Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-23

IdIIl'lnS
Eyes. Vladimir is talented. as you
know-at least as have told you"
"Thcn Vladimir must be near this
place"
Thcrcse shuddered again.
Gle is-he is in the dungeons under
| this palace" she whispered in terrier.
a sudden change came over the prin-
cess. She walked in agitation to and
| fro across the room.
"Thcn Ncslcrov must suspect that
Vladimir holds the key to the mystery
| of Graslov," she said. stopping again
before Thcrese.
81 do not know what he thinks. The
American also is here under a charge
of conspiring against the car"
ooh. then 1t becomes clearer. These
Americans are shrcwd. This one, per-
hnps, in order to crafty his love of
truth. has set himself the task of dis
covering the truth about Graslov."
"Who knows?" asked Thcrese. "But
how would he know anything about
the mystery of Graslov?'
"Truc, but you say Vladimir and the
American girl are in love- Vladimir
may have discovered something and
told the girl. She may have told the
American. who may not be a lover but
n friend. She may have enlisted his
efforts in the task Of unraveling the
mystery"
1T is possible"
"What else did you hear?"
Nothing; that is all. The American
was arrested as he was about to leave
for Perm. Vladimir was brought from
Tivololfsky, n small village near here
"By the orders of Ncslcrov:"
at must be. since they are in the
dungeons of his palace
And that is all you heard"
"All-everything"
st is enough to place me upon the
right scent You must not, however,
give way to these fits of unconscious
ness. Be stronger, be brave
ut is all very well, princess: but II
you had lived for twenty years with
the horror of that crime overshadow-
ing you. with a constant fear of the 81
berian mines weighing upon you, you
would not be calm"
Poor woman. appreciate your
feelings in the matter. But try to main
tain your cOmposure. for one mistake
now, the slightest suspicion on the part
of Neslerov, may destroy the efforts we
have made during the last two years"
six months, princess"
For you, since your husband died
have been working upon this mystery
since / returned from Paris two years
ago. If God spares my life, | will
avengc the crime that was committed
against our branch of the Neslerovs."
That evening the princess met Nesle-
rov in the dining room with no show of
emotion. Her smile was as winning
and her wit rs sharp as ever.
Il have not seen you during the aft
ernoOn, fair cousin" said Neslerov
But | have not forgotten you. have
been gathering the resources Of Tomsk
to give you fitting welcome to our
city. Tomorrow night there will be a
reception and fcte here in your honor
Tomorrow night? That is quickly
done"
ut does not take long to arrange such
a thing here. We have so few social
pleasures that when the opportunity
occurs we grasp it grecdily. The oil
GERS of the garrison and the head Off.
Gals with their families. will attend
You Must not expect to see the grand
eur of a fetc in st. Petersburg or Par
is
1T would weary me-" said Olga.
The perfectng arrangements for the
fcte made Ncslerov hurry away. and
Olga was soon left to herself She had
resolved upon certain plans, but the
activity Of the palace III the prepare
tons for the coming festivities seemed
destined to balk her. She roamed
through the great rooms alone, scan
ming the faces of those She met, speak
ing to few. but watchful for the oppor
tunity she craved.
1t was nearly midnight when she he
came discouraged and went to hel
room. The servants of the palace were
still at work arranging the rooms fol
the dance.
But the princess did not retire. She
sat down near window and waited,
From the ballroom windows the glar,
, of lights spread out upon the surround
ing trees and buildings From below
came voices of those who were making
ready for the reception.
Thercse came In to prepare her mis-
tress for bed.
Not yet, Therese," said the princess
YEARLY. Il shall not retire"
You will make yourself Ill.," salt
Therese nervously.
do not fear-I shall not be Ill. But
I am not ready for bed. must wait
and act"
, "You will learn nothing tonight"
ut Is night to learn. Leave mi
alone"
Therese stood moment watching
the princess with q wistful. loving
glance, and then she went TO her OWL
room.
The princess sat with scarcely mo
ton for more than two hours. An OBJ
server might easily have supposed sh,
, had gone to sleep. But suddenly TIT
= glare Of tie lights from the ballroom
) died away. and the princess rose to he
' feet.
:. at IS finished" she said. "and the,
l are weary. Tomorrow night will be
e severe one. and they will retire a
once. Some one must be on guard
). and gold is powerful Tonight mus