings. Yes, now I get s better view of them,” ke continued, “ m to be noue other nounce the - f BER 4. 1890—SIXTEEN PAGES: will pardon me if I can in_obtain- an interview with some one sufficiently sh in power, and I ere you — “Quick. there,” cried Rivers, slip in be- tween him and the fair Virginie, * is not minute to be lost. Prepare to poraitloayr bap be bm pry Russian toward the edge of the ice floe he directed him to iay hold ofa long pole armed at the end with a steol spike. Girard and Rivers proceeded to set the ex- ample, and in less timo than it takes to tell it the three men were standing on the edge of the floe, each with his Lares in readiness for action. The floe upon which the secret agents were standing came drifting swiftly toward the of the field. ln half a minnte it would strike and, in all probability, adhere to the Jagged edges of the ice. ‘The two agents advanced out upon the ex- treme edge of the floc aud made ready to leap, when, to their almost speechless bewilderment and intense indignation, they saw the three Poles set against the floating block of ice which bore them aud the gap between th and the main ice field widened so far that leap- ing was out of the question. “Gentlemen,” roared one of them, “ this in- terference with the officers of his Majesty wi " cost you dear. Wéare not to be foiled. 1 stands Prince Louk Loukitch Narkine and I arrest him in the name of his majesty, the czar of all the Russia: # fugitive from justice, an escaped convic “And [ warn you, sir,” exclaimed Col. Rivers in that oratorical style so common in the great republic, and drawing himself up to his full soles “that your threatened arrest of Leo Pechkoff, an American citizen, duly com- missioned by the Russian government to as- sist me in my survey of the B rsa mange Trans- Siberian railway route, is a violation of inter- national law, that this sea is the exclusive domain of the United States except within one marine league of her majesty’s dominion, and that furthermore I am protected from any such interference on the purt of a police agent by special passports which I bear on my person. Repel boarders!” Again the small ice floe was poled away. ‘The police agent finding him edly balked by the learnin; the American colonel now of entreaty and begged to be permitted to land upon the main ice fields, promising to do no more than to make his suspicions known to the authorities at Irkoutsk. But Col. Rivera was obdurate. Again the command “Repel boarders” was given and the biock of ice bearing the police agents was poled away, this time so effectually that it was caught in the main current of the chaunel and soon disappeared in the gloom of the midnight sun. “Good.” cried Rivers, as he walked toward the studio to return the pole to its place. “They are now on their way to Wrangel Land, and that means a two weeks’ start for us if we have good Inck in roaching the Siberian coast, which can't be far distant.” CHAPTER IIL Col. Rivers was right, for in a few hours the swift southern current carried the vast floating area of ice upon which the travelers were en- camped so near to the Siberian coast that the shadowy outlines of mountains became visible to the little party. Their long and perilous journey seemed about to end without any seri- ous mishap, when a startling occurrence broke in upon their gayety and bopefulness with ai- most tragic violence, The velocity of the current was such that the smaller floes, the young ice, as 1: is called, were from time to time hurled with terrific force upon the edge of the more solid masses and plied up in fantastic shapes—a sight which ex- erted a peculiar fascination upon Virginie and often decoyed her away from the others in order that she might stand alone in this vast temple of solitude and primeval grandeur, Here she often lingered in dangerous prox- unity to the sublime spectacle of towering palaces of ice reared in a brief moment only to be toppled over by the same mighty forces, and in their fall to fill the air with a strang and mysterious glow of phosphorescent light. Though frequently besought by her mother not to separate herself from the others Vir- ginte seemed unable to escape from the fasciua- tion of these resistiess forces of nature, spend- ing their strength in play, as it were, Suddenly a shrill cry of half anguish, half amazement, reached Cesar Girard and his friends, Bounding toward the studio he satis- fied himself that Virginie was not with ber mother, and in his dread foreboding his lege bent beneath him as he attempted to turn and give the