Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-29
Just Before the
Russian Revolution

D. ALAN HTNsDAIE

ace nc what was then called st. Pe
ters5urg. What Its condition ls now
don't know, for I have net seen
since II ceased to be the czar,s RES
dence. -. 20 tsT-, - ~ - -
Not long before The breaking out o
the worlds war. ! was a tourist in tn,
capital OF Russia, and had letters I,
the American ambassador there and I,
prominent Russians. Through the EN-
bassy / received IN invitation to a bal
ut this same Winter Palace. will moi
pause to describe the scene OF spien.
dor, but will mention one woman
about twenty-five. who was not only
very beautiful. but bore on her coun.
tenance the sIamp OF a marked spirit
within. That woman" I said TO a
friend. Interests me: I would like 10
be presented to her"
II have her acquaintance" he said.
and will Introduce you with pleasure.
This he did. but I did not find much
comfort In the brief chat had with
her. She seemed 10 have matters on
her mind that prevented her making
herself agreeable to an untitled strang-
er from America.
There Is n story connected with her
that ! will narrate. II was told me by
the man who introduced me 10 her.
Paul Kaluzsky.
kaluzsky came from the same place
ms she. In their social circle was Ste
pan Serozha. an Intimate friend OF
Paul. whom Paul described TO me rs
a splendid fellow. endowed with great
patriotism. There were two girls be-
tween whom he divided his attentions.
One wns Liza Arkadevna, modest
country girl. the other Sonia MIkhaiI-
on. the girl | met at the Winter Pal
ace. The latter spent much time In
the capital and was occasionally seen
at imperial functions.
Paul told the that stephan favored
Liza. and that Sonia was trying TO win
him from her. Stephan admitted that
Sonia was secretly In favor OF the rev.
olutionists, and was endeavoring to en-
list the talented Stephan I'm the cause
OF the people. But this was conTiden-
tial; Sonia was supposed to be loyal
TO the government.
Beyond the fact that Sonia was
Liza's rival. Liza distrusted her. She
warned Stephan not only against
Sonin's influence, but against giving
himself up to association with one Of
the secret circles OF revolutionists
which were to be found all over Rus
sin. Liza begged Stephan to consider
the horrors OF Siberia. and the danger
he would run by identifying himself
with any move dlsloynl to the govern
ment Besides" said Liza. 81 am told
that no one Gun tell whom TO trust I;
ones most intimate friend may be his
betrayer."
One day II was announced that
stephan and Liza were betrothed.
Sonia was present at the betrothal
ceremonies. She seemed not in the
least TO mind having lost Stephan TO
Liza and wished them both great hap
piness. In doing so she kissed Liza.
Paul who was present told me that
when this salute was given. he Judged
from the way Liza received II that she
considered II a Judas kiss. At any
-nte she seemed turned TO fee.
About q week after this Stephan
disappeared. II was not feared by his
friends that he had been made away |
With by the government. for he had
lot-so he had assured LIza-commit- |
ed any dlsloyal set, having promised
ler thai be would not do so. Time
lassed and nothing was heard OF the
Missing man. At last Il was reported /
~ one who knew him that he had seen
stephan In shackles on his way to ST.
,eriE
About this time Sonia was placed
lnder arrest by the government. &C
used OF being a member Of revolu-
ionary circle. She had strong friends
I court and II was said that they Sc
ured her release. At any rate after
cling held some time her friends ex-
Getting every day that she would be
ent TO Siberia she was let out Of
rison and restored to favor. II was
ot long after this that I saw her at
he Winter Palace. Paul and I were
eaving the palace when she passed
ut to entes her auto to Be driven
way to her apartments I went to
pulls home with him and over a glass
4 wine and n cigar he told me the
tory. We little thought that we were
o near Its climax
The next day Paul called at my ho-
d and with look Of horror on his
ice, told me that when Sonia's chauf-
EUR opened the door OF her limousine
e found her dead with a dagger In
er heart.
l too was appalled, but not as much
Paul who had known the victim
ON childhood. |,
My first thought was that Liza was I
nplicated In the murder. I suggested
to Paul who frowned II down at
ice.
l did not receive a solution OF the
ystery till after the deposition OF the 9
ar and the release OF the Siberian q
II