The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-03-24

ut is believed among the servants
that Vladimir is also in love with the
American girl and that she is in love
with him. And the Americana don't
know-but he may be in love with her
also.'
"r,ree lovers! She is fortuna te-no,
| would say most unfortunate. With
one true and honorable lover any wo-
man is fortunate, but with three-and
one like Neslerov! 1t i& too much"
you do not seem to suspect where
the picture came FROM"
do you mean the oil painting of my
cousin, the Princess Alexandra o.
81 mean it. You say it hangs on the
wall of Neslerov's room. 1t is undoubt-
edly the one painted by Vladimir"
"And when Vladimir and his parents
were sent to Siberia Neslerov took the
painting?"
"Yes. Vladimir is talented, as you
know-at least as l have told YOU"
"Then Vladimir must be near this
place."
Therese shuddered again.
"He is-he is in the dungeons under
this palace" she whispered in terror.
A sudden change came over the prin-
cess. She walked in agitation to and
fro across the room.
Then Nesleroy must suspect that
Vladimir holds the key to the mystery
of Graslov," she said, stopping again
before Therese.
81 do not know what he thinks. The
American also is here under a charge
Of conspiring against the car
ooh, then it becomes clearer. These
Americans are shrewd. This one, per-
haps. in order to crafty his love of
truth, has set himself the task of dis
| covering the truth about Graslov."
"Who knows?" asked Therese. But
| how would he know anything about
the mystery of Graslov?"
"True, but you say Vladimir and the
American girl are in love. Vladimir
may have discovered something and
| told the girl. She may have told the
American, who may not be lover, but
friend. She may have enlisted his
| efforts in the task Of unraveling the
mystery"
1T is possible"
"What else did you hear?''
Nothing; that is all. The American
was arrested as he was about to leave
for Perm. Vladimir was brought from
! Tivoloffsky. a small village near here"
"By the orders of Neslerov?"
! "It must be. since they are in the
dungeons of his palace"
"And that is all you heard?"
"All-everything."
''It is enough to place me upon the
4 right scent. You must not. however
give way to these fits of unconscious.
ness. Be stronger, be brave"
1T is all very well. princess; but il
you had lived for twenty years with
the horror of that crime overshadow
ing you, with constant fear of the ST
berian mines weighing upon you. you
J would not be calm"
''Poor woman! I appreciate YOU
feelings in the matter. But try to main
tain your composure, for one mistake
J now, the slightest suspicion Oh the parI
) of Neslerov, may destroy the efforts we
y
''SiX months, princess"
!. For you, since your husband died.
have been working upon this myster.
: since l returned from Paris two year.
ago. If God spares my life, l will
avenge the crime that was committee
against our branch of the Neslerovs."
That evening the princess met Nesle
rov in the dining room with no show o
/ emotion. Her smile was as winnin!
! and her wit as sharp as ever.
/ Il have not seen you during the aft
g ernoon, fair cousin.' said Neslerov
] "But have not forgotten you. l hav
!. been gathering the resources of Tomsl
to give you fitting welcome to ou
+ city. Tomorrow night there will be
$ reception and fete here in your honor.
Tomorrow night? That is quickl
i done."
: 1T does not take long to arrange sue
a thing here. We have SO few socia
t pleasures that when the opportunit
] occurs we grasp it greedily. The of
GERS Of the garrison and the head Oft
! cials, with their families, will attenG
: You must not expect to see the grand
, eur of fete in st. Petersburg or Pal
: is"
"It would weary me-" said Olga.
: The perfecting arrangements for til
fete made Neslerov hurry away, an
Olga was soon left to herself. She ha
0 resolved upon certain plans, but th
: activity of the palace in the prepars
s tions for the coming festivities SCENE
Y destined to balk her. She roame
:. through the great rooms alone. seal
n ming the faces Of those she met speal
e ing to few, but watchful for the oppol
tunity she craved.
:. 1t was nearly midnight when she b'
). came discouraged and went to he
room. The servants of the palace wei
d still at work arranging the rooms IL
:, the dance.
e But the princess did not retire. ST
: sat down near window and waited.