Evening journal., 1905-02-17
My StatuesqUe
Russian Wife
torieinaL1


1 had heard that people Of that en-
slaved country were very bitter against
the Russian government. What was
my surprise to hear the members OF
this family declare that they we're per
fectly satisfied with their oppressors
and bitterly opposed TO those who were
always fomenting trouble. thus incit-
ing the police to curtail the privileges
Of the people.
Bertha Tannanjors was one OF those
light complexioned blue eyed. fnxen
haired beauties who come only out OF
the north. had always fancied trop-
ical women, with their black hair and
eyes and their intense natures. New
ertheless lost my heart to a girl
whose disposition seemed as mild as
her pink and white cheek and her soft
blue eye. could not but regret that
so beautiful a creature should be en-
tirely devoid Of spirit But was
Pygmalion enamored OF a Galatea.
There was life under the marble sur
face, and in time the real human be
ing stepped forth.
Bertha yielded q sort Of tacit assent
20 my suit. or course l was disap-
pointed in this, though It was in ac-
cordance with her character. would
have preferred that she should have
thrown me Off. so that I might come
again till I had conquered her. But
girls abroad are expected to accept any
suitor their parents approve, and
Bertha's parents not only approved-of
me- but seemed impatient for our mar
riage and departure for the United
States. Bertha herself betrayed no
preference in the matter Had l not
been infatuated with her impassive
beauty and spirituelle characteristics /
would not have assented to a marriage
under such conditions.
The wedding took place in a great
church at Viborg where the family
lived, and the usual wedding feast fol-
lowed. Our arrangements had been
made to go the same night down to
Cronstadt and thence by sea to Stock
holm. l would have preferred remain
ing in viborg for several days after
the ceremony. but Bertha laid this plan
for our immediate departure. and IN ad-
herring to it noticed in her the first
signs OF a will The wedding supper
over, we went upstairs to gather our
hand baggage Bertha went to a closet
to take out the hat and coat she IN
tended wearing. Suddenly she ex-
claimed:
How unfortunate! I have forgotten
to send the jar Of marmalade I Intend
ed for parting gift to Kitty Olbord. ]
expected to give it to her tonight but
she is i'll and was unable TO come. New
er mind; we can call on our way and
leave It at her house"
She put the jar In her satchel. and
we went downstairs, bade goodby to
family and friends, entered the car.
riage and drove first to Kitty OlborG's
home. On reaching It I alighted. took
the Jar and. going to the door, rang the
bell Instead OF a servant a man witt
very red hair and very pale face, be
longing apparently to the middle class
opened the door, took the Jar and with
out waiting for my explanations shu
the door In my face. Then we drove OF
TO the station. Early the next morning
we left Cronstadt.
We reached Stockholm the following
morning aud proceeded to q hotel FOL
breakfast. purchased morning jour
nal by the way and. having ordered {
breakfast, opened the paper to glance
at the news. The first thing saw un
der large headlines was an account o.
an attempt the day before to assassi
nate the governor of Finland. A mar
with a red head and pale face had Sc
cured admittance to his excellency and
was about TO hurl at him a glass jai
marked "Marmalade" when his arm
was caught by an attendant. The Jai
was found to contain nitroglycerin.
"What is It, dearT' asked my wiz
in her usual mild tone as l shove,
signs OF collapse At the same tim
she laid her hand on mine and added
"Couragew She had seen the head
lines and had read the news quicke
than 1. 1--WE have failed" she added
"but 1 have done my part, and yol
will not be thus jeopardized again"
looked into her mild blue eyes, ant
save a trace Of disappointment ther
was no sign OF emotion.
Remain here" / said, all Of
; tremor, while go and learn by wha
conveyance we can get on"
"Goodby." she said. And from tn
look she gave me for the first time
knew that it would be hard for her {
lose me.
81 win be back directly" answers
her And she looked intensely rt
lieved.
learned that a ship would leave i
an hour by the Baltic and North sea
for Rotterdam, and. returning to m.
wife without waiting for breakfast,
. led her out TO a carriage, and we wer
soon aboard the vessel. This put us o
the sea again, where the police coul
! not reach us. At Rotterdam we foun
= a ship just leaving for America an
1 had barely time TO get aboard. The
= I collapsed, for knew we were safe.
: l have no desire for the more intens
brunette Of the south. My wife, VIII
had seen her people crushed by
tyrannical government had It In her
risk all on what she believed to be
legitimate attempt TO assist in freein
them. 1t was no freak Of passio
such as would lead a southern woma
to stab a lover, but conception q
duty far above all individual consis
. | .-.tto.. ct-oo 49, go4onrn NTH m