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THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS ; THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1902. TO 00 THE MYSTERY OF GRASLOV By CnyyvrigM, 1901, Chart i. Ktherintfnn 0000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0. 0 0 0 0 000000 00 0 0 000 00.0 0 0 0 0 000000 CHAPTER VI. AS AMERICAN' OIHL'S ri.PCK. NOTHKR glance from the win- (low showed Frances that tho cor had come lo n stop near a ui'w bridge over a branch of the Irtish. Involuntarily who (sighed lor the man who had built that brldgu - Deuton, whose eye was keen and Eteady, whose muscles were of Iron. But Denton was miles farther on, nt the Obi. "Now," said Neslerov, ns the girl Milk back In her seat, "lot us face this sitiintlon, my dear. Let us renllze tho true significance. We are practically alone, you and I. Save for the poor wretches In that village yonder, wo ni-o the only people on tills earth Just now. Can you realize the fullness of that statement? You are mine abso lutely and wholly mine." "Oh, you cur! You coward!" ex claimed Frances, Iter hand went as if by instinct toward that pocket from which sho had drawn her revolver on n previous occasion. Neslerov saw her face turn whiter still, and he laughed pleasantly. "Of course I guarded against that," l,e said. "I knew you would, with .nur American impulsiveness, try to shoot me again. Ho, while you slept, I quietly took your little toy pistol from your pocket. I have It here. Tills, I believe, deprives you of the power to tio any more mischief." "Oh, you miserable coward I You thief!" said Frances In a tense voice. "I wish there was a good American flit here to strike that grinning faco of yours!" "Undoubtedly." said Neslerov, with an exasperating coolness, "that would be pleasant for you, but It would bo unfortunate for the American who owned the fist. One blow peste! Ho would be torn apart by my agreeable savages youdev." She could not resist tho temptation to follow his finger ns It pointed tiirough the window on his side of the car. A short distance, on the banks of the stream, she saw a wretched, miser able village of rude huts. Men and wo men. dre.-scd in leather, undressed skins, heavy cloths from XIoscow mer chants, stood in groups, all with their f .km toward the car. "Were I to say the word," said Nesle rov, "'hose people would tear you limb 1'iom limb and would perform the same agreeable service for any fool who at tempted to Interfere between us." "Monster!" she gasped. "Of course I aui a monster to you," be paid. "All Russians are monsters to those who do not like us. Wo may hare our little peculiarities. One of them Ik that what wo cannot get by fair means we get some other way. I stioke to your futher, and I spoke to you. I ofl'ei-ed the honest love of a Il'i'slan prince. I was spurned. Rut now tlie game Is mine, and I bhnll w'u. You shall become my wife before your father has time to return from tho Obi." "Never! I would prefer to bo torn apart by your villagers!" "You believe that now while you are In the heat of anger, but a short period of rest and contemplation will show you the folly of your refusal. Think of this. I shall go out now and obtuin wme food. We may remain hero a Week. Who knows? P.efore I leavo you I wish to say that until you con pent to have the priest of that village make you my wife you shall not be per mitted to leave this car. I much pre fer, as would any man, a willing bride; but, denied this, I will compel you to nbey. It will be the worse for you. I Dffered love an affectionate embrace You refused. Now 1 command! Think this mntter settled only when we are married." "Never! You have my revolver and, I suppose, one of your own. Khoot mo If you will. I will not marry your' "It will not be you I shoot What do you think jowr father will do when ho finds you are left behind'" "Without doubt ho will obtain a spe cial train and come hero after me. Then, Prince Neslerov, bewnre!" lie smiled like a wolf and showed ills teeth. "That Is what I wanted you to say. If when your father conies hero you aro not my wife, I will shoot him dead." "You daro not!" she gasped. "I dare anything. No report of mine would be discredited at St. Petersburg. I could prove that your futher was a conspirator against tho government mid was shot while fighting my sol illers." "There Is a government of tho United States of America!" "True, but at a distance. I do not fear It. Hut consider what I have 6ald. 1 will return with food." He left the car, securing the doors to prevent her escape. When she saw him striding toward the village, she leaned against the window and studied the rude people. "I am helpless absolutely helpless!" she rnoaui'd. "Oh, If he had not taken Miy revolver I could have shot lilm or myself," She looked about her for some moth rd whereby she could, If tho need mould come, take her own life rather than submit to his demands. She knew that if there were a priest in this squalid placo he would obey No. slerov, and mumble some words per fectly meaningless to her, but which would glvo Nenlcrov power over her. She walked the lengtli of the apart ment llio a caged lioness. Woumn turned Into their huts and came out again. Hho saw Neslerov ttnrt buck toward the car carrying a wooden tray. Shu shuddered again. God give mo streugth, courage, calmness!" she murmured. "To lose 'MM-iiiiiNiii-NH wouiii no to rnn a vic tim lo Ii J in." She nerved herself to meet him ns Ll