Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-11-11

place looked upon the eagerness Of
Neslerov to be married to so beautiful
girl as natural.
One Of them, realizing that the gov
ernor's safety was necessary to thelr
own, sprang upon Denton and drove
knife through the feshy part of his
arm.
The pistol fell to the earth near that
Of Neslerov and two villagers picked
them up and hid them.
Like a fash Neslerov was upon his
unarmed foe, and his knife was raised
to strike, but Denton. with quicker
movement, drew knife from his belt.
He had ridden too often over the tun-
dra to 90 unprepared for enemies. hui
man and otherwise.
And now began a duel the like OF
which the banks Of the Irish or Its
branches will probably never see
again.
Steel flashed on steel.
The blood from the wound In Den
tons arm was flung over the face ana
clothing Of Neslerov, while that from
the bruises on the governors face grew
thick and dark, making him truly hide.
Gus.
With n grasp as of iron Denton seia-
ed the hand Of Neslerov that held the
dagger, but with wrench the govern.
or got It away and cut to the bone
half the length Of Denton's finger.
But the American scarcely felt the
wound. He was not fighting now for
life, nor for vengeance. He was fight.
ing for that girl who lay in the hut
He knew that II Neslerov killed him
and was not killed himself, her life
would be made such q hell In the
power Of this monster of brutality that
death would be preferable.
A year ago she had told him she did
not and never could love him. 1t haA
been quarrel. She didn't want to got
married and he asked her II his rough
exterior theresulto of years of hard work
in rude and dangerous places. was dis
agreeable TO her. He said there were
fine gentlemen at Paris, New York,
London and st. Petersburg. She had
answered that she knew IL. She pre-
ferred their company to Doors. They
parted then and had not met till now.
Denton and Neslerov kept fighting
on, the villagers too much aghast to
step between or utter word.
Neslerov felt his right arm getting
weaker. Denton's knife had slashed
through the sleeve Of his coat and
found the bone near the elbow. An ar.
terry must have been cut for the blood
was thrown from the end Of the sleeve.
Made desperate, he gathered all his
strength for final effort and sprang
bodily upon his foe.
Denton. seeing an opportunity and
knowing that nothing but deathblow
seemed likely to end the fight, met the
plunge and drove his knife into Nesle-
rows side.
With another curse. spluttering Of
blood and a groan the governor OF
Tomsk sank to the ground at the foot
Of his adversary unconscious.
"Take care Of him, you fellows; no
need to let him die" said Denton, ex.
amining the wound. His lung is not
touched. Nothing fatal here, am glad
to say. Here, you"
The old priest came mumbling to-
ward him.
"You know more about surgery than
the rest. Get some water. battle these
wounds, take few stitches in the long
cuts and bandage him up"
"Yes. little father" said the priest,
trembling. But what Of youy
81 can take care Of myself"
He strobe TO the bank OF the stream,
over which he had but few months
before built bridge, and bathed his
wounds. Then he went into the hut
to see Frances, as II nothing had hap
pened.
fro BE CONTINUED