Putnam patriot., 1909-03-26
DRIMFUL OF
ROMANCE.

rommen aHeng people of our degree.
but a real. genuine romance.
You may remember. one winter foBr
years ago at ST Petersburg. how the
Amerieau minister took pains TO intro
nure Us everywhere and how we were
received even at the Winter palace
his much sou knew, but, though yeu
are ms bosom friend, il is all You
know. and there is a great deal more
10 come. At the Winter palace. If
course. | saw many of the young bloods
of he empire and danced with them
too. They Mere all very polite. and
found M self. an American without a
title. receiving as much attention as
auv Of tht. raunutesses or bsF0sfesses.
we beeane very intimate at thu
American minister's. and one evening
white I WIS 1T tie embassy young
man passed ME in the hall who had
Called upon the minister aud whom |
recognized as one of the men who
had favored me in the cofillon ut the
Winter palace. He did not appear 10
recognize Ine-indeed. he seemed very
distract and was hurrying into the min
isrer's private Office. The same even
inc the minister told us that young
nobremsn had called on him with 4
very singular request He was imPii-
Gated in a political affair that would
send him to Siberia If 1t was diseer-
cred and was sure to be known within
A few DAYS. He asked the minister to
give him a passport to America. This
was impossible the minister said
though | didn't understand why. Lat
er | was told that the young man had
been sent TO Siberia for life. Think
how mean il was of the minister not
to have given him the passport! II
would have saved him from a fate
worse than death.
The scene changes. I am IN Amer
lea have forgotten much OF my
winters experiences in Russia. for
three wears have PASSED since then.
Rut have not forgotten the ynnng
man who WIS sent to Siberia because
orr minister wouldn't give him pass
| am I'm ctr touring car. taking
morning sixty mile spin. and am think
ing - the naer prisoner n the time.
Turning 4 sharp bend in the road The
chauffeur reduced the speed. going
verv SLOWLY. when suddenly | saw a
man standing in front of the ear point.
ing revolver at Us. He ordered the
chauffeur to stop. which he was Obliged
10 do or be killed. and. coming to the
side Of the car he said to me:
You are rich | want 5000. Give
II 10 me or You are dead woInan.s
What did | do? | tainted. When !
revived the robber was sitting beside
the chauffeur. holding his revolver
where be could use it at a moments
notice. As soon as he saw that hsd
opened my eyes he said TO me:
Your man told me that you hadn't
much with YOU He has promised 10
take us all 10 your home. which be
says is a few miles up the road, aud
you are TO get me the money. Ii be
doesn't III Kill both of you
ITS the only way TO save our lives.
said the chauffeur.
The chauffeur was a man Of great
strength but what could he do with
an armed man? | noticed that he was
increasing the speed. and we were |
soon going al the machines full capae.
ity Presently the road veered slight
~. but enough TO sway the robber. al
of sudden the chauffeur partly turn
ed. caught the robbers hand with
which he WIS holding himself in BIS
seat. diseneaeed it. then threw BIS
whole wright against the robber, whe
went head downward on 10 the road
| thought the machine was going oyer.
but the chauffeur held the steerins
gear with his right hand and kept
control
looked hack and sa W a horrid mss
In the road II was immovable. ast
knew the creature was either deaa
going at frightfui rate.
had been saved first by the prss
ence of mind aud afterward by the y
genuity and daring Of the chaunesf
Leaving the robber to his fate.
pressed on. turned at the first rcss
leading backward and in an hour dr.
up under the porte-cochere at home
had SO far recovered from tie she'd
that was able to walk into the hoeS
without assistance
When father came and learned
about our escape be called the cbss'
fnor fraf.. hn f6ffx
and father said TO me:
How shall we reward him. pet!
What was fathers asfonishme
when said. With your perInissie
papa. will reward him mysea
Then. seeing the pain father felt va
bis surprise-for it was evideu'
case was one of those where .
loves far beneath her-l cou!iDoee
He may be a chauffeur. papa. 90,
but be is nobleman once d2n
In the cotillon with him In the We
palace at ST Petersburg. He befs
involved In political conspiracy.
sent TO Siberia escaped and maee
way TO America The day youY
him for chauffeur | recognizes
though he did not remember
There has been lovemaking. PAP.
admit. but ii is your daughter vh
done it. not your chauffeur baA
me introduce him under bis own
and title. Count Alexis Ivan >
sadrevitch. formerly of the Enf~
Nleholas' household guard
Now. don't you think my sna3
very romantic and that | haSe
,eaied the dpnouement very
When yon send your congrsfuni
ten me IL you knew how my
was going 10 end
THERESE c. Hoi