alarm, Col, Rivers and Pechkoff, however, caught full-meauing of the father’s pitiful look and away in the direction of the cry soon ‘hed the edge of the ice field. What they saw smote even their stout hearts, The French maiden was adrift upon a mass of ice, which inthe crash of the drifting frag- ments had been broken from the main tiel: For an instant the two men, to whom the beau- tiful Virginie was equally an object of admira- tion, could only stand rooted to the spot as they gazed upon the fast receding m f ice and saw that sweet, pale face turned so implor- ingly upon them as its unfortunate owner, kneeling upon the ice, stretched her arms in a silent appeal toward them, toward the two men who she well knew loved her with a love strong enough to brave instant death to save her. And yet they were but human, for im spite of the atreugth of their affection, which for the nonce raised them to the level of the gods, for whory nature’s terrific powers have no terrors, they could do nothing. More dead than alive Cesar Girard and his wife came up with the two men. At sight of the fainting, weeping mother Rivers seemed to get his Lead and turning to her he cried out: “Courage, Madame Girard, the temperature is falling rapidly, the drift cag't last much longer, Virginie will not be carried far away from us. Courage! Courage!” Then with a cheery voice he directed Givard and Pechkoff to bring food and extra furs to the edge of the ice field, while he busied him- self in splicing two of papeus together. “Ifshe drifts within thirty feet of us.” he exclaimed, his handsome clean cut face aglow with the excitement of the moment, *‘we shall be able to pass this food and extra ‘clothing to her. Then ail will be well until the increas- ing cold puts an end to this sea of broken ice and we are able to go in search of her.” Tho anxious parents had not long to wait, for the mass of ice bearing their loved child seemed to be caught in an eddying current, twisted around and shot toward the main field. Virginie had now completely recovered from her sudden and overwhelming distress, and as soon as her raft of ice brought her within hail- ing distance of her parents she cried out in clear and far-reaching tones: “Fear nothing, dearest mother, I'm perfectly safe. It will only be a short separation and I shall have so many things to tell you. Au revoir, au revoir!” aud the maiden’s musical langh rang out in the distance as the block of ice aguin moved away in spite of Madame Girard’s prayer, for that poor mother was kneeling on the ice with her arms outstretched toward her beloved child, and her lips were pouring out the most touching tion to high heaven for the return of her daughtag, Again the floe was caught by some counter current and sent once more in the direction of the little camp. Closer and closer it came. Madame Girard’s heart almost ceased to throb, as with parted lips and bated breath she fol- lowed the movement of that block of ice. Rivers, holding the spliced poles upon the end of which were strapped the food and furs, stood upon the extreme edge of the ice field, calm and erect, while Girard and Pechkoff, one on each side of him, were kneeling and en- circling his legs with their arms. in order to give him a better and freer use of his hands without any danger of losing his balance. It was a moment of breathless abeyance. Every face was blauched. The life of a human being lay in the scales before the very eyes of four of her fellow-creatures to whom she was a thou- sand times dearer than life itself, for with what joy would any one of those four have died to wave her! Nearer and still nearer the block of ice comes drifting. Virginie has caught a glimpse of the little up, aud the sight of those four white faces as Checked her mirth, Rivers is watching the movement of the block with a lookso earnest and so intense that no words can give any idea of it. He seems to have turned to ice himself so motion- less he stands there, so white has his counte- E iS tle but withal strong hand under his head smiles, and quite —— of the painful bruises he received in bis fall rises to his feet and calls out cheerily: + wi was inexpangable for him, an which meant swift and sure victory for the gallant American. But who could dare say that such a bold and magnificont leap was not worth the reward it was pretty sure to get? The ice raft now began to draw sy the way, friend Girard,” cried Rivers, “be Kind enough to toss mea shovel. 