The daily Alaskan., 1910-01-18
HISPECULIAR METHOD
By JoEL Q. WILLARD.

ciation.l
 Ivan Karlbanof was sitting in his study In Moscow when his daughter Ekaterina entered.
 Papa" she said, "I wish to attend lectures at the university"
 The father looked seriously at his daughter, a pretty girl of eighteen. Her large brown eyes entrusted with her very light hair, her wiIlowy femi- nine figure with a certain determina- ton of expression.
 My child, don't you know that it is not considered proper for unmar- ried women to become students"
 "I do, and also know that many maidens marry for the purpose. can do that. I need never even see my husband. After l have finished the course the marriage can be annulled."
 The father objected to the plan, common one In Russia, but, finding his daughter obdurate. at last reluctantly consented. Steps were taken to find the girl a husband. and a student of the name of Stepau AIeksandroyna was found to supply the place. So op- posed was the father to his daughter having anything to do with the young man that be stipulated that they should be married by proxy and not meet during their student lives.
 Ekaterina pursued her studies with out even hearing of Aleksandrovna. Re was the son of a noblemau who had entered the university in order to enjoy university life and did not put in an appearance at lectures oftener than was absolutely necessary to matn- tain his connection with the institu- ton. His father died while he was student. and this took him away for a long while. Months passed before Ekaterlna happened to hear his name mentioned. Then 1t was in connection with a duel be had fought with one of his fellow students, named Paul Poli- zofr
 Now, 1t happened that this Polizon lived near the Karibanofs. He had made Ekaterina's acquaintance and on a number of occasions had carried her books for her on her way to lec- lures. She was interested to know the cause of the quarrel. Polizon, who had been but slightly wounded in the affair, pinEing at the same time his adversary. told her that he did not know the real cause himself. He had accidentally spilled some ink on a book Aleksaudrovna had been taking notes of lectures upon and for this oStensi- bly had been challenged.
 Ekaterina soon heard her husbands name mentioned in connection with another affair of arms with Dmui Paskudin. who had been somewhat at- tentive to her at social gathering. PaSSudin was not a student, and he and Ekaterina had long been friends. Ekaterina endeavored to find out the cause of this quarrel, but, as in the other case, failed In both cases she noticed that she afterward received no attention from either of her husbands opponents.
 And so ithappened that the moment she received any attention from man she was sure to hear that he had fought with her husband and after ward retired from the field. Finally she sent for AIeksandrovna. He drove up to her house in a drosEy wearing a jaunty student suit, jumped out, threw the driver a coin and entered as though he was making an ordinary call. He was a handsome fellow and by no means displeasing in appearance to his wife.
 "I have sent for you," she said se- verely, ito learn why you persist in challenging any man who shows me any attention 1t is becoming annoy ing"
 "I cannot allow my wife to receive attentions from other men. My honor would not suffer it."
 Nonsense, Our marriage was but to enable me to become a student"
 Students should not receive atten- ton from young men. 1t abstracts their minds from their studies"
 And who, pray, made you the pro- tector of my mind"
 'The law makes me your husband. I claim no other Of my privileges ex- cept this. I do not even ask this. l require the men to leave you to your studies. in which you will surely dis tinguish yourself if they let you alone"
 Thanks for your kind protection against them, but do not wish or need it."
 'Nor do I admit your right to inter- fere in my duels."
 Thus far the dialogue had, outward ly at least, been serious. At this turn the girl could not repress a faint curve of the lips which portended a smile. However she mastered herself In time and said:
 How did you come to know that I am the girl you marrled?"
 "I knew 1t before you married me. I met you just before you entered the university at a garden party. had a dozen words with you; then We were ,,rt,1 %