Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-30

mlr--as the prince-is now. We fought,
and severely whipped him. I then
took the child home with me and re-
solved to restore him to his parents, for
| supposed he had been taken for re-
venge by enemies. When I saw the
beautiful face of the princess, knew
1t must be the boys mother, and so
began to think who among the mobiles
who lived near the Kama had such
woman. I had heard of the beauty Of
the Princess Neslerov, and so I went
to find her, leaving the child at the
forge. saw her at Graslov and asked
to be alone with her. She ordered her
women away. I showed her the por-
trait.
"'My picturev she crled-'the picture
that was on little Alexis! Oh, what
have you to tell me?'
81 told her what had happened, how
safe and we'll In my house. She began
to weep tears Of mingled Joy and sor-
row.
"'who are youI What is your namer
she asked.
Michael Paulpoff, princess told
her.
"'oh. Michael Paulpoff." she cried,
and 1t seemed that her heart would
break-'can I trust your
"'With anything, lady answered.
You are welcome to the life or death
Of Michael Paulpoff.'
80 tCfA uha xryt, I'M
each way to see that we were not
watched. 4 am in the house Of enc
mics. My husband, who was the heir
OF the duke. Is dead. My little son
would be the heir Of this estate, but
the duke prefers that his own younger
son should inherit, and so they have
plotted to destroy my child. Thank
God for placing you on this earth,
Michael Paulpoff. You were sent to
save my boy. And now listen. Were
he to return here or were 1t to be
known that he was alive, no matter in
what part of Russia he might be. they
would manage in some way to kill him.
Even now I tremble lest some spy
overhear our words and reveal this
truth. do not wish to have you relin.
qulsh him and will give you something
now. but you must never come to me.
ksme day l will come to you and claim
my boy. VIII you swear, Michael Paul
poff, to cherish my boy and preserve
this secretT
II gave the promise, excellency, and
I have kept 1t. But she also said, In
case die, Michael Paulpoff, guard my
boy as you would your own. for think
he will be like his father-strong, but
no match for the wicked and designing
ones. Do not permit any one ever to
know this truth
II have obeyed. excellency. The boy
was named Vladimir, and we soon
came to love him as our own. He was,
as the princess said strong and of an
grew up to help me in the forge. The
princess did die, and so l held my
tongue, as she babe me. But Vladimir
or Prince Alexis-was talented, and
he learned to paint. He discovered one
day the picture of his mother and be-
came enamored of it. He wished to
paint 1t, and l permitted him. Then
one day Neslerov came and saw it.
was frightened, for l knew he would
suspect. and knew from his manner
that we would soon hear from him
again.
I'VE were charged with conspiracy,
excellency. we who had honest hearts
no nd
were bundled off to Siberia We were
sent to Tomsk, where no doubt Nesle-
row intended to kill the young man
when he got an opportunity. Then one
day that American named Denton came
to our hut in Tivoloffsky. In some way
he had learned of the picture. do not
know why he was interested in Nladi-
mir, but he asked to see the picture
and questioned me.
"'Paulpoff,' he said. Vladimir is not
your son.
II shivered for did not know but
he was friend of the governor. But
he said he was going to learn who
Vladimir was. so told him the story
He said that Vladimir could not be any
worse of than a present, and he could
secure the help Of the government to
restore the estate to him and punish
Nicholas Neslerov. He took the pic
tufe. and some one came to our hut
after that and whipped my wife to
death. Vladimir swore vengeance, and
today ne has killed Jansky and Uns
gethop."
This is strange story of cruelty
and crime" said the governor general
But, so far as you are concerned,
congratulate you, Prince Neslerov
duke of Graslov. And this faithful old
man, whose life Is almost run. how can
l show my appreciation of what he has
done for Russia? Paulpof, you shall
name your own reward, and 1t is
yours"
ITO live with Vladimir" said the OLD
man simply.
And this American! Where is heT
Wounded; lying In the house OF 8
priest at Tivoloffsky," answered Vladi
mir, or, as he should now be called
Alexis.
Nicholas Neslerov, what have yor
to say?" asked the governor general.
at is a lie" said Nicholas.
"Your own fAre does not indicate it
believe this is the truth. You are g
prisoner! Call the officer Of the guard"
II am here your excellency"
"This lieutenant" said Olga, 'whos'
Il.