1 may zeed it before we make our craft fast to the Siberian coast.” The shovel was safely hurled across the 30 feet of water which now aot eer the two Joes, and in a few moments the biock bearing the colonef and Girard’s beautifal daughter was caught in a strong and steady current and carried slowly out of sight, while the handker- chiefs of both ‘ties fluttered an adieu. “Why. this is altogether an unex a pleasure, my dear Miss Virginie,” said the col- onel, laughingly. ‘Pray, my beautiful captain, what 1s the name of your craft?” “How would ‘L’Etoile du Nord’ do, Col. Rivers?” asked Virginie, with a merry twinkle honest, wide-open eyes, replied the colonel. Belle Americaine.’” t the captain is « French woman, sir,” Virginie made answer with mock indignation. “Under the law of this land, dear Virginio,” murmured the debonnair Rivers, as he kueit on the ice and drawing the fur glove trom the young girl's soft dimpled hand pressed it re atedly to his lps. “under the laws of this Ena: beloved, the wife's nationality becomes merged into that of her husband, and, Vir- i continued Rivers, in an almost solemn , “I need not tell you what you know already, that for four long months Prince Nar- kine has at the rate of from four to six times each andevery twenty-four hours prevented me from asking you to be my wife; but thank heaven he was too heavy to make that jump.” Virginie was silent. " It is an answer alway: very sweet to a lover's ears, and rising from hi kneée he passed bis arm around the young girl's waist, drew her to him and pressed his lips on hers with so much warmth that a deep blush mantled her cheeks for a moment, but as the remembrance of his bravery, his devotion and his perilous leap, to say nothing of his gener- ous protection extended to Prince Narkine, came over her she threw her arms around the colonel’s neck like the noble and loving girl that she was, and he felt her head laid thank- fully and trustingly upon his breast, After several blissful hours spent in mapping out a route for the next year or so through the fair land of love, Rivers drew an American flag from his pocket and tied it to one of the poles, which he firmly set in a fissure 1n the ice, pack- ing the snow about it so as to hold it securely in place. “There, my darling Virginie, now good luck and a short voyage to La Belle Americanie.” Col, Rivers now set to work to make a close examination of the floe, which was rapidly drifting toward the northwest, in hopes of find- ing some sheltered nook or corner where his fair young bride might be made comparatively comfortable until the rapidly falling tempera- ture should knit the ice and permit him to es- cape to the coast, now in plain view. He had not far to look, fur he soon came upon a nat- ural ice grotto, which only called for a few hours’ labor to fill up the cracks and chinks with snow in order to make ita warm and com- fortable apartment. After the fashion of the natives, he left only a small opening to this ice cabin, which he afterward ciosed from the in- side by means of a slab of ice and several shovelfuls of snow. Virginie was somewhat puzzled to under- stand why the colonel now proceeded to shoot sea gull, for surely such a fat, oily creature was not fit to eatevenif there were fire to cook it, but her curiosity was only heightened upon seeing the colonel ravel a bit of woolen cloth and braid the threads into a thick strand, which by oid of penknife and lead pencil, to Virginie’s great astonishment, he passed through the bird's body, drawing the end out of his beak and lighting it. And thus the little home of ice was lighted and warmed after the door had been securely battened up with snow. This ingeniously improvised lamp burned with asmal! though steady flame and caused the ice crystals to glitter and sparkle as if ten thousand gems of purest water had been set in the roof and sides of the little grotto. “Ah, mon ami,” murmured Vitginie as she turned her soft, dark eyes upon her lover's face, ‘you are so learned, 80 brave, so famous, how will you ever be satisfied with such a sim- ple maiden as I?” “My darling,” said the colonel, as he pressed his lips on Virginie's brow, whiter the fect, “this world has no corner not rummaged in during the past iy years, and during all that time I've been looking for a woman to fill the vacant niche in my heart. In a word, a saint for my shrine.” “Then you are going to make an idol of me, are you, dearer asked Virginie,archly. “Yes,” replied Rivers, solemnly, ‘‘an idol, jomething to have faith in, for I’ve always been an unbeliever and I find I need a religion. And now sleep, beloved Virginie, while I watch, for you must be weary atter