Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-12-11
M hnn . shn answered.

dom but hia danger made nm lAIilh
her "a ttgrcss seeking to dcvour hlIh.
Yet ne dared not show it.
"Why are you alone| asked olga.
You usually have Jansky, the super
mlrmlrut of police, with your
"Jausky is away. \ noted prisoner
has escaped and the superintendent
has gone to rctake him.
Il heard a cOmmotion. 1 supposed it
was something Of that kind. Was it
q Eu~~ianE
"Ios-a uihilist.'
Il hope they viii capture him.
They will. They must" said Ne
slcrov fcrccIy.
Olga's eyes were veiled-they did
not bctray her thoughts.
There is much concerning this sys-
TEN that is new to me, and it will take
long for me TO learn it all. l am =
ready weary with the little l have
done
Better leave it alone. 1t is bust
ness for men, not princcsscs,' said Ne
sIerov.
THE study has made me wakeful.
Bring me some wine
He opened a bottle.
at has puzzled me why you do not
marry" he said trying to hid" his
fear of her as he poured out a glass of
wine
"Why should - She asked q have
not yet found am6 the mobiles cf
Russia the man I would marry"
"What sort of man must he be to
please you, cousinE"
He was sparring for time. Any hour
might bring JansIly back with Denton.
Then he could play his part in safety.
But with Denton at liberty he dared
not act.
"Oh," said Olga, ''to please me man
must be honorable, strong and wise.
He must not be bound by custom, nor
vet must he scorn it. There are ways
in the world we live in there are ways
of being great without being eccentric
and without following the lead of 9th
crs. \ man whom | love must be pa
tient and must not use his strength
against the weak"
\ sarcastic smile crossed his lips.
you must look outsido Of Russia"
he said.
Perhaps" she answered. But you
have not pledged me- Must l drink
alone:"
His eyes snapped with the remem-
brance that Jansky and Itaig had b. en-
dragged. BUT she was so handsome, "
smiling. that no sign of evil intent was
in her face.
From your hand" he answered, with
a show Of gallanry.
She poured him a glass of wine, and
they drank. For Il moment he waited,
as if half expecting TO fall asleep. But
the wine had no i'll effect, and they
chattcd on But Neslcrov grew more
impatient as the night wore on. Why
did this girl persist in staying up and
talking to him? What was in her
mind? Was there another plot? lie
paced TO ana fro in the room as he
spoke. When his back was turned. she
made a quick movement and dropped
something into the wine bottle,
but into the bottle of liquor from which
Neslcrov drank.
Il think | will retire" said the prin-
cess. 1T is late. and perhaps | can
sleep now"
Il hope YOU will find rest he said.
She went out Ncslerov watched her
with a dark. saturnine face. What did
she mean? He poured ont n liberal
dose of liquor. The wine was too weak
for him. He needed something to
steady his shaken nerves. lie drank
it, In five minutes he was staring
blankly at himself in a glass.
"What is this-this fceling:" he
muttered. THAT she devil. | am poi
soned! What trick is this? Help!
Guard, Lieutenant Of the guard"
The young officer heard, and ran to
him
Your cXcellency called" he said.
'Yes-quick-I am poisoned-I am
drowsy-briug Princess Olga-uuick"
The lieutenant wild with apprehen-
sion, rushed to Olga's room.
His cNceilcncy the governor wants
you.' he painted "He is poisoned"
"IIe is not poisoned" answered Olga
calmly. He is merely going to sleep.
l want you to stay away from him,
and | want you to keep quiet"
The officer stared.
''What do you mean? He is i'll! The
governor called me and sent for you"
Il am going to him, but you must
not"
But must. 1t is my duty"
"Whom do You obey"
"Neslerov. "or."nor Of Tomsk."
"Then from tbs moment you obey
me Read this"
She placed before him the same pa
per she had shown Dcrmsky, his fellow
officer His eyes started from his head
"The seal Of the czarw he cried, and
he, like Dermsky, fell to his knees. q
obey-command me-" he exclaimed.
Remain quiet. did not come to
Iomsk for nothing. This night Will
mean much to Russia Work will Ike
done Chat viii right a terrible wrong.
All you need do is to remain quiet and
do not attempt to interfere"
Il dare not" he said You have the
seal of the czar, 1t commands all to
obey YOU, | obey"
She left him. staring ana wondering,
ana went to NcSlerov. The governor
was dropping. lie opened his eyes as
she entered.
You" ne nissed as he tried to regain