The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1910-02-11
RRIMFUL OF
~ ROMANCE.

copyright. 1909, by American Press Asso-
ciationl
NV dear. | have to announce my en-,
gagement. am happy to say that II
ia 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 every where 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 were all very polite, and
found myself. an American without
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 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 VINO
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.
ister's private office. The same even
ing the minister told us that a young
nobleman had called on him with
very singular request. He was impli-
Gated In a political affair that would
send him to Siberia If It was discoy-
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.
err 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 fate
worse than death.
The scene changes. am in Amer
lea. have forgotten much of my
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.
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 saw
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. l want 5000. 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 1t 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 be
says Is a few miles up the road. and
you are to get me the money. Ii be
doesn't I'll kill both Of you."
Its the only way to save our lives,
said the chauffeur.
The chauffeur was man of grea
strength. but what could he do witt
an armed man? Il noticed that he wal
increasing the speed. and we wer'
soon going at the machines full capac
ity. Presently the road veered slight
~. but enough to sway the robber. Al
Of sudden the chauffeur partly turn
ed, caught the robbers hand will
which he was holding himself in hi
seat. disengaged 1t. then threw hi
whole weight against the robber, VIII,
went head downward on to the road
thought the machine was going over
but the chauffeur held the steerin,
gear with his right hand and KEEP
control.
looked back and saw a horrid mas
In the road. 1t was immovabie. an,
] knew the creature was either dea,
or badly hurt. for we must have bee,
going ut 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 backward and in an hour drew