footstens sounded on tho nlatfonn. Jrk 000' 000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 Ashley Towne 000 000 no i. uj.mi. ..a in entered with a bowl of gruel, some straining pota toes, roast fowl, coffee and sotno coarse bread. "It Is not quite like our usual fare," ho said, "hut It Is better than being hungry." He set tho dishes on a tablo ho lm ptovlsed out of the back of a sent. lie had a large traveling bag with him, and from it he took a bottle of wine. "Wo will pledge each other," ho said, with a laugh. "I do not wish any," said Frances. "Come, don't be churlish! Let us get over the unpleasant part. Drink a toast to your future husband." "I will not. I will not touch It!" "Drink-drink my health!" ho com mantled. "I will not!" "I will make you!" He held the cup In his right hand. With his left ho grasped her by tho lialr. He bent back her hi ad. "Open your Inuuth. Swallow tho wine. I will choke you!" be cried. With a powerful effort sho wrenched herself free and to her feet, and tho wine went to the floor with a smash. Her eyes were glaring with despera tion. She clinched her list and rained blow upon blow upon his face. Curses deep and terrible burst from him. He clutched her round the waist and struggled with her. She exerted all her strength. She was like a fero cious tigress. II ur nails scratched bis face and tore his hair. Her blows cut his lips on his teeth. Rut ho was a powerful man and used his strength against this captive woman. With a gasp she succumbed and sank holplens and exhausted almost in his arms. "Curse you!" he spluttered between his swollen lips. "I have wasted my kindness on you! I should havu starv ed you. Rut I will delay no longer. I'll drag you to the priest, and in ten minutes you will be the Princess Nesle rov and my slave for life. I'll break your heart, you devil!" He closed his arms tightly about her nnd dragged her from the car. Tho villagers stared in astonishment a they saw him comiug toward them with his burden. "Whnt means this strange happen ing, little father?" asked a woman ot an older man of tho village. "Is tho man killing her?" "Let be!" growled the man. "TJso your eyes In your house, but moddlo not with others. The man's gold Is good. He will not hurt her. Sho is probably his wife." Russian wives are accustomed to cru elty from their husbands. A beating; is but part of their demonstrations of authority as head of the house. Tho women looked on with apathy, whilo the men smiled. "Ho has married a Tartar," they said among themselves. "Help! Save mo from this man!" gasped Frances as Neslerov half drag ged, half curried her into the nearest group. "Where Is your priest?" Neslerov de manded. 'Get him at once. Not only he, but all in the place, will rcceivo pay. Call the priest at once!" "Save me! I am an American! Gor donthe man who built tho road is my father!" cried Frances, struggling again. A bent old man was seen shambling toward them. v "Come," said Neslerov roughly. "Thh young woman and I aro to be married. Hurry. We have been left behind in that car, and to save her good name she must become my wife. Proceed!" "No! For pity's sake, do not!" cried Frances. "My father will pay you well! Do not compel me to marry him! I hate him!" "J command you to marry us!" shout ed Neslerov. A tall man of about middle age step ped from the crowd. "It Is wrong," he said. "Who you aro I know not. but It Is not the way to win a wife. Release the young woman. Let us hear what she has to say." "What she has to say! Curse you!" howled Neslerov. lie did release her for n moment and sprang forward. Ills fist shot out against the man's-face. Without an effort iu his own behalf ho fell. "I nm Neslerov, governor of Tomsk!" shouted tho prince, now perfectly fren zied. "I command you, old dotard, to say the words that will niako this girl my wife." "Please do not!" crlud Frances. "n has stolen me from my father! no It a cruel monster! I cannot marry him!" "He Is his excellency, tho governor," muttered the old man. "We tnus obey." Neslerov seized her by the wrist and swung her toward the priest. The vil lagers crowded round, awestruck at tht great name they hud heard. They wel. knew the governor. Many of them had felt tho knout at his command. "It must tyo done," again mutterec the priest. "No, no!" cried Frances, trying t wrench away from Naslerov. A boy slid quietly away from thi crowd and rau. "Stund there, curse you!" said Nesle rov, grasping Frances by tho hair The pain of his rude hand on her lovelj lialr mn.il Frances cry out In tPrror, pain and shame. "I'll kill you If you move again!" There, was" tho sound of a quick and stealthy tread. There was a swish In tho air. There was a gasp, a murmur from tho crowd, which fell back In consternation. A heavy Russian riding whip swung through the air In an arc and, descend ing, cut tho skin across the faco of Ne slerov. "Curso you!" said a hearty American ,volce. "I'll have your life for this!" ".Tack! Oil, Jack!" cried Frances, nnd (lion, tho last vcstlgo of her strength deserting her, bho (all uncon scious Into Jack Denton's outstretched arms. CHAPTER VII. a nun,. ESLKROV recoiled, nnd tho writhing of his face In pain nnd fury, together with tho long red cut mndo by tho whip, gave him tho expression of a de mon. "You! You!" he gnsped. "Yes, I!" said Denton. "Fortunately, I arrived In time to foil this dastardly attempt of yours to take advantage of a defenseless girl. I have been riding along the railway