Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-10-02


ed Jack was sort of genius and ask
ell me what profession to take up.
told him bridge engineering. He is
cne of the best at the business now
and is only twenty-five. He is out near
the Obi The big iron bridge we are
to put across the Obi will be his work"
1T is n fascinating profession. And
your daughter refused himT'
"Yes, and it was a great disappoint-
ment to me Jack and she have been
friends since they first went to school.
He loves her, and his love is the kind
that father likes to see his girl get.
But she won't have him for some rea-
son. Said they could never be roman
tic lovers or some such argument.
Couldn't love him because she had
known him all her life Thought it
was easier to love a stranger, sup
pose, who could bambooZlc her"
"And so il WAS broken OFF,
"There was nothing to break off.
They were never engaged. She sim
ply refused him. They are friendly
when they mcct-coolly so What could
| do? She had to have her own way"
"a prosaic friendship such as that is
not dangerous" said the prince. Have
I your permission to enter the list?'
"My permission is worthless. You
can ask Frances if you like, but it
won't do a bit of good. You are too
rich, and Frances has peculiar notions"
"There is some one in whom your
daughter is much interested, and per-
haps you haze not heard 1t is my duty
to inform you, although | myself do
not attach much Importance to the
thing There is a blacksmith"-
>Oh. the blac. amith Of PERM ex-
claimed Gordon, aith slight GOODNESS
in his voice, as though he did not relish
having the story told him by the prince.
81 am fully aware of all that"
Does Frances-does your daughter
love that maa?"
Goodness, no. She is interested, 81.
likes him and is trying to help him."
Through pity, | suppose, and pity
soon leads to love"
"Well," said Gordon, laughing, "if it
does in this case neither you nor | can
prevent it. | am sure, however, the
girl is fancy free, and, as for him, he
is too simple and sensible to look upon
their friendship as more than ordinary.
They met in this way: When the road
was crossing into Tobolsk, | wanted
some peculiar ironwork done, and she
went with me. The stature and strength
and the handsome face of the young
ironworker pleased her, and she talked
with him. She saw that he was
magnificent specimen of a man and fit
ted by nature to adOrn n higher station.
She is trying to assist him in improv-
ing himself"
You take this very coOlly," said the
prince. "But, being Russian, perhaps
our customs are so different that this
free intercourse between a girl like
your daughter and mere irOnWorker
seems more to me than to you. Then
you assure me there is nothing more
than mere friendship between these
two"
mo, do not assure you of anything
of the kind | do not know. | think,
though, if there was Frances would tell
me. If there is, she will have her way;
if there is not. the same"
"But if this blacksmith asked her to
marry him would you consent"
I'D have to-
"Do you consider such n thing prob
able?'
prince | know as little about 1t as
you do. There was only one man-Jack
Denton-that | wanted for son-in-
law, and she won't have him. Now,
know little about her plans, if she has
any. She might fall in love with you,
in which case | could not prevent her
marrying you. If she does not fall in
love with you, | could not compel her
to marry you if | would"
Il am pleased at your candOr," re-
piled the prince 81 shall soon have an
opportunity to speak to her myself. l
trust that this conversation will not in
terrupt our friendship"
"Nonsenscl | appreciate the honor
you have done my girl. But unless she
loves you your case is hopeless"
The prince bowed and took his depar-
ture, ana Gordon. laughing, turned into
the hotel.
"TH have to tell her" he said. Then,
with n sudden resolve: "No, l won't
either | need the friendship Of the
prince, and if she knows he wants to
marry her who can tell what trouble it
may causc|
AS NcslcrOy was leaving the hotel he
met Frances returning from a drive.
II am pleased to see you, Prince
Neslcrov," she said, offering her hand
"And l am always glad to meet you,
Mile. Gordon" he replied. Did you
enjoy your driver
Eyes, but did not go far. [ visited
several hazaars where books are sold.
See, have quite number Of pur-
chases."
"You love books as well as action"
81 love th,m-yes. But these are for
q friend, a young man fitted by nature