Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-16

sense Of his own injuries seemed to
leave him as he saw her need Of imme-
date care.
at him with about the same expression
she might have worn had he been a
stern and high priced specialist called
in to make an xamnation.
You are merely knocked out by the
shock" he said, with assumed indiffer-
encc. "You will probably be all right
as soon as we get to Tomsk."
Eyes. If l could get there" she whis-
percd. my father will be anxious"
1--WE must relieve his anxiety as soon
as possible You must not worry"
What will you do? And Neslerov"
"Never mind Neslerov now. Keep
cool. You've got to be braced up lit
tie. wish had some wine."
There was some in the car" she an
swered. "N"slerov had 1t. He tried to
make me drink, but would not"
Denton went to the car. still on the
main track, and brought from it the re-
mains of the bottle of wine Neslerov
had opened. This he took with him to
the hut and offered some to Frances.
81 don't want it. l refused 1t before"
she said.
"Oh. don't you want itT' he asked
ironically. "I suppose in your keen and
subtle mind there is no distinction be-
tween a glass Of wine offered by Nesle-
rov when you were his prisoner and by
me when you are ILL.,"
II did not mean that" she said meek
ly. She reached out her hand. took the
cup and drained IL.
Now, then" said Denton. coolly seat
ing himself on a stool near her bed.
tell me this whole misera BILE business
from the beginning"
81 haven't thanked you yet, Jack
she said, with a return Of color.
Never mind thanking me. did
merely what any other American
would have done. and. seeing you in
danger. 1t would not have been manly,
indeed, to stand off. l accept your
thanks, but let's get to the business.
How did you happen to be herewith
Neslerov?'
I'VE were in Moscow" she said.
"There was a meeting about the new
railway"
Yes. know. That was what took
Neslerov there"
HE had an Interview with papa
while in Moscow-he'-
"W'hy do you hesitate? IT is not a
new experience to have man want
to marry you. is it? You gave him the
usual answer, suppose"
ooh. Jack. There was but one an.
swer papa could give him. do not
like the prince, and papa knows | will
never marry a man | do not love"
Everybody knows that-who knows
you" said Denton soberly.
"He told him about you-and about
Vladimir-and the prince got angry"
about Vladimir! Who is he"
"Vladimir PaulpoK. an ironworker.
now sent
"Never mind. we will get to that
nfterward You started for the Obi.
where Gordon is to take house in
Vashlov."
mo. not yet. must tell you about
Vladimir-poOr fellow! ! met MIN in
the forge-in his shop-one day while
the railway was being put through
Perm. Papa and Went there. He is
marvellous man. Jack You woul
think as much of him as do if I
knew him. He is so handsome ari
strong. He is
"Do you mean young Paulpoff. the
blacksmith Of PERM
YES, Jack. Do you know him?"
ave had him turn out some iron for
small bridges. Well?"
He is so intelligent, and was so
anxious to learn, to improve, helped
him. | used to send him hooks, pa
pers, magazines. scientific works-any-
thing | could get hold of that would
help him. He studied hard, poor fell
low He grew to- think be loved me
he
ton. You've done it SOL mean it
came quite easy"
Tears glistened in her eyes, and she
turned away her head. She had quar-
relied with this man and had said she
would never marry him, and their
friendship had been almost cut asun-
der. But he had saved her from Ne
slerov. Now he was chidng her.
"One could not know Vladimir with
out admiring him." she said suddenly.
with great accession of spirit Il fail
TO see why should be put through this
catcchism by you,""
You needn't be If you don't want
to- he answered coldly. This is
nice, quiet village. Neslerov is lying
not far away, somewhat cut up now,
but he will get over that. | could 90
on my way and leave you if my qucs-
tons are distasteful. The thing is that
there must be an explanation to this
affair, and I'd like to know what it is
to he. II Is no trifling matter to cut
the governor Of Russian province to
pieces"
Have you been fghting?" she asked
quickly.
mo-" he replied, with tinge Of sar-
casm. ''Neslerov and INDUCED in
few pleasantres. He doesn't feel as
gay over them as do; that's all"
"Oh, ] see your hand is bandaged
never noticed It. Oh. Jack, forgive mew
"We were following a course of in
quiry," he said, putting the bandaged
hand behind him. This Vladimir
you met-there was an attachment--so