Smyrna times., 1900-03-07
"A KISS, A WORD"
A Story CT Woman Who Could
Not Keep a Secret and How
She Paid the Penalty.
BY MAURUS JOKAI
Observation-Disclosures


OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
When the Princess Alexandra Ser |
batoff was presented at the luxurious |
court of Catherine IL. two men had the |
most influence in the empire. One was
Gregory AleXandrovitch Potemkin. the
mighty minister. the other Prince Mon
omoff, the handsome favOrte of the
cZarina.
The gOssiping world said that the
pretty eyes of the favorite had just as
much share in governing the land of all
Russians as the great brain of the ia
nous statesman.
The quick eye of Prince MOnomoff
noticed at once the extraordinary beau
ty of the new court lady. and of course
it was only natural that so wide awake
a statesman as Potemkin. whose less
pretty but nevertheless watchful eyes
were always open. couldn't help seeing
and admiring.
Both men fell in love with the young
princess, and in the ensuing ardent but
secret struggle for her love the cZari-
mas favorite. MOnomoff. was finally
the more successful. He became the
devoted admirer of the princess. and
the wise Potemkin. knowing that he
was mot in it" any more, withdrew,
burying his malice in his diplomatic
heart.
Thanks to his intrigue, the new love
of Prince MOnomoff now became
known fO f.z1rino W. hn fn avoid a
scandal. ordered her favorite to marry
at once the girl
The punishment was taken by the
prince with resignation. which was
only natural. knowing that the young
princess was not only bewitchingly
beautiful. but also enormously rich
The wedding took place with great
pOmp and ceremony. The young par
was overwhelmed with the costliest
presents. among which the most valua-
BILE was that of the czariDa- 1t was
large solitaire diamond. Its Won
drous fire had a beautiful color.
Nothing marred the happiness Of
the young couple. and their honey
moon passed in joy and pleasure.
Once in happy hour the young wife
approached her loving husband with
this inquisitive question:
Tell me. dear. what is the value of
that large diamond which you have on
your finger?'
MonOmOff looked upon the cZarina' S
present and did not answer for awhile.
'"Tell me honestly. sweetheart" con
tinued the princess. how much was
given for that stOne?"
"a kiss" thoughtlessly replied Mono
moff. They both laughed at the joke
Wont you sell it to me? | will pay
you double that much for it," And the
charming young woman demonstrated
right away her generosity by allOwin:
her husband to "help himself" anC
the price. two kisses. was willingl!
paid-in fact. Overpaid-but of cOurs
that is none of our business.
alexandra. if you value. our live
YOU must not tell of this bargain T.
any one. You know the czarina."
Il do promise to you. dear. that n
soul shall learn from me the price o
the diamond
~ have also promised to Catharin
and told you just the same.
Eyes. but | won't"
And she didn't-until the next cOur
reception OF course she didn't mea
to tell it TO a soul. and 1t was onl
by mere chance that the secret e'
capped her lips. During the evenln
her most intimate friend. the PriI
cess Orloff. had admired the sparklin
gem and 1--WE must remember that a
II,
about its value.
Princess Monomoff smilingly wh
pered into her rosy ears: ut was give
to nv husband for a kiss. | gave hll
double the amount for it. But sal
this only for you and to no one els
Don't let it go farther, or u may DIN
US into danger"
OF course Princess Orloff did M
want to tell the secret to any one an
in fact. did not tell it to a soul excel
to the wife of General ROmanoh' D'
she was such an intimate trlehu
hers that she could be trusted wltho'
fear And she knew also perIecl
how to guard an intrusted secret
body learned it from her but her boso
friend the Princess Kerchikoh. IL
Princess Kerchikoff told 1t to no OF
except to the Princess Daskof. so =
well kept secret reached Princess :
iemkin shortly after midnight wn
pered confidentially by an unrecoru
iady's rosy lips under the promise
> strict secrecy.
Princess Potemkin hated Prince
Monomoff. and, being the wife OF
great diplomat. she was herself gre
intriguer. She had maneuvered
sKilifully that she approached the
press unnotced. and when the Prince
Monomof paraded by she remark
innocently:
oh' how beautiful is that diamo