Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-10-23

The race OF NeSlerON was lnSctutab Die.
He held the picture loosely and care
lesSly, and the girl caught glimpse OF
the face.
THAT is Vladimirs picture" she
cried What are you doing with it,
Il am sending il to him" was the re-
ply Of Neslerov "It so happened that
had occasion to visit my chateau near
Graslov and rode by here at the time
the inspector OF police was making the
arrest | remembered what you said to
me at Moscow and tried to do what |
could for the poor fellow, at first doubt
ing his guilt But the inspector was
certain. and so all that was left TO me
was TO ask Vladimir what favor |
could perform for him He asked me
10 send him this picture, and | have ar
ranged with the governor OF Perm to
permit il 10 be passed along to him"
at is beautiful face" said Frances.
vladimir has the soul of great art
ist III him But III Siberia he
She shuddered and ended her SEN
tence abruptly.
continued Neslerov There IS another
picture-he painted from memory L
have arranged 10 purchase il for good
price. and he shall not lose the money
promised him. It was Il beginning to
certain steps had thought Of to assist
him"
My own face" cried Frances in as
tonishment as Neslerov showed the
second picture.
Yes, and the remarkable part Of it Is
1t took him but short time. describ-
ed you. and he remembered you, and
between the two he managed very
creditable work. | shall cherish this
picture while live.
MY picture" murmured the girl
again. looking at the sweet yet strong
young face the blacksmith artist had
placed upon the canvas. And all from
memory"
Yes, from memory and my dcsCrip-
tlOn." said NcslcrOv. Your face is so
indelibly imprinted upon my memory
that | could drScrihe each line. each
feature. with the utmost accuracy"
She looked IT him in astonishmcnt.
He had made frequent attempts to
make love to her, but she had always
skillfully l., pulsed him. That this could
be true-lhat this man whose life was
one round OF pleasure should have her
face so impressed upon his mind seem
ed to her incredible.
"But you will hefriend him" she said.
without answering his remark. You
are powerful in Russia. \ large part
OF Siberia is under your control. You
can make the life of the Paulpoffs
plea SAINT there If you wish
He bowed. and his eyes were hidden
from her.
Believe me, have already taken
steps to befriend them. In Tomsk there
is great need of such ironworkcrS now
that the railroad las gone beyond the
Obi. and have sent my petition to the
minister of justice TO have them sent
TO Tomsk They will not be treated as
cOuyictS, but as honorable workers"
What was The crime? asked Fran
ces. She was very pale. bat quite
calm.
Why, it became known To Inspector
Jansky OF the police that certain num-
bcr OF men congrrgated here and srsm-
ed 10 hold secret meetings. lie investi-
gated and discovered that this was the
headquarters Of a circle of nlhlIlsis.
lie arrested them all. but many IS
capped"
And The proof =
Letters rrom Vladimir found Oh
them
Frances sighed and turned sadly
away.
You are an 4 rrttCan." continued Ne
sleroV. and cannot understand bow
mau who appeared 10 YOU 10 be simple
nDd cunIenrtd with his lot should prove
to be an assassin. This same spirit
peImeates our best society. 1t comes
to the surface even among the relatives
OF our highest mobiles. My own cousin
was sent to Siberia. | bad no pity for
him, because he was rich. educated and
had no reason to complain. But the
Paulpoffs-now that | know YOU are
interested in them-l will protect them
from further harm
II thank you" said Frances sadly
Nesleroy slipped a coin into the hand
OF the droSky driver and he immedl
ately had cause to go TO his horses.
which were standing peacefully enough
where he left them
Il wish 10 speak Oh" word before we
leave here said the prince. taking the
hand OF Frances, which she, in her sur.
prise, permitted him to hold a moment.
Il love yon have loved you ever
since the day saw you first We
have beautiful women in Russia, but
none like you | am rich, powerful and
am not Offering you an empty name.
Will you be my wife, my princessT'
Prince Neslerov," said Frances gen
tly, but still in tone of reproof, you
cannot mean, | am sure. to take ad-
vantage OF my situation. alone and at
your mercy. You are gentleman.
Please leave such words for n more fit
ting occasion"
"All occasions are the same to a man
who loves as | do" answered Neslerov.
81 asked your father. He treated the
matter as of no concern. TO me it is
my life. Make me happy the world
IS yours. Refuse me, you plunge me
Into deep despair. ] do not care to live
without you"
mat nonsense said Frances. "Ev-
erybody has sooner or later to live
without loved one. My father-I-my
mother died many years ago. He loved
her. He has been true to her memory,
but he has lived"
"Ah, but that is not the same thing
at all. Had possessed you for a time
and lost you at the command of death,
then | could live, happy in the blessed
memory. But to love you and lose you
to another! All ! would kill him.
You are mad. such words do not
inspire love in the heart of an AmerI-
can girl Fools XIII their rivals, but it