The daily Alaskan., 1909-06-07
DRIIFUL OF 0O ROMANCE.

My dear. l have to announce my en- gagement. l am happy to say that 1t is not one of those practical affairs so 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 us everywhere and how we were received even at the Winter palace This much you know; but, though you arc my bosom friend, it Is all you know, and there Is great deal more to come. At the Winter palace, of course, saw many of the young bloods of the empire and danced with them too. They were all very polite, and ] found myself, an American without q title, receiving as much attention as any of the COuntCSScs or baronesses.
 We became very intimate at the American minister's. and one evening while was at the embassy a young man passed me in the hall who had called upon the minister and whom recognized as one of the men who had favored me in the cotlllon at the Winter palace. He did not appear to recognize mc-indecd, he seemed very dIstrait and was hurrying into the min ister's private office. The same even- ing the minister told us that young nohIcmar had called on him with a very singular request He was imph- cated in a political affair that would send him to Siberia If 1t was discov' cred and was sure to be known within q few days. He asked the minister 10 give him a passport to America. This was impossible the minister said, though I didn't understand why. Lat CT was told that the young man had been sent to Siberia for life. Think how mean it was of the minister not to have given him the passport! It 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 years have passed since then. But have not forgotten the young man who was sent to Siberia because our minister wouldn't give him a pass. I am in our touring car, taking n morning sixty mile spin, and am think ing of the poor prisoner at the time, Turning a sharp bend in the road, the chauffeur reduced the speed, going very slowly. when suddenly l saw Q man standing IH front of the car 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. I want 5000. Give it to me or you are a dead woman"
 What did l do? fainted. When l revived the rObber was sitting beside the chauffeur, holding his revolver where he could use it at q moments notice AS soon as he saw that had opened my eyes he said to me:
 Your man told me that you hadn't much with you. He has promised to take us all to your home. which he says is a few miles up the road. and you are to get me the money If 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 an armed man? l noticed that he was increasing the speed, and we were soon going at the machines full capac- ity. Presently the road vCered slight ly. but enough to sway the robbcr. All of a sudden the chauffeur partly turn cd, caught the robbers hand with which he was holding himself in his seat. discngagcd it, then threw his whole weight against the robber, who went head downward on to the road. I thought the machine was going over. but the chauffeur held the steering gear with his right hand and kept control.
 I looked back and saw a horrld mass ln the road It was immovable, and I knew the creature was either dead UT bINlN uNANs ltA NN AluSI utbNS DSSA going at q frightful rate.
 had been saved first by the pres cnce of mind and afterward by the in- ccnuity and daring of the chauffeur. Leaving the robber to his fate, we pressed on, turned at the first road leading backward and in an hour drew up under the porte-cocherc at home. l had so far recovered from the shock that l was able to walk into the house without assistance.
 When father came and learned all about our escape he called the chauf- feur into the library. I was there, and father said to me:
 How shall we reward him, pet"
 What was fathers astonishment when I said, "With your permission, papa, will reward him myself" Then. seeing the pain father felt with his surprlse-for it was evident the case was one of those where q girl loves far beneath her-I continued: "He may be a chauffeur, papa, dear but he is q nobleman. I once danced