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

Tell me-"
Therese was sitting in Il chair, her
face white and drawn, and in her eyes
was a bewildered look
at was not so much what | heard,
princess, as what l knew and suspect
ed" she answered.
81 know what you know l suspect
what you suspect. Tell me what you
heard" she said sternly.
1T was in the serfs' hall" she said
in reply to the princess. Il was eat
ing; no one seemed to ask who l was,
and they talked as servants do. Nladi-
mir Paulpon is in danger of his life"
Princess Olga gave a start, but re-
covered her composure.
go on" she said. Tell me all"
at seems there is an Americana do
not remember what they called him
but he is an American who builds
bridges over the rivers for the new
railway. He knows Vladimir PaulpOff.
He is also a friend of that American
girl-you remember-we met at the
fair in Moscow"
IduCbS tuOIubu / ItllltlllptI DtI
She gave literally to the charities.
Welly
1T would seem from what | heard
that the governor is in love with her,
and that she rejected him. These
things are well known among the serv-
ants. 1t seems the American and Ne
slerov had n fight and Neslerov was
injured"
"He told me he fell from a horse.
Go on"
"It is believed among the servants
that Vladimir is also in love with the
American girl and that she is in love
with him. And the Americana don't
know-but he may be in love with her
also"
"Three lovers. She is fortunate-no,
| would say most unfortunate. With
sne true and honorable lover any wo-
man is fortunate. but with three-and
one like Neslerov! 1t is too much"
you do not seem to suspect where
the picture came from"
''Do you mean the oil painting of my
eousin, the Princess Alexandria"
81 mean it. You say it hangs on the
wall of Neslerovs room. 1t is undoubt-
edly the one painted by Vladimir"
"And when Vladimir and his parents
were sent to Siberia Neslerov took the
painting|
Eyes. Vladimir is talented, as you
know-at least as l have told you"
"Then Vladimir must be near this
place"
Therese shuddered again.
"He is--he is in the dungeons under
this palace" she whispered in terror.
A sudden change came over the prin-
cess. She walked in agitation to and
fro across the room.
"Then Neslerov must suspect that
Vladimir holds the key to the mystery
of Graslov," she said, stopping again
before Therese.
81 do not know what he thinks. The
American also is here under charge
of conspiring against the car"
"Oh, then it becomes clearer. These
Americans are shrewd. This one, per-
haps, in order to crafty his love of
truth, has set himself the task of dis
covering the truth about Graslov."
"Who knows" asked Therese. But
how would he know anything about
the mystery of Graslov?"
"True, but you say Vladimir and the
American girl are in love. Vladimir
may have discovered something and
old the girl. She may have told the
American, who may not be a lover, but
l friend She may have enlisted his
Efforts in the task of unraveling the
nystery."
'Tt is possible"
what else did you hear?'
Nothing; that is all. The American
vas arrested as he was about to leave
or Perm. Vladimir was brought from
iyoloffsky, a small village near here"
"By the orders Of NeslerovT
1T must be, since they are in the
ungeons Of his palace"
"And that is all you heard"
"All-everything."
at is enough to place me upon the
ght scent. You must not, however,
we way to these fits of unconscious
ass. Be stronger, be brave"
1T is all very well, princess; but If
~ had lived for twenty years with
e horror Of that crime Overshadow-
G you, with a constant fear of the 81
arian mines weighing upon you, you
ould not be calm"
Poor woman! l appreciate your
elings In the matter. But try to main
In your composure, for one mistake
w, the slightest suspicion on the part
NeslerOv, may destroy the efforts we
We made during the last two years"
Six months, princess
For you, since your husband died. 1
We been working upon this mystery
ICE / returned from Paris two years
0. If God spares my life, | will
ange the crime that was committed
linst our branch of the NeslerOvs."
hat evening the princess met Nesle-
in the dining room with no show OF
otiOn. Her smile was as winning
her wit as sharp as ever.
| have not seen you during the aft
tOOn, lalf cousin, Salu NCSlerON.
ut have not forgotten you. l have
gathering the resources of Tomsk
give you . fitting welcome TO our
7. Tomorrow night there will be a
option and fete here in your honor"
TOmorroT night? That is quickly
e."
t does not take long to arrange such
ding here We have 50 few social
lsures that when the opportunity
Irs we grasp it greedily. The Off
Of the garrison and the head Otii
:, with their families, will attend.
must not expect TO see the grand
of a fete in St. Petersburg or Par
would weary me-" said Olga.
le perfecting arrangements for the
made Nesleroy hurry away, and
was soon left to herself. She had
lyed upon certain plans, but the
gity of the palace in the prepara
for the coming festivities seemed
ned to balk her She rOamed
Tub tho srra3t r,,rDc oInua scau-