from stream to st rerun examining the bridges. I reach ed this placo on my horse a moment ago. A boy saw mo coming nnd hur ried to tell me what was going on. I had no Idea I should find a friend In need of help. But, thank God, I was Iu time." "You will never leave this place alive!" said Neslerov. lie plucked a revolver from his pock et and aimed at Denton. A woman standing near held out her hands and caught the form of Frances nnd bore It Into her house. Denton, with flashing eyes, leaped forward and closed with Neslerov. "It Is n battle to the death between giants!" cried a man Iu the crowd. The pistol fell from tho grasp of No tdcrov, and the whip before wielded by Denton dropped to the ground. Tho Iron Outers of Denton would close on the throat of Neslerov, nnd It seemed ns though the struggle would end that moment, but Neslerov would wrench himself free and leap nt his enemy with a curse and growl. "It Is you or I! One of us must die!" cried Neslerov. A swinging, crashing blow from tho American's right hand sent the gov ernor to the ground, whore he lay ns If stunned. "Take enre of him, somebody," said Denton In Russian. "I don't want to kill him." He turned without n look nt the fall en man nnd started townrd the hut Into which Frances had been carried. "Look out!" cried a woman. At the cry, which whs echoed In the crowd, Denton turned suddenly. The dastardly Neslerov had feigned. He had risen to his feet and was creeping upon his enemy with a dagger drawn. "Oh, you aro an assnssin. eli?" said Denton ns he drew his jevolver. "Let me see if we cau't settle you once for all." While It might be that not one of the villagers sympathized with Neslerov, yet his act was not a crime to them. With their sordid understanding of women having no rights, no freedom, no liberties save what their lords anil masters gave them, the men of this place looked upon the eagerness of Neslerov to he married to so beautiful a girl as natural. One of them, realizing that the gov ernor's safety was necessary to their own, sprung upon Denton and drove a knife through the fleshy part of his arm. The pistol fell to the earth near that of Neslerov and two villagers picked tliein up and hid them. Like n flnsh Neslerov wns upon his unarmed foe, and his knife was raised to strike, but Denton, with a quicker movement, drew a knife from his belt. He had ridden too often over the tun dra to go unprepared for enemies, hu man and otherwise. And now began n duel the like of which the banks of tho Irtish or its branches will probably never see again. Steel Unshed on steel. The blood from the wound In Den ton's arm was Hung over the face nnd clothing of Neslerov, while thnt from the bruises on the governor's face grew thick nnd dark, making him truly hide ous. With a grasp as of iron Denton seiz ed the hand of Neslerov that held the dagger, but with a wrench the govern or got it uwny and cut to the bone half the length of Denton's finger. Hut the American scarcely felt tho wound. He was not fighting now for life, nor for vengeance. He was fight ing for thnt girl who lay In the hut. He knew that if Neslerov killed him ind was not killed himself, her life would be made such a hell In the power of this monster of brutality tnat death would be preferable. A year ago she had told him she did not and never could love him. It hud been a quarrel. She didn't want to get married, and he asked her If his rough exterlor.thoresultof years of hard work in rude and dangerous places, was dis agreeable to her. He said there wore lino gentlemen at Paris, New York, London nnd St. Petersburg. She had answered thut she knew It. She pre-' ferred their company to boors. They parted then and had not met till now. Denton and Neslerov kept fighting on, tho villagers too much aghast to step between or utter a word. Neslerov felt his right una getting weaker. Denton's knife had slashed through tho sleeve of his cout and found tho bone near the elbow. An ar tery must have been cut, for the blood was thrown from tho end of the sleovo. Made desperate, lie gathered all Ins strength for a final effort aud sprain; bodily upon his foe, Denton, seeing an opportunity nnd knowing thnt nothing but n deathblow seemed likely to end the fight, met the plunge nnd drove his knife Into Nesle rov's side. With another curse, a spluttering of blood and a groan tho governor of Tomsk sank to tho ground at the foot of his ndversary unconscious. "Take caro of him, you fellows; no need to let him die," said Denton, ex nmlning tho wound. "His lung Is not touched. Nothing fatal here, I am glad to say. Here, you!" The old priest came mumbling to ward hlui. "You know moro about surgery than the rest. Get some water, bathe these wounds, tnke a few stitches In the long cuts aud bandage him up." "Yes, little father." said the priest, trend, Hug, "Hut what of you?" "I can take euro of myself." He strode to the bank of tho stream, over which he had but a few months before built u bridge, and bathed his wounds. Then he went Int i the hut to see Frances, as If nothing had hap pened. CIIAPTKR VIII. TIID INTEKVlUW IN TUB HUT. FRANCES lay on a rude bed, scared; eonsclotw, nnd Den ton stood a moment looking down solemnly upon the lovely upturned fncc. He bent over her, touch ed her brow nnd felt her pulse. All sense of his own Injuries seemed to leave him as ho saw her need of imme diate care. Frances felt his touch nnd looked up nt him with about the same expression sho might have worn