Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-12-03

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passengers, mostly officers and
convicts or men connected with the
railway. We're two women. One of
these was about fifty years of age,
tin and subdued in appearance, and
her face bore the marks of suppressed
anxiety. The other was scarcely more
than girl-twenty at most-but her
carriage was noble, and her entire ap-
pearance that of one born to command.
Her lovely face and well shaped head
rose above collar of ermine, although
It was not winter.
ITO the palace Of Neslerov, governor
of Tomsk," she said to drosky
driver, and she and her companion
were soon on the way.
Neslerov was Mt dinner when serv-
ant announced the Princess Olga.
"What about the Princess Olga?" he
asked
1.-THE princess is here-she has asked
to see your eXcellency."
Here! Olga Neslerov, herew rising
from the table. He had improved much
in the last few days, and his face wore
calm look that had not been there
since his meeting with Denton.
He found the princess in the recep
ton room.
princess Olga!" he exclaimed, kiss.
ing her hand. Fair cousin, what hap
py circumstance brought you here?
And why have you come unannounced
and unattended"
II saw no reason to herald my ap-
proach," she answered, land am not
unattended. This is my attendant"
The woman courtesied and looked
uncomfortable, but Nesleroy paid her
not the least attention.
well, since you are here, am pleas
ed to see you," said the governor.
''Your branch of the Neslerov family
and mine have rot been too friendly. l
am glad that at last one of you has had
the grace to begin reconciliation"
Princess Olga smiled.
"Whatever feeling my branch OF the
family may lave for yours could scarce
~ be said to interest me-" she said.
Remember, have spent much of my
time out of Russia, and-it happened
twenty years ago."
Neslerov turned to the door and then
stopped.
"You refer to the unfortunate mys-
terry of Graslov," he said soberly. ut
was that, fear, that ruptured the
former friendships. Yet have insist
ed and proved that our family was not
to blame. 1t was either an accident or
was done by our enemies. Pardon me!
I was so glad to see you that forgot
that you must be weary after your
Journey. Let me have you shown your
rooms, and / will order dinner for you
when you wish"
THANK you. We are both hungry.
will join you in ten minutes, and The.
reese will be ready to go to the servants
dining room In that time"
"You have become n regular cosmo-
politan," laughed Neslerov. "Your Wis
Its to America and London have almost
taken away the traces Of our Russian
habits"
"Some Of them could be well dispens.
ed WITH" she answered.
In response to his summons servant
appeared and conducted the women to
their rooms.
'Now, what devilish luck could have
brought her here at this timer" said
Nesleroy to himself. 81 must be eau
tious. But 1t is so long-she was not
born-she can know nothing. But
must be discreet"
well, we are here" said the prin.
cess to her companion when they were
alone. Nov, obey me; let me do the
planning. Neslerov must not suspect
us. 1t would ruin oil, and there is nc
telling what he might do. The govern
or of q province in Siberia Is almost
supreme"
Her attendant shuddered.
81 lived in dread of Siberia for TWEEN
ty years!' she said, with shudder
"And now you have brought me here"
"But not as a convict-as friend, 6
woman. like myself, resolved to right
q wrong"
The princess was soon ready anG
Joined the governor in the dining room
II have just been thinking, Olga" he
said, his face wreathed with smiles
that 1t Is at least three years since We
met. Your face has not changed much
but you are now a woman and WERE
then little girl You are one of thu
most beautiful women in Russia"
"Thank YOU"
"And, might say, the richest"
NEARLY so. But the wealth bring
its responsibilities. 1t is difficult IL
Russia to do those things that are jus
and proper with our wealth."
81 never found it so," said the gov
ernor. with n laugh.
"Perhaps." said Olga. you are no
interested In the question. To me it Il
q burning one. Our mobiles have to-
much wealth and our lower classel
have too little opportunity to rise. 1t Il
not SO in England, France or Ameri
ca"
"You had better leave those question
for older heads, princess. You will be
come involved with the government be
fore you know, You were not born tt
waste your beauty and talents in sucl
matters. You We're born to be admired
to enjoy your wealth."
81 do enjoy my wealth and do wha
coed an. DO with it. AS to bein,
adai.ie,i. meet few from whom ADM
ration seems to come with sincerity"
"Qb. as to that. you cannot expect 4