Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1889-06-13
A RUSSIAN ROMANCE.
A Touching Story OF NihIlism, Love ano
Devotion.


In the blind asylum at Steglitz, a
short distance from Berlin. there lives
man who until recently was as mys-
terious a parsonage as the famous
''Alan of the Iron Mask" Certain
persons high in authority made appii-
cation for apartments at the asylum
which should be worthy of wealthy
occupant He appeared short time
after, accompanied by beautiful
woman. who was addressed as his wife.
The man was tall and we'll made, and
dressed in the height of fashion, with
hands that betokened gentility of
birth. The woman was young and
aristocratic in looks and bearing.
About the face of the man was a linen
mask, with an opening opposite the
mouth and nostrils, which was never
removed in the presence of attendants.
He sat in dark room, to which the
servants were rarely admitted, and
conversed with few. His food was
given to his wife, and the inmates of
the asylum knew nothing of their name
and history further than the fact that
they were from Russia. Rumors were
rife. as"was natural, and many ingen-
ious sto' les constructed to account for
the strange imprisonment. But the
mystery has at last been solved, and
the "Man of the Linen Mask" proved
10 be the hero of a strange and touch
ing tale.
A year before the death of the late
Gar of Russia, although the scion of
high and mighty family, the young
nobleman, like SO many of his class.
became interested in the trials
and hopes of the Nihilists. Time
and association made him one
of their ardent sympathizers and
assistants. When the murder of
the Emperor was planned, un-
fortunately the execution of the dread
full deed fell to him. The news stag
gered him. His oath bound him to
the Nihilists, his family ties to the
Gar. Thoughts Of his people and the
attendant disgrace influenced him and
finally deferred him; he refused to
commit the crime A year passed by.
Another revolutionist had thrown the
bomb which he had declined to do,
and Alexander was dead. He had
forgotten almost that he had been "a
Nihilist, but not SO those whom he
had forsaken. Passing along one of
the principal streets of st. Petersburg,
when about to greet a woman on the
opposite side, something was dashed
into his eyes. and in a moment the
light of day had gone. His mouth was
deformed, his cheeks burned and dis.
figured. 1t was the work of Nj
hillst, before whose modern inquisi-
tion he had been found wanting;
vitriol had performed the work. Mad
with pain, he was taken home, but the
injury was beyond reparation, and the
doctors aid in vain. The Government
had confiscated his estates upon learn
ing OF his revolutionary sympathies,
but restored them in part when in
formed of the fate which had over
taken him. The mask was placed
upon his head, for he was unpleasant
to look upon.
But the heroism of one woman was
shown, the heroism of his fiancee.
She was a Countess and the daughter
of house as famous and powerful in
Russia as was his own. She was heart
broken when told Of the tiendish act,
and the meeting between the lovers
was touching in the extreme With
sorrowful heart he offered to break
the engagement and make her free
again. But the brave woman refused
Rnd declared that she would remain
with him till death took her away.
And they were married in the little
church on the old estate. attended by
their relatives and friends. And on
their wedding day they started for the
blind asylum in 6tegitz, where they
had hopes Of restoring the poor mans
sight. And here his wife attends h1m
with unfailing devotion and prays for
the day when the afflicted noblemau
can again look upon her face. Berlin
Cor. N. Y. Tribune