Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-11-19
CHAPTER vi.
AN AMERICAN GIRLS PLUCK,

= car nau come TO stop near
new bridge over branch Of
the Irish. Involuntarily she sighed
for the man who had built that bridge
Denton. whose eye was keen and
steady. whose muscles were of iron.
But Denton was miles farther on,
at the Obi
Now" said Neslerov, as the girl
sank back in her seat, .let us face this
situation, my dear. Let us realize the
true significance. We are practically
alone. you and L. Save for the poor
wretches in that village yonder, we
are the only people on this earth just
now. Can you realize the fullness of
that statement? You are mine-abso.
lutely and wholly NINE"
ooh, you cur! You cowardw ex-
claimed Frances. Her hand went as IL
by instinct toward that pocket from
which she had drawn her revolver on
a previous occasion. Neslerov saw her
face turn whittier still, and he laughed
pleasantly.
"Of course ! guarded against that"
he said. II knew you would, with
your American impulsiveness, try to
shoot me again. So. while you slept,
quietly took your little toy pistol from
your pocket. have it here. This,
believe, deprives you of the power to
do any more mischief"
"Oh, you miserable coward! You
thiefw said Frances in tense voice.
II wish there was good American
fist here to strike that grinning face
of yours"
Undoubtedly" said Neslerov, with
an exasperating GOODNESS, that would
be pleasant for you, but 1t would be
unfortunate for the American who
owned the fist. One blow-peste! He
would be torn apart by my agreeable
savages yonder."
She could not resist the temptation
to follow his finger as it pointed
through the window on his side Of the
car. A short distance. ON the banks of
the stream, she saw wretched, miser-
able village of rude huts. Men and wo.
men, dressed in leather, undressed
skins. heavy cloths from Moscow mer.
chants. stood in groups, all with their
faces toward the car.
''Were to say the word" said Nesle
row. these people would tear you limb
from limb and would perform the same
agreeable service for any fool who at
tempted to interfere between u.s."
Monster" she gasped.
'.Of course l am monster to you
he said. "All Russians are monsters
to those who do not like us. We may
have our little peculiarities. One OF
them is that what we cannot get by
fair means we get some other way.
spoke to your father, and spoke t.
you. offered the honest love of {
Russian prince. l was spurned. Blu
now the game is mine, and shall win
father has time to return from thu
Obi"
Never! l would prefer to be tori
apart by your villagers!"
"You believe that now while you ar,
in the heat of anger, but short periot
of rest and contemplation will shov
you the folly Of your refusal. Thinl
of this. shall so out now and obtaiI
some food. We may remain here ,
week. Who knows? Before l leav
you l wish to say that until you con
sent to have the priest of that villag
make you my wife you shall not be per
United to leave this car. much pre-
fer. as would any man, willing bride
but, denied this. will compel you t
obey. 1t will be the worse for you.
offered love-an affectionate embrace
You refused. Now command! Thin
this matter settled only when we ar
married."
"Neyer! You have my revolver and
suppose. one of your own. Shoot m
IL you will will not marry you'll"
az will not be you shoot. What d
you think your father will do when h
finds you are left behind?"
"Without doubt he will obtain spe
cial train and come here after mt
Then. Prince Neslerov, bewarew
He smiled like wolf and showed hi
teeth.
"rhat is what wanted you to ga,
If when your father comes here you ar
not my wife, will shoot him dead"
"You dare notw she gasped.
81 dare anything. No report of min
fould be discredited at st. Petersburg
could prove that your father was
conspirator against the government
and was shot while fighting my so
diers."
'There is government of the Unite
States of Americn"
''True, but at distance. l do nc
fear 1t. But consider what have sale
will return with food"
He left the car. securing the door
to prevent her escape. When she sa,
him striding toward the village, sh
leaned against the window and studio
the rude people.
81 am helpless-absolutely helpless!
she moaned. "Oh. II he had not take
my revolver l could have shot HIM
or myself"
She looked about her for some metl
cd whereby she could, If the net
should come, take her own life rath
than submit to. his demands. 81
knew that If there were a priest
This squalid place he would obey N
sleroy, and humble some words pc
fectly meaningless to her, but WIFI
would give Neslerov power over he
She walked the length Of the apal
ment like Gagged lioness.
Women turned into their huts al
came out again. She saw Nesler
start back toward the car carrying
wooden tray. She shuddered again.
"God give me strength, coural
caimness!" she murmured. ITO Il
consciousness would be to fall a Y
tim to him.M