The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-04-27
By Crittenden Marriott
Author of The Isle of Dead Ships" Etc.
Copyright Marriott

have been expected and this fASAE
for the very simple EGA 4<384
that neither knew that the EAAI
other had been missing. Ever E=.@z&34441
since her flight, Florence had ~ -
been off from all in -1..
formation concerning the
yacht, while Professor Shishkin had vanished dur
ing the fight without having learned OF the treach
cry of Wilkins and his supposed daughter.
Consequently, when they each other neither
expressed any particular amazement delight
Each indeed was uncertain what this conformation
in the Office of the chief of the police could
mean; Shishkin wondered if Florence had betrayed
his substitution of her for his daughter, while Flor
wondered whether the professor about to
bring her to shame by disclosing that identical state
of affairs. Each, therefore, stared at the other
much in the way in which two strange dogs contem
plate each other, while hesitating whether fight
fraternize.
At last the professor stretched trembling
hand olga My child! he quavered
Florence not dull. If Shishkin still called
her child, he had not betrayed her; possibly he
might intend do Father she cried
with histrionic gesture that smacked of music hall
days. Father. But no! You my father.
oh. Father! How could you tear from
happy home?"
The professor looked stunned, as we'll he might
If Florence had had happy home when he took
her from the music hail. he had never heard of it.
Florence, however gave him no time to explain
ooh! Father" she cried again. When you stole
from the home of the Grand Duke Ivan, my real
father, did you never think how you wr-rronged
me?"
The professor started The mention of the grand
duke showed him that Florence's words had no.such
superficial meaning he had at first supposed
With satisfaction he remembered that Olga was far
away in America Whatever this girl driving
at could not alter that fact He glanced at Demi-
drof, who sat watching and grew cautious.
q stole you-I?" he scotfed. What do you
mean?"
Florence breathed easier. The old had
caught her and was playing up to her. All is
discovered, she cried, theatrically. Twenty years
ago. here, in Russia you stole me from my father
the Grand Duke Ivan. And took me to America
away from all knew and loved How could you do
it? How could you do it?
ShShkn began to understand. 1t was not only
the nhilists who knew that he had stolen Olga;
Demidroff knew it too. This girl knew it! But
what was this talk of grand ducal paternity?
st my right he protested. st is always
mans right to recover his child
But your child. Did you think that
was your child wnen you stole me? That explains
Baron That explains. He thought it was his own
child he taking And he has been very good to
will not have him hurt punished You
must let him go You will do that much for me?"
Demidroff nodded Il will do much for you prin
cess" he murmured; perhaps even that.
Professor" He turned to the old man. Il was
not in office when the Princess Yves Napraxine
stolen, and am not very familiar with the circum
stances but | know it did not occur to any one at
the time that she had been taken in mistake for
Your daughter 1t was only few months ago when
! began to look into the that suspected
thing OF the sort Your words confirm belief
Professor, you did not steal your daughter You
stole the daughter of the Grand Duke Ivan the
Princess Yves Napraxine, who was the same age
and was playing with her. You brought her up
your own. And now you have brought her back to
resume her rightlul place in the world heress of
great fortune and great name.
Professor Shishkin tottered chair and sank
down. Not for moment did he doubt the truth Of
Demidroffs words. Again and again he had tried
to find in Olga a resemblance to himself or to his
dead wife, but always in vain The girl was like
neither of them-in face or in character. Often he
had wondered whence she had gotten this or that
trait, and he understood. The fabric of his
plans fell shattered round him.
What to be done He loved Olga even if she
not his daughter; for twenty years he had
cared for her; he had dared nihilist vengeance
rather than let her to Russia and run the risk
of being separated from him. He could not give
her up
And would she want to be given up? She was