Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-03-08

would 20 and visit several pensions. Of
which had list. with a view e.
moving.
| was much surprised NJ the tronblep
look that came over her face AZ my an
nounccment. She asked what she hac
done to offend me. and when ! replied
TINT she had done nothing she said TIM
must not think Of leaving her till
left st. Petersburg. She seemed So
avcrse to my going that told her !
would remain awhile longer. She asked
how long. and put her on by replying
week or two. perhaps longer This
seemed 20 satisfy her. and thought
saw her draw a sigh Of relief
One morning Catherine did not ap
pear al breakfast. Al this meal. though
IL was IA light one. she was very rcgu
lar. and was somewhat surprised.
went to her room and knocked Re
ceiving no reply. | opened the door
The bed had not been slept In. but the
chamber was dsarranged. ms though
the occupant had left II hastily.
asked the servants where was their
mistress. They knew no more than !.
and they did not seem 10 care sincc
their wages had been paid up to the
end Of the present month.
after | had eaten my breakfast
went to boudoir adjoining my bed
room TO get some money which kept
In a desk there. Pulling out drawer.
! came upon roll OF bills EXACTLY 60
rubles, that had paid Catherine the
evening before for board and lodging.
Surprised. pulled out other drawers
and on opening the one In which kept
my passport found II missing.
] was taken quite aback. | had never
dreaded to lose my money, for II did
I could get more but since coming t.
Russia had not relished the idea OF
losing my passport. questioned the
servants, but they were stupid crea.
lures and could suggest no explanation
| felt assured that neither Of them
had taken II. for II they had cared 10
take anything they could have had
money.
involuntarily turned to Catherine
as the person most likely 10 have taken
my passport But why? And why had
she left the money had pnld her In
my desk: | was all ut sea with re-
gard to the matter. I went 10 q win
dow and stood looking out. musing
Knots OF persons were standing about
talking earnestly with one another. N
though something had happened or
was about to happen. sent a servant
out TO buy morning journal. but there
was nothing In il Of an unusual nj
ture
Calling drosly. drove 10 the Amer
lean embassy and reported that my
passport bad been stolen. The youne
man to whom ! made the statement
took down my name. where lived and
all about me that | would tell him and
told me that he would send me a pa
per to take the passports place. A.
was about to go away asked n
anything unusual had happened FL.
called me into his office and. after
shutting the door. said In low voice
that an attempt had been made tn.
night before TO assasslnate a minister
In his bed but II had proved a failure
lie had only been severely wounded
When ! asked II the assassin had been
caught he said mo"
Catherine did not appear. and after
lunch went out and engaged rooms ~
pension. removing my baggage III,
same evening left word with thu,
servants that II their mistress returned
to tell her that | had gone and give h.,
my address. ! was terribly uneasy 10,
several days. could explain nothing
as TO GATHERINGS action and feareo
that had been involved In some mys
FERROUS plot against the government
indeed. she might be connected with
the one 10 ass;Issinate the minister
4 week after GATHERINGS disappear
ance one morning on arriving and 90
ing to my dresser there lay my pass
port
Great heavens" exclaimed "Wil
these mysteries never cease: Surely
am In danger. ] shall use this docu
ment To- get out of Russia as soon ~
possible"
That very night took n train for tn,
west When reached the border
where the passports are taken from IN.
passengers for examination mine Nh.
kept long while When IL WAS r..
turned to me was asked grrai
many questions Fearing trouble.
gave no more Information about N,
story in Russia than could help ~
hally the officer. handing me the pass
port. left me. and ! suspected that TIN
officials fancied that they had seen IL
not long before. However. | got AVA,
from the ears dominions safely an,
have never since had desire to return
TO them,
II was year later when In stor.
on Oxford street in London. standini
al a glove counter. | happened 10 loot
up AT lady standing beside me. Sl,
looked at me at the same time Sli.
was Catherine
She turned deadly male and started I,