had he been a stern nnd high priced specialist called In to make an examination. "You nre merely knocked out by the shock," ho said, with assumed Indiffer ence. "You will probably be all right as soon ns we get to Tomsk." "Yes, If I could get there," she whis pered. "My father will be anxious." "We must relieve his nnxloty ns soon as possible. You must not worry." "Whnt will you do? And Neslerov?" "Never mind Neslerov now. Keep cool. You've got to be brnced up a lit tle. I wish I had some wlno." "There was some in the car," she an swered. "Neslerov hnd It. He tried to mnke mo dr.nk, but I would not." Denton went to the car, still on tho mnln track, nnd brought from It the re mnins of tho bottle of wine Neslerov had opened. This he took with him to the hut nnd offered some to Prances. "I don't want It I refused it before," she said. "Oh, don't you wnnt It?" he nsked Ironically. "I suppose In your keen nnd subtle mind there Is no distinction be tween a glass of wine offered by Nesle rov when jt"U were his prisoner and by mo when you are 111." "I did not meun that," she said meek ly. She reached out her hnnd. took the cup and drained it. "Now, then." said Denton, coolly seat ing himself on a stool near her bed, "tell me this whole miserable business from the beginning." "I haven't thanked you yet, .lack," she said, with a return of color. "Never mind thanking me. I did merely what nny other American would have done, nnd, seeing you In dnnger, It would not have been manly, Indeed, to stand off. I accept your thanks, but let's get to the business. How did you happen to be here with Neslerov?" "We wore In Moscow," she snid. "There was a meeting about the ucw railway," "Yes, I know. That was what took Neslerov there." "He bad an Interview with papa while In Moscow he" "Why do you hesitate? It is not n new experience to have n man 'vant to marry you. Is It? You gave him the usual answer, I suppose." "Oh, Jack! There was but one an swer papa could give him. I do not like the prince, and papa knows I will never marry a man I do not love." "Kverybody knows that who knows you." said Denton soberly. "He told him about you nnd about Vladimir nnd the prince got angry." "About Vladimir! Who is he?" "Vladimir Paulpoff, nn Ironworker, now sent" "Never mind, we will get to thnt afterward. Yoii started for the Obi, where 'Gordon is to take a house in Vnshlov." "No. not yet. I must tell you about Vladimir poor fellow! I mot him in the forge in his shop one day while the railway was being put throug'i Perm. Papa mid 1 went there. He ii a marvelous num. .lack. You woul ' think ns much of him as I do if y i knew him. lie Is so handsome and strong. He Is" "Do you mean young Paulpoff, the blacksmith of Perm'" "Yes. .lack. Do you know him?" "I've hnd him turn out some Iron for imnll bridges. Well?" "He Is so Intelligent, nnd was so nnxlous to learn, to Improve, I helped him. I used to send him books, pa pers, magazines, scientific works any thing I could get hold of that would help him. He studied hard, poor fel low! He grew to I think he loved me -he" "Of course yon returned his affec tion. You've done It so I moan It came quite easy." Tenrs glistened In her eyes, and sho turned away her head. She had quar reled with this man and had said sho would never mnrry him, and their friendship hnd been almost cut asun der. Hut he had saved her from Ne slerov. Now he was chiding her. "One could not know Vladimir with out admiring lilm," she said suddenly, with a great accession of spirit. "I full to see why I should be put through this catechism by you.,' "You needn't be If you don't want to," he answered coldly. "Tills Is a nice, quiet village. Neslerov is lying not far away, somewhat cut up now, but he will get over that. I could go on my wny nnd Ienve you if my ques tions are distasteful. The thing' Is that there must be an explanation to this affair, and I'd like to know what it Is to be. It Is no trifling matter to cut tho governor of a Russian province to pieces." "Hnvo you been fighting?" she nsked quickly. "No," ho replied, with n tinge of sar casm. "Neslerov and I Indulged In a few pleasantries. He doesn't feel as gay over them as I do; that's all." "Oh, I see your hand Is bandaged -I never noticed It. Oh, Jack, forgive me!" "We wero following a course of In quiry," he said, putting tho bandaged hand behind him. "This Vladlmlr you met there wns an attachment so fur, so good. Now, how did that lead to this nfTnlr?" "I wnnted to see Vladimir nnd went by trnin from Moscow to Perm. I found a drosky at the station nnd was driven to the shops. Shops, house all were deserted. I found Neslerov there with a painting under his arm. He was taking It away, It was n beautiful pic ture, a beautiful face. I asked the prlneo where Vladimir wns. He said that all the Pnulpoffs-father. mother and Vladimir hud been sent to' Sibe ria." "Sent to Siberia! That big simple heorted fellow! For what?" "Conspiring with others to kill the czar. We were alone; the drosky driv er went nut, and Neslerov tried to kiss me. I fought him; I shot him." "You shot Neslerov?" "Yes, I shot him. I would ngnln. I then returned to Moscow, but did not tell my father nnythlng about the mat ter, save that Vladimir wns sent to Siberia. Wc soon after started for the Obi nnd stopped at Perm. We saw the governor, nnd ho promised that If he discovered that Vladimir was Innocent he would help him." "He might ns well have said that It ho discovered the moon was