The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-12-06
A Rescue
Story of an Ameri-
cans Adventure
In Russia.
By ALAN HINSDALE

OF $4,000 year and was globe trot-
ter. He was also an amateur sports
man-yachtsman and everything else
that affords amusement out of doors.
One winter Champlin was in st. Pc
tersburg NOW Petrogra0. Russia was
then at peace with all of the world
except herself. Revolution was brew
ing. The government knew 1t was
brewing, and the Russian secret police
was keeping an eye on all suspected
citizens Revolutions are generally up
heavals of the lowest classes. The
late Russian movement was participant
ed in by persons of first grade, includ-
ing the mobiles, or at least members Of
noble families. Champlin was not
aware of what was going on-for
everything was done secretly-till one
night when he attended ball given at
the Winter palace.
The American minister had secured
him his invitation and had warned him
to exercise the utmost care In avoiding
w
toward the government.
The advice was lost on Champlin.
who proposed to associate with whom
he pleased. Being a free American
citizen he demurred at being told by
any government who should not be his
friend. However, he went to the ball.
not dreaming that he would fall into
the trap such as he had been warned
against.
He was dancing with girl. the
daughter of a general in the Russian
army, Her right hand was in his left
and held high. He felt something drop
into his coat sleeve. The girl brought
the dance to a close, at the same time
looking meaningly ut the sleeve. Low
ering his arm, Champlin caught some,
thing in his hand. He put 1t In his
coat pocket without looking at 1t, but
as soon as he could do so unobserved
he examined it, finding powder wrap
ped in bit Of paper, as medicines are
put up by druggists.
As Champlin was leaving for his no
| tel he saw the girl he had danced with
passing out. Two men, one on each
side, escorted her. They were evil
IDENTIFY not guests. The girl gave
| Champlin a look which he could not
understand, but he inferred that II
was an appeal for something. He pass
ed out Of the palace behind the two
men and the girl and saw them entel
carriage. Jumping into his own con
veyance, he directed his coachman t.
follow the one Just driving away.
Champlin saw the two men and the
girl alight In front Of police station
and 20 inside. There he lost her. HI
thought Of following her In, but feared
to compromise her by doing so. i
was we'll he did not, for the powder
remained in his coat pocket, and If III
had been searched a deadly poison
would have been found on him. Thi'
he discovered later on.
1t was evident to him that this younl
lady had been suspected. Doubtless
spies were watching her when she slip
ped the powder into his sleeve. Hi
theory was that she had prepared II
poison some one during the ball
Whether she had succeeded or failed
she had taken advantage Of dancing
with Champlin to get rid Of the Grim
mating substance.
Champlin had an overpowering de
sire to learn what had become OF tn
girl. He made inquiries, but Learned
nothing. Persons may disappear II
Russia and never again be heard OF
Perhaps their immediate friends 0
families know where they are, but few
inquiries are made, and the response
are not apt to be definite. At tn
same time. there are breaking hearts
Champlin believed, notwithstandin
the girl had got rid Of the evidenc
against her, that she was doomed. Il
be suspected in Russia Is to be pre-
nounced guilty, especially at a tim
when the government is I'm danger.
One morning when Champlin wa
about to open his bedroom door to e
down to breakfast he found note o
the floor which had been slipped bC
tween the door and the sill. Openin
it, he read
Pardon my daughter for having use
you to save herself. She failed. She wa
seen to drop the package In your Slew
| You are being watched. Leave Russi;
secretly II you can.
There was no address, no signature
Champlin knew the name Of the gil
he had danced with, and instead of q
once leaving Russia he waited unit
an inquiry had apprised him that sh
had been sent to Siberia. Then, IL
stead of leaving secretly, he departe
openly, arguing that he was doubles
a. known to the police as an America
who had no interest I'm the revolutio
and II he tried TO get away secret
he would render himself liable to SUI
picion.
There was something In this trans
ton from the festivities OF the White
palace to the dreadful Kara prison
with its desperate hunger strikes, tha
affected Cbamplin deeply. What mo-
ed him most was that appealing loo
Lisa Dmitrievna gave him when bein
marched away from the hall betwee
two officials. He had supposed It
mear, eff you are questioned do nc
give me away" but rs the episod
| rather the tragedy-continued to In