The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-02-17

possible! Papa Paulpoff and Mamma
Paulpoff might die. they were SO old.
but Vladimir! Impossible! So young
and powerful! Nothing but the weapon
Of an enemy could kill him in this
healthy place."
81 spoke as we speak, mademoselle.
The t'aulpoffs are not really dead We
speaa of man who is caught in crime
aud sent off-exiled--as dead. He is
dead to his friends and to the world.
You understands"
Frances stood rigid and white, the
package of books forgotten in the
hands of the drosky driver Her nails
bit into the tender flesh of her clinch-
ed hands. Her eyes studied the face
of the governor of Tomsk.
vladimir has not been caught in any
crime" she said, with a sort of gasp.
impossible! lie was SO simple and
honest! What crime?"
Conspiracy against his imperial
majesty the ear"
And where is lie now?"
"On the way to Siberia
siberia! Vladimir Paulpoff sent to
Siberia! And where are his parents?"
zone in a family taken red handed
condemns all. The old people are also
on their way to Siberia"
Frances swayed a little She had
studied Russian customs and Russian
Justice and shuddered as she realized
the horrible torture in store for these
simple work people who had never, she
felt convinced, harbored an evil thought
against any man. To her they had al
ways spoken in terms of loyalty and
praise of the car.
The face of Neslerov was inScrutable
He held the picture loosely and care
lessly. and the girl caught a glimpse Of
the face.
'"That is Vladimir's picture!" she
cried. 'What are you doing with it?"
81 am sending it to him." was the re-
ply of Neslerov. 1T so happened that
had occasion to visit my chateau near
Graslov and rode by here at the time
the Inspector of police was making the
arrest. I remembered what you said to
me at Moscow and tried to do what
could for the poor fellow at first doubt
ing his guilt. But the inspector was
certain, and SO all that was left to me
was to ask Vladimir what favor
could perform for him. He asked me
to send him this picture, and have ar
ranged with the governor of Perm to
permit it to be passed along to him.
ut is beautiful face" said Frances
Vladimir has the soul of great art
list in him. But in Siberia he"-
She shuddered and ended her SEN
tence abruptly.
81 have done more for him, for you,"
continued Neslerov. "There is another
picture-he painted from memory. l
have arranged to purchase it for a good
price, and he shall not lose the money
[ promised him. 1t was beginning to
certain steps l had thought of to assist
him.
'My own facew cried Frances in as
second picture
"Yes, and the remarkable part of it is
it took him but short time. l describ-
ed you, and he remembered you, and
between the two he managed very
creditable work. l shall cherish this
picture while live.
"My picture" murmured the girl
again, looking at the sweet yet strong
young face the blacksmith artist had
placed upon the canvas. "And all from
memory"
"Yes. from memory and my descrip-
tion," said Neslerov. "Your face is so
indelibly imprinted upon my memory
that l could describe each line, each
feature. with the utmost accuracy"
She looked at him in astonishment.
He had made frequent attempts to
make love to her, but she had always
skillfully repulsed him. That this could
be true-that this man whose life was
one round Of pleasure should have her
face so impressed upon his mind seem
ed to her incredible.
'But you will befriend him." she said,
without answering his remark. "You
are powerful in Russia. A large part
Of Siberia is under your control. You
can make the life of the Paulpoffs
pleasant there if you wish.'
He bowed. and his eyes were hidden
from her.
Believe me, I have already taken
steps to befriend them. In Tomsk there
is great need Of such ironworkers now
that the railroad has gone beyond the
Obi, and have sent my petition to the
minister of Justice to have them sent