Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-10-30

poff?"
vladimir Paulpoff. Mamma Paulpoff
and Papa Paulpoff are now on their
way to Tomsk."
THE devil"
"Yes, the devil That is just the in.
dividual who did it."
"What is his other name"
prince Neslerov."
what Neslerov sent Paulpof to
Come, tell me what you mean"
"a man like Neslerov can do any
thing he likes in Russia except marry
an American girl. Tell me just what
conversation you had with the prince
few days ago"
"A few days ago! Oh two weeks
ago.
Il don't know when it was. But he
asked you for my hand. did he not"
Yes"
you never told me"
Gordon laughed.
81 haven't told you the names of half
the men who have asked me that"
But in Russia we should know, be-
cause there are tricks. Now, what was
It? Did he say much"
NO, not much; said lie was rich and
powerful and wanted you as an orna-
mental wife or something to that ef-
feet"
"He told me the same thing"
"Told you, WhereT
"In Paulpoff's house.
Gordon painted and sat down.
81 wish you would tell the whole sto-
ry," he said.
81 wish you would answer my ques-
tions first. What happened when Ne
slerov was here? What did he say and
what did you answer"
"He didn't say very much-the usual
thing. Said he loved you and was rich
and powerful and could give you a
good station in Russian society and the
world"
And you said what"
"Why | said you wouldn't marry the
best man on earth unless you loved
him. | said if you would marry the
man | wanted you to you would long
ago have been the wife Of Jack Denton,
who
"Never mind Mr.. Denton. We were
speaking of Neslerov."
"Yes-but the deuce! You pick your
old dad up so short! l am telling you
what said. Don't you want to hear"
yes" replied Frances, laughing and
kissing him. Dear old dad, what did
you say?"
81 said | liked Jack Denton better
than any other man on earth and that
you hated him worst. But l wanted
you TO marry him because he was good
and noble and a rising man, brave
man and altogether a.
"Hero and angel in one. What did
the prince say to that?
"IIe only repeated what he had said
before"
"Then whatF"
at your old dad-I said you were a self
willed creature and acted on your own
whms."
THAT is nothing to get angry about
do. But | fear that between us we
have sent the Paulpoffs to their DOOM"
For goodness sake, how"
at was natural that
at wasn't natural at all. What did
say-what have you done-to cause
Vladimir Paulpoff to plot against the
czar?"
Heavens! Are you so blind? The
Paulpoffs are as innocent of this charge
as you or l. 1t was against Vladimir
the plot was laid"
81 begin to catch your meaning. Who
was it-Neslerov"
"It is impossible to say whether he
did or not, but / suspect him. You re-
member the day he was here. | met
him rs | came home from the baZaars,
where | had been buying books for
Vladimir. | did not, of course. suspect
that lie had been talking with you
about marrying me. Unwittingly l
told him they were for Vladimir and
asked him also to take an interest in
him"
81 also told him Of a blacksmith in
whom you were taking great interest.
Ic has put that and your independence
ogether and has imagined Vladimir.
Well?'
Il had my fears that something was
said about Vladimir. 1t was so clearly
l plot that | knew the jealousy Of Ne
leroy had been aroused. When learn
d what had been done, | waited two
laws at Perm TO see Governor Guslay,
,ut he was away, and | could not see
Iim. 1t was the superintendent of
Dolce who gave me the little informa-
ion | got 1t seems that an inspector
'iscOvered-sO they say-that nihilists
we're meeting in the forge. Letters
we're found on them which implicated
'ladimir. There was a trial, so II
yas claimed, and Vladimir was found
uilty. | am sure Vladimir would
ave sent to us if he could"
II don't want to get mixed up in any
jhilist scrape."
But you will help Vladimir will you
otF"
"What can | do"
You can at least stop at Perm and
e the governor. 1t will not delay us
ng"
Il viii do that. certainly; but I don't
,ncy there is much use talking to
uslav He is q stern old soldier and
rs no sympathy for lovers or plot
rs"
Put he is Just and honorable"
Yes am sure of that"
Then come We will 90 to Perm to