the many hours of ex- citement and agitation.” Scarcely twelve hours had passed before all motion in this sea of ice abruptiy ceased and floe aa knitted to floe as if with bands of steel The lovers now abandoned their little ice grotto and turned their faces toward the coast, which was about one league distant; but they had not proceeded one-half the way ere native scouts sent by Pechkoff came up with them andconducted them to Numana, where the anguish of father and mother dissolved in tears of joy, and Prince Narkine,a nobleman by nature as weil as lineage, extended his hand in heartfelt congratulation to Col. Solon Rivers, late of the United States army. The little party of travelers now set out for Irkoutsk, where the colonel found an officer of the Russian government awaiting him with horses and sledges, and in a few wecks the toilsome journey to Irkoutsk had been com- leted and the travelers found themselves most luxuriously lodged in the palace of Count Alexis Ignatieff, governor general of eustern Siberia. Col. Rivers lost no time in entering upon his duties, the very first question which he was called upon to consider being that of bridging the river Angara, for the city of Irkoutsk 13 located upon the right bank of the Angara and consequently could only be made a station on the Trans-Siberian railway by the construction of a bridge across the river at that point. Public sentiment was about sed divided, but Count Alexis naturally favored the plan of bringing this important city into touch and sympathy with this great railway enterprise, and without compromising his official position in tho least he set calmly to work to make a stauch friend of Col. Rivers. Dinners and fetes followed in quick succession, and like a true diplomat Ignatieff let no day go by with- out showing some charming consideration to the colonel’s beautiful bride. In a word Count Alexis, a true Parisian of the north, bad in » few weeks entirely captivated Col. Solon Riv- ers, but that gentleman, practical even in matters of sentiment, assured the governor general that, in spite of the world’s attempt to decry it, selfishness was in reality the main- spring of every noble action and that as a natural consequence those friendships were the most lasting where the friends were most useful to each other. “My dear colonel,” cried Count Alexis, “I agree with you perfectly and it will always be supreme pleasure for me to serve you in every way within my power, aud that is pring 8 great deal, my dear colonel,” he added, wit maile full of a “Count Ale: said Col. Rivers to the gov- ernor general a few days after this, “I may as well inform you in confidence that I have re- solved to advise the imperial government to cross the Any - “My dear Rivers,” exclaimed Ignatieff,throw- ing his arms around the American's neck and kissing bim first on one cheek and then on the other, in the custom of the land, “I'm de- lighted to hear it. It is s proof that your world, wide fame as an henomenal skill think your- if. nine ht favor, a ” “Nothing, not jy my count,” Rives, re ‘and yet stop, now that I think of it, there is a little something you do for me, There's s man by the name of Ri in your service an agent of the secret police—” “Yes, yes, Michael Ruloff, of the rank of in- tor. ‘ i, = “Well, that man,” continued Rivers, “‘has been persecuting my private and bears dia stciciog. Taseobaeene We tee late such @ Prince Narkine that an arrest and en examina- “I prefer ‘La tion would be “Btep this screen for a moment, my dear Rivers,” said Ignatieff. Then touching » as foliows to the attendant: Buloff reached Irkoutek 7 “But.” added Rivers, “my wait until I reach St. Petersb: ‘4 inven’ ~~ eee THE ARIZONA KICKER. Westera Editorial Life is Full of Sar- prises, From the Detroit Free Press. We extract the following from a late issue of the Arizona Kicker: A Fooutse Inea.—Certain people in this town are in the habit of shooting into the Kicker office every night or two, in hopes to riddle us, Sometimes they shoot through a window and sometimes through « door, and although they have always wasted their lead we are growing tired of the operation. It is a foolish idea to suppose we sleep in any one spot in the office on two successive nights, and if these would-be assassins haven't got sense enough to haul off we shall go into ambush outside some night and gather acouple more subjects for our private graveyard, Grvixe Hi a Saow.