Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-10-22
By AShley Towne

Frances stepped to the door and push
ed 1t open.
"Ohw she cried.
She had opened the door on Prince
Nicholas Neslerov. who stood there
about to depart. evidently, with paint
ing under his arm.
"Mlle. Gordon" be said, with a bow
and smile.
"Where are the Paulpoffs" she ask
ed.
"Why. you have not then, been In
formed Of their misfortune?"
"AIisfortune! l knew nothing Of any
misfortune. What has happened?"
"They are dead"
Dead! All the Paulpoffs dead! I'm
possible! Papa Paulpoff and Mamma
Paulpofr might die. they were 80 old
but Vladimir! Impossible! So younl
and powerful! Nothing but the weapon
o. an enemy could kill him In this
healthy place..
81 spoke as we speak. mademoiselle
The Paulpoffs are not really dead. W.
speak Of q man who Is caught in crime
and s"nt off-exiled-as dead. He II
dead to his friends and to the world
You understand"
Frances stood rigid and white, tht
package of books forgotten In th'
hands of the drosky driver. Her nails
bit into the tender flesh Of her clinch
ed hands. Her eyes studied the face
of the governor Of Tomsk.
"Vladimir has not been caught In any
crime" she said, with sort Of gasp
impossible! He w:.' 50 simple and
honest! What crimc!"
Conspiracy against his imperial
majesty the car"
"And where Is he now"
"On the way to Siberia"
"Siberia! Vladimir Paulpoff sent to
Siberia! And where are his parents?'
zone in a family taken red handed
condemns all. The old people are also
On their way to Siberia"
Frances swayed little. She had
studied Russian customs and Russian
Justice and shuddered as she realized
the horrible torture in store for these
simple work people who had never, she
| felt convinced, harbored an evil thought
against any man. To her they had al
ways spoken in terms of loyalty and
praise of the car.
The face Of Neslerov was inscrutable
He held the picture loosely and care
lessly, and the girl caught glimpse OF
the face.
"That Is Vladimlrs picture! she
cried. "What are you doing with it?"
81 am sending 1t to him." was the re-
ply Of Neslerov. ut so happened that
I had occasion to visit my chateau near
Graslov and rode by here at the time
the inspector of police was making the
arrest. remembered what you said to
me at Moscow and tried to do what
could for the poor fellow. at first doubt.
ing his guilt. But the inspector was
certain, and so all that was left to me
was to ask Vladimir what favor
could perform for him. He asked me
to send him this picture, and l have ar
ranged with the governor Of Perm tc
permit it to be passed along to him"
"It is n beautiful face" said Frances
"Vladimir has the soul of a great art
list in him. But in Siberia he"-
She shuddered and ended her sen
tence abruptly.
"I have done more for him, for you,
continued Neslerov. There Is another
picture-he painted from memory.
have arranged to purchase it for good
price. and he shall not lose the money
promised him. 1t was beginning tC
certain steps had thought Of to assist
him."
"My own face" cried Frances In as
tonishment as Neslerov showed the
second picture.
eyes. and the remarkable part Of 1t Is
1t tool: him but short time. describ
ed you, and he remembered you, and
between the two he managed a very
creditable work. I shall cherish this
picture while live.
"My picture" murmured the cir
again. looking at the sweet yet strong
young face the blacksmith artist hat
placed upon the canvas. "And all from
memory"
"Yes. from memory and my descrip
ton" said NeSlerov. Your face Is sc
indellbly imprinted upon my memory
that could describe each line, eacf
feature. with the utmost accuracy"
She looked at him in astonishment.
He had made frequent attempts t.
make love to her, but she had Away:
skillfully repulsed him. That this coult
be true-that this man whose life wa
one round of pleasure should have he
face so impressed upon his mind seem
ed to her incredible.
"But you will befriend him." she said
without answering his remark. "Yo'
are powerful in Russia. A large par
Of Siberia Is under your control. Yo'
can make the life Of the Paulpof
pleasant there If you wish"
He bowed. and his eyes were hiddel
from her.
believe me, | have already takel
} steps to befrend them. In Tomsk ther
Is great need Of such ironworkers nov
that the railroad has gone beyond TIN
} Obi, and have sent my petition to TIN
minister Of justice to have them sen
to Tomsk. They will not be treated q
convicts. but as honorable workers"
what was the crime" asked Fran