The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-03-06
DRIMFUL OF
ROMANCE.

Copyright, 1899. BY American Press Asso-
ciation.l
Ny dear. have 10 announce my en-.
gagement. I am happy TO say that it
is not one Of those practical affairs 90
common among people of our degree.
but real. genuine romance.
You may remember, one winter four
years ago at ST. Petersburg. how the
American minister took pains TO intro
duce rs everywhere and how we were
received even at the Winter palace.
This much you know; but though you
are my bosom friend, 1t Is all you
know. and there IL a great deal more
10 como. At the Winter palace, OF
course, saw many Of the young bloods
OF the empire aud danced with them
too. They were all very polite, and
found myself, an American without a
title, receiving as much attention as
any of the eountesses or baronesses.
We became very intimate at tho
American minister's, and enc evening
while / was at the embassy a young
man passed me IN the hall who had
called upon the minister and whom l
recognized as one of the men who
had favored me in the cotillon at the
Winter palace. He did net appear to
recognize me-indeed, he seemed very
distract and was hurrying into the min
fster's private ONCE. The same even
ing the minister told Us that young
nsbieman had called on him with
very singular request He was impli-
Gated IN a political affair that would
send him to Siberia II It was discov-
cred and was sure TO be known within
n few days. He asked the minister to
give him a passport to America. This
WAS impossible, the minister said,
though I dida't understand why. Lat.
err was told that the young mas had
been sent to Siberia for life. Think
how mean 1t was Of the minister not
TO have given him the passport II
would have saved him frsm fate
worse than death.
The scene changes. am in Amer
ica. / have forgotten much or my
winters experiences In Russia, for
three years have passed since then.
But | have not forgotten the young
man whe was sent to Siberia because
eur minister wouldn't give him a pass
7 am In our touring car, taking a
morning sixty mile spin, and am think
ing of the poor prisoner Mt the time.
Turning a sharp bend in the road, the
chauffeur reduced the speed. geing
very slowly. when suddenly | saw a
man standing in froat of the car point
ing revolver Mt us. He ordered the
chauffeur to stop, which he was Obliged
TO do or be killed. and. coming to the
side Of the car. he said to me:
"Yeu are rich. want $4,000. Give
1t to me or you are dead woman"
What did | do7 tainted When
revived the robber was sitting beside
the chauffeur. holding his revolver
where be could use 1t at moments
notice. AS soon az he saw that 1 had
opened my eyes be said to me: Il
'Your man told me that you hadn't
much with you. lie mas promised TO
take as all TO your home, which he
says Is q few miles up the road. and
you are to get me the money. II he
doesn't I'll kill both Of you"
ITS the only way to save our lives"
said the chauffeur
The chauffeur was man OF great
strength, but what could he do with
mn armed manf / noticed that he was
Increasing the speed. and we were
|Hoon geing ut the machines full capac.
ity. Presently the road veered slight
al. but enough to sway the robber. All
'ef sudden the chauffeur partly turn
ia, caught the robbers hand with
Nhich be was holding himself in his
Ieat disengaged It, then threw his
hsle weight against the robber, who
mi head downward on to the road.
<hought the machine was geing over.