The daily Alaskan., 1905-08-11
s O N I A.
Iorlglnall

I am a spinster, just returned from Russia, and don't wish Co go there again. Tho people are determined tc be free, and the government is de termined to nip freedom In tho bud. | was warned at St Petersburg moi to get entapeled with conspirators, but having cowe to Russia Co make a translation of rare Russian book I was obliged to mlngle with the people.
 went every day, by permission, to the library. where I received the boBs. and under tue eye of an assistant II. hrarian did my translating. My watch CT was young girl with a fair north ern complexion and eyes of hoavcn's own blue. Though she did not distrust mo she conscicntiously kept an eye on me. Her name was Sonia, | ire qucntly called on her for the meaning of words and such like assistance, which she chcerrully gave In a sweet childlikc voice. I became attached to her and asked her Co room with me. My principal reason for doing SO was this; While she was too young and dell cate to take any part in the prevailing attitude of the people toward the gov crnmcut she knew something or hat they were doing, and on one occasion warned me against a friendship with one of my own sex, which l discou tlnucd, and fortunately, for my frlcnl was suddenly arrested, and that was the last or any Of her family saw or heard of her,
 Sonia while my roommate conceived the Idea of going with me to America. In this I encouraged her She was SO gently disposed that Russia in It's pres ont state WIS no place for her. She had enough money Co pay her way Co the United States. and I agreed Co take her Into my service while preparing my manuscript for publication, after which hoped to find something else for her to do. As I ucarcd the close of my work we made our preparations for departure. Sonia apparently anxious Co get away,
 We had applied for our passports, and mine had come in from the Ameri- can embassy. Sonia met with much delay in getting hers Indeed, she feared that I would have to go without her. The evening that my passport ar rived we were reading my personal de scrIption in It when it occurred Co mo that while we were not at an alike, our height, hair, eyes and complexion might all be designated by the same words.
 Never mind, Sonia" said to her. "lf necessary, I can go on and when across the border can send you my passport. I might walt for you at Ko- nigSberg."
 She put her arms around me and kissed me: thon we went to bed.
 The next morning when I awoke ! was surprised to see Sonia's bed emp ty. and her clothes were not where she had laid them the night before Aston. ished. I got up and made a thorough search of the room. My best costume was missing.
 The little thief exclaimed. 'To think that I should have been so taken in hy herr And I shed tear not for the loss Of my suit, but that the girl ! had Intended to befrieud should have treated me thus. Then | noticed that my passport was missing, Sonia must have taken it. This somewhat changed my views. l remembered our conver- satlon of the night before, and it occur, red to me that she might have gone on under my passport and would send it after passing the border, But why do this without my consent! Why, Co avoid duplicating me, of course.
 When I went to breakfast l saw by the faces of those about me that some thing unusual had happened, and l was informed that the same morning before daylight the chief Of police had been stabbed in hls bed. 1T the assassin was known the government kept tho knowledge to themselves.
 After having lived year among such murders my nerves were completely unstrung. and I was more than ever anxious to get away, But I could moi move without my passport. l could not but blame Sonia for having taken it
 Two days later on going to my room In the evening there lay my passport on the table, but without a scrap oi exclamation. was delighted, for my thocrv y,-as confirmed. 1 set out the