—During the afternoon of Wednesday last, while out with the boys on the great rabbit hunt in Strawberry valley, we several times felt the whizz of bullets and wondered who could be so careless, It seemed that ex-Ald. Johnson, who was forced to resign when the Kicker showed him =P as a bribe-taker, wasn’t shooting at jack rabbits, but at us. He sent at least half a dozen bullets in our direction be- fore the boys caught on to him. Then they would have hung him up but for us. We be- lieve in giving everybody a show out west. We believe it is the way to build up the country. We begged Johnson off and gave him a show to repent of the error of his ways, BURTON AND STANLEY. Lady Burton’s Pleasant Letter. ‘From the London Moruing Post Among other good things whieb our Swiss email plateau, the frontage to the east look-* ing on the picturesque Sils Lake, surrounded ing on other mountain scenery, and the pre- cipitous descent into Italy via Chiavenna. On Sunday night, the 25th ult., we hada grand storm. The lake was black and green. Dense, black, fearful looking clouds enveloped the mountains, the whole lit up by red jurid lightning, accompanied by a glorious artiliery of thunder, it tarned nigh nd lasted some fifteen hours, This was ended by hurricanes of wind, rain. siect and finally snow, a perfect Dante's “Inferno,” which le us the 26th with snow-covered m sky, warm sun and «. it a pleasure to live. & this is not what I down to write. We bad often seen Mr. Stanley @ casual way, but we had never lived in the same house; we had never got to know bim, Thave had among my treasures for many years @ note from Mr. Stanie: ic me how much wd Sir Kichard and always test.tied his great admiration for the “Prince of Travelers.” But now that they are always together, exchanging their mutual experionces and ideas, this admiration has developed into asincere hiking and friendship, on both — on all sides—that i trust will last out lives. I ean remember being prepared, from pews: Paper reports, to see @ biustering, noisy, swag- — American, who would want to knock jown and kill everything, and would be ruse if oue spoke tohim. When I went forward to welcome him I told him that I congratulated him on all his achievements, especially the Jast (bis marriage), and that in my opinion he had got quite too munch for one mau. He stood quite still and stared at me with eyes that seemed of giass or stone, as if be did not see me for at least two minutes. I also stood quite still and felt by instinct that this pecu- larity is the effect of absolute shyness and not from hauteur, and I have often remarked it in travelers fi from the desert. We then all sat down and Sir Richard and I had a ban- dred thousend things to ask him sbout, and were both charmed. We think we never met ® man #0 modest, so unwilling to talk of him- and we hope he will have sense enough to profit by it. If not, he will be found playing pendulum some morning from the limb of a tree, Exrtaxatorr.—The third column of the second page of fhis issue will be found blank. It is not our fault. Col. John Kyloff, one of the old pioneers of this town, died last week, and his widow sent in an obituary notice which just filled the column. We thought it read pretty strong when we set it up, but a8 the colonel was the third to subscribe to this paper and pay in advance we intended to let at slide. The forms were all ready for the press when a detective arrived from Portiand to identify the colonel as a thief, embezzler, bigamist and all-round bad man. His proofs were so straight that we hadn't the cheek to publish the obituary. We sent a bouquet to the widow with our compliments, but that was the best we could do, Tury Opsecrep.—The twenty-two hands over on Smith & Wiley’a ranche are easily stampeded. Oneof them is named Haddon, and two or three weeks since we commented on the size of his mouth. We did it entirely in his praise, as we believe him to be the only man in Arizona who can holda pint of water in his mouth, His friends got a wrong im- pression, however, and the other afternoon the whole crowd rode over on @ personal visit, Wedidn’t go off fishing because they were coming; it was simply a coincidence. We didn’t borrow a mulo and go off at a gallop because we didn’t want to see the boy: cause we were limited asto time. We didn't wait until midnight to return because we had any fear, but the fish bit so well we hated to leave ‘em. Some day, when the cowboys ve time and we have time, and Agere | il right, we shall hope for a long visit a friendly ch: ———+e0—______ The Princess. T thought as I looked from my window today 1 saw a princess moving along. Ah! her face was fair as the white sea spray When morning is