Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-11-06
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THE MYSTERY
L OF GRASLOY |
By Ashley Towne
Copyright, 1901, by
ChaHcS B. EthCrjugtou
CONTINUED from last week.
CHAPTER VI.
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"a dow showed Frances that the
II " car had come to stop near
new bridge over a branch of
the Irish. Involuutarily she sighed
for the man who had built that bridge
Denton, whose eye was keen and
steady, whose muscles were of iron.
But Denton was miles farther on,
at the Obi.
"Now," said Neslerov, rs the girl
sank back in her seat, ''Ict US face this
situation, my dear. Let Us realize the
true significance. We are practically
alone. you and I. Save for the poor
wretches in that village yonder we
are the only people ON this earth just
now. Can you realize the fulIncss of
that statement? You are mine-abso-
lutely and wholly mine
ooh, you cur. You coward" eX-
claimed Frances Her hand went as if
by instinct toward that pocket from
which she had drawn her revolver ON
a previous occasion. Neslerov saw her
face turn whittier still, and he laughed
pleasantly.
"Of course | guarded against that
lie said. Il knew you would, with
your American impulsiveness, try to
shoot me again SO. while you slept, l
quietly took your little toy pistol from
your pocket | have it here This, l
believe, deprives you Of the power to
do any more mischief"
"Oh, you miserable coward. You
thiefr said Frances in a tense voice.
Il wish there was a good American
fist here to strike that grinning face
of yours
Undoubtedly" said Neslerov, with
an exasperating coolncss, that would
be pleasant for you, but it would be
unfortunate for the American who
owned the fist one blow-pestc! lie
would be torn apart by my agreeable
savages yonder."
She could not resist the temptation
to follow his finger as it pointed
through the window on his side of the
car. \ short distance, on the banks Of
the stream, she saw a wretchcd miser-
able village of rude huts. Men and wO-
men, dressed in leather, undressed
skins, heavy cloths from Moscow meT-
chants, stood in groups, all with their
faces toward the car.
"W2re TO say the word said Nesle-
rov, "these people would tear you limb
from limb and would perform the same
agreeable service for any fool who at
tempted to interfere between us"
"MonSterr she gaSDed
"Of course l am a monster to you"
he said. "All Russians are monsters
to those who do not like US. We may
have our little pccuIiarities. One Of
them is that what we cannot get by
fair means we get some other way. l
spoke to your father, and | spoke to
you. | offered the honest love Of
Russian prince. l was spurned. But
now the game is mine, and | shall win.
You shall become my wife before your
father has time to return from the
Obi"
"Never! I would prefer to be torn
apart by your villagers"
"You believe that now while you are
in the heat Of anger, but n short period
of rest and contemplation will show
you the folly of your refusal. Think
of this l shall go out now and obtain
some food. We may remain here 4
week. Who knows? Before | leave
you | wish to say that until you CON
sent TO have the priest Of that village
make you my wife you shall not be per
mitted to leave this car. | much pre-
fer, as would any man, a willing bride;
but, denied this, | will compel you to
obey 1t will be the worse for you.
offered love-an affectionate embrace.
You refused. Now | command. Think
this matter settled only when we are
married"
"Neyer! You have my revolver and,
suppose, one of your own. Shoot me
if you Will | will not marry your
at will not be you | shoot. What do
you think your father will do when he
finds you are left bchind|
Without doubt lie viii obtain a spe-
cial train and come here after me.
Then. Prince Neslerov, beware"
lie smiled like a wolf and showed his
teeth.
''That is what wanted you to say.
If when your father comes here you are
not my wife, will shoot him dead
"You dare not" she gasped.
81 dare anything. No report Of mine
would be discrcditcd at St. Petersburg.
| could prove that your father was a
conspirator against the government
and was shot willie fighting my sol
diers"
There is a government of the United
States Of American
True, but at n distance. | DO not
fear it. But consider what have said.
| will return with food"
He left the car, securing the doors
to prevent her escape When she saw
him striding toward the village, she
leaned against the window and studied
the rude people.
q am helpless absolutely helpless"
she moaned. ooh, if he had not taken
my revolver | could have shot him
or myself"
She looked about her for some meth
cd whereby she could, IT the need
should come, take her own life rather
than submit to his demands She
knew that if there were q priest in
this squaIid place he would obey Ne
sleroy, and humble some words per
fectly meaningless to her, but which
would give Eeslerov power over her.
She walked the length Of the apart
ment like Gagged lioness.
Women turned into their huts and
came out again. She saw Nesierov
start back toward the car carrying a
wooden tray. She shuddercd again.
God give me strength, courage,
calmncssn' she murmurcd. "To lose
consciousness would be to fall a vic
tim TO him"
She ncrved herself to meet him as
his footsteps sounded on the platform.
The door opened, and he entered with
n bowl of Cruel, some stcaming pota-
toes, roast fowl, coffee and some coarse
bread