The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-05-02
A NIHTLIST'S STORY
forlgInaLl

The question was answered by a story.
 Not long ago was there myself One day I was directed to carry bun dle of printed revolutionary documents from our rooms to the house of a mem ber in different part of the city. I studlously avoided any haste. sumter Ing along as though I had no wish to be at the end of my route. At q street crossing, glanclng aside to avoid being run down by some vehicle, saw a man standing on the opposite corner with his eyes fixed intently upon me. He had his hands in his pockets and was apparently lettering, but the mo ment he saw that noticed him he start cd off briskly In the opposite direction from what was going.
 Nevertheless he did not lose sight of me. had not gone far when. in order Co be able to look back without my de sign being suspected. stopped before a shop window. glaneing rearward out of the corner of my eye. 1 was just in time to sec the man l was looking for | disappear in an alley.
 was now thoroughly frightened. Without doubt he was shadowlRg me. For some time watched him with one eye and the policeman I happened to sec by the way with the other. When ever saw a policeman fin the distance | [ would take a different route At one time. when one was pretty near, my shadower came up beside me, and l was sure would have caused my arrest had not the policeman's back been to- ward us, while I at the same time turned into a different street. We nihilists of course all knew the location Of the police stations and the residences of the officers. Suddenly noticing that was passing the house of the chief of the district. it occurred to me to play a desperate game. re- solved to bluff my watcher Into the be lief that he was after the wrong man by boldly entering the house. What under heaven l was to do there l did not know. Mounting a few steps, l | tried the door lt was locked. but at | the moment was opened by a young lady in hat and wraps, evidently about to come out. stepped Inside without an invitation and closed the door.
 May I speak with you a momentT | asked. removing my hat
 The parlor door was open, and as l looked wistfully Into the room she mo toned me to enter. then followed. I turned and faced her. studying by her expression what kind of person had 10 deal with Then spoke in a low voice. seriously. pleadingly.
 "You have the life of fellow being In your keeping"
 "IT"
 "Yes: am nihilist. In this pack. age are revolutionary documents. A man outside has been shadowlng me. He will come In to make sure that l am not what he suspects The result will be Siberia. Rather than that deathw
 took revolver from my pocket.
 "If am discovered trying to save you. it means ruin for me and my fa- ther He would go to Siberia Instead of you"
 "You are right" replied. 'T will not ask or accept such a sacrifice"
 I placed the muzzle of the revolver in my mouth and drew back the ham, mer. Before I could pull the trigger l felt a soft hand on my arm.
 Undo your package" she said. "Be quickr'
 united the strings and unfolded the paper. The girl, snatching a dozen books from the library. tossed them to me put them in the place of the documents and tied up the package ] | had not quite finished when there was ring at the doorbell. Throwing the documents under the sofa. the young lady went to answer the summons. l seated myself on the sofa. holding the package in my lap. When the door was opened. I heard voices in the hall
 'Is the colonel at homer
 "No; my father is out"
 q am one of the secret police. A man has come in hOre whose name is on the black list. It Is quite probable that he Is playing a double game. pre- tending to work for your father"
 There is a man fin the parlor, q mes senger from friend of mine who has sent him to return some books lent her"
 Gan see himT'
 Certainly"
 My shadower entered.
 stand up," he said.
 did as he commanded. and he searched me. Not finding anything to compromise me. he untied the package and found the books. He was not sat isGed, but there was nothing for him to do but acquIesee. No one is to be trusted in Russia. and even this daugh- ter of a police official was suspected by the man. as I could sec by his | looks
 CT am sorry to have to disturb you" he said to her. but when l come to recount the matter to your father l am sure he will hear me out in what