calm and waves are strong. Remote, and & stranger, through shelter of glass, Sfient'T sod, alone, looking down. eg ‘The eyes of all those who were watching her pass Seemed glad that she lived in Dublin tows. A Woman go ragged, 80 old and so thin, Never once heeding the world astir, She seemed but a shadow of want and of sin, Came through the sunlight near unto her. Who led by her grace through a wide-open door, Away from the sneers and the scorn of men, Gave alms to the body and soul of the poor, Surely I knew her a princess then. —ESMERALDA Bore, aceaeeigieen iss VANDERBILT’S CHILDREN. Their Systematical Education and Training—Simple Home Life. Although all the members of the Vanderbilt family entertain on a magnificent scale, says a writer in the Ladies’ Home Journal for Octo- ber, they never permit their children to re- main up late at night, are extremely careful in their education, and, in a word, are fitting them for life as well as any mother or father couid do. It isoneof the rules in all the houses of the Vanderbilts that the children shall go to bed early and rise early. ‘The little boys and girls are up before 7 o'clock in the morning. Their nurses immediately take charge of them, see that they are properly bathed and dressed, and then they go down to breakfast, which is served at 7:30 o'clock. It is an unpretentious meal, with plenty of fresh milk, eggs, oatmeal and a bit of steak ora chop that will add strength to their physique and color to their cheeks, After bi ‘fast there is an hour of study. There is something for these littie ones to do at all times during the day. They go through their studies systematically, and then about 9:30 are taken out forawalk. They are al- lowed to romp in the streets and in the parks to their hearts’ content. At 11 o'clock they are brought home and a light luancheonof milk and bread is served, after which there are more studies—either French, German or drawing— and then another breathing spell, it may be horseback riding or a drive out through the park and along the country roads. Back they all come about 4 o'clock, and there is another hour of study, and then they are through for the day. They are allowed to do just as they please until tea time, when, after their meal, they spend a pleasant hour or 0 with their fathers and mothers and others who may drop in to call. Promptly at 8 o'clock they are af in bed to aap dewey eae get up the mp ayy = ugh the same program. it w ccrange that all the children of the Vanderbilt mily are further in advance of their little friends in the matter of education. For ~ study, study, study all the time. They are fond of music and most of them can play on the iano. The girls are learning to play on the ‘and the boys are famous among their friends as violinists and banjo players. If you were tosee these children on the street you would not for a moment suspect that they were other than children of parents in ordinary cir- cumstances. They make no display at elabo- rate The eldest of Cornelius Vander- bilt's daughters is dressed lv in little, pretty, cheap dresses wit any braid or or- ian. it ceca eat ets and the little cap that sits on er head could be duplicated for a couple of dollars, The Largest Check Ever Drawn. ‘From the Pall Mail derbilt for £700,000 had hitherto headed the The statement, however, is inaccurate Se ). At least four of the Lon- clearing banks have paid checks for con- siderably over £2,000,000 on more than one oc- casion. A few years the Manchester Ship Canal Company, when out the —— seen offices skip canal A ‘where it ls framed as SURE self and achievements, and yet so simple im narrating clearly any fact you may want to hear and understand in « soft. quiet voice he will relate the most interesting things, and unconsciously changing his voice and mane ner, he acts the scene till you seem to see it, We are a party of six, Mr. Jephson being with them and Dr. Grenfell Baker with us, and it is just in our own little circle that his most at- tractive qualities come out. Without any affec- tation he seems to shun all lionizing, and to court perfect repose and privacy. He seems to us to be a man of the kindest heart and con- sideration, and it 1 only toe evident that his foliowers perfectly idolize him, and wouid give their lives for him. 1 know this from Mx, Jephson, whom 1 knew before be weut to Africa, He bas also with him his black boy, Saleh, who looks contentment itself. You may see him playing dominoes with English boys (gentlemen's sons) at the next table to his mase . piness. Mr, 80 possessed in the highest