Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-30

spoken thus, as with a man half mad
with fear.
"Heavens!" he said as he drank
again. "If he reaches Perm, and the
truth IL known, shall-what will be-
come Of meT'
He started as a light footstep sound
ed on the hard floor, and his hagsard
face grew paler as Princess Olga en-
tered.
"why are you awaken he asked
harshly. He was too excited to think
Of phrases.
81 could not sleep, and I knew you
were not in bed" she answered. II
came to talk"
He stared at her. In his eyes she
was as beautiful even as Frances Cor
don, but his danger made him think
her a tigress seeking to devour him.
Yet he dared not show 1t.
"Why are you aloneT asked Olga.
"You usually have Jansky, the super
intendent of police, with your"
"Jansky is away. A noted prisoner
has escaped and the superintendent
has gone to retake him."
81 heard a commotion. supposed It
was something Of that kind. Was 1t
a RussianT
"Yes-a nihilist."
II hope they will capture him."
"They will! They must! said Ne
slerov fercely.
Olgas eyes were veiled-they did
not betray her thoughts.
t. ntv,n
tenn that is new to me, and It will take
long for me to learn 1t all. I am al
ready weary with the little l have
done"
Better leave It alone. 1t is busi-
ness for men, not princesses." said Ne
slerov.
1.-THE study has made me wnkeful.
Bring me some wine."
He opened bottle.
at has puzzled me why you do not
marry" he said, trying to hide his
fear Of her as he poured out glass of
wine
"Why should II" she asked. II have
not yet found among the mobiles OF
Russia the man would marry"
what sort of man must he be to
please you. cousin?"
He was sparrng for time. Any hour
might bring Jansky back with Denton
Then he could play his part in safety
But with Denton at liberty he dared
not act.
ooh" said Olga ito please me man
must be honorable, strong and wise
He must not be bound by custom. mol
vet must he scorn it, There are ways
in the world we live in there are ways
of being great without being eccentric
and without following the lead Of 9th
ers. A man whom / love must be pa
tient and must not use his strength
against the weak"
A sarcastic smile crossed his lips.
"You must look outside Of Russia.
he said
Perhaps" she answered. But yor
have not pledged me. Must l drink
aloneT
His eyes snapped with the remem
brance that Jansky and Itzlg had beer
drugged. But she was so handsome. Sc
smiling. that no sign Of evil intent wal
in her face.
From your hand" be answered, will
a show Of gallantry.
She poured him a glass Of wine, ant
they drank. For a moment he waited
as II half expecting to fall asleep. Blu
the wine had no Ill effect. and the,
chatted on. But Neslerov grew NOR,
impatient as the night wore on. VIII.
~ ri i.t IN, ,iu ~,
talking to him? What was in he
mind? Was there another plot? H
paced to and fro in the room as h.
, spoke. When his back was turned. sh
made quick movement and dropped
something-not into the wine bottle
but into the bottle Of liquor from whicl
Neslerov drank.
81 think will retire." said the prln
cess. 1T Ia late, and perhaps cal
sleep now"
II hope You will find rest" be said.
She went out. Neslerov watched he
, with dark saturnine face. What di
she mean? He poured out liberia
q dose of liquor. The wine was too wea1
: for him. He needed something t
. steady his shaken nerves. He dram
2 It. In five minutes he was starin
Z blankly at himself in a glass.
i. what is this--this feeling"
@ muttered. "That she devil! am pc
soned! What trick is this? HelI
a Guard Lieutenant Of the guard"
. The young officer heard, and ran I
,. him.
your excellency called" he said.
= "Yes-qu:ck-I am poisoned-I ar
drowsy-br1ng Princess Olga-quick ~
. The lieutenant, wild with nppreheI
- sion. rushed to Olga's room.
y His excellency the governor want
=, you" he painted. "He is poisoned"
=. "He is not poisoned" answered dig
s calmly. "He is merely going to sleel
:, I want you to stay away from hin
and / want you to keep quiet"
The officer stared.
"What do you mean? He is Ill! Tn
governor called me and sent for you
~ am going to him, but you mu!
not"
Il "But must. 1t is my duty"
"Whom do you obey?"
II "Neslerov, governor of Tomsk.''
a 'Then from this moment you ODE
,e me. Read this!"
+ She placed before him the same p
r. per she had shown Dermsky, his fello
r. officer. His eyes started from his hea