The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-03-25

beckoned the moon to see the pitiful
sight.
Alba Senref, princess of Arnak, was
considered proud and cold by strangers,
but they little knew the tenderness OF
the young princess heart. Pledged from
childhood to Ivan Smoloff, only son of
the royal house of Poland, she had Law
ished all her young love on her future
lord. When the news of his Punishment
reached her, she did not faint as his
mother did. They were at brilliant
bali. The order was Immediately given
to drive home. Then with pale lips and
white, drawn face Alba sat down beside
her fire and tried to devise some means
Of escape for her lover.
All night long she paced her room
thinking, thinking, thinking! She must
do something. Six o'clock struck, and
still no plan was made by which she
could help him. Sinking on her knees
she prayed for help. The servant, enter
ing an hour later, found her asleep. She
seemed dazed when awakened. Then
she said:
'Tell my maid wish to see her."
When the maid came, she ordered her
wraps brought.
"But your ladyship will change her
dress?"
No, there was no time to lose. Already
much had been wasted. Hastily slip
ping the fur mantle over her ball dress,
which she had not yet removed, Alba
filed her purse with money, and bidding
the maid tell no one where she had gone
she left the house. Making her way
alone to St. Petersburg, regardless OF
impudent glances from travellers, she
thought only of Ivan, who was going
farther from her every moment.
1t was dull, cold morning when she
reached the city. Snow was falling in
great flakes. The princess drove to the
palace, but was refused admission when
she told her errand, as they compelled
her to do. For hours she wandered aim
lessly through the streets, attracting
much attention by her rich attire. At
last, weary and heartsick, she entered
church to say prayer for her hapless
lover. AS she left the edifce she was
startled by the tramp of soldiers. TWAS
the emperor's escort. They were pass
ing up the street in the direction of the
palace, the emperor bowling right and
left to the crowds of people on the side
| walks.
Pushing through the crowd she reached
his carriage and implored him to save
her lover. He scarcely heard her, and
turning to the soldiers demanded the
cause of the disturbance. They rudely
forced her back, and the carriage moved
on slowly. But she was not to be re-
pulsed without another effort, and again
making her way to the side of the car
riage she repeated her earnest appeal.
| The emperor requested the saldiers to
bring the maiden closer. With down
| cast eyes and cheeks flushing hotly she
| told Of her love for the exiled nobleman,
and again implored his excellency to par
| don him.
sNever will pardon that rash boy.
! Go to your lover and starve with him IN
the mines"
The royal party moved on, the soldiers
| iostling her roughly as they passed. She
| stood but moment gazing after them
| with horror stricken eyes. Go to hlms
| Yes, she would and stay by his side.
The train seemed to drag along, but
at last she reached Moscow. Determined
not to leave stone unturned, she called
ON the metropolitan of Moscow. AS his
eminence appeared, attired in brown
MORE antique robe glittering with jew
els and wearing the white Grape hat OF
metropolitan, with diamond cross In
front, she forgot her rank, and falling
| on her knees at his feet she kissed the
hem of his robe. In passionate tones
she begged him to use his influence with
the emperor to have her lover pardoned
sMy child, it is utterly impossible. Il
it were any one but Smoloff, there might
be hope, but I can give you none. The
emperor will never pardon him"
He could but pity her as she left the
room with a dazed look on her sweet
face. She must go to her lover The
kind old man procured passport fol-
her, and she was enabled to cross the
border. How slowly the train crept
She sat with pale face pressed against
the window, watching the snow capped
mountains.
| After crossing the Obi at daybreak SHE
was compelled to walk for miles through
the binding snow, often falling on the
rough stones, but bravely trying to keel
up her courage for Ivan's sake. Gusts O.
snow blew in her face, singing like lash
es, and sometimes the wind forced he
back, and she stood still. Her clothes
were tattered and soiled when she reach
ed Tobolsk. Here she inquired how Ions
it had been since the convicts had passed
"Three days ago." the station guart
answered.
"Was-Ivan Smoloff with them?" sh
asked.
ssNo, he died just before he reache'
there. He was shot" "Shot" How tn
word rang in her ears! How strange ev
erything looked! The gloomy station
the grinning, evil faces of the guards a
they leered at her. She noticed even tn
cut of their whiskers and the dirty bul
letin on the wall announcing the mum
l..