Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-11-19

uis lootsteIiS SOuHueu on tue plutIOfIl.
The door opened, and he entered with
bowl of Cruel, some steaming pota-
toes. roast fowl, coffee and some coarse
bread
1T is not quite like our usual fare"
he said, but it is better than being
hungry"
He set the dishes on table he i'm.
had large travelling bag with him,
and from 1t he took n bottle of wine.
"We will pledge each other" he said,
with a 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"
II will not. will not touch itv'
"Drink-drink my healths' he COM
mandcd
II will notw
II will make your
He held the cup in his right hand.
| With his left he 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 We're glazing with despern.
ton. She clinched her fist and rainetl
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 tgress. Her nails scratched his
! face and tore his hair. Her blows cut
his lips on his teeth. But he was a
powerful man and used his strength
against this captive woman. With a
gasp she succumbed and sank helpless
and exhausted almost in his arms.
Curse your he spluttered between
his swollen lips. II have wasted my
kindness on you! should have starv-
ed you. But 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 establishment 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. us the
man killing herr"
LET be-" growled the man. use
your eyes in your house. but NEEDLE
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 us head of the house. The
women looked on with apathy, while
the men smiled.
HE has married Tartar" they said
among themselves.
Help! Save me from this mani"
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. Gail the priest at once!"
"Save me! am an Americana! Cor
don-the man who built-the roads,
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. Proceedw
''No! For PHYS sake. do notw cried
Frances. my father will pay you
well! Do not compel me to marry him
hate him!"
, 81 command you to marry us!' shout
ed Neslerov.
A tall man of about middle age step
, ped from the crowd.
! ut is wrong" he said. "Who yor
J are know not. but it is not the way tc
, win wife. Release the young woman
: Let US >hear what she has to say"
} "What she has to say! Curse your
: howled Neslerov. He did release hel
: for moment and sprang forward. Hi
I; fist shot out against the mans face
, Without an effort in his own behalf IL
| fell.
II am Nesleroy. governor of Tomskp
( shouted the prince, now perfectly fren
D zied. II command You. old dotard, Il
say the words that will make this cir
my wife"
3 "Please do nor" cried Frances. al
has stolen me from my father! He
y III I
Q "He is his excellency, the governor,
muttered the old man. I'VE mus
obey"
!. Neslerov seized her by the wrist an,
swung her toward the priest. The vii
$ layers crowded round, awestruck at tn
great name they had heard. They we
!. knew the governor. Many Of them ha
e felt the knout at his command
ut must be DONE" again muttere
the priest.
e mo. mol" cried Frances, trying t
!. wrench away from Nesleroy.
! A boy slid quietly away from til
t crowd and ran.
: "Stand there. curse your said Neslt
ROY, grasping Frances by the hail
j The pain of his rude hand on her Lowell
nalr made Frances cry out in terrol
pain and shame. "I'll kill you If 20
!. move againp
There was the sound of a quick an
8 stealthy tread. There was swish !
' the air. There was gasp, murmr
g from the crowd, which fell back
j CONSERVATION.
A heavy Russian riding whip swun
y through the air in an arc ard, descent
D ing, cut the skin across the face of N
: sleroy.
Course you!" said hearty America
i. voice. 'I'll have your life for thisl"
d "Jack! oh, JackW cried France
IT and then, the last vestlge of hi
10 strength deserving her, she fell unco
n scious into Jack Denton's outstretche
e. arms.
h CHAPTER VII.