Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-11-05
CHAPTER VIII.
THE INTERVIEW IN THE HUT.

ton stood moment looking
down solemnly upon the lovely
upturned face. He bent ovel her, touch
ed her brow and felt her pulse. All
sense Of his own injuries seemed to
leave him as he saw her need of imme-
diate care.
Frances felt his touch and looked up
at him with about the same expression
she might have worn had he been q
stern and high priced specialist called
in to make an examination.
"You are merely knocked out by the
shock" he said, with assumed indifer'
ence. "You will probably be all right
as soon as we get to Tomsk."
"Yes. II l could get there" she whis.
pered. my father will be anxious"
I'VE must relieve his anxiety as soon
as possible. You must not worry"
"What will you do? And Neslerov?'
Never mind Neslerov now. Keep
cool. You've got to be braced up lit
tie. wish l had some wine"
"There was some in the car" she an
swered. "Neslerov had 1t. He tried to
make me drink, but l would not"
Denton went to the car, still on the
main track, and brought from 1t the re-
mains Of the bottle of wine Neslerov
had opened. This he took with him to
the hut and offered some to Frances.
II don't want it. refused it before"
she said.
"Oh, don't you want itT' he asked
ironically. II suppose In your keen and
subtle mind there Is no distinction be,
tween a glass of wine offered by Nesle-
rov when you were his prisoner and by
me when you are ILL.,"
81 did not mean that" she said meek
ly. She reached out her hand. took the
cup and drained 1t.
"Now, then" said Denton, coolly seat
Ing himself on q stool near her bed,
tell me this whole miserable business
from the beginning"
81 haven't thanked you yet, Jack" "
she said, with a return Of color.
"Never mind thanking me. l did
merely what any other American
would have done, and, seeing you in
danger, It would not have been manly,
indeed, to stand off. accept your
thanks, but let's get to the business.
How did you happen to be herewith
Neslerov?"
1--WE were in Moscow" she said.
"There was q meeting about the new
railway"
"Yes, I know. That was what took
Neslerov there"
"He had an interview with papa
while in Moscow-he"-
"Why do you hesitate? 1t is not a
1ew experience to have a man want
to marry you. is It? You gave him the
usual answer. suppose"
"Oh. Jack! There was but one an
swer papa could give him. I do not
like the prince, and papa knows will
never marry a man do not love-"
Everybody knows that-who knows
you." said Denton soberly.
"He told him about you-and about
vladimir-and the prince got angry"
"About Vladimir! Who Is heT"
"Vladimir Paulpoff. an ironworker
now sent
"Never mind. we will get to that
afterward. You started for the Obi
where Gordon Is to take a house II
VashlOv."
"No. not yet. l must tell you about
Vladimir-poor fellow! I met him III
the forge-in his shop-one day while
the railway was being put through
Perm. Papa and went there. He Is
a marvellous man. Jack. You would
think as much of him as ! do If you
knew him. He Is so handsome and
strong. He is"-
"Do you mean young Paulpofr. the
blacksmith Of Perm"
ayes, Jack. Do you know him"
1--WE had him turn out some iron fol-
small bridges. Well?
HE is so intelligent, and was so
anxious to learn. to improve, helped
him. | used to send him books, pa.
pers. magazines. scientific works-any-
thing I could get hold Of that would
Eelp him. He studied hard, poor fel-
low! He grew to- think he loved me
-he''-
"Of course you returned his affec-