The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-10-30
CHAPTER I.
fHE FATHER AND THE LOVER OF AN AMER
ICAN GIRL,


THE great Transslberian railway
had progressed as far to the
eastward as the Obi, and
4 trains carrying soldiers, con-
victs, sightseers, railway constructors,
iaborers and supplies, with some goods
for trade with Manchuria, ran from
Moscow.
The possibilities of this immense line
Of railway made the people of Eu-
rcpean Russia gasp. 1t opened up such
a prospect Of trade as they had never
dreamed of. 1t gave them a speedy
entrance into region Of their domain
the crossing of which had formerly &C.
cupied months and involved much
hardship.
What a change there was from the
old sledges or foot trains of convicts to
the swiftly moving cars that were
drawn by the putting, screaming loco
motives, at once source of delight
and terror to the people whose terri
tory they crossed!
Among those who had made this
change so remarkable success was
James Gordon, an American engineer,
who had charge of much of the ad-
vance work of the road.
Gordon was a typical American,
ready to go anywhere to build a rail-
way so long as the pay was sufficient
to make it an object for him to take
his daughter with him.
For Frances Gordon was her fathers
companion, secretary and comfort.
Left motherless at an early age, she
had been brought up by strict aunts
till she revolted. Her father had been
surveying route across New Mexico
for a new road, fondly and longingly
thinking Of his daughter in her far
away home in New York, when, 10, the
young lady herself, then aged nineteen,
put in an appearance mounted on a
broncho and accompanied by a half
breed guide, to whom she spoke in so
authoritative tone that he bowed be-
fore her slightest wish in abject obedi-
ence. Since that day Frances Gordon
was to be found wherever her father
was.
A year and half after they had
finished the work in Mexico they jour-
neyed together to Russia, where Cor
don was to take charge Of the impor-
tant part Of putting through the rail-
way that was destined to revolutionize
the trade and commerce of the world.
This great railway had progressed a
far as the Obi river, in the government
Of Tomsk, Siberia, when meeting Of
managers, engineers and government
officials was ordered at Moscow. Thith-
er from the Obi journeyed James Cor
don and Frances.
Thither also journeyed Nicholas Ne
slerov, prince Of the empire and gov
ernor of the province of Tomsk
Prince Neslerov was one of the
wealthiest mobiles Of the land, was
about thirty-ive years Of age and had,
besides his exalted position as governor
Of TOmsk, estates in various parts of
Russia, particularly q fine one at Gras-
low, in the government of Perm.
1t was after the convention, which
had to do with certain concessions and
arrangements that were necessary as
the road drew near the border Of Man.
churia, the crossing Of certain noun
tains, the bridging Of certain streams,
that Mr. Gordon was preparing to re-
turn to the Obi, where the western end
of his operations was laid, the opera
lions themselves reaching eastward to
Lake Baikal, in Irkutsk.
To him one day as he sat smoking at
his hotel in Moscow came Prince Nesle-
row.
"Good morning, your excellency,"
said Gordon, who had met the prince
at several conferences and now knew
him because of the fact that the opera
lions had passed almost across his
province. Glad to see you. When do
you return to Tomsk?"
II shall not be long behind you, nv
friend.'' replied the prince 1T is
fact, however, that upon your answer
to a certain question which shall put
to you depends many of my acts in the
immediate future NJ Gordon. you are
an American"
$50 l believe; have heard it limited
at" said Mr.. Gordon, wondering what
was coming.
"And I am a Russian of the Rus
sians."
THAT, too, l believe, is a well au-
thenticated fact"
II am wealthy, governor of a prov
ince and shall soon be promoted to a
better station. Since you entered the
rude territory in the southern part of
my government we have met frequent
ly; we have been friends.''
EYES," replied Gordon, rather dubi-
ously, stroking his chin.
when you needed protection, my
power protected you"
Il believe you," said Gordon, failing
to remember the time when he needed
the protection Of the prince.
II merely express myself thus to re-
call to you my friendship" said the
prince. "Now I come to the real err
rand that brought me here. I love
your daughter"
"Eh" exclaimed Gordon, rousing