cheese he'd give It to you for lunch. Things like that nre rarely corrected In Russia." "When wo toft Perm, Neslerov was on tho train. Of course, as papa did not know anything about the shooting In the house of tho Paulpoffu he greet ed Neslerov as a friend. Everything went well till we hnd crossed the bor der and come Into Noslerov's own prov ince. At this placo I had been sleep lug I woke up. The car hnd beconu detached from tho train. I was ttlonc with Neslerov. He took my rcvolvci from me nnd dragged me hero nnd or dered the priest to marry us. Then you came." "Yes, I think I camo Just in time," said Denton. Then a stern look camo again upon his face. "Frances," ho said, "I do not know, of course, how this mntter will end. 11 Neslerov wishes, ho cati destroy me. If he finds It advisable to keep silent, then I may find a wny to assist thlt Vladimir. I think wo shall soon bo on tho way to the Obi." With these words be left the hut nnd was met at the door by nn angry, threntenlng mob of villagers. "There he Is!" growled nn old man, evidently the tender. "He tried to kill his excellency. Kill lilm!" "Kill him!" said another. "It is the governor's command. He put the Iron road, the bridge, the devil wagons, through our country. The czar does not wish it, aud we must avenge tht wrong. Kill hlui!" CHAPTER IX. DBSTOK TURNS LOCOMOTIVE ENCINnEK. ENTON presented an unruffled front. "Take me to tho governor," he said. "The governor Is resting," growled a follow whose face was a mass of greasy hair. "You will kill him." "Nonsense! Take me to the govern or. If you kill me. be will die." "Why is that, builder of bridges? Is there a god who avenges the death of Americans?" "It will need no god to do that now. The case Is simply that Neslerov needs better care than you can give him. He Is badly Injured. It is necessary that he shall be taken to Tomsk nt once. I can stmt within the hour. There will not bo another train to the Obi In four days. Do ' iu desire to keep your pre cious governor here nnd have him die on your hands?" "No. Let us sec what the governor has to say." It was a "nlomn crowd that marched in two columns, with Denton between, to the hut of the village priest, where Neslerov lay. "Why do you bring him here?" asked the priest. "Heard you not what his excellency snid?" "Hold your peace. Wait till jou hear them speak together." was the reply. Neslerov looked up nt his conqueror, and nn expression of hatred came Into his eyes. Denton made no show of sen timent or compassion. "I understand you commanded thoo villagers to kill me," he said, standing at the side of the lied and looking cold ly and sternly at his victim. "I Just wintrd to say before they kill me which they certainly will do If you In sistthat In that case you would prob ably die here for lack of proper care." "You cannot help me you would not," answered Neslerov. "That Is for you to say. I am not a murderer. I had no desire to kill you. You attacked ine, and I defended my self. I outgoing back to Tomsk, pro vided your savage villagers don't kill me, nnd I merely enme to nsk If you would be pleaded to go." "How?" he asked. "In the same car you came thus far In." "Rut how? There Is no train duo for days." "I will take you to Tomsk If promise never again to molest Gordon or his daughter." "I promise," said Nesletov. "I you Mr. will order the villagers to permit you to go." Denton then went to the car nnd ex amined it. He discovered where a flaw in tho iron had weakened the couplings. Ho was followed nt n short distance by several young men, among whom was the boy who had ruu to tell him that a woman was being roughly hnndled by Neslerov, nnd who had taken his horse to shelter, no ordered tho boy to bring the horse. Mounting, he wns soon out of sight. He did uot go fur, however. He rode along the track until ho reached a siding a short dlstanco from the bridge, where there wns nn old construction engine. Denton exnmlned the old hulk. It was tit only for drawing one or two cars. Denton carried water from the river and tilled the boiler and built a fire of wood. Soon after the villagers were sur prised to see a wheezy, rickety old en gine comiug slowly, with a prodigious i'ole, Into view. Denton's horse had no difficulty In keeping up with It. The old engine wns coupled to tho car, nnd then Denton went for Frances. "The train Is ready," he snid. "The train! What train?" . 'The train that Is to carry you to the Obi, where you will Join your father," "Hut there is no train!" "There is n train, and ns tho stenm Is up nnd the track clear I suggest hnste. Your father Is probably mix lous," Sho went with him. At the sight of tho engine sho understood. "You are a wonderful you aro doing this for mo!" she snid. "Yes, but Neslerov will bo a passen ger." "And you?" "Engineer, conductor, gunrd all." lie took bcr to tho car ami made her conifortnble. Neslerov wns carried to the car by tho villagers. The bncks of two seats were turned down, n bed wns made for him, and he lay thoro qulot nud seem Ingly content, "Of course, I know thnt you nre seri ously wounded," snid Denton to lilm "nnd the possibility of your, doing nny mischief Is small, but I want to tell you before wo start that If 1 cntch yon at any tricks I will kill you ns I would n dog,"' D Neslerov nodded, nnd Denton went on tho engine. It was nn exciting start, though thf, nudlenco wns smnil. The ilhigers stared, then Inwthrri ns the llttlo old engine puffed nnd screeched aud scrap cd