The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-05-13
BR1MEul OF
ROMANCE.
copyright, 1909, by American Press Asso-
ciationl

MY dear, | have to announce my ell
gagement am happy to say that it
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, it is all you
know, and there is Il 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 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 l
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
distract and was hurrying into the min
listers private office. The same even
ing the minister told us that young
nobleman had called on him with a
ct, ,1n, i.
Gated in a political affair that would
send him to Siberia if it was discov-
cred and was sure to be known within
few days. He asked the minister to
give him passport to America. This
was impossible. the minister said,
though ! didn't understand why. Lat
err l 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! 1t
would have saved him from a fate
worse than death.
The scene changes. ! am in Amer
lea. l have forgotten much of my
winters experiences in Russia, for
three years have passed since then.
But l have not forgotten the young
man who was sent to Siberia because
our minister wouldn't give him pass.
l am in our touring car. taking a
morning sixty mile spin. and am think
ing of the poor prisoner at the time.
Turning Il sharp bend in the road, the
chauffeur reduced the speed. going
very slowly. when suddenly l saw a
man standing in front Of the car point
ing a 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
it 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 a moments
notice. AS soon as he saw that | had
opened my eyes he said to me:
much with you. He has promised to
take us all 20 your home, which he
says is a few miles up the road. and
you are to get me the money. If he
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 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 witt
which he was holding himself in his
seat. disengaged it. then threw his
whole weight against the robber who
went head downward on to the road
/ thought the machine was going over
but the chauffeur held the steerins
gear with his right hand and keep
control.
looked back and saw a horrid mass
In the road. 1t was immovable. ant
| knew the creature was either deat
or badly hurt. for we must have beer
going at a 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. W
pressed on. turned at the first roa
leading backwa and in an hour drey
up under the porte-cochere at home.
had so far recovered from the shoe
that was able to walk into the hous
without assistance.
When father came and learned a
about our escape he called the chau1
feur into the library. was Their.
and father said to me:
"HOw shall we II ward him, pet?"
What was fathers astonishmer
when l said. with your permission
papa, will reward him myself
Then. seeing the pain father felt wit
his surprise-for it was evident til
case was one of those where u 81
loves far beneath her-I continued
"He may be chauffeur. papa, dea
but he is nobleman. once dance
In the cotillon with him in the Wlntt
palace at st. Petersburg. He BEGAN
involved in DOlitical cOnSpiracy ws