Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-11-27

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"Yes,, d beautiful one" '"a' t'''' -.''
vf aThat is Princess Olga Of thG great
and powerful Neslcroys. She is dis
family related to the governor. And,
Since you are interested, | will tell you
the story as l know it" m .llr4 .
"Oh, there is a story, then. Thought.
So" rr.,..
"There is y story. and it is one which,
the governor would not like to have
brought into prominence wlfile the.
princess is here. The elder brother of
NcSlcrov ma a4Eicd sAIeNandra, u cousin
Vt Princess vaga. This WAS something
ike twenty Aree 81 twentyrfour years
ago. NO; [ think it must be twenty
five or six. Well they were well mated,
those two. Ppiuce Alexis was the heir
the great estate of Graslov and his
hereditary title, besides being Prince
NeslcrDy,, was Duke of GraSloy, a
year OF, so after this happy marriage
son was born to this couple. He was
named Alexis. after his father. He
was a fine young fellow, SO | have
heard, and grew sturdily. When he
was year old, or perhaps two, Prince
Alexis died. Now, it so happened that
the old Duke of Graslov, who was still
living. had had a quarrel with Princess
Alexandra. Her branch of the family
was not friendly to his, and things did
not 90 right. and they quarreled. Just
what that had to do with the story |
do not know. but | am telling YOU what
everybody in Perm knew at that time.
at that time Prince Nicholas, now
governor of TomSk, was fifteen years
of age, and was the fayorite of his
father. 1t was commonly reported that
the duke preferred to see his younger
son inherit the title and estate rather
than have it go to the son of the prin-
cess. Anyway, one day, twenty years
ago. the young prince then about three
years GIu, or perhaps less, was drowned
was said The boy wandered away
from his nurse and walked to the
river Some Of his garments were
found on the river bank, and it would
seem as though the little fellow had
intended to follow The example of the
boys of the scrfs he had seen and was
going to take river bath. However
the body was never found and the
poor princess was broken hearted. In
q year she. too, died. and at the time
her branch of the NeslerOvS charged
foul play Ii WIS openly said they ac-
cused The old duke and Prince Nicho-
las of having murdered her. 1t was
not proved ana was not tried. The two
branches remained at fcud. The old
duke died ana Prince Nicholas entered
into his Inheritance, but he has not
used the titie, probably out of con
sidcration for the feelings of his rela-
tivcS.
Now we come down to the present
day. 1t was openly charged by some
of the other NcsieroyS that the serv-
ants of the house of Graslov were in
volycd. ana il was thought at one time
that certain others not of the house
hold knew something. Among these
was the family of an ironworker
Michael Pau.poff, consisting of himself,
his wife ana Il child But the Paul
poffs discIaimod all knowledge, and
were so stupid and innocent looking
that they were dropped from consid-
Grafton. But it seems that an cnmity
has long existed in their obscure minds
against the governor, and they have
been secretly working TO fasten the
murder of Princess Alexandra upon
him. Whether they knew anything at
the time or whether some one dying
told them. | do not know. Certain it
is that they have some knowledge they
will use against our governor. They
were sent TO Siberia and were unable
to work at the mystery. But this ac-
cursed American came and was inter
cSted. He sworc he would fasten this
murder upon Ncslcroy because Ne
slerov had loved that American girl,
daughter Of Gordon, the engineer.
Now YOU see why the American, Den
ton, and the powerful young black
smith were arrested, and why, even
though in the dungeons, nothing more
can be done until this princess leaves.
Ncslerov declares he is innocent, but
the power and influence of her family,
if joined with the efforts of the Ameri-
can and the Paulpolfs, might destroy
him. Am l understood"
"Yes, perfectly. Ncslerov is ours, and
we are his We must be loyal. Let the
prisoners remain in the dungeons until
we are free to act. Thcn-well, even
now we might forget to send them
food"
THAT, Unsgethop, is the very idea.
The princess will dance merrily upon
this floor while they starve to death
on the one below"
The two police officers chuckled, and
Olga, having learned enough, crept
back to her room. She was passing
the upper corridor when she
was startled by a shadow as of a man.
\ young officer in command of the
palace guard was making his rounds.
He stopped short when he saw the prin-
cess; then, discreet as all young officers
about the palace were. he saluted and
W
"Licutcuant." she said. this is my
room. l wish to speak to you alone"
He hcsitatcd. lie knew that she was
the Princess Olga. He knew she would
not seek his presence for pleasure. He
feared the diSplcasure Of Neslerov, but
the winning beauty of Olga conquered,
and he slipped into her room.
"What is your nameE' she asked, her
manner turning ut once to that of the
stern woman of business.
"Michacl Dcrmsky, princess"
"Your position|
"Lteutonant Of the guard"
"How would you like to be n major
of cav0lryE'
"Maior Of cavalry! Such a promotion
Mt my agu-fr0m a lieutenant?