Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-12-16

l had taken the boy and that he was
safe and well in my house. She began
to weep tears Of mingled joy and sor-
row.
"'Who are you? What is your name?
she asked.
Michael Paulpoff. princess told
her.
".Oh. Michael Paulpoff." she cried.
and 1t seemed that her heart would
break-'oan | trust you:'
with anything. lady | answered.
You are welcome TO the life or death
of Michael Paulpof.'
"Listen. she whispered, turning
each way to see that we were not
watched. 1 Am in tie house Of ene-
mics. Ny husband. who was the heir
of the duke IS dead. My little son
would be the heir of this estate, but
the duke prefers tl.at his own younger
son should inherit, and so they have
plotted to d.. troy my child. Thank
God for niacing you on this earth.
Michael PauipoF. You were sent to
save my boy. And now listen. Were
he TO return here or were II TO be
known that he was alive. no matter In
what part of Russia he might be, they
would manage in some way to kill him.
Even now | tremble lest some spy
oyerhear our words and reveal this
truth. | do not wish to have you relin-
quish him and will give you something
now. but you must never come to me.
Some day will come to you and claim
my boy. Will YOU swear, Michael Paul
poff. to cherish my boy and preserve
this secret
Il gave the promise. eXcellency, and
l have kept IT, But she also said. In
case | die. Michael Paulpoff. guard my
boy as you would your own, for | think
he will be like his father-strong. but
no match for the wicked and designing
ones Do not permit any one ever to
know this truth
Il have obeyed eXcellency. The boy
was named Vladimir. and we soon
came to love him as our own. He was.
as the princess said. strong and of an
easy going, simple temperament He
grew Up to help me in the forge. The
princess did die. and so | held my
tongue. as she bade me. But Vladimir
or Prince AleXis-was talented. and
he learned to paint. He discovered one
day the picture of his mother and be-
came enamored of it. He wished to
paint it. and permitted him. Then
one day NeSlerov came and saw ii.
was frightened. for knew he would
suspect and knew from his manner
that we would soon hear from him
again.
I'VE were charged with conspiracy.
excellency. we who had honest hearts
and had never wronged any one. and
were bundled off TO Siberia. We were
sent to TomSk. where no doubt' Nesle-
rov intended to kill the young man
when he got an opportunity. Then one
day that American named Denton came
to our hut in TivoloffSky. In some way
he had learned of the picture. l do not
know why he was interested in Nladi-
mir. but he asked to see the picture
and questioned me.
"'Paulpoff. he said, Vladimir is not
your son.
Il shivered, for l did not know but
he was friend Of the governor. But
he said he was going to learn who
Vladimir was. so | told him the story.
He said that Vladimir could not be any
worse o9 than at present. and he could
secure ~ help of the government to
restore the t-uate to him and punish
Nicholas Nesierov. He took the pic
ture, anC some one came to our hut
after thar and whipped my wife to
death. Vladimir swore vengeance. and
today he has killed Jansky and Uns-
gethop."
This is strange story Of cruelty
and crime" said the governor general.
But. so far as you are concerned,
congratulate you, Prince Neslerov,
duke of Graslov. And this faithful old
man. whose life Is almost run. how can
show my appreciation Of what he has
done for Russia? Paulpoff, you shall
name your own reward. and it is
yours"
ITO live with Vladimir" said the old
man simply.
"And this American! Where is he?'
"Wounded; lying in the house Of a
priest at Tivoloffsky." answered Vladi-
mir. or, as he should now be called.
Alexis.
Nicholas Neslerov. what have you
to say" asked the governor general.
ut is a lie," said Nicholas.
"Your own face does not indicate it.
l believe this is the truth. You are a
prisoner. Call the officer of the guard"
II am here. your eXcellency."
"This lieutenant" said Olga. 'whose
name I do not know, assisted me in
freeing the prince from the dungeons
under this palace. l told him he would
be captain
"Your name" said the governor
general.
"Ormidoff."
Captain Ormidoff, conduct this prls-
oner to the same dungeon in which he
had confined the prince, and see that
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