The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-11-18
By crittenden Marriott,

Gatchtna had been paSseds ana lar away on the flat horizon. SpOttswood could see the loom or smoke by the Maya. where Pete the Great had de- creed that his capital should stand. | Spottswood threw himself back In his seat and wondered what he would find at the end of his Journey. Mildred had warned him not to cones and he had come. She had said that dang CT would await him. Well. danger had menaced him several times in his comparatively short life, and he had always pulled through, and he could see nothing particularly alarming for an American citizen in the Russian capital. even through the latter were more than ordinarily disturbed. Any way. he wanted to see Mildred. Dear girl" he murmured. she can't help seeing conspiracy and sudden death everywhere in Russia-thats her Russian half. Add she can't help wanting home and love and peIce- that's the American half of her. Mll- dred Wossonossinski--He what a name. Who could be altogether nor nal with such an appsliation? Thank goodness; it can be changed. and I'm going to change il" T beg your par don, sir!"
 The man in the seat opposite--his sole companion in the, compartment- was addressing him---in English. too, though with foreign acent.
 Your pardon, sir he said You are an American7
 Spottswood nodded.
 T have that honor" he answered "So! Then you surely sympathize. with us Russians who are struggling for freedom?" The tone was question l ing.
 | eral sort of way--though can't say IT sympathize with many of your methods" returned Spottswood. cool l ly. The man waved his hand--a small. well formed hand, Spottswood noted.
 i've fight fire with fire" he answer ed. At least you share our ideas of hb- erty." A note of anxiety was apar- ent in his tonee.
 Spottswood stared at him sharply.
 Look here" he said. Who the dickens are you--a police spy or nl- hilist? Not that 1t makes much diff ference to me, only To like to know who I'm talking to-"
 The others voice tremhled. | T am a messenger of the people, he said. ''and am in deadly peril. You may have noticed that telegram was handed me a moment age at lGatschina-"
 spottswood nodded.
 | " SI4s SlHA NCAGA nAA WAS @ WSh- N-.-S The police have learned of nay coming land will arrest me when the tra n stops at St. Petersburg. They will take me to jail and murder me-unless you save me"
 tTT'
 ''There is no one else. Sir, implore you to help me. More hangs on this than you know. The likes of hundreds . of women and children--perhaps the fate of a nation--hangs on your action Sir! Will you exchange hats, over , coats and passports with me?"
 "wili I what!--Not on your tin type" Spottswood spoke strenuously , 'On my word, this is coming 1t littlS too strong. I'm sorry for you, ms . friend. but can't see that I am called upon to involve myself in any nthiIis' tic schemes for your sake-much les' to plunge into them like that"
 This is not a Nihilistic scheme , Iprotested the stranger, eagerly. Tt Il not even revolutionary. You read oi the massacre of the Jews at Bia'y stock recently. We'll. have here ab ] solute proof that 1t was organised an' . directed by' Government, and hav' |. lproof that a similar massacre is in tended in a few days at another city I am taking these proofs to Mir. sob
 riski, who will present them to tn
 Douma in the hope that ne may be abl to avert this second massacre. Tn
 police wish 10 take them from me, au'
 to seal my lips forever. Sir, will yo'
 not help me to prevent this?"
 Spottswood was more moved than h
 cared to say. but he held out. Afte
 all, the rebellion was none of his bust
 ness! He had come to Russia to lool
 lon; not to participate. Besides, on
 does not lightly take up the cudRel with an empire-even nnaimed one Isfwy h., uoN| N| But how do I know they are true Pardon me. hut you may be merely criminal trying to escape interrupt ] ed
 T am not a criminal" he cried. '' ! swear it. By all that is holy, I swea , lit. Oh! for Gods sake-I know 1 seems much to ask, but-There will b that is all. If you should be arrested
 as you may be-see. am frank word of explanation to the police an , ap appeal to your Ambassador will SC ! leverything right. Russia will not quar [ rel with your mighty country. Yo
 can say that I forced you to the ex change. See! I am armed" 7 As if casually, a big revolver sud 1. denly appeared in the strangers hands It's muzzle pointed straight at Spotts
 woods head.
 F A shiver ran down the young man I spine, but he set his teeth firmly ''No." he said. Say no more about it.
 "Then--then I must play my las i lcard. Sir-Sir. I am not what I seer | lI-I-If you will not act for the sak [ of people, will you not act for me? T l Ime. prison means worse than deatl for IT am a woman. See" With
 swift gesture she threw off her ha flung back the huge enveloping over D coat, and Jerked the great busy bear
 away. Instead of a man. a girl wit
 close-cropped hair set there gazing a
 him with lovely, frightened eyes.
 Spotswood sprang to his feet.
 Mildred" he gasped. Mildred! M
 heavens. Msldred!'
 The girl buried her hot face in he
 hands. oh" she walled, T canno
 hear iti I had not realized it! Say
 me! For Gods sake, save me"'
 All his life Philip Spottswood ha
 oeen noted for the speed with whic
 he came to decisions and the rapidit
 with which be acted upon them, an this, his most exciting experience, fur
 nished no exception to the rule Be
 fore the last words had fallen fror
 the girl5s lips he was tipping out c his overcoat.
 why didn't you tell me sooner?" h exclaimed, In as matter of fact a man
 ner as though they had parted only tn
 day before. You cut 1t tine Mildred
 why" with a fletins glance out C
 the window-"why. were in the cit
 nowi"
 They were. but fear, like love. Ina
 wings. and before the train reached tn
 station the girl had been disguise afresh. Clothed in Spoetswood's stS fish overcoat, and with his big fur ca
 drawn down over her ears, she made very presentable boy
 ae lanp nfs