The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-07-18

thief cities OF the Russian empire,
which threatened 70 collapse beneath
he assaults OF the revolutionists. the
ieath Of Prince Droboken, governor
)f an obscure province on the eastern
border. attracted SO little attention at
St Petersburg that for months no sue
cessor was appointed Nevertheless.
affairs went on as smoothly as before
under guidance of Princess Sonia. who
had in fact ruled In her fathers name
! since the latter had been stricken with
paralysis ten years pftor to his death.
Rumors OF distant strife produced
but little effect upon the inhabitants
of this province, who had never had oc-
casion to protest against oppression
by the governor. Thus Il was that
while the Little Father hid in bomb
proof chambers, the princess continued
to hold her Thursday afternoon leyees
With perfect safety. The only danger
20 be feared was from outsiders, but
even here the good will OF her people
| protected her as no guard could have
lone. A dozen times revolutionary in
Stigators were driven from the prov
nee or delivered into her hands by In
/ iignant peasants, who henceforward
regarded all strangers with suspicion.
Hostile eyes therefore greeted the
Unfamiliar garb Of the petitioner Luz
/ )inski. who came from tho mountain
region, long days journey northeast
of Kikamsk. Sonia. however. received
aim kindly and, although compelled
20 deny his suit. gave her reasons In
ietall and placed in his hands purse
If silver The good-looking young
peasant failed to grasp the meaning of
her words. until bestowing the purse,
she gently dismissed him. Then, real
izing that his petition had failed. his
lull eyes flared into blaze and his
loice filled the room Win passionate
lutcry.
The palace guards precipitously sur
rounded him and at Sonias command
led him without injury to the city
gate. where he was set free with o
warning not to return. With that i'm
passive dignity for which her family
mad long been noted, the princess re-
sumed her audience and continued 10
receive petitioners until the last had
been heard.
Yet, when the days business was
over and she reclined In massive
leather chair before her boudoir's open
fire, she trembled AZ thought of the
peasants frey eyes and menacing
words
soothed by the warmth Of the fire
and the quieting after-dinner coffee,
she at length forgot her fears. She
yawned and left the chair for low,
wide couch, whore she lay gazing into
the fire.
Gradually objects about Sonia
seemed absorbed In the flickering fire
light Her head sank deeply into the
nuffy pillow and her eyes closed.
The horror OF that awakening Sonia
viii ever remember. heavy body
struck her shoulder and sharp nailed
fingers ciutchId her throat With q
shrek she wiithed Dack from her as
sailant and los!ug her balance, fell
upor ;be floor
Fortunately her C..Sry kSd been
heard. Attendants rushed 10 her aid
aud guards secured the palace doors
rhe doctor declared the princess unln-
imed, save for several deep scratches
on her throat.
Meanwhile the palace was thorough
ly searched for the assallant, and IhC
guards soon returned from the outer
hall, dragging struggling, curs.at
man. Il was the peasant Lupinskd, whS
had threatened vengeance.
Passlonately he protested his limo
cence, asserting that he had returne,
to beg forgiveness for his rude con
luct II that afternoon and declaring
h 4 ne sas most loyal 20 hor and L
ihe Russian government
The princess, however. gazed will
horror upon the hands raised In franti
appeal, for the fingers were long an,
inewy and the long nails were curYel
and sharp like claws
Lupinski was given formal trla
In which evidence of the accused
threats against the Princess Sonia, hi
lorcible election from the city. hi
presence in the corridor OF the GOV
ernor's palace, his attempts al con
eealment and desperate efforts TO es
cape coupled with the dastardly as
sault In the dark upon the princess
outweighed his dogged denial OF guilt
without leaving their seats, the jury