Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-11-18
CHAPTER VIII.
TUE INTERVIEW IN THE HUT,

THE INTERVIEW IN THE HUT.
~ RANGES lay on rude bed
scarcely conscious, and Den
ton stood q moment looking
down solemnly upon the lovely
upturned face. He bent over her, touch
ed her brow and felt her pulse. AL
sense of his own injuries seemed to
leave him as he saw her need Of imme,
diate care.
Frances felt his touch and looked up
at him with about the same expression
she might have worn had he been a
stern and high priced specialist called
in to make an examination.
"You are merely knocked out by the
shock" he said, with assumed inditTer,
ence. "You will probably be all right
as soon as we get to Tomsk."
"Yes. If l could get there" she whis-
pered. my father will be anxious"
1--WE must relieve his anxiety rs soon
as possible. You must not worry
what will you do? And Neslerov"
"Never mind Neslerov now. Keep
cool. You've got to be braced up a lit
tie. l wish had some wine"
There was some in the car" she an
swered. "Neslerov had 1t. He tried to
make me drink, but would not"
Denton went to the car. still on the
main track, and brought from it the re-
mains of the bottle Of wine Neslerov
had opened. This he took with him to
the hut and offered some to Frances.
II don't want it. l refused 1t before. y
she said.
"Oh. don't you want it," he asked
ironically. Il suppose in your keen and
subtle mind there Is no distinction be-
tween u glass of wine offered by Nesle-
rov when you were his prisoner and by
me when you are ILL.,"
81 did not mean that" she said meek
ly. She reached out her hand. took the
cup and drained ii.
"Now. then" said Denton. coolly seat
Ing himself on stool near her bed,
tell me this whole miserable business
from the beginning"
81 haven't thanked you yet Jack"
she said. with return of color.
Never mind thanking me. did
merely what any other American
would have done. and, seeing you In
danger, it would not have been manly,
indeed. to stand off. | accept your
thanks, but let's get to the business.
How did you happen to be herewith
Neslerov?"
"We were in Moscow" she said.
There was a meeting about the new
railway"
Yes. | know. That was what took
Neslerov there"
HE had an Interview with papa
while in Moscow-he"-
why do you hesitate? 1t is not
new experience to have man want
to marry you. is 1t: You gave him the
usual answer. | suppose"
"Oh. Jack! There was but one an.
swer papa could give him. | do not
like the prince, and papa knows will
never marry a man do not love-"
Everybody knows that-who knows
YOU" said Denton soberly.
"He told him about you-and about
vladimir-and the prince got angry"
About Vladimir! Who is he:"
"Vladimir Paulpoff. an ironworker.
now sent
"Never mind, we will get to that
afterward. You started for the Obi,
where Gordon is to take a house In
Vashlov."
"No. not yet. must tell you about
yladimir-poor fellow! | met him In
the forge-in his Shop-one day while
the railway was being put through
Perm. Papa and went there. He is
a marvellous man, Jack. You would
think as much Of him as ! do If you
knew him. He is SO handsome and
strong. He is"-
"Do you mean young Paulpof. the
blacksmith Of Perm?"
ayes. Jack. Do you know bim?
"I've had him turn ou, souie iron for
small bridges. Wel!:'
HE is so intelligent. and was Sc
anxious to learn, TO improve, | helped
him. l used to send him books. pa
pers. magazines, scientific works-any-
thing l could get hold of that would
help him. He studied hard. poor fel-
low, He grew to-I think he loved me
he
"Of course you returned his affec-
tion. You've done 1t sol mean 1t
came quite easy"
Tears glistened in her eyes, and she
turned away her head. She had quar-
relied with this man and had said she
would never marry him. and their
friendship had been almost cut asun-
der. But he had saved her from Ne
slerov. Now he was chiding her.
Zone could not know Vladimir with
out admiring him." she said suddenly,
with great accession Of spirit. Il fail
to see why should be put through this
catechism by you"
you needn't be If you don't want
to-" he answered coldly. This is a
nice, quiet village. Neslerov is lying
not far away, somewhat cut up now.
but he will get over that. could go
on my way and leave you II my ques-
tions are distasteful. The thing Is that
there must be an explanation to this
affair, and I'd like to know what 1t Is
to be. 1t is no trifling matter to cut
the governor Of Russian province to
pieces"
"Have you been fighting" she asked
quickly.
NO" he replied. with tinge Of sar-
casm. "Neslerov and I INDUCED in q
few pleasantries. He doesn't feel as
gay over them as do; that's all"
"Oh, l see your hand is bandaged-I
never noticed it. Oh, Jack, forgive mew
1--WE were following course Of in
T1f C~nnec Tsseod