ns It got tinder wny. Hut It hnd n man In chnrgo of It who was accustomed to overcoming difficul ties. And the wny ho mndo It gronn nnd work would hnvo mndo glad tho heart of tho mnn who had abandoned It on the siding six months before. In the car was silence. Neslerov wns too wenk to talk; Frances would not talk to him If he wished. Sho re mained nt her end of the enr, save to go In mercy to him and offer lilm wa ter at Intervals. At such times he would look up at her with an earnest, Inscrutable expression ou hit) faco. Sho would not speak, nor he. Suddenly at a siding toward which he had been aiming Deuton turned tho engine to Hi is right and brought the lit tle train to a standstill. They had been on tho road sixteen hours and had trav eled 210 miles. Frances and Neslerov both looked up as the train stopped and saw the grimy engineer enter tho car. "There is a village near here," ho Bald, "and Just boyond this siding there is a small signal box. I have Just vis ited it, and ttiere Is a train coming this wny from Tomsk. Undoubtedly, ns there Is no regular train due, this is a scnrchlng party out nfter Frances Gor don, Now, I have no wish to start an International controversy. .What story shall we tall?" "Tell the truth." said Frances. "It docs not, as a rule, harm any person who Is Innocent." "No," said Neslerov; "not ns a rule. But wo nre In a part of tho world where customs nre different from yours. If you tell the trtith, you will never make the world believe you. Hut you will not understand; I cannot tell you." "I know what you mean," said Fran ces scornfully. "You mean that your reputation is so bad that If It were known that you had that car left be hind to compel me to marry you every body will be sure I am your wife. Is that It?" "Yes; something like that." "Rut, then, there Is my word," 6ald Denton. "Your story will be believed by your people, my story by mine," said Nesle rov. "Let us each tell what wc please. 1 do not care." Denton nodded and went back to his engine. Rut ho did not start. Tho ivhistle of a speeding locomotive wns borne to him by the breeze. It enme , one engine and a car. the same ns thst j he was on, but a modern locomotive of American make. Gordon was in tho car with some officials from Tomsk. "Iley! That you, Deuton?" he gasp ed ns the grimy bridgebulldor stepped Into the far, whh'h jyns stopped at the s'llo of the construction engine. "My g'rl and the governor of Tomsk got left behind In a car. Seen" "I'm all right," said Frances as she emerged from her car and flew to her father's arms. "Did Denton save you? What was It? Whore Is Neslerov?" asked Gordon. "Oh. h- Is In there." said Frances coolly. "We've had a lively experience. I thought at one time we'd be killed by some savages. Rut Mr. Denton and the pi'lnee oil, let's get ou; I'm tired out and hungry." Denton heard and wondered. In every new experience lie had hnd with Francos Gordon he had been made more and more astonished by the un certain moods, the whims, the strange turns her caprice would take. "Hitch on to tills train and haul her back to the Obi," ald Denton. "If Ihe road (iosn't want tills engine, I can use it at the Obi bridge." Tills attachment wns soon made, nnd Mr. Gordon, after visiting the prince and congratulating him upon his es cape fiom the savages, assisted !n transferring to him some of tho com forts to be found iu the other car. The Russian officials swarmed arouud him nnd praised his courage. "And that American! He is n brave one too!" they said. "Yes; lie is brave braver thnn I," snid Neslerov weakly. The train started bnk toward Tomsk. It had about ninety miles to go to reach the Obi. During tho Jour ney Denton nnd Frances found them selves side by side In the rear car, with no one nenr enough to hear their low spoken tones. "I cannot understand you," said Denton. "You first said tell the truth, then you yourself told the first dullber ute lie. Why?" Frances looked nt lilm coolly. "Recause I thought it over. There was n good denl in what Neslerov snid. Then, agnln, you nnd my father have work to do, a career to make, money to earn, and with the enmity of Ne slerov you would be ruined. I studied It well. It Is better as I said it. Let It pass." "Here we nre at Vnhlov," he said. "For the time beiug you ore homo ngnln." "Yes." she replied, with the slightest tremor In her voice. "Thanks to you, I nm home again Iu my temporary liouie." CHAPTER X. JANSKY, SUTF.niXTK.NOKNT OP rOUCE. N ESLKROV lny In his pnlaco In Tomsk, slowly recovering. Ills heart wns filled with rage, nud he longed for veugennce. Ills closest oontidiiut now was Jan. sky, who, owing to his meritorious conduct In tho apprehension of so great n gnng of conspirators ns the Pafil poll's, was promoted at the request of Neslerov to n post where bo .could as sist his superior In bis plnns and ambi tions. Ho had told Jansky the story of tho ride from Moscow, and It wns of courso colored to suit bis purpose. Jansky hnd received his commission the first Im portant one since his nrrlvul at Tomsk to watch tho American and find nn opportunity to wrenk vengennce. About twenty miles from the city of Tomsk wns the vitiligo of TlvoloQ'sky, n small mining towu peopled by convicts. To this town the Paulpoffs had beeu sent. Vladimir was useful In tho mines. With his tremendous strength ho could do (lie work of two, nnd In his simple obedience to tho mandates of his superiors he never uttered a com pjalut. The old people did menial