Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-10-02


trains carrying soldiers, con-
victs, sightseers, railway constructors,
laborers and supplies, with some goods
for trade with Manchuria ran from
Moscow.
The possibilities OF this immense line
of railway made the people of Eu-
rcpean Russia gasp. 1t opened up such
prospect of trade as they had never
dreamed Of 1t gave them a speedy
entrance into region of their domain
the crossing of which had formerly oc-
cupied months and involved much
hardship.
What a change there was from the
old sledges or foot trains of convicts to
the swiftly moving cars that were
drawn by the putting, screaming loco
motives, at once a source of delight
and terror to the people whose terri
tory they crossed!
Among those who had made this
change so remarkable success was
James Gordon, an American engineer,
who had charge of much of the ad-
vance work of the road.
Gordon was a typical American,
ready to 60 anywhere to build rail-
way so long as the pay was sufficient
to make it an object for him to take
his daughter with him.
For Frances Gordon was her fathers
companion, secretary and comfort.
Left motherless at an early age, she
had been brought up by strict aunts
till she revolted. Her father had been
surveying route across New Mexico
for a new road fondly and longingly
thinking of his daughter in her far
away home In New York, when, 10, the
young lady herself then aged nineteen,
put in an appearance mounted on a
broncho and accompanied by hair
breed guide, to whom she spoke in so
authoritative tone that he bowed be-
fore her slightest wish in abject obedi-
ence Since that day Frances Gordon
was to be found wherever her father
was.
A year and a half after they had
finished the work in Mexico they jour
neyed together to Russia, where Cor
don was to take charge of the impor-
tant part of putting through the rail-
way that was destined to revOlutionize
the trade and commerce of the world.
This great railway had progressed as
far as the Obi river, in the government
Of Tomsk, Siberia, when a meeting or
managers, engineers and government
officials was ordered at Moscow. Thith-
L. To Cor
don and Frances.
Thither also journeyed Nicholas Ne
slerov, prince of the empire and gov
ernor Of the province Of Tomsk.
Prince Neslerov was one of the
wealthiest mobiles of the land, was
about thirty-fve years of age and had,
besides his exalted position as governor
of Tomsk, estates in various parts OF
Russia, particularly fine one at Gras-
lov, In the government of Perm.
1t was after the convention, which
had to do with certain concessions and
arrangements that were necessary as
the road drew near the border of Man
churia, the crossing Of certain noun
tains, the bridging of certain streams,
that Mr.. Gordon was preparing to re-
turn to the Obi, where the western end
of his operations was laid, the opera
tions themselves reaching eastward to
Lake Baikal, in Irkutsk.
To him one day as he sat smoking at
his hotel In Moscow came Prince Nesle-
rov.
"Good morning, your eXcellency,"
said Gordon, who had met the prince
at several conferences and now knew
him because Of the fact that the opera
tions had passed almost across his
province. "Glad to see you. When dc
you return TO Tomsk|
II shall not be long behind you, my
friend" replied the prince. at is a
fact, however, that upon your answer
to a certain question which ! shall put
to you depends many Of my acts in the
immediate future. NJ. Gordon, you are
an American"
$50 | believe; | have heard 1t limited
at" said Mr.. Gordon, wondering what
was coming.
And | am Russian of the Rus
SLAMS"
THAT. too believe. is a well au-
thentlcated fact"
81 am wealthy, governor of prov
ince and shall soon be promoted to n
better station. Since you entered the
rude territory In the southern part OF
my government we have met frequent
ly; we have been friends"
rof thor 1nhi.
ously, stroking his chin.
"When you needed protection, my
power protected you"
81 believe you," said Gordon, failing
to remember the time when he needed
the protection of the prince.
II merely express myself thus to re-
call to you my friendship" said the
prince. Now | come to the real er-
rand that brought me here. love
your daughter"
"Ehp exclaimed Gordon. rousing
himself and stiffenlng perceptibly.
Il repeat, air that love your daugh-
ter want her for my wife, my prin-
cess"
A cloud of smoke came from Cor
don's lips. He was looking Mt distant
church tower with eyes that saw no
church.
'YOu seem surprised" said the prince
"Is ii matter of surprise that a man
should love so noble and beautiful a
young woman as your daughter"
NO." said Gordon slowly, "and if it
were / would be used to it by this
time. You are not the first"
A slight pallor appeared on the
cheeks of Nesleroy.
''You do not mean that she-your
daughter Frances-is already promis-
edr'
NO" answered Gordon II don't
know that she is, but | do know that
you are not the first who has asked for
her Even now you may be too late"
Impossible! | have seen no one Of
my-of her Own-statiOn near her"
"We in America" said Gordon, "1ook
upon this question of station or rank
with different eyes than yOu do. If n