Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-27

w YE Immediately began TO mako
the necessary arrangements
Nv for our journey to the Cri
mea. We were off the very
next day for Odessa Three
days later the ship we had taken In
Odessa was approaching Yalta, where
we were to meet my sister and her
family, whom we had not seen for
more than a year and had often feared
We should never see again. It is use
less to attempt to describe our meet
ing.
life in Yalta seemed a veritable
heaven to US. Here the people one
met were normal, while in Moscow
every one looked at all the affairs of
life from the viewpoint of mailman.
Moreover, the horrible state Of half
hunger was unknown IN Yalta, as the
town was full of provisions and every
thing was about % times cheaper than
in Moscow.
Revolution was brewing in Ger
many, and one fine day It became
known that the Germans were evacu-
ating the Ukraine and were planning
60 leave all their ammunition to the
Professional Unions, which were made
up exclusively of Bolsheviks. II Is
difficult to describe the commotion that
this news caused among the many Off
GERS from the Volunteer Army who
had come to the Crimea to recover
from Illness and wounds.
Under its sting Serge rushed about
the town like q mailman and finally
was able, with several officer friends,
TO secure possession of the aulmuni-
ton.
The local Bolsheviks were begin
ming to raise their heads, and it was
several times reported to Serge that
they were holding secret meetings. AS
a result Of his activities against them
at this time, all the doubtful charac-
rers in the town knew him we'll by
sight, hatel him, and gave him the
nickname of the white Devil which
has chung to him ever since.
Serge always wore a black tcher-
kess (coat), a big white papkha. or
cap, and a sort of Caucasian cowl,
called a bashlik, hanging down his
back. Although every Bolshevik in
town knew this costume, he persisted
in wearing It in spite Of all my remon-
strances.
It was at about this time that Serge
was on duty during the first half OF
the night, so that he used to come
home around o'clock in the morn
ing. As our room was on the ground
floor, he generally climbed up and
came In through the window, in order
not to waken any one in the house.
On one of these nights had already
been in bed for a long time, but. for
some reason, could not get to sleep.
Suddenly I heard footsteps approach
ing our villa and then the sound OF
some one running, as though in pur-
suit Of another.
= !: =
THERE followed in rapid succession
a shot. a cry right under my open
window, the quick cadence Of retreat.
ing steps, few groans and a silence
that clutched me with fear.
at Is Serge" was the only thought
in my mind. Grabbing my dressing
gown, climbed out OF the window,
bent over the man lying there and
struck a match. An unknown,
bearded face printed itself forever on
my sensitive, overweight mind and
then disappeared as the match went
out.
Who had shot him was never discov-
cred, nor was Il ever known whether
the bullet was meant for him or not;
but It was clear that the crime had
not been committed for the purpose
OF robbery, as nothing had been taken
from him.
: Many times since those days have I
given silent thanks that five months
later. after all those rights and trying
experiences, my little daughter was
born a normal child After this par
tcular scare was naturally rather
nervous for some time, and insisted
on Serge coming home early or stay
ing at the Port Section for the night.
The boat that made one trip a week
TO the Crfmea was to sail In two or
three days, so we went to stay with
my sister and her husband, who were
now living in Noyorossisk with their
ave children.
Shortly before our arrival ship,