Catoctin clarion., 1918-01-31
lust Before the
Russian Revolution
By ALAN HlNSDAE

Before the Russian revolution there
was no more luxurious dwelling place
for sovereign than the Winter Pal
ace at what was then called st. Pc
tersburg. What its condition is now
don't know, for l have not seen 1t
since 1t ceased to be the czar's resi-
dence.
Not long before the breaking out of
the worlds war, was a tourist In the
capital of Russia, and had letters to
the American ambassador there and to
prominent Russians. Through the en-
bassy I received an invitation to a ball
at this same Winter Palace. will not
pause to describe the scene of splen-
dor, but will mention one woman,
about twenty-five, who was not only
very beautiful, but bore on her coun-
tenance the stamp Of marked spirit
within. "That woman" I said to
friend, 'interests me; would like to
be presented to her."
81 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 to have matters on
her mind that prevented her making
herself agreeable to an untitled strang-
er from America.
There is a story connected with her
that | will narrate. 1t was told me by
the man who introduced me to her.
Paul Kaluzsky.
Kaluzsky came from the same place
as she. In their social circle was Ste
pan Serozha, an intimate friend OF
Paul, whom Paul described to me as
a splendid fellow, endowed with great
patriotism. There were two girls be-
tween whom he divided his attentions.
One was Liza Arkadevna, modest
country girl. the other Sonia Mikhail-
off, the girl I met at the Winter Pal
ace. The latter spent much time In
the capital and was occasionally seen
at imperial functions.
Paul told me 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 in the cause
of the people. But this was cOnfiden-
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
liza h,,< inc ri win
himself up to association with one of
the secret circles of revOlutionists
which were to be found all over Rus
sia. Liza begged Stephan to consider
the horrors of Siberia. and the danger
he would run by identifying himself
with any move disloyal to the govern
ment. Besides" said Liza, II am told
that no one can tell whom to trust;
ones most intimate friend may be his
betrayer."
One day 1t 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 1t that she
considered 1t Judas kiss. At any
rate she seemed turned to ice.
About q week after this Stephan
disappeared. 1t was not feared by his
friends that he had been made away
with by the government, for he had
not-sQ he had assured Liza-cOmmit-
ted any disloyal act, having promised
her that he would not do so. Time
passed and nothing was heard of the
missing man. At last 1t was reported
by one who knew him that he had seen
Stephan in shackles on his way to ST.
IBERIA.
About this time Sonia was placed
under arrest by the government, ac-
cused of being a member Of revOlu
tionary circle. She had strong friends
at court and it was said that they Sc
cured her release. At any rate after
being held some time her friends ex-
pecting every day that she would be
sent TO Siberia she was let out OF
prison and restored to favor. 1t was
not long after this that l saw her at
the Winter Palace. Paul and I were
leaving the palace when she passed
out to enter her auto to be driven
away to her apartments. went to
Paul's home with him and over a glass
of wine and cigar he told me the
story. We little thought that we were
so near its climax.
The next day Paul called at my ho-
tel and with a look of horror on his
face, told me that when Sonia's chauf-
feur opened the door of her limousine
he found her dead with dagger in
her heart.
too was appalled, but not as much
as Paul who had known the victim
from childhood
My first thought was that Liza was
implicated in the murder. I suggested
it to Paul who frowned it down at
once.
/ did not receive solution Of the
mystery till after the deposition Of the
czar and the release of the Siberian
prisoners. Then heard 1t from Paul.
Sonia was government spy. For
revenge upon Stephan who had turned
from her to Liza, she falsely denoun-
ced him as reyolutionist Her ar
rest was blind. A circle OF revolu-
tionists to which she belonged and
whose secrets she was giving the gov