Canyon City news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1903-1908, 1904-04-15
CHAPTER ".
INF MEETING AT THE FORGE

" was Characteristic OF FRANCES
q GordGn that. no matter how great
he stress of social or other du.
les. hcr mind never lost room
or So, b favnriie schemes as were clos.
st "a her heart
Ii was by reason of this characters.
t!c mat. while her busy father was
deep in the mysteries and intricacies Of
the Moscow conference. the Subtleties
Of which increased as the time for sep
aratlon and departure drew nearer.
Frances bethought her of fitting op-
pnTunity TO make good a promise she
ll9S>tnade 10 Vladimir Paulpoff, the
blacksmith.
During conversation held several
weeks before Vlad mir had expressed a
desire to study certain books which
were apparently beyond his reach.
Frances promised TO obtain the books.
and she did so. These made quite a re.
spectacle package. and a drosky was
called to convey her TO the railway sta.
ton.
1t WAS nothing new for Frances TO
travel alone as far as from Moscow to
Term but on this occasion her father,
with some sort of premonition. begged
her 10 send the books by messenger.
"Oh. no." she said in her quiet man
nor of ins.sience. we are about TO re.
tu!n to the east. and shall not see
poor Vladimir for long time"
Hang Vladimir" exclaimed Gordon
as he saw his self willed young lady
step into tie dros,y.
Having alghted at Perm, she hired
another drosl.y to take her and the
precious books to the forge.
The driver WAS a huge. surly indi-
vidual. whose face was covered with
thick mass Of beard and whose voice,
when speaking 10 one not established
as his superior. was heavy and nso.
lent
Responding to the call of Frances. he
swung his heavy drosky in toward the
door Of her hotel. police inspector
stood near. and the driver saluted in
humility.
Il hate women he said to himself.
They pay nothing and have things
happen 10 them | shall get into trou.
bic before lose her.
Frances stepped toward the vehicle.
and the drivers mouth opened
"Such a womane muttercd the dros
k driyer she must be English or au
Am lean IL she was Russian. she
wc..d be q princess"
I.a.ces had had ample experience
F.tl bis class in all parts of Russia
She ca.I,y stepped into the drosky aud
banded h,D Il silver coin
Il want to 90 to the iron shops Of the
Pau, aolTs. Oh the South road" she said
'Taulpo@ Michael paulpog and bis
son Vladimir DO you know them?"
Yes, ! know them But DO you
know what has happpnedi"
NO Has any one been me-
mo: but
The police inspector came up
ANY trouble here"' be asked sharp. |
y
Trouble? Oh. no. replied Frances.
4 was just asking Tie driver some
questions
Where is il YOU wish TO go?"
ITO the irouworkers' rauIpoff."
a warming look that mean; volumes
0 the initiated shot from the inspector
o q driver
TIE l.orsrs We're whipped up. and the
'ehicle rolled c'ums.ly over the road
You said something had happened"
aid Frances is any ore sick at the
'aulpods?"
No. II wasn't that" answered the
river. "Rai the rain yesterday broke
y the road did not think you would
rish 10 come"
''NonScnsc. There must be a safe
-ay TO get there"
In truth the way was rs safe ard
ms il had eyer hccn. but
be warning look Of The inspector lad
reverted The driver from importing
Re knowledge he Lad OF the TauipoGS 9
Let the police tell their own tales ,
ley are always true Understanding
police standards" mut;ered the drly. :
II was long drive 10 the forge. and
hen the drosky drew near. having -,
isScd through The wild and almost .
lsettled rglon between 1t and Perm. :
raares was struck with an air Of :,
rsierI lhat seemed 10 Lave suddenly ;,