The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-03-02
RRIr1FUL OF
ROMANCE.
[CopyriRht, 1903, by American Press Asso.
ciation.

Is not one OF those practical AFFAIRS so
common among people OF our degree.
but a 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
are my bosom friend. 1t 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 we're all very polite, and 1
found myself, an American without a
title, receiving as much attention as
any OF the countesses or baronesses.
We became very intimate at the
American minister's, and one evening
while l was at the embassy 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 cotillon at the
Winter palace. He did not appear to
recognize me-indeed, he seemed very
distrait and was hurrying into the min
lsters private office. The same even
ing the minister told us that a young
nobleman had called ON him with a
very singular request. He was impli-
Gated in a political AFFAIR that would
send him to Siberia IL 1t was discov-
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 1t was of the minister not
to have given him the passport 1t
would have saved him from q fate
worse than death.
The scene changes. I am In Amer
lea. l have forgotten much Of my
winters experiences I'm Russia, for
three years have passed since then.
But I have not forgotten the young
man who was sent to Siberia because
our minister wouldn't give him a pass.
am in our touring car, taking
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
man standing in front OF the car point
ing n revolver at 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:
"You are rich. want $1,000. Give
1t to me or you are dead woman"
What did / do? tainted. When ]
revived the robber was sitting beside
the chauffeur. holding his revolver
where he could use It at 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. II he
doesn't I'll kill both Of you"
"It's 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 man2 noticed that he was
increasing the speed, and we were
soon going at the machines full capac-
ity. Presently the road veered slight
ly, but enough to sway the robber. All
OF sudden the chauffeur partly turn
ed, caught the robbers hand with
which he was holding himself In his
seat. dlsengaged II, 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 Aept
control.
looked back and saw horrid mass
In the road. 1t was Immovable. and
/ knew the creature was either dead
or badly hurt, for we must have been
going at frightful rate.
had been saved first by the pres.
ence OF mind and afterward by the In
genuity 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-cochere mt home. | |
had 80 far recovered from the shock |
that 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. was there,
and father said to me:
How shall We reward him, pet?"
What was fathers astonlshmeut
when l said, "Wlth your permission,
papa, will reward him myself"
Then, seeing the pain father felt with
his surprise-for 1t was evident the
case was one Of those where a girl
loves far beneath her-I continued:
He may be a chauffeur, papa, dear,
but he is a nObleman. / once danced
In the cohllon with him In the Winter
palace at st. Petersburg. He became
involved In a political conspiracy, was
sent to Siberia, escaped and made his
way TO America. The day your hired
him for a chauffeur / recognized him.
though he did not remember me,
There has been loyemaking, papa, l
admit but 1t ia your daughter who has
done II, not your chauffeur. But let