degree of the desert, which is given to a few only. and which also distinguishes my husband far from other men. th sense, aa intuitive perception which unveils ail that sure rounds you, however hidden, hence to ment one small item—lying or intriguing, it us like the gambol of an elephant, and one can scarcely help laughing in the face of any ove who at- tempts it. Mrs, Stanley, as all the world oan tell who have the privilege of knowing her, is a sweet, sympatietic womanly woman, gifted with the highest aad most refined intelligence. She seems to understand the great man thoroughly, an achievement ip married life seldom accom- plished undera year, I could not help re- marking to her, after the first greetings were over, what an interesting and romantic meet- ing is ours. I said: “Thirty years ago my bus- band was the poineer of ali these travels and £ was the bride. Many travelers have intervened since then, and now (though our fate and yours are very different), after thirty years, your husband has crowned these explorations, He is the bero, you the bride, and we meet in this remote part of Switzerland.” I know that these few facts wiil interest the public, and it isa pleasure to me that my husband, Richard Burton, and I should testify our sentiments concerning Mr. and Mrs. Stanley. ‘see = France Imitating Calitornia Prunes. From the Boston Advertiser All the country knows that the cotton seed yields the most excellent olive oil, especially if itis put upin the right sort of bottles and properly labeled. There are some who also know that delicious “Stilton” cheese is manu- factured in New York state and sold in England, “right under the nosos” of the Stilton manu- facturere themselves, who never know the dif- ference. But the pubiic is scarcely propared for the information that excellent California runes grown in France are now in the market, it is only within a year or two that California prunes have been offered for eastern consump- tion. Butso popular have they become with housewives that a struggle is going on between California and France for the American mar- ket, So warm has become the contest that, it is alleged, the wily Frenchman now sends to us the product of his orchards put up in the most attractive packages, which bear all the appearance of fancy brands of the genuine California article. It is a chet thought that European manufacturers are be ginning to find it necessary to mark their goods with an American brand im order to make them sell among Americaus. Too long has it been thought necessary for Americans to brand their goods with a foreign Jabel. If by-and-by French wine growers and silk weavers will find the same difhculty in meeting the American market, the time will surely have come when thorough belief in American products possesses American minds. The Emperor Williem ws said to have once remarked: “I drink only German wines.” If Americans would stick to this policy and use no foreign goods when American were available, we should soon hear the last of the tariff question. Height of Clouds. From the London Daily News. Prof. Moller of Carisrahe has made some in- teresting observations ou clouds. The highest clunds, cirrus and cirro-stratus, rise op an average to a height of nearly 30,000 feet. The middie clouds keep at from ut 10,000 feet to 28,000 feet in height, while the lower clouds reach to between 3,000 feet and 7,000 fect, ‘The cumuious clouds float with their lower surface at a height of from 4,000 to 5,000 feet, while their sumiits rise to 16,000 feet. The tops of the Alps are orten hidden by clouds of the third class, bat the bottom of the clouds of the second class, and especially of the thunder clouds,often enfoids them. The vertical dimen- sions of a cloud observed by Prof, Moller on the Nettleberg was over 1,200 feet; he stepped out of itats height of about 3,700 feet, and Ligh above the mountain floated clouds of the middie class, while veils of mist lay in the ravines an. clefts, The upper clouds were growing thicker, while the lower ones were dissolving, and soon it began to rain aud snow, —— see Men Who Have C; Africa. From the London Daily Nev ‘A Brussels correspondent of the Vossische Zeitung has made a list of the explorers who have crossed Africa, From 1802 to 1811 the feat was accomplished by a Portuguese, Hone- rato de Costs; in 1838 and 1852 by Francesco Coimbra and Silva Porto; 1854 by Livingston; 1865, Gethard Roblfs; 1874, Lieut. Comeron and q ito, the Italians Mat- fenio and’ Mawerts Lisut, Wiesmann, ‘who crossed from St. Paul de Loanda to Sadani on of