Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-10-09
THE MYSTERY |
Il OF GRASLOV |
By Ashley Towne
Copyright, 1901, bU
Charles B. EtheringtOn

vVVSEyvYvVVvvVYvVvvYvVvs
Continued from last week.
CHAPTER II.

Gordon had come TO make the chance
acquaintance OF the young giant
The huts and the surroundings were
rapidly growing even less inviting, for
nothing was being done now to keep
anything in repair.
A collection of household goods, over
which old Mamma Paulpof watched
carefully, gave evidence that the fam
lily were about to remove themselves
and heir belongings to another place.
But still the old man and the young
one were at work. The blows that
Vladimir struck were tremendous. The
iron under his hammer bent and fiat
tened as the sparks shot like fireworks
to the far corners Of the place. There
was gag laugh on his handsome face
"a face that was almost childlike in
Its simplicity and guilelessness.
ooh, that will be happy day, Papa
Paulpoffp he young man said glee-
fully, plungilg his tongs into the white
fire and withdrawing a bar of iron.
What wilT' asked the old man,
looking sidewise at his son, but contin-
uing his work.
"The day | can take you and the lit
tie mother to a better home"
"We have been happy here" replied
old Papa PaulpoE, looking round at the
dingy interior.
''Yes, we have been happy-we shall
always be happy, for we are simple
and require little. But with greater
comfort and more money greater hap
piness ought to come, 1t is fine to feel
yourself growing to be somebody in the
world-tO feel yourself expand, broad
study that does II, and work.
INK the knowledge gives me more
pleasure than the wealth. But we also
need the wealth."
The old man sighed.
yes, that is good, that knowledge.
But you will grow away from US. You
will perhaps marry that American girl,
and she would not like our simple
ways"
The hammer In Vladimir's hand
came down with redoubled force.
What is that you say-our Vladimir
talking of marrying" AGED the trem-
ulous voice of Mrs. Paulp5ff. Il came
to say that the meal is ready, and
f1nd-what do find?
"Oh, Papa Paulpoff is dreaming one
of his Dreams" said Vladimir, with a
gay laugh.
But is it not so, old woman" asked
Papa Paulpoff. rs it not quite possi-
BILE that our Vladimir may marry that
handsome American grip
81 have seen II So" answered the old
woman. 1T seems that no young wom-
an would take this interest If she did
not love-
"Oh, nonsense~ cried Vladimir. "We
are friends. She is good. l admire.
Why, | could almost worship her. but
l am peasant. She is"-
There came the sound Of cursing out
side and the fall of horses hoofs. A
shout took the old man to the door.
Curses upon this beastW came an
angry voice as a man about thirty-fiye,
clad in a neat riding suit, entered the
room striking his high boottOps with
his whip. Il have just been thrown.
In some mysterious manner my horse,
who never stumbles, caught his foot In
something, tore loose his shoe and hurl-
ed me to the ground. The horse Is un-
injured, but he has lost the shoe. /
heard the sound Of a smithy and came
to you for assistance. l must reach
Graslov tonight and the delay is seri-
GUS"
1T is long since we were mere horse
shoers," said the old man. THE rail-
road
But surely you can make shoe and
put it ON. | must go forward, and l do
not wish to lame this valuable horse"
Certainly, we will shoe the horse"
put in Vladimir, whose kind heart
could never refuse any request that
was reasonable and proper. Il will at
tend to 1t at once"
But the meal is waiting" said the
old woman.
''The meal is but a short distance,
and Graslov is far" said Vladimir. 81
will shoe the horse and permit the
prince to proceed"
How did you know that l was
prince" asked the stranger, looking
about him with q keen eye that was
full Of inquiry.
"The horse is Of the herd at Graslov,
the seat of the Nesleroys," was the
answer. 81 know the herd and think
have shod this very horse before"
Good! That is better than putting
him into the hands of stranger" said
the rider. ''Is your name Pauipofr"
1T is. am Vladimir Paulpoff. The
little father here is Michael"
"Ah, | have heard Of you. You have
guessed correctly. l am prince. My
steward, who has charge of my estate
while | am away In Siberia, has told
me of the giant who is growing rich
working for the railroad. 1t Is said
that you can bend an iron bar with
your hands"
Vladimir in response picked up an
iron bar about four feet long and an
inch thick and bent 1t double with no
apparent effort.
Good GOdw exclaimed the prince.
'Are you that powerful"
"We acquire muscle in this work."
Vladimir answered, "and I was born
powerful"
A look Of wonder had spread over the
face of the prince. He sat upon rude
stool while the other two began to pre-
pare for shoeing the horse. The fine
animal was brought inside, and he,
like his noble master. seemed surprised
at his surroundings.
The old woman, patient now under
the rehuke Of Vladimir, stood waiting.
This is not much OF place for sue
cessful men," said Nesleroy, looking
around him.
"Ho"' chuckled the old man. "YOu
have come too soon. See, nothing is
being done. We are about to leave this
place for "A spot nearer the railway"
Business is not good, then~
"Oh is 1t not?" said Vladimir. "When
one has powerful friend to send the
u-npIy t,, him Ie aoory 60 rvoA ofon1