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


the Irish. Involuntarily she sighed
for the man who had built that bridge
Denton. whose eye was keen and
steady, whose muscles were of iron.
But Denton was miles farther on,
at the Obi.
"Now." said Neslerov, ms the girl
sank back in her seat, 'let us face this
situation, my dear. Let us realize the
true significance. We are practically
alone. you and l. Save for the poor
wretches in that village yonder, we
are the only people on this earth just
now. Can you realize the fullness Of
that statement You are mine-abso
lutely and wholly mine"
"Oh. you cur! You cowardw ex-
claimed Frances. Her hand went as IL
10y instinct toward that pocket from
which she had drawn her revolver on
previous occasion. Neslerov saw her
face turn whittier still, and he laughed
pleasantly.
"Of course I guarded against that"
he said. IT knew you would, with
your American impulsiveness, try 70
shoot me again. So, while you slept,
'hitlis tooh tOul HtuS tOs plStOl lIOul
your pocket. l have it here. This, I
believe, deprives you Of the power to
DO any more mischief"
"Oh, you miserable coward! You
thief" said Frances in a tense voice.
" wish there was good American
fist here to strike that grinning face
of yoursr'
Undoubtedly" said Neslerov, with
en- eXasperating GOODNESS. that would
be pleasant for you, but it would be
unfortunate for the American who
owned the fist. One blow-peste! He
would be torn apart by my agreeable
savages yonder."
She could not resist the temptation
to follow his finger as 1t pointed
through the window on his side Of the
car. A short distance, on the banks Of
the stream, she saw wretched, miser-
able village Of rude huts. Men and wo-
mon. dressed in leather, undressed
skins. heavy cloths from Moscow mer-
chants stood in groups, all with their
faces toward the car.
Were to say the word" said Nesle-
rov, CHEESE people would tear you limb
Ilblu illiiD anu Wuuit pcliOIDl tHe SAME
agreeable service for any fool who at.
tempted to interfere between u.s.
"Monster!' she gasped.
"pf course ! am a monster to you"
he said, "All Russians are monsters
to those who do not like us. We may
have our little peculiarities. One of
them Is that what we cannot get by
fair means we get some other way.
spoke to your father and l spoke to
you. offered the honest love Of
Russian prince. l was spurned But
now the game is mine, and l shall win.
You shall become my wife before your
father has time to return from the
Obi"
Never! l would prefer TO be torn
apart by your villagers."'
You believe that now while you are
in the heat of anger. but a short period
Of rest and contemplation will show
you the folly Of your refusal. Think
Of this. shall go out now and obtain
some food. We may remain here a
week. Who knows? Before l leave
you | wish to say that until you con-
sent to have the priest of that village
make you my wife you shall not be per-
United to leave this car. / much pre-
fer. as would any man, willing bride;
but. denied this, l will compel you to
obey. 1t will be the worse for you.
offered love-an affectionate embrace.
You refused. Now l command. Think
this matter settled only when we are
married"
"Never! You have my revolver and,
suppose, one of your own. Shoot me
II you will. l will not marry your
1T will not be you shoot What do
you think 1our father will do when he
finds you are left behindp
without doubt he will obtain a spe-
cial train and come here after me.
Then, Prince Neslerov. beware
He smiled like wolf and showed his
teeth.
THAT Is what wanted you to say.
If when your father comes here you are
not my wife, will shoot him dead"
you dare not" she gasped.
II dare anything. No report OF mine
would be discredited at St Petersburg.
] could prove that your father was a
conspirator against the government
ind was shot while fighting my SOL
Eiers."
There is a government of the United
States Of American
True, but at a distance. do not
fear 1t. But consider what have said.
] will return with food"
He left the car, securing the doors
TO prevent her escape. When she saw
him striding toward the village, she
leaned against the window and studied
the rude people.
81 am helpless-absolutely helpless"
she moaned. "Oh, II he had not taken
rty revolver l could have shot him
or myself"
She looked about her for some meth.
I'd whereby she could, If the need
should come take her own life rather
than submit to his demands. She
knew that IL there were a priest in
this squalid place ne would obey Ne
slerov, and humble some words per.
fectly meaningless to her, but which
would give Neslcrov power over her.
She walked the length of the apart
nent like a Gagged lioness
Women turned into their huts and
came out again. She saw Neslerov