Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-10-09

.merican girl who thinks well of
our
"Hushw exclaimed Vladimir impa
tlently. "You are speaking of some
one whose name must be sacred"
His face was flushed, and Neslerov
looked at it searchingly.
you are very fortunate" said Nesle-
ROY jokIngly Il can get no one to mar
ry me-"
"You but jest. Any one would be
pleased to marry one Of Russia's
wealthiest princes"
''But such onew continued the in
discreet old man. "She is beautiful,
she is rich, and she sends him books"
"Good! She is educating you. She
must love you" said Neslerov.
ooh, as to love, that is different. Her
acts are kind, and feel grateful. But
for marrying - it will require a fine
man to make her happy"
''He will make any one happy" put
in the old woman, with glance Of
pride at the young giant. amy girl,
even though she might be princess,
would get no better for a husband.
Look at those arms! Can they not pro-
tect"
"They could fell bullv' said Nesle-
rov. "HOw do you pass the time here?
Do you go to the nearest village or to
Perm and play"
Not he"' said the old man, pausing
long enough in his work to add his
tribute to this son they loved so well.
''That young man spending his time at
a village! | think not, your eXcellency.
With his books he spends his nights.
He studies or he paints"
whats that? Paints"
"Aye indeed yes. He is born paint
err"
"And shoeing horses"
zone gets a kopeck or two for shoe
ing horses. One must paint for the
pleasure of it, unless one is well known.
1t will come in time" said Vladimir.
''See he Is not so simple as he looks"
said Papa Paulpoff, nodding his head
toward the big boy.
Every far from simple, should say"
answered Neslerov.
"Old womanr' shouted Papa Paul
poff suddenly, so suddenly that she
Jumped in alarm go get the picture.
Let the prince see the face Of her who
Is so kind to Vladimir"
The old woman obeyed and ran out.
'Her picture! You have her picture
painted" stammered Neslerov.
eyes, |, and the good part of 1t is
that she knows nothing Of it. / shall
give 1t to her when she comes again to
see u.s." said Vladimir.
But do not understand. How could
you draw a face without having it be-
fore you" asked the prince.
"Ha! 1t is never from my sight. The
most beautiful face! A face that one
could not forget drew it, painted
it-two-three and four times from
memory, and always alike"
AT this juncture the old woman re-
turned with picture in frame. 81
lently she handed 1t to NeslerOv. He
sat with 1t in his hands, gazing down
hungrily upon the features he knew SO
well. 1t showed two things-first,
that there was, undeveloped In the
young man, talent that would make
him famous IL it ever got chance; Sec
ond, that he must have the picture Of
the girl indelibly in his mind to paint
so true picture from memory. And,
knowing Frances Gordon, Neslerov
knew that this man was a most dan
gerous rival for her hand.
But that is not all he has DONE" said
the old woman exultingly.
"Pshaw" exclaimed Papa Paulpoff.
"He has done nothing else worth men
tiOning"
Vladimir looked up in surprise and
caught swift look of warning flashed
from MichaePs eyes to those of his
wife. The warning flash was also seen
by Neslerov. and his curiosity was
whetted.
Surely this cannot be ALL" he said.
"Such u talent must have an outlet.
There must be something else. Come!
will look at all you have and buy
what want"
But not that" replied Vladimir. 81
could not sell that"
But another Of the same face?"
mo, could not sell that face"
"Then let me see something else
something as good as this-and l will
buy It,"
"There Is another woman's face
began Mamma Paulpoff.
"Yes, and as beautiful face as this,
but Russian" added Vladimir ut
was picture. Papa Paulpon had it.
found it one day and painted one
from It."
'Show 1t to me-" said Neslerov.
His eyes were fixed on the face of
Vladimir with something like fear in
them now. He glanced from one to
another of the group.
Papa Paulpoff showed evidences of
nervousness, but Vladimir was eager
TO satisfy tie prince. He sent the old
woman for isc other portrait.
She brought it and placed il in the
hands of the prince. At the first glance
his face went white TO the very lips.
His hands shook. His frame trembled.
"Good hcavensw was breathed under
his mustache. The words were not
heard, but the manner of the man did
not escape Papa Paulpoff.
"WhO Is this-lt is a beautiful won.
an-but her nameW asked Neslerov,
and his voice had turned suddenly
hoarse In spite of the effort to control
himself.
II found a small picture one day aft
er party of mobiles passed by" an
swered Papa Paulpoff.
A swift glance of suspicion shot from
the eyes of Neslerov TO the face Of Papa
Paulpoff. But the old mans face was
perfectly impassiye.
81 will buy this. Name your price,"
said the prince. And l will buy the
other, the one you found"
"Alas II is lOstw exclaimed Papa
PaulpoT 1T was in small house we
had years ago, and il burned down"