Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-02

IT 10. an ' IuIIil1lT 1IuIDOII. III
little father here is Michael"
"Ah, l have heard of you. You hay
guessed correctly. am n prince VI
, steward, who mas charge of my estat
while l am away in Siberia, has toll
me Of the giant who is growing ric
workings for fhe railroad. 1t Is sal
that you can bend an iron bar wit
your hands.e
Vladimir in response picked UP n
iron bar about four feet long and a
inch thick and bent it double with n
apparent effort.
Good Godw exclaimed the prince
"Are you that POWERFUL"
1--WE acquire muscle in this work.
vladimir answered. "and was borl
powerful"
A look Of wonder had spread over III
face of the prince. He sat upon rud
stool while the other two began to pre-
pare for shooting the horse. The fin
animal was brought inside and he
like his noble master. seemed surprise,
at his surroundings.
The old woman. patient now undo
the rebuke Of Vladimir. stood waiting
This is not much of a place for sue
cessful men," said Neslerov, lookin.
around him.
"1Io" chuckled the old man. "Yoi
have come too soon. Soc, nothing Il
being done. We are about to leave thi,
place for spot nearer the railway"
business Is not good. then?"
On. is 1t not| said Vladimir. "Wher
one has powerful friend to send the
'ironwork to him, II is easy to get along
we shall have fine shop and ten men
employed In the work Instead of this
novel my father and mother shall live
In fine house, and my father shall
work no more. l shall make money for
all"
"Ah! Then suppose you will be get.
ting married."
That is something have not thought
OF. do not know"
Somebody else knows" chuckled III Z,
doting Papa Paulpoff. "Tlero 10 a.:
American girl who thinks well Of
our
"Hush!'- exclaimed Vladimir i,nra-
tientiy. You are speaking OF some
one whose name must be sacred"
His face was flushed and Neslerov
looked AT il scarchingly.
You are very Fortunate" said Nesic.
ROY iokingly. Il can get no one to mar
ry me-"
You hut jest. Any one would lie
pleased to marry one of Russia
wealthest princes"
But such a one" continued the Ii.
discreet old man. she is beautiful.
she is rich, and she sends him books"
Good. She is educating you. SHE
must love you" said Ncslerov.
"Oh. as to love that is different. Fer
acts are kind and feel grateful. But
for marrying - it will require a fine
man to make her happy"
He will make any one hapny," nut
in the old woman. with glance If
pride at ts young giant "Any gin.
even though she might be princess
would get no better for a husband
Look at those arms. Can they not pro-
tect?"
"They could fell a bull" said Nesle-
row How do you pass the time here?
Do you go to the nearest village or to
Perm and playY
Not hc! said the old m.n, pausing
long enough in his work to add his
tribute to this son they loved so well.
THAT young man spending his time al
n village. think not, your eXccllency.
win his books he spends his nights.
He studies or he paints"
"What's that: Paintsw
Aye indeed yes. He is born paint.
er."
And shooting horsos?"
I'm" gets kopeck or two for shoe |
'hg horses. one must paint for the |
pleasure OF 1t. unless one is well known.
1t Will come in time" said Vladimir.
See, he is not so simple as he looks"
'aid l'apa Paulpoft, nodding his head .
toward the big boy.
Very far from simple, | should saw"
answered Neslcrov.
'old woman shouted Papa Paul.
ooff suddenly. so suddenly that she
Jumped III alarm. "Go get the picture
Let the prince see the face of her who
$ so kind to Vladimir"
The old woman obeyed and ran ont.
"Iler picture. You have her picture
Stammercd Neslerov.
YES, |, and the good part of it is
hat she knows nothing Of it. shall
1--WE It to her when she comes again TO
Zee us" said Vladimir
But do not understand. How could
'ou draw face without having it be.
ore YOU" asked the prince,
ia 1t is never from my sight. The
most beautiful face, A face that one
ould not forget. | drew til painted /
t-two-threc and four times from
memory. and always alike"
AT this iuncturc the old woman re-
urned with picture in frame. 81
emily she handed il TO NeSlorov. He
at with it in his hands. gazing down
upon the features he knew 50
veil. 1t showed two things-first
nat there was. undeveloped in the
Dung man. talent that would make ,
nm famous If ii ever got n chance: soc.
nd, That he must have the picture Of
he girl indelibly in his mind to paint ,,
o true picture from memory. And
moving Frances Gordon. Ncslcrov ,
new That this man was "A most dan
erous rival for her hand.
But that is not all he has done" said ,
ne old woman eXultingly.
l..