The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-22
MYSTERY OF A
STOLEN PASSPORT
Experience of an American
Woman In Russia.

STA, where l went to make a transla-
ton of rare Russian book.
went every day, by permission, to
the library, where received the book,
and under the eye of an assistant libra
rian did my translating. My watcher
was young girl with fair northern
complexion and eyes of heavens own
blue. Though she did not distrust me,
she conscientiously kept an eye on me.
Her name was Sonia. l frequently
and such like assistance. which she
cheerfully gave in a sweet, childlike
voice. | became attached to her and
asked her to room with me. My prin-
While she was too young and delicate
to take any part in the prevailing atti-
tude of the people toward the govern
ment she knew something of what
they were doing and on one occasion
warned me against a friendship with
one of my own sex, which discontin-
ued, and fortunately, for my friend
was suddenly arrested.
Sonia while my roommate conceived
the idea of going with me to America.
In this l encouraged her. She was so
gently disposed that Russia in its pres
ent state was no place for her. She
had enough money to pay her way to
the United States, and l agreed to take
her into my service while preparing my
manuscript for publication, after which
| hoped to find something else for her
to do. AS l neared the close of my
work we made our preparations for de-
parture, Sonia apparently anxious to
get away from a country where the
people were continually trying to blow
each other up.
| We had applied for our passports,
and mine had come in from the Ameri-
can embassy. Sonia met with much de-
lay in getting hers. Indeed, she feared
that l would have to go without her.
The evening that my passport arrived
we were reading my personal descrip-
ton In it when 1t occurred to me that,
while we were not at all alike, our
height, hair, eyes and complexion might
all be designated by the same words.
Never mind Sonia" l said to her.
eff necessary l can go on and when
across the border can send you my
passport. l might wait for you at Ko-
nigsberg"
She put her arms around me and
kissed me; then we went to bed.
The next morning when l awoke l
was surprised to see Sonia's bed
empty, and her clothes were not where
she had laid them the night before.
Astonished. l got up and made a thor
ough search of the room. My best cos
tune was missing.
1.-THE little THEIR 1 exclaimed. ITO
think that l should have been so taken
in by her" And l shed a tear not for
the loss of my suit, but that the girl l
had intended to befriend should have
treated me thus. Then / noticed that
my passport was missing. Sonia must
have taken it. This somewhat changed
my views. / remembered cur CONVEX,
sation of the night before, and it oc.
Cured to me that she might have gone
on under my passport and would send
1t after passing the border. But why
avoid duplicating me, of course.
When / went to breakfast saw by
the faces of those about me that some
thing unusual had happened, and was
informed that the same morning before
daylight the chief of police had beer
stabbed in his bed. If the assassin was
known the government kept the knowl
edge to themselves.
After having lived year among sucf
murders my nerves were completely
! unstrung, and l was more than evel
anxious to get away. But could no
move without my passport. could no
but blame Sonia for having taken 1t.
Two days later on going to my room
in the evening there lay my passport
on the table, but without a scrap Of
explanation. l was delighted, for mJ
theory was confirmed. l set out this
next morning, excepting to see Sonia
at Konigsberg, but was doomed tC
disappointment. | saw nothing of her
though / remained there several days
/ l went to Bremen and took the steamer
: on which had engaged passage fol
. Sonia and myself.
, was lying in my berth the frs
: night out thinking Of her whom had
expected to be my roommate on the
voyage when the stateroom door open
ed and some one entered. turned uT
, , the light, and there stood Sonia. But
: oh, how changed! Her face from the
soft innocent face OF girl had become
hard as a stone. She sank down on hel
knees beside me and put her arms
. about me. Neither spoke a word
{ Presently she arose. took OF her dresi
, and got into the other berth.
When / arose the next morning moth
: ing would have induced me to share
! Sonia's secret She did not ask me to
Not word OF explanation did she Civ,
!, me except that the person who return
ed my passport did SO at the risk Of hil
life.
Sonia was never again the childlik'
{ girl she had been. On the contrary
she looked old and careworn. Otter
in the night during our voyage sh.
would cry out and at times come from
hes. I.o,.&t, ~, INV . rms TTso~s hass A..