The Haslingden Gazette. — 1908-01-04 (Haslingden, Lancashire, England)

PIARANCS OF BIYEON. In low and rapid tones Gretchen Mad(lilac Runes began her story. "My father's estate, aujoined those of Count Saloski. Felicia, his daughter, was indeed his only child. We met for the first time at a convent on the borders of the Pyrennees. My parents were wealthy, but having descended from a trading stOck„ were not considered by the nrighbooting nobility worthy of their high and mighty society. My father was of German extraction, and being opposed to autocratic rule. he was consequently worshipped by the mounist, while Saloski was detested by hin dependents. The old man was tyrannical, and the Countess severely austere. Repression and the knout was Saloski's idea of ruling the peasants in his service, and his treatment added fuel to the blaze that woo running through the country. Felicia was entirely different from her overbearing parents, her heart wee of unalloyed gold. She was tender and sympathetic and the poor people idolind her. There was universal unrest amongst the enlightened classes, and the Cossack butchers quelled result after revolt by murdering men, women, sild children with equal impartiality. With startling rapidity the diseontent spread and at last reached our isolated home. But our moujiks were loyal, they had beets treated properly, and this saved Count Saloski front being knouted by Ws own people. In the midst of the revolt againnt the iron sway of a few autocrats, Felicia and I left France, G.' education finished. For safety and the Saloski's migrated to Moscow, and it was in that city that Felicia met Prince Sergins Kolakowski. Their exalted ideals of life being cast in the same mould, small wonder that they fell in love with each other. Prince Kolakowski had travelled ail over Europe, and while in England had become a convert to tie idea of a government in which the people should have a share. This, of course, was rank heresy. nod the more he preached the more he was laughed at. Scoffing and th,ats were of no avail; a conspire.' grew up against him. and prof tieally his doom was Pealed. But through the storm the Prince remained steadfast to the cause that he en. pottsed. 'the cabal rained against hint began to take definite 'haps, V. 11,11 he WAS Etc chosen favourite of the Crar. In the end Felicia Saloski were  wed. • She paused. hor next words were distinctly marked, and Simeon was unusual* attentive. "On the morning of the ceremony the Prince clasped that diamond necklace about his bride's neck, telling her that the ornament had been the gift. of Peter the Great and was held by his f amity 83 an heirloom. always in the keeping of the head of the house. Felicia promised him that she would guard it caretully. and knowing her as I do, that nothing would induce her to break her word. I am puzzled as to how the necklace came into your pos”ession?" "So Ear as I am concerned I only know that. it was stolen from Trafford House, ans,erod Simeon. "Please go on with the story ''  ::,mo two years after the marriage a scandal got mooted about in Petersburg. An important document had been purloircd from the Emperor's private cabinet and :he enemies of the Prince seized this opportunity to denounce bins. What really transpired was net divulged, but the unfortunate Pzimie pprn7Pd, cani.sh.il alike, from the world and his heart-broken wife. Four days after her hashand's departure from Peterslakrg Felicia was mis6ing, the servant gone, and the Kolakowski Palace closed. It was, of course, a nine days' wonder, then Prince and Princess Kolabowski were forgotten be all isat their friends and their enemies. ziter this my Lther sold his property in Russia and we settled permanoni ly in Berlin. Row we lived and what we dal d,cs not in any way concern my story. V.. ry I shortly my paro.its died, only a few monae, elapsing between the death of my father red . mother. The fortune left use by my parse's soon decreased, bills came tumbling in, duns were persistent in their demands for an enr:y settlement. Ruin could not be stayed ref much longer, and money became a necessity. I was nearly stranded when a certain odscial made a proposal to me that I should cult:. ate the acquaintance of certain re r.sorsa whole political tendenei, the Chancellor suspcoted. I am ashamed to confess that I snapped at the onions task and my debts ere paid. "I Made a defitite baresin, however, that I would never betray the confidence of these who had been my intimates. My terriers were considered valliaSie, and I was sent to France with sealzil crd..srs' which were net