The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-02-03

beHloH was lue son OF one OIL my oldest
friends. Old Denton was at one time
worth lot of money. but lost il
through the rascality Of man he trust
ed. Jack was sort Of genius and ask.
ed me what profession to take up. ]
told him bridge engineering He is
one of the best at the business now
and is only twenty-five. He is out near
the Obi. The big iron bridge we are
to put across the Obi will be his work. y
ut is fascinating profession. And
your daughter refused him?"
"Yes. and it was great disappoint-
ment to me. Jack and she have been
friends since they first went to school.
He loves her. and his love is the kind
that father likes to see his girl get.
But she won't have him for some rea-
son. Said they could never be roman
tic lovers or some such argument.
Couldn't love him because she had
known him all her life. Thought it
was easier to love a stranger, sup
pose. who could bamboozle her."
And so 1t was broken OFF,"
Ihere was nothing to break off.
They were never engaged She SIM
ply refused him. They are friendly
when they meet-coolly so. What could
do: She had to have her own way"
"a prosaic friendship such as that is
not dangerous" said the prince. Have
! your permission to enter the list?"
MY permission is worthless. You
can ask Frances if you like, but it
won't do bit of good. You are too
rich, and Frances has peculiar notions" !"
"There is some one in whom your
daughter is much interested. and per-
haps you have not heard. 1t is my duty
to inform you. although myself do
not attach much importance to the
thing. There is blacksmith
"Oh, the blacksmith of Perm" e1-
claimed Gordon, with slight coldness
In his voice, as though he did not relish
having the story told him by the prince
| Lam fully aware of all that"
Does Frances-does your daughter
love that man?"
~.Go2dness, no! She is Interested, she
likes him and is trying to help him. q
Through pity, suppose, and pity
eSSs. .Se1SS W .SNS. ~-~sssassese<.
well said Gordon, laughing, "if It
docs i2 this case neither you nor I can
! prevent It. I am Sire, however, the
girl is fancy free, and, as for him, he
Is too simple and sensible to look upon
their friendship rs more than ordinary.
They met ln this way: when the road
was crossing into Tobolsk, wanted
some peculiar ironwork done, and she
went with me. The stature and strength
and the handsome face of the young
ironworker pleased her, and she talked
with him. She saw that he was a
magnificent specimen OF man and fit
ted by nature to adorn higher station.
She is trying to assist him in improv-
ing himself"
You take this very coolly," said the
prince. But, being Russian, perhaps
our customs are so different that this
free intercourse between girl like
your daughter and mere irOnworker
seems more to me than to you. Then
you assure me there is nothing more
than mere friendship between these
two
No, do not assure you Of anything
OF the kind. do not know l think,
though. if there was Frances would tell
me. If there Is, she Will have her way;
If there is not. the same"
But if this blacksmith asked her to
marry him would you consentg
"I'd have to-
DO you consider such thing prob
able?"
Prince. know as little about it as
you 90 There was only one pan-Jack
Denton-that wanted for q son-n-
law, and she won't have him. Now,
know little ahont her plans, if she has
any. She might fail in love with you,
In which case could not prevent her
marrying YOU. If she does not fail in
love with yen, | could not compel her
to marry YOU if would"
II am pleased at your candor," re.
piled the prince. II Shall soon have an
opportunity to speak to her myself. !
trust that this conversation will not in
terrupt our friendship"
Nonsense. I appreciate the honor
you have done my girl But unless she
loves YOU your case is hopeless"
The prince bowed and took his depar
ture, and Gordon, laughing, turned into
the hotel
I'll have to tell her." he said. Then.
with sudden resolve: mo, / won't
either. | need the friendship of the
prince, and if she knows he wants to
marry her who can tell what trouble ii
may cause?"
AS Neslerov was leaving the hotel he |
met Frances returning from drive.
Il am pleased to see you, Prince
Neslerov." she said. offering her hand
And am always glad to meet you
Mile. Gordon" he replied. ''Did you
enjoy your drive?"
Yes, but | did not go far. | visited |
several bazaars where books are sold
See, have quite number of pur
cbases"
"You love books as well as action"
II love them-yes. But these are for
friend, young man fitted by nature