Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-04

stoi!' cried Baria. But i thought
he was in Siberia
"All the world thinks so, and Rus
STA does not contradict the world. But
he escaped after incredible difficulties
and hardships. 1t was arranged byS
his friends that he should come to us
If he could. We are his relatives,
though distant, and have always cor
responded with him. The book which
he was writing when he was arrested
would have been confiscated, but his
daughter contrived to hide it, and pa
pers in cipher, which would compro-
mise many persons in high places, yet
which must for the good cause OF
liberty, be preserved. The daughter.
being so young, and still at school
when her father was sent to Siberia,
was not suspected until after his es-
cape, when she disappeared. Twice
she was all but taken. yet we hoped
the last plan would succeed, II had
been made so well and so secretly. But
we were mistaken. She was tracked.
If they could have kept her, they
would have had her father between
their fingers. He might have died OF
the shock at seeing her glove blood
stained and pinned with a knife to
the reins Of the cart. They would
have been glad of that, for dead ne
would cease to trouble the enemies OF
freedom. If he had not died they
would by and by, when it suited them,
have let him know that Alexa was in
their hands; that they would torture
her IL he did not go back to Rus
STA, and he would have gone back, old
and weak as he is. Now, knowing
n Cti itch IN a.
friend them?"
More than ever" Baria answered.
Prince Alexander Murgieneff is no
anarchist, but a prophet friend Of
peace as he is of liberty. and some
day his country will learn to value
him.
ut values him now-as prisoner,
said Ravell 'AThere is no one more
important, for he has connections of
the highest. We can do nothing to
show you our gratitude, for, as we told
you, our father fed in time of trouble
from persecution, and we are poor
farmers in our adopted country. Yet
you will have our blessings forever,
if you can save this lady and her
father"
Il would do it even withou the
blessings" replied the marchese.
They reached the farm without &C
cident or sign of pursuit, and this
time Christopher and Baria entered
the house as trusted friends. By the
ministration of Michael Ravelli's
young wife the girl was revived, and
she and her father were told of the
plan that had been hastily made for
them, til.
The old man did not hesitate, but
decided for himself and his daugh-
ter, while she was still unable to de-
eide for herself. They would go to
Venice with the Marchese Baria in
the car Of his English friend. And.
if necessary, Alexa should pass as the
fiancee of the marchese. But it
seemed improbable that the car could
be traced by the enemy farther than
Milan, where there were many motors
going in different directions And the
Russian pursuers could not possibly
know the name of the Marchese Baria
in connection with the rescue at the
Ravelli farm.
Instead Of sleeping quietly at Men,
tone or Monte carlo, as they had exs
pected to do. the two young mem
spent the night on the drivers seat
of Scarlet Runner, while the father
and daughter sat together inside.
ANCNSi Stopplh6b luCy ulONo UdGh
over the Col di Tenda, and on through
the dark hours and into the morn
ing. At a farm house they stopped
for food, and water for the car; then
on to Milan, where they rested in
comparative safety. But the rest was
only for a few hours, and by hard
going, the next night they reached
Venice
By that time both young men would
gladly have given their lives for the
old Russian and his brave, beautiful
daughter. Christopher risked being
late for Scarlet Runners English en-
gagement by waiting to see the refu-
gees installed in the Palazzo Baria,
while Baria himself found quarters
with neighboring cousin. There was
no news yet of pursuit; therefore,
when all was settled peacefully, Chris
topher had no longer an excuse for
lingering. He left after three days,
but they were epoch-making days, and
he was not surprised to receive a long
telegram when he had arrived at
Southampton and unshipped his
faithful car: "
BEST of friends, I cannot wait to
tell you that l am really engaged to
her. She is adorable. There is no
other woman. There never was, ex-
cept in my sick Imagination. You
saved my life, you gave me health
and love and love gives me love of
life. We shall be married as soon as
possible. She loves me. l am per-
fectly happy, and hope not to die I'M
til l am hundred and she ninety-one.
yours until then, BARIA."
Christopher sent as a wedding presS
emit little model of Scarlet Runner,
done in red enamel and gold.