Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-10-29
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Is - @a$
THE MYSTERY s s
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5 5 /; OF GRASLOV S S
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==By Arhley Towne
Oop,uIQht, 1901, BY Charles B. Ethertngton


would be discredited at st. Petersburg.
could prove that your father was
consprator against the government
and was shot while fighting my SOL
dierS."
There Is government of the United
States Of America"
True. but at a distance. I do not
fear 1t. But consider what have said.
I will return with food"
He left the car. securing the doors
to prevent her escape. When she saw
him striding toward the village, she
leaned against the window and studied
the rude people.
81 am helpless-absolutely helplessp
she moaned. "Oh. If he had not taken
my revolver l could have shot him
or myself"
She lookel about her for some meth.
cd whereby she could. If the need
should come, take her own life rather
than submit to his demands. She
knew that If there were a priest In
this squalid place he would obey Ne
slerov. and humble some words per.
fectly meaningless to her, but which
would give Neslerov power over her.
She walked the length Of the apart
ment like Gagged lioness.
Women turned into their huts and
came out again. She saw Neslerov
start back toward the car carrying a
wooden tray. She shuddered again.
"God give me strength. courage.
calmnessr' she murmured. ITO lose
consciousness would be to fall vic.
tim to him."
She nerved herself to meet him as
his footsteps sounded on the platform.
The door opened, and he entered with
a bowl Of cruel. some steaming pota-
toes, roast fowl. coffee and some coarse
bread.
ut Is not quite like our usual fare"
he said, "but 1t Is better than being
hungry"
He set the dishes on q table he i'm
provised out of the back Of seat. He
had large travelling bag with him,
and from 1t he took bottle Of wine.
1--WE will pledge each other" he said.
with laugh. ....
81 do not wish any" said Frances.
"Come. don't be churlish! Let us get
over the unpleasant. part. Drink
toast to your future husband"
81 will not. I will not touch it!'
"Drink-drink my health!' he CON-
manded.
81 will not!'
81 will make you"
He held the cup in his right hand.
With his left be grasped her by the
hair. He bent back her head.
"Open your mouth. Swallow the
wine. will choke you" he cried.
With a powerful effort she wrenched
herself free and to her feet, and the
wine went to the floor with smash.
Her eyes were glaring with despera-
ton. She clinched her fist and rained
blow upon blow upon his face.
Curses deep and terrible burst from
him. He clutched her round the waist
and struggled with her. She exerted
all her strength. She was like fero-
cious tigress. Her nails scratched his
face and tore his hair. Her blows cut
his lips on his teeth. But he was
powerful man and used his strength
against this captive woman. With a
gasp she succumbed and sank helpless
and exhausted almost in his arms.
Course you" he spluttered between
his swollen lips. Il have wasted my
kindness on you! l should have starv-
ed you. But l will delay no longer.
I'll drag you to the priest. and In ten
minutes you will be the Princess Nesle-
rov-and my slave for life. I'll break
your heart. you devil!
He closed his arms tightly about her
and dragged her from the car. The
villagers stared in astonishment as
they saw him coming toward them
with his burden.
"What means this strange happen
ing. little father?" asked a woman Of
an older man of the village. 'Is the
man killing her?"
LET bel" growled the man. use
your eyes in your house. but meddle
not with others. The mans gold Is
good. He will not hurt her. She Is
probably his wife"
Russian wives are accustomed to cru
city from their husbands. A beating
Is but part Of their demonstrations Of
authority as head of the house. The
women looked on with apathy, while
the men smiled.
'IIe has married Tartar" they said
among themselves.
Help! Save me from this man"
gasped Frances as Neslerov half drag
ged. half carried her into the nearest
group.
"Where is your priest?" Neslerov de-
manded Get him at once. Not only
he, but all in the place, will receive
pay. Call the priest at once"
'Save me! am an American! Cor
don-the man who built-the road-is
my father" cried Frances, struggling
again.
a bent old man was seen shambling
toward them.
Come" said Neslerov roughly. 'This
young woman and are to be married.
Hurry. We have been left behind In
that car. and to save her good name
she must become my wife. Proceed"
"No! For PHYS sake. do not" cried
Frances. MY father will pay you
well! Do not compel me to marry him!
| hate him!'
Il command you to marry us!" shout
ed n slerOv.
A tall man Of about middle age STEP