The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-11-20
:antly related to the governor And,
'irca you are interested, I will tell you
the story as I know it, s.-.y

IAC OCOAy L AuoW L..
"Oh, there is a story, then" thought
So"
There is a story, and it is one which
the governor would not like to have
brought into prominence while the
princess is here. The elder brother Of
NeslerOv married Alexandra, a cousin
of Princess Olga. This was something
like tWenty-three or twenty-four years
ago. No; I think it must be twenty
five or six. Well, they were well mated,
those two. Prince Alexis was the heir
to the great estate of Graslov and his
hereditary title, besides being Prince
Neslerov, was Duke of Graslov A
year or so after this happy marriage
son was born to this couple. He was
named Alexis, after his father. He
was fine young fellow, SO I 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 quarrel with Princess
Alexandra. Her branch of the family
was not friendly to his and things did
not go right, and they quarreled. Just
what that had to do with the story I
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 favorite 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 old, or perhaps less, was drowned
in the Kama. At least that is what
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 serfs he had seen and was
going to take a river bath. However,
the body was never found and the
poor princess was broken hearted. In
year she, too, died, and at the time
her branch of the NeslerOvs charged
foul play. 1t was openly said they ac-
cused the old duke and Prince Nicho-
las of having murdered her. It was
not proved and was not tried. The two
branches remained at feud. The old
duke died and Prince Nicholas entered
used the title probably out of con-
sideration for the feelings of his rela-
tives.
"Now we come down to the present
day. 1t was openly charged by some
Of the other Neslerovs that the serv-
ants of the house of Graslov were in
volved, and it was thought at one time
that certain others not of the house
hold knew something. Among these
was the family Of an ironworker,
Michael Paulpoff, consisting Of himself,
his wife and a child. But the Paul
potts disclaimed all knowledge, and
were so stupid and innocent looking
that they were dropped from consid-
GRAFTON. But it seems that an enmity
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 &C.
cursed American came and was inter-
ested. He swore he would fasten this
murder upon Neslerov 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.
Neslerov declares he is innocent, but
the power and influence Of her family,
if Joined with the efforts of the Ameri-
can and the Paulpoffs, might destroy
him. Am understoodW
ayes, perfectly. Neslerov is ours, and
we are his. We must be loyal. Let the
prisoners remain in the dungeons until
we are free to act. Then-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
through the upper corridor when she
was startled by shadow as of man.
A 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
was about to pass on. She stopped him.
lieutenant" she said, "this is my
room. I wish to speak to you alone.''
He hesitated. He knew that she was
the Princess Olga. He knew she would
not seek his presence for pleasure. He
feared the displeasure Of Neslerov, but
the winning beauty of Olga CONQUERED.