The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-08-02
A Russian S Effort
to Lose Himself
BY EUNICE BLAKE

| listed should commune. Inc Lhth wViu
for nothing" is Mill.
There was great secrecy In those cir
Giles, the members of one circle being
completely ignorant Of those in anoth-
err. Peter understood that different
circles worked In harmony through
their chiefs, but beyond this he had no
information whatever. And yet ST.
Petersburg (now Petrograd), where he
lived, was full of nihilists.
Peter was young, and there was
something captivating in all this mys-
terry. But one night there came to him
terrible awakening. Lots were
drawn to decide which one Of the cir
Gle should assassinate the chief OF po-
lice, and Peter drew the fatal paper,
on which had been sketched a dagger,
all the rest being blanks.
! All the romance attending the secret
meetings, the DISCUSSES, the many in
genious plans of the propaganda of nj
hilism, shriveled before this terrible
deed which Peter was required to com.
NIT and from which there was no es-
cape. He might fee to the ends OF the
earth. but would never know when
some one, possibly his best friend,
would strike him.
TO add to his horror, he loved a
young girl, to whom he was expecting
to be married. Nina Dimitrieff was at
the time preparing her trousseau. Pc
ter feared that his misfortune. which,
In any event, would break their be-
trothal would kill her.
He spent long while In making up
his mind what to do and finally decid.
ed upon fight. He would leave Rus
sia disguised and go to land where
he would be lost to the world. But
what action should he take in refer
ence to his betrothed? After weigh
ing the matter, dreading the shock he
would cause her by telling her what
had happened, he decided to disappear
from her as mysteriously as from 9TH
ers. He would confide only in his
mother.
A few days after he had drawn the
dagger he began journey to the Dor
der. Disguised as beggar, he Travelled
by night and begged by day in the
towns through which he passed. What
money he took with him. added to what
he received from charity, enabled him
to reach Genoa and take passage for
America.
For FIVE years the fugitive kept
changing his residence, avoiding the
large cities so far as possible, think
ing TO lose himself more effectively In
the country. But whenever be came
near a Russian he moved on. He dared
not write 10 his mother for fear his
letters would be intercepted, but be
fore leaving Russia he had laid plan
for communicating with her at long In
tervals. Finally he received word from
her that a friend of his In the circle 10
which he belonged had informed her,
at the risk Of his life. that an emissary
had been sent 10 assassinate him.
One day Peter appeared in small
town In Missouri TO receive n commu-
nication expected from his mother.
What was his astonishment 10 see
walking on the main street Nina Dimi-
trieff. The sight staggered him. Gould
IL be possible that the girl be loved had
been sent out TO kill him? He Danish
ed the thought and ran toward her.
Seeing him. she gave him meaning
glance and passed on.
Peter followed her and presently saw
her drop bit Of paper. Picking Il up.
he read, Meet me at IL on the bridge"
The town was ON the bank OF a small
stream spanned by a single bridge.
This fixed the place. At the hour APP
pointed be went there. Nina soon APP
peared, and the two were clasped In an
embrace.
Then Nina told her story. After his
disappearance she had wormed the Sc
cret from his mother. But II was not
TN Nine. Trolenco told her that an
emissary had been dispatched 70 Kill
him that Nina decided 10 join him In
his exile. The immediate reason for
her coming was 10 warn him against
this person who had been described 20
bis mother. Nina knew the man who
was to avenge the circle. but be did
not know her Indeed, she had seen
him in the town that day.
What was 70 be done? Nina declared
that abe would remain with her lover,
protect him 80 far AZ she might be
able and die with him n she could not
save him. The danger was imminent
Besides. II they left the town they
would be followed. They talked TO
Fetber a long while. discussing various
plans. and hnally adopted one that bid
fair to accomplish the desired result
The stream flowing beneath them
vas q tributary 20 the Missouri river.
Beyond the Missouri were the plains.
then unciviiized. Arranging 10 meet 81
= point IN Kansas. they separated Pc
ter descended the stream and reached
the Missouri In the morning There be
found q boat tied 20 the shore. In the
bow be placed . paper. on vhich he
had written that. tired q being hunted
Tor bis ufe be Rad decided - drown
himself. Then taking % his outer
clothlnr. which BE- eft In the boat he
plunged into the river and after q bard
struggle win ga swfft current succeed
- n reschlne the opposite shore
he snisssrr who sesrched For ta
rfrtin resd en- sccount q the supposed
suieids ard re.urnei - Russia PETE
ara Niua he'd succeeded In Icing them