The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-05
The Russian, Cigar effes-


She rose from her chair and stretch
ed out her hands appealingly.
II beseech you to frustrate the prin-
cess schemes and to save Rupert from
the consequences of his fatal fascina-
ton"
You may rest assured that I shall
do my best, Miss Clough. both for the
princes sake and your own" replied.
1T would be dangerous to have your
brother removed from the position to
which he was gazetted last night.
Such a step would probably precipi-
tate some horrible outrage on the part
OF the nihilists. I think | may prom
Use. though. without boasting, that
Capt. Clough will have little oppor-
tunity for injuring his imperial high.
ness with the circumspcct watch that
the detectives and l will keep over
him."
THANK you, thank you. a thousand
times" she said. gratefully. THAT is
just what / wanted"
THE obligation is on our side," an
swcred, smiling, as | ushered her to
the door.
l stod watching her drive off in her
smart little victoria, and then began to
laugh at myself for the sentimental
day dreams that were weaving in my
matter-of-fact brain.
But the laugh died out of my lips as
/ considered the serious news that
Miss Clough had brought me. Her i'm
pressions of Princess olga Skobenski
closely tailed with my own expert
rncc. as I knew that for years the
princess had been the terror and bug
bear of the Russian police.
| knew the princess in society, and a
sudden idea came into my mind that
would call on her and see as much as
possible how the land lay.
l found her in the blue and silver
boudoir smoking Russian cigarettes.
She was surprised, and I fancied for
a moment alarmed, at my entrance.
This is an unexpected pleasure, Sir
George" she said, smiling; you have
not been to see me for ages"
Business, my dear princess, busi-
ness" l responded, taking the cup of
coffee that she had poured out for me.
II am worked to death on account of
your compatriots visit. / only hope
that you nihillsts will refrain from
troubling the poor chap while he is
over here"
The princess arched her eyebrows in
well-affected surprise.
"Nihilists!" she repeated. "Oh, ! am
only nihilist so far as II furnishes n
fashionable excuse for living in Eng
land. You know quite well that would
not hurt a fly, much less a prince of
my own nation"
/ thought this pretty good from q
woman who had stabbed with her own
hand the chief of the ninth section in
her palace at st. Petersburg. How
ever. | only smiled and took out my
cigarette case.
"Won't you try some of these? got
them from Moscow this morning" in
tcrrupted the princess, handing me her
own case.
! took a gold-tipped cigarette and
lighted it. 1t proved a delicious smoke.
You like them?" said she. watching
me intently.
They are fit for the gods, prln-
cess
Give me your case and will fill 1t
for vou.'
l handed over my silver case and
submitted myself to her generosity.
Where is your gold one?" she asked,
when the other was filed. The one
you keep for grand occasions
NO, no, princess, you have been
quite liberal enough" replied.
Not at ALL" she said. You may
have the chance of presenting ii TO the
prince, and ! am sure he would appre-
ciate these cigarettes.
And while | drank some more coffee