The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-10-30

AOh, the blacksmith Of Perml'' ex.
claimed Gordon, with q slight GOODNESS
In his voice, as though he did not relish
having the story told him by the prince.
Il am fully aware Of all that"
docs Frances docs your daughter
love that MANI"
Goodness, no! She is interested. she
likes him and is trying to help him.
Through pity, suppose, and pity
soon leads to love-" d.
"Well," said Gordon, laughing, IF it
does in this case neither you nor I can
prevent it.. l am sure, however, the
girl is fancy free, and, as for him, he
is too simple and sensible to look upon
their friendship as more than ordinary.
They met in this way: When the road
was crossing into Tobolsk, I wanted
some peculiar ironwork done, and she
went with me. The stature and strength
and the handsome face of the young
ironworker pleased her. and she talked
with him. She saw that he was a
magnificent specimen of man and fit
ted by nature to adorn higher station.
She is trying to assist him in improv-
ing himself"
"You take this very coolly," said the
prince. 'But, being Russian, perhaps
our customs are so different that this
free intercourse between a girl like
your daughter and mere ironworker
seems more to me than to you. Then
you assure me there is nothing more
than mere friendship between these
two"
mo, do not assure you Of anything
of the kind. I do not know. I think,
though, if there was Frances would tell
me. If there is, she will have her way
if there is not. the same"
'But if this blacksmith asked her ia
marry him would you consent?'
'I'd have to-"
''Do you consider such a thing prob.
able?
''Prince, know as little about it as
you do. There was only one man-Jack
Denton-that I wanted for a son-in.
law, and she won't have him. Now, !
know little about her plans, if she has
any. She might fall in love with you
in which case I could not prevent her
marrying you. If she does not fall in
love with you, could not compel he1
to marry you if would
Il am pleased at your candor," re.
piled the prince. II shall soon have an
opportunity to speak to her myself. ]
trust that this conversation will not in.
terrupt our friendship"
Nonsense! I appreciate the honor
you have done my girl. But unless she
loves you your case is hopeless"
The prince bowed and took his depar
ture, and Gordon, laughing, turned into
the hotel.
''I'll have to tell her." he said. Then
with sudden resolve: mo, I won't
either. need the friendship Of the
prince, and if she knows he wants tc
marry her who can tell what trouble il
may cause?"
AS Neslerov was leaving the hotel he
met Frances returning from drive.
~ am pleased to see you, Prince
Neslerov," she said, Offering her hand.
"And am always glad to meet you
Mile. Gordon he replied. did yor
enjoy your driven
ayes, but did not go far. I visited
several baZaars where books are sold
See, I have quite number of pur
cbases."
"You love books as we'll as action"
II love them-yes. But these are fol
a friend, young man fitted by nature
to adorn higher station than the one
to which he was born. I send. him
books, and he studies. You could help
him, prince. With your power, your
influence, you could do much for him
I refer to Vladimir Paulpoff, the black.
smith Of Perm"
"You are very kind to my poor coun
tryman," said the prince, with smile
ITO please you will make it my bust
ness to see this blacksmith, and il
there is any way in which 1 may be OF
use in assisting him along the lines
you suggest I shall be pleased to dc
so.' i
She thanked him and passed on into
the hotel.