work, cooking for tho convicts w j had uo families or "lanuiug Iu thu houses of tho o 111 corn. This new llfo enmo hardest upon tho old people, nnd It was their sufferings that mado Vladimir curso under his breath. One day Jansky entered tho room where Neslerov eat or half reclined. "Well, what Is it? I seo you have something to say," said Neslerov. "I have, your excellency," replied the superintendent of police, "It concerns him your enemy." "Tho American?" "Yes. I have obeyed your eommnnds ho has been constantly watched. And at last wc are In a position to strike," Neslerov sat up straight. "What? Tell mo ut once." "It Is not yet revealed whnt the man's object Is, but ho aud the Paulpoffs ate plotting again." "The Paulpoffs?" "They and tho Atnorlcnn. Ho has visited them twice. It wus overheard that ho and Papa Paulpoff hnd a long conversation nhout a picture." Neslerov glanced at a painting that hung ou the wall. It was the painting ho had taken from the Paulpoffs' house at Perm. "What can he know nbout the pic ture?" asked the governor. "1 do not know. That Is, ns I snid, not yet revealed." "Jansky," he said, "I know what the object Is If you do not. Listen care fully now to what I say. It is quite possible tho American has discovered tho existruco of the original of that picture you seo there. It Is a small medallion, probably in a locket. It was lost some years ngo by a member of my family nnd bears relation to a great mystery tho mystery of Gras low" Jansky shut his eyes nnd seemed to be thinking. "Jansky, your life and miuo depend on your action now. Do you under stand?" "I understand nothing." "That picture, If it is the one I mean, must be brought to me. Tho Ameri can, if lie proves to bo Interested in It, must know or suspect something I do not wish him to know. There aro ways whereby even an American could dis appear in Siberia. And, Jansky, Vladi mir Paulpoff is a most dangerous plot ter even here. Ho ought to bo placed where he can do no moro mischief." "I begin to understand," said Jansky grimly. He bowed and left the palace and rode toward Tivoloffsky. Two days passed, during which Jan sky wntdicd and kept himself in readi ness to act. Then, while Mamma Paul poff was alone In her hut, sho heard an imperative knocking at the door. Papa Paulpoff and Vladimir had just gone to the mine. Denton, tho American, had left the hut but a short tinje oc tave. Mamma raulpoff had been through so much troublo of late that tho bllghtest sound jarred upon her. She turned whiter still and stepped backward as sho saw the dark and forbidding face of Jansky. Behind Jansky were two of tho Tomsk po lice. "You are Mamma Paulpoff," said Jansky, slipping his foot iu the door and working his way inside. "I am; you know me; I wns at Frrm," faltered the trembling old wo man. "I nm quite well aware that you wero at Perm, old woman, and nlo that conspiring son of yours. It show ed tho mercy of tho czar that you re ceived no worse punishment. This is heaven compared to what you de served." "Wo had done nothing, your excel lency." "What! You still persist in that lie! You were all in the j.ame. and ou aro still nt It. let mo tell jtu." "It is not so!" wal'ed the old woman, having visions of horrible punishments of which she hud heard. "Don't tell no," said Jansky, bran dishing a whip he curried. Tho other two did the same, but their whips wero heavier. Tho old woman crouched against the wall. "Don't lie to me again." thundered Jansky. "I have been watching you every day since j'Dii came to this place. I say you nre still conspiring." "It Is not so! I swear It in the name of God!" cried Ma in mil Paulpoff. "Let me tell you, It will be worse for you If you do not tell tho truth. You aro receiving a visitor who Is suspect ed." "I a visitor! I know no one!" gasp ed Mamma Paulpoff, "Oh, do you not ? Rut you were here when he came. Did he come to see you, your husband or your son?" "Who of whom do you speak?" ask ed the frightened old woman. "Of whom would I speak save that accursed American? lie has twice made attempts upon the life of the gov ernor of Tomsk. Yet the governor In tho kindness of his heart has not mo lested him. Rut he was warned if a third attempt was mado it would go hard with him." "Ah, It Is Impossible! He is so good so kind" "Good and kind, oh? In what man ner does he display It?" "Oh, ho came he camo" The old woman stumbled nnd floun dered. It had been borne in upon her understanding by Papa Paulpoff that ou no account must she breathe a word to nny person concerning tho visit of which Jansky spoke. "Conic, out with it!" stormed Jansky. "He came -I do not know why he came," murmured tho old woman lu de spair. "I will tell you. Uo camo to conspire against the llfo of Neslerov, governor of Tomsk." "No, no! 1 swear he did not." "Good! Then If you know ho did not, you must know why he did conio hero. Out with it, now, If you value your life." "My life! Ah, you would not hnrm a helpless old woman!" For answer .Innsky brought his whip down on her bony shoulders, "Have mercy!" cried the unfortunate. "Will you tell why tho American vis ited this house?" "I know not!" "Take her; tie her thumbs there, over the door!" he commanded savage ly. His two gallnnt men needed no fur ther bidding. The aged womnn wns seized, cords were fnstened to hep thumbs, nnd she was placed starrtlng In tho doorway Jansky hud Indicated, with bur thumb hung above her head. "Tour tho rags from her buckl't A rude hnnd "tore