The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-06

investigation by the accident of my
friendship with a very charming wO-
man, Princes NeStikOff, whose son.
Prince Boris NestilsOff, was an imperial
page. at that time on duty in the Win
ter palace.
II had formed the acquaintance Of
the princess during my former official
residence at the embassy, and, though
some years had elapsed since | had
seen her. she received me with una
bated friendliness on my return. Do
not. l beg of you. allow yourself to put
false Interpretation on the senti-
ments which subsisted between this
lady and myself The princess. al
though left widow at an early age.
was Il woman of the most delicate pro-
priety, and my attentions to her par
took of an almost paternal character.
Il chanced to be dining at her man.
sion on the Nevsky prospect. on the
day after the royal apparition was said
to have made its appearance. We were
enjoying a tete-a-tete after dinner, be-
fore proceeding to a ball given that
night at the palace, when we were in
terrupted by the arrival of the young
Boris, dressed in the imposing uniform
of his office. He was quite a lad: in
deed, when I had formerly known him
| customed to consider me in the light of
a father.
He entered the room in which we
We're seated, more abruptly than was
perhaps consistent with his filial re-
Spect: but the agitation under which
he evidently labored furnished some
| excuse.
Mother he cried out as soon as he
was inside the door. have you heard
| about the event of last night?'
"The princess, with a gesture full of
dignity, drew his attention to my pres
| ence.
"'Bors.' she exclaimed, in voice of
reproof. you have omitted to pay your
respects to the baron
1.-THE young prince blushed. and has
tened to make his apologies, with that
grace which he inherits from his par
ent.
Say no more ] commanded; 1T Is
easy to see that you have something of
importance which you wish to COM
municate to your mother. With
madam's permission I will withdraw
But this neither of them would hear
of. both mother and son assuring me
that there was no secret which they
would not trust to my discretion.
l know not how it is pursued the am
bassador. extending his hands with an
air of the most touching humility. but
there appears to be something in my
character which inspires confidence, in
all those with whom | come in contact,
and induces them to entrust me with
their most delicate affairs, in which l
have really no desire to participate"
To such an observation it was OBJ
viously my duty to make one reply.
THE fact is, my dear ambassa dor,
that they do right. 1t is the strictness
with which you guard these condolences
of which you complain. that leads peo-
pie to presume upon your amiability."
Having said this. took advantage of
the interruption to make a desperate
move on the chessboard. His excel
lency, affecting not to note what had
done, continued his revelations.
ut was then that my young friend
proceeded to disclose the reason for his
| sudden appearance. and to astound us
with the intelligence that he was him
self the author of the rumor which had
SO perturbed the society of ST. Peters,
burg. 1t will. perhaps, save time If I
repeat the substance of his story in my
own words
PART II.
you must know" the ambassador
| continued, that the Winter palace is
| one Of the most colossal buildings in
the world. Whole suites of apartments
| in it are never used. even, but, in order
to guard against all danger from the
odious attempts Of the nihilists, a GER
tain watch is maintained even in the
| most deserted quarters of the palace.
In these portions which are given up to
the members Of the imperial household
this duty Is performed by sentinels
selected from the imperial guard, but in