The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-11-13

shuddered.
at Tomsk. may say to them that
your excellency is working to know the
truth?"
"You may"
The interview ended, and Mr.. Gordon
and Frances continued their journey.
The first person they saw when they
entered the train was Neslerov. The
mark made by Frances bullet was
still there, but he had not, to all ap-
pearances, been seriously injured. He
looked curiously at the two travellers,
as if wondering when the outbreak of
wrath from Gordon would come But
that gentleman walked up to him and
held out his hand.
"How do you do, your excellency?"
he said. 1--WE are going to Tomsk to-
gether, it seems"
Neslerov was almost stunned, but he
took the hand. Was it possible that
Frances had not told her father Of the
scene in Paulpoff's cottage?
1t was so, and Frances had her own
reasons. She loved the liberty she had
for years been permitted to enjoy But
she knew that if dangers and narrow
escapes came to her fathers ears her
liberty would soon come to an end.
1t was long journey, and a weary
one as we'll. Day after day they passed
through the same scenes, crossed riv-
ers on bridges that had been built by
Jack Denton. Frances old playmate,
and the strong structures perhaps caus-
ed her to think of the hardWorking
young man who built them and was
now planning very large and excel
lent bridge across the Obi. But what
ever was in Frances mind did not find
expression through her lips, for her IA
Their and Neslerov smoked and chatted
and played cards with two officers CO.
ing to garrisons on the border.
Frances said nothing more about the
prince, for in the place to which they
were going he was supreme, and to in
volye her father with him in quarrel
would have been to invite a disaster
similar to that which had Overtaken
the Paulpoffs.
Day after day Frances leaned her
head against the glass window and
watched the fitting scenes At last
they reached the Irish and crossed the
border into that province, which was al
most as much Neslerov's own as though
he were king.
There We're but few passengers by
that time, for the road had not been
finished. and the train must stop at the
Obi. Frances, half dreaming. lay back,
looking at the great expanse of tundra,
the new villages springing up, the old
nuts that We're now deserted and the
waste Of railway supplies along the
track.
The prince had asked her father to 20
into another car and smoke. This left
her alone, and she closed her eyes and
dozed
She woke up with a start. A hand
was on her shoulder. She saw Nesle-
rov bending over her. A smile of tri-
umph was on his face Frightened,
she glanced out of the window. The
car was still. She looked forward-the
rest of the train had gone on.
what has happened?' she cried,
leaping to her feet. where is the
train? Where is my father?'
speeding toward the Obi, my dear"
said Neslerov. Unfortunately, at this
point the couplings between this car
and the next were broken, and the off,
GERS of the train, not missing you or
me-for had just come in with cup
of coffee for you-left us and went on.
We are in wild place, surrounded by
various tribes of the remarkable ccl-
lection Of savages over whom am
governor. But am governor, and If
you will obey me 1 promise that you
will reach Tomsk in safety"
Frances leaned back weakly and
stared.
my father gone! she cried, and as
she looked out at the savage faces that
passed and looked at the car in wonder
she shuddered.
UNFORTUNATELY, your father was in a
forward car. It was with his consent
I came to you with coffee. Fear moth
ing, however. for, though we are in a