Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-10-28
it-two-three and four times from

it-two-three and four times from
memory. and always alike"
At this juncture the old woman re-
turned with picture in frame. 81
lently she handed ii to NeslerOv. He
sat with it in his hands. gazing down
hungrily upon the features he knew so
well. 1t showed two things-first.
that there was, undeveloped In the
young man. n talent that would make
him famous IL ii ever got a chance; Sec
ond, that he must have the picture OF
the girl indelbly in his mind to paint
so true q picture from memory. And,
knowing Frances Gordon, Neslerov
knew that this man was a most dan
gerous rival for her hand.
"But that is not all he has DONE" said
the old woman eXultingly.
"Pshaww exclaimed Papa Paulpof.
"He has done nothing else worth men
tioning."
Vladimir looked up in surprise and
caught a swift look Of warning flashed
from Michaeps eyes to those of his
wife. The warning fash was also seen
by Neslerov, and his curiosity was
whetted.
"Surely this cannot be ALL" he said.
"Such a talent must have an outlet.
| There must be something else. Come.
l will look at all you have and buy
what want"
"But not that" replied Vladimir. II
| could not sell that
"But another Of the same face"
mo, | could not sell that face
"Then let me see something else
something as good as this-and | will
buy it."
"There is another woman's face
began Mamma Paulpoff.
"Yes, and rs beautiful face as this
but a Russian" added Vladimir. 1T
was picture. Papa Paulpoff had it..
I found it one day and painted one
| from it."
"Show 1t to me-" said Neslerov.
His eyes were fixed on the face of
Vladimir with something like fear IN
them now. He glanced from one tc
another of the group.
Papa Paulpof showed evidences of
nervousness, but Vladimir was eager
to satisfy the prince. lie sent the old
woman for the other portrait.
She brought it and placed it in the
hands of the prince. At the first glance
| his face went white to the very lips
| His hands shook. His franc trembled
Good heavensw was breathcd under
his mustache. The words were moi
heard, but the manner Of the man die
not escape Papa Paulpoff.
"Who IS this-it Is a beautiful WON.
an-but her name" asked NeSlerov
and his voice had turned suddenly
hoarse in spite of the effort to control
| himself.
81 found small picture one day aft
er party of mobiles passed by" an
swered Papa Paulpoff.
A swift glance Of suspicion shot from
the eyes Of Neslerov to the face of Papa
| Paulpoff. But the old mans face was
| perfectly impassive.
81 will buy this. Name your price,
said the prince. And l will buy the
other, the one you found"
"Alas, II is lost" exclaimed Papa
Paulpoff. ut was in a small house we
had years ago, and it burned down."
"And the picture destroyed"
"Alas, yes. 1t was SO pretty. a noble
woman, perhaps even princess" said
Papa Paulpof. u wept Ike child
when 1t was lost"
Tears came into his eyes now at the
remembrance Of 1t.
"I will buy this. How much do 20
ask for it?" he asked of Vladimir.
"On second thoughts. it Is not Ter
sale" Vladimir answered.
"I do not wonder" he said. 1T is
beautiful face. We do not have them
in this part Of RUSSIA. In st. Peters
burg, perhaps"
He shot a glance at Papa Paulpoff
as he spoke, but the old man was bend
ing down putting the hot shoe on the
horses hoof.
The Job finished, there remained
nothing but to pay the Paulpoffs ana
depart. The prince did this, bade them
q pleasant farewell, mounted his steed
and rode away.
Explain the mystery cried Nladi-
mir. "You have not lost the picture.
You commanded me never to lose II!
WHY the lie about the tire!'
"The picture" replied Papa Paulpolf,
turning white under his thick beard
sis that of a noble lady who was n
friend Of my family and whom we as
children worshiped as a saint. do
not want to lose it. That prince SEEM
ed to know who she was. ana dld not
want him to get the picture. so lied.
Old woman, what about that dinner!
"It awaits" said Mamma Paulpof.
"Then come. | am famished. If one
sneaks TO me to disturb NE eating, !
will use my foot
once at the table. Papa Paulpof at
tackled the meal with the rude manners
of the uneducated Russian. and the old
woman sat with downcast eyes eating
her own meal.
Vladimir. though devoured by curios-
ity. knew the pccularlties OF the old
man and ate in silence.
fro BE Continued