Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-16
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| toes, roast fowl, coffee and some coarse
| bread.
| ut is not quite like our usual fare"
he said, but it is better than being
| hungry"
He set the dishes on n table he i'm
, proviscd out of the back of seat. He
had large travelling bag with him,
and from it he took bottle of wine.
| I'VE will pledge each other" he said,
with laugh.
II do not wish any" said Frances.
| Come, don't be churlsh Let us get
over the unpleasant part. Drink a
toast TO your future husband"
81 will not. will not touch itw
"Drink-drink my healthw be com.
manded.
Il will notv'
II will make you!"
| He held the cup in his right hand.
With his left he grasped her by the
hair. He bent bpck her head.
open your mouth. Swallow the
wine. / will choke you" be cried.
/ With powerful effort she wrenched
! herself free and to her feet, and the
wine went to the floor with smash.
Her eyes were glazing with despera.
ton. She clinched her fist and rained
blow upon blow upon his face
Curses deep and terrible burst from
him. He clutched her round the waist
and struggled with her She exerted
all her strength. She was like a fero-
cious tigress. Her nails scratched his
face and tore his hair. Her blows cut
his lips on his teeth. But he was a
powerful man and used his strength
against this captive woman. With a
gasp she succumbed and sank helpless
and exhausted almost in his arms
Curse you" he spluttered between
his swollen lips Il have wasted my
kindness on you! should have starry
ed you. But l will delay no longer.
I'll drag you to the priest. and in ten
minutes you will be the Princess Nesle-
rov-and my slave for life. I'll break
your heart. you DEVIL"
| He closed his arms tightly about her
and dragged her from the car The
villagers stared in astonishment az
they saw him coming toward them
with his burden.
What means this strange happen
ing, little father?" asked a woman of
an older man of the village. us the
man killing herr"
Let be-" growled the man. "Use
your eyes in your house, but meddle
not with others The mans gold is
good. He will not hurt her. She is
probably his wife"
Russian wives are accustomed to cru.
city from their husbands. A beating
is but part of their demonstrations Of
authority as head of the house. The
women looked on with apathy, while
the men smiled
He has married Tartar" they said
among themselves
Help. Save me from this mani"
gaspcd Frances as Neslerov half drag
ged, half carried her into the nearest
group.
where is your pricst?" Neslerov de-
manded. Get him at once. Not only
he. but all in the place, will receive
pay. Call the priest at once"
save me! ! am an American! Cor
don-the man who built-the roads
my father" cried Frances, struggling
again.
y bent old man was seen stumbling
toward them.
Come" said Neslerov roughly. This
young woman and / are to be married.
Hurry. We have been left behind in
that car, and to save her good name
she must become my wife. Proceedw
NO! For PHYS sake, do notr cried
Frances. MY father will pay you
well. DO not compel me to marry him.
l hate him"
II command you to marry us" shout.
ed Noslerov.
A tall man Of about. middle age step.
ped from the crowd.
1T is wrong" he said. "Who you
are know not. but 1t is not the way to
win wife. Release the young woman.
Let us hear what she has to say"
What she has TO say! Curse your
howled Neslerov. He did release her
for moment and sprang forward. His
fist shot out against the mans face.
Without an effort in his own behalf he
fell.
II am Neslerov. governor of Tomsk"
shouted the prince, now perfectly fren.
zied. 81 command you, old dotard, to
say the words that will make this girl
my wife"
please do not" cried Frances. HE
has stolen me from my father! He /.
a cruel monster! cannot marry him..
''He Is his excellency, the governor"
muttered the old man. I'VE mus
obey"
Neslerov seized her by the wrist anc
swung her toward the priest. The vii
layers crowded round. awestruck at the
great name they had heard. They wei
knew the governor. Many of them hac
felt the knout at his command
st must be DONE" again muttereo
the priest.
mo, no" cried Frances, trying tt
wrench away from Neslerov.
A boy slid quietly away from tn,
crowd and ran.
Stand there, curse your said Nesle
rov, grasping Frances by the hair
The pain Of his rude hand on her lovely
hair mad Frances cry ont in terror,
pain ana shame. "Ill kill you If you
move again"
There was the sound OF quick and
stealthy tread. There was swish in
the air Thara vas q oasD q rnurD,ur