Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-11-25

@ he train from MOSCOW came
H snorting and screaming into
the station. and among the
passengers, mostly officers and
convicts or men connected with the
railway, were two women. One Of
these was about fifty years Of age.
thin and subdued in appearance, and
her face bore the marks Of suppressed
anxiety. The other was scarcely more
than a girl-twenty at most-but her
carriage was noble, and her entire APP
pearance that of one born to command.
Her lovely face and well shaped head
rose above a collar Of ermine, although
1t was not winter.
ITO the palace of Neslerov, governor
of Tomsk," she said to drosky
driver, and she and her companion
were soon on the way.
Neslerov was at dinner when serv-
ant announced the Princess Olga.
What about the Princess Olga? he
asked.
1.-The princess is here-she has asked
to see your excellency."
Here, Olga Neslerov, here! rising
from the table. He had improved much
In the last few days, and his face wore
calm look that had not been there
since his meeting with Denton.
He found the princess in the recep.
ton room.
Princess Olga" he exclaimed, kiss
ing her hand Fair cousin, what hap
py circumstance brought you here!
And why have you come unannounced
and unattended:'
81 saw no reason to herald my ap-
proach," she answered, "and am not
unattended. This is my attendant.
The woman courtesied and looked
uncomfortable but Neslerov paid her
not the least attention.
We'll, since you are here. am pleas
ed to see YOU" said the governor.
"Your branch of the Neslerov family
and mine have not been too friendly. l
am glad that at last one Of you has had
the grace to begin reconciliation.
Princess Olga smiled.
whatever feeling my branch of the
family may have for yours could scarce
" be said to interest me- she said.
Remember, l have spent much of my
time out Of Russia, and-it happened
twenty years ago"
Neslerov turned to the door and then
stopped.
You refer to the unfortunate mys-
terry of Graslov," he said soberly. 1t
was that, fear, that ruptured the
former friendships. Yet l have insist
ed and proved that our family was not
to blame. II was either an accident or
was done by our enemies. Pardon me.
l was so glad to see you that forgot
that you must be weary after your
Journey. Let me- have you shown your
rooms, and l will order dinner for you
when you wish"
Thank you. We are both hungry. l
will join you in ten minutes. and The
rese will be ready to go TO the servants
dining room in that time"
You have become regular cosmo-
politan," laughed Neslerov. Your WIS.,
its to America and London have almost
taken away the traces Of our Russian
habits"
Some of them could be well dispens-
ed WITH" she answered.
In response to his summons servant
appeared and conducted the women to
their rooms.
Now. what devilish luck could have
brought her here at this timeT said
Neslerov to himself. Il must be eau
tious. But II is so long-she was not
born-she can know nothing. But
must be discreet"
"Well, We are here" said the prin-
cess to her companion when they were
alone. Now. obey me; let me do the
planning. Neslerov must not suspect
us. 1t would ruin ALL and there is no
telling what he might do. The govern
or Of a province in Siberia is almost
supreme"
Her attendant shuddered.
~ lived in dread Of Siberia for twen-
" size SulN, WIN a SiuutNh'
"And now you have brought me here"
"But not as a convict-as friend.
woman. like myself. resolved to right
q wrong"
The princess was soon ready and
Joined the governor in the dining room.
81 have just been thinking. Olga, he
said. his face wreathed with smiles,
that it is at least three years since we
met Your face has not changed much,
but you are now woman and were
then a little girl You are one of the
most beautiful women in Russia"
Thank you."
"And. l might say, the richest"
Nearly so. But the wealth brings
its responsibilities. 1t is difficult in
Russia to do those things that are just
and proper with our wealth"
II never found it so." said the gov
ernor, with laugh.
Perhaps" said Olga. you are not
interested in the question. To me 1t Is
q burning one. Our mobiles have too
much wealth and our lower classes
have too little opportunity to rise. 1t Is
not so in England. France or Ameri-
ca"
"You had better leave those questions
for older heads. princess. You will be-
come involved with the government be-
fore you know. You were not born to
waste your beauty and talents in such
matters. You were born to be admired.
to enjoy your wealth"
81 do enjoy my wealth and do what
good a girl can do with it.. AS to being
admired, meet few from whom admi-
ration seems to come with sincerity"
"Oh, as to that. you cannot expect to
find the courtiers at beauty's court all
as gruff and outspoken as a drosky
driver"
Il l.I