away her garments to tho wnlst. "Now, then, old hng," said Jnnsky, "understand I hnvo come for tho truth and will have It. If you do not glvo It to me, I will kill you. I will got tho truth from Paulpoff, who bus moro oiiso thnn you. Now, whnt wns the! itisliicsM that brought the American, hero?" "I know not!" whispered the woman with a great sob. "Tho lnsh!" roared Jnnsky. One of his police swung hit henvy whip, nnd tho lush catno down ncross the naked shoulders. A livid mnrk! told tho course, nnd Mamma Paulpoff cried nut in agony. "This must bo known!" said Jnnsky. "Klther you or sotno one must tell. What brought the American here? Wa.s It concerning n picture?" "I know not!" said the woman. "The lash! Twice!" ordered Jansky. A white line nnd a red ono marked! the blows of the whip. Mamma Paul poff screamed In her awful torture. If or limbs grew weaker, and sho hung; by tho cords tied to her thumbs. The thumbs wer-i black. "You will learn!" said Jansky, "Tho officers of tho czar must take these steps to protect Ills empire. With tho lesson you havo had, tell the truth. What brought the American hero?" "I know not!" unswered the womnn. "Hell's furies upon her!" snid Jnn sky, almost besldo himself. "The lash! Three times!" "Your arm is weak," said the police officer who hnd done no whipping. "Let me try." A smile of horrible cruelty crossed his face as ho stepped by the side of tho woman. His whip whistled In tho nlr. It fell once twice thrice, nud with a scream, her head fell back. IIcc eyes glazed. "Hold! Quick! Release her nnd re store her to consciousness!" ordered Jansky. "She Is unconscious and can not feel our punishment." They cut her down, laid her on tho floor and poured liquor dowu hoc throat. Groans came from her as they work ed. "God, take mo from this awful pain!'' she murium ed. "She feels again!" said Jansky in savage glee. "String her up!" Again she was raised and tho cordj were fastened to her thumbs. "Now, hug, tell me why the Ameri can camo here? Was it to kill tho governor or to kill the czar?" "No, I do not know." "You lie. The charge against him nnd Vladimir is that they are conspir ing to 1:111 both. The American and Vladimir will be taken to the prison at Tomsk and shot. Tell tho truth. It will save them and you." "I know nothing!" said the old wom nn. remembering her husband's warn ings. "The lash, both of you! Kill the old beast!" yelled Janky. "It was but a picture to take a pic ture!" cried Mamma Paulpoff In tones that pierced the air. Her weakness had come too late. Roth whips coiled round her shrunken breaLs. The withered -klu wns cut t with a ku.fe i. ue xcreum came from, her writhing 1 p. and she was still. "Cut her down. I.euve her," was Jansky's curt remark. He watched them lay the 'till form upon tne floor and then led the wny to their horses. "It wns a picture." he muttered. "Then Neslerov was right, and tho American is on the trail, i'oth he and Vladimir m ist "'io!" That v glit buKmlr came ncme from the mine with I'apa I'aulpsff. He was the lr-.t to step across the threshuld. "My God!" !ae said. "Who nas beea here?" Papa Paulpoff stood stupefied, look ing nt the upturned face of his wife dead bruised her breast covered with blood. "Tho police!" walled the old man, wringing hl bands pitifully. "Ther have killed Mamma Paulpoff! They will kill you and me!" Vlndlmlr's gentle, placid face becanio distorted with leonine rs'.'e. He stoop ed over the dead body of his mother, touched her blood with the tips of h'n fingers and wiped them on his own brow, "If this Is Neslerov or the order ofi the czar," he thundered Into the com of the terror stricken old man, -'I will rend them all! From this moment live for vengeance!" He brought his clinched fist down on a wooden table and wrecked it com pletely. "So will I crush them who have dono this thing!" he cried. "So will I smash their hearts!" While he raged Papa Paulpoff sank by the side of Mamma Paulpoff and ,vept- TO ISB CONTINTED. The I'lrnt Tvlricram. The first reeoid I find of electricity earning money was on April 1, 1S14, Ths only telegraph line then existing' was the gOTernment lice from Iinlti more to Washington. As the govern ment hod no use for it, content was ob tained to charge for prlvnt messages, tho postmaster general fixing the tar iff at one cent for four characters, lavs a writer in the Electrical Review. A tertain politician was willing to toko the risk of helng the first fool, but rlalmed to have only one etnt in shnnge. The Washington operator laid to Baltimore for him, "4," which was nn agreed signal for "what time is. It?" The reply enme back "one n'clock. This customer srems to hare paid the flrst cent ever earned by this great Industry. This wns the only rev enue for four days. On the fifth day 12 cents were earned. Hon She Voted. A cynical bachelor llswued to som women who wore dismissing female suffrage and was asked by one of them for his views on the question, He re plied thus with great delibei atlon: "I once heard of n woman who wns asked bow she had voted at the recent eleci lion. 'In my plum-colored gown, was' the nnwer." Then the cynical bache lor bowed and escaped. MIGHT ALL BRINf! SOMR. "Yes, we have been married seventeen yeii on the 9th of Oetolier, nnrt wo aie i .)iik to Invito nil our friends to help us , i u it " Hi c epteenth uniitversar ' I nrvrr ni i eh ir tms: It is it nnv ttitiic; Uko t ' vi' n y or the ililm mini c H tin coal anniversary. C li Miami i'ln-u IH.iler.