Providence Technical High School - Review Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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68 THE TECH REVIEW 1928 Fates Twain Ruth Simmons, '28 Sydney Carrington pushed to one side the numerous papers which were spread before him on his desk, yawned lazily, ' ¥ « ' and sat gazing out of the window of his combined office and sitting room at the Hotel Dusseldorf in Moscow. Three weeks previous he had been commissioned to Russia as representative of “The Daily Mail,” a prominent London newspaper. He had journeyed to Moscow expecting to witness the turbulent revolutionary riots to which Russia and the city of Mos- cow in particular were subject. However, a more quiet, peaceful three weeks he could not have spent. So, wholly disap- pointed in his expectations he sat musing, and wishing himself back in London among the gay whirls of social life which he had been compelled to abandon. Sud- denly, his reverie was interrupted by a sharp rap on the office door. In answer to Carrington’s “Come in,” his valet en- tered the room. “Well, Hobbs,” asked Carrington, “what do vou want ?” “I just came. Sir. to remind you that you ’ave an engagement with the Minister of Police at three-thirty, Sir.” “Confound the Minister of Police. Well, what time is it now, Hobbs?” “It is three o’clock, Sir.” “Well, I’ll he along in a minute, and say, Hobbs, lay out my blue serge for me.” “Yes, Sir, anything else. Sir?” “Well,” drily, “you might give me a shirt, and a collar and I might suggest a necktie, I think I’m in the habit of wear- ing one.” “Very good, Sir,” replied the imper- turbable Hobbs, as he disappeared through the doorway. Twenty minutes later, Carrington, due to the perseverance of his valet was dressed for the street, and as he passed through the lobby of the hotel he attracted a good deal of attention, as foreign visi- tors were unusual in Moscow during the period of Revolution. Besides, who would not turn to gaze, after such a good looking young man? Carrington made his way to the Soviet Embassy where were stationed the police headquarters. He was conducted by a guard through numerous halls and pas- sageways to the office of Mr. AralofF, the Minister of Police. The door was opened at a knock from the guard who saluted and announced in perfect English. “Mr. Carrington, Sir.” “Good afternoon, Mr. Carrington,” said Araloff also in English, and then to the guard who waited at the open door, “You are dismissed, Svensky.” “Now, Mr. Carrington,” resumed Ara- lolT, “I supj ose you are wondering why I. the Minister of Police, have summoned you. a total stranger, here before me.” “Yes, Sir,” replied Carrington who really was too much surprised to say more. “Well,” said Araloff, “since you have been here, I have looked into your past history, somewhat, for various reasons, of which I shall inform you, so that you are not such a total stranger, to me at least, as you think. But, l)efore saying more about that, I wish to tell you a few of the incidents of the revolutionary out- break which occurred some four or five weeks ago.

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1928 THE TECH REVIEW 67

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1928 THE TECH “As you have doubtless heard,” he con- tinued, “the royal castle during this out- break was bombarded and the Czar and Czarina were killed. It was thought, at the time that the daughters of the Czar were killed also, but, due to my efforts, the youngest, the Princess Yvonne es- caped death. I am telling you this, Sir, at risk of my own life for if it were dis- covered 1 would be hanged as a traitor to the country. I cannot explain to you my motives for this act except that, as a child, the Princess Yvonne was always my friend. Of course, since the revolu- tion, our friendship was estranged as I, remaining faithful to the country worked for the downfall of the Czar. Neverthe- less, I could not bear to see her killed as the rest and 1 managed to conduct her to a place of safety. How long she is to remain safe is what I have summoned you to discuss.” Carrington, by this time thoroughly mystified by Araloff’s story answered not a word but waited for him to go on. Araloff paused to wipe the perspira- tion from bis brow. He was wishing per- haps that he had not trusted this young man so fully as to thus risk a life so val- uable as his own, for he was somewhat of an egotist. He was a short, stout man of about sixty years and having been Minister of Police of Russia for thirty years or more, considered himself an in- dispensable factor in the government. “Well,” resumed Araloff, “the only |X)ssible way for the Princess to leave the country safely will be through disguise. Furthermore, if she is the wife of a for- eigner, certain complications which would arise otherwise, will be avoided. As you doubtless know, the laws of the country have suffered during this period as well as everything else. It is almost impos- sible to enforce them and some have been REVIEW 69 changed beyond recognition. It is even possible for you to be married now with- out the intervention of the law. You have merely to say, “I take this woman to be my wife and—” “1 have to say what?” cried Carrington. “Just a moment, my dear Mr. Carring- ton,” said Araloff, “if you say, “I take this woman to be my wife, you are con- sidered legally married and—” “But I’m not going to be married,” again interrupted Carrington. “If you’ll kindly listen,” Araloff was becoming impatient, “you will become thoroughly acquainted with my plan which is to have you marry the Princess so as to aid in her escape to France. As, under this new regime one may be divorced as easily as one is married, this marriage will in no way affect your later life. As 1 have already mentioned, I have made a few inquiries concerning you and I feel quite safe in trusting the Princess to you although but for one day.” “But, when am I to marry her?” asked the bewildered Carrington. “If you agree to the plan, come at nine tomorrow morning. Sir. She will be here and I feel sure that we shall ex- perience no difficulties in securing pass- ports and vises for her journey to France. Just before her departure, you shall be divorced and your married life will be over. That is all 1 wished to sav, Sir.” “All, I should say that was enough,” said Carrington. “Well, good afternoon, Mr. Araloff, I’ll be here in the morning to be married.” Carrington, after leaving the Embassy building, made his way back to the hotel and startled the faithful Hobbs by an- nouncing. “W ell, Hobbs, I’ll never again say that this place isn’t exciting. Here I am to be married at nine o’clock tomor- row morning.”