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

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70 THE TECH REVIEW 1928 “Married, Sir, did you say married?” asked Hobbs. “My eye!” “Yes, Hobbs, married, to rescue the fairy princess you know. Say, did you ever read any fairy stories?” “Yes, Sir, when I was a boy, Sir.” “I was just wondering,” said Carring- ton. “you don’t look as if you ever had.” The next morning, Carrington awoke unusually early and was about to turn over for another nap when lie suddenly remembered the events of the proceeding afternoon. He jumped from the bed and dressed quickly. After eating a hurried breakfast, he hastened to the Embassy and was conducted by the guard Svensky, to the Police headquarters where be was greeted warmly by Araloff and was told that the Princess would arrive immedi- ately. Araloff left the room to return in five minutes with a young lady. She was of medium height, very shabbily dressed, and wore a heavy veil which completely concealed her face. Upon entering the room, however, she removed the veil and Carrington was suddenly confronted by the loveliest girl he had ever seen. “Yvonne,” said Araloff, “this is Mr. Carrington, your future husband.” Yvonne, coloring slightly, offered her hand to Carrington and said, a delicious foreign tinge to the. words, “How do you do, Mr. Carrington, I thank you so much for aiding me in this difficult situation.” Her voice was low, but clear and there was a wistful expression in her gray eyes which immediately made Carrington her slave. “I think, Mr. Carrington,” said Ara- loff, “that the sooner this wedding is over, the more comfortable it will make everybody concerned. I believe we are ready, Sir.” Carrington swallowed hurriedly and looked at the Princess. She was breath- ing quickly, but otherwise was perfectly calm. “Ready, Sir,” snapped Araloff. Carrington said the required words and uttered a sigh of relief. Without further conversation, the newly married couple left the building and entered a carriage which was waiting to take them to the station. From Moscow, they were to travel to the border town of I ami urg whence Yvonne was to journey alone to France. Little was said as they traveled toward Pctrograd where they were to stop before going on to Jamburg. As they left Moscow, the road became rougher and frequently Yvonne was jostled against Carrington’s side. “Do you think we shall reach Petro- grad in time for the train?” she timidly asked. “I believe so, that is, if he doesn’t bump us to death before we get half way there. The road is growing rougher,” he continued, “I think if you will take hold of my arm you will avoid many hard bumps.” “Thank you,” she said simply and mov- ing nearer, she put her hand through his arm, which act caused his heart to thump madly. “You have been very good to me,” she continued, “what trouble I have made for you.” “It has been no trouble,” he stammered. Then, as the carriage gave two or three wild plunges, he and she. were thrown to one side of the seat. Then followed such a creaking and chattering that conversa- tion was made impossible. When they did speak, it was with the mouth of one close to the ear of the other. At such times, her breath on his cheek and her sweet clear voice close to his ear created in him a mad longing to take her in his arms. However, he had to be satisfied in placing his hand encouragingly over

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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.”

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1928 the little one that was thrust through his arm. As his hand clasped hers, it trembled slightly, but after a moment it rested calmly beneath his. As they neared the city of Petrograd the road became smoother. “I think,” said Carrington, “that we shall have your baggage checked immedi- ately and then we shall go to lunch.” As they drew up before the station, Carrington climbed out and aided Yvonne to alight from the carriage. After having the baggage checked, they hurried to a small restaurant on an out of the way street and had lunch after which it was time to return to the station as the train bound for Jamburg was due. When finally it pulled in at the station, Carrington and Yvonne climbed aboard and settled themselves comfortably. In about an hour they would reach the small l)order town and he would say goodbye to her forever. A feeling of depression seized him at the thought. The train rattled on, and the remainder of the trip was made in utter silence. At length, they pulled in at the small railway sta- tion at Jamburg. After having settled with some difficulty details concering Yvonne’s passports to France, Carring- ton accompanied her to the train. Here, he hurriedly said the words which sep- arated their lives and which he had de- layed until the last possible moment. They hurried to the sleeping car and stood at the foot of the steps saying goodbye. As the time for departure drew near, the trainmen hurried belated passengers to the cars. “Perhaps, you had better get in the car,” he said and assisted her up the steps. “And now, we must say goodbye,” she said and stretched forth her hand to Car- rington who held it tightly. Then, as the 71 last “All aboard” was called by the im- patient trainman, he swung up onto the step below her. “Goodbye,” he said, “I hope that we may meet again.” Then, her eyes wavering beneath his glance she said softly, so softly that he scarcely heard the words, “I pray that we may meet again.” The train moved slowly and in order to escape being injured, Carrington drop- ped to the station platform and watched the train until a bend in the road hid it from view. The journey back to Moscow proved dreary to him. Upon reaching the hotel he sent a telegram to his Aunt Belle in France. His mother and father had died when he was a child and since their death his Aunt Belle had been his closest friend and con- fidante. The following is the message he sent. Dear Aunt Belle. Have been married and divorced in one day. A ripping Russian Princess. Tell you about it in letter following. Love, Syd. Carrington continued his work, think- ing frequently of the lovely Yvonne and determining that as soon as he was free to do so, he would search for her and declare to her his love. However, a year passed before he was allowed to leave the country of Rus- sia. When permission was granted, he sent another hurried telegram to his aunt who was visiting on the Riviera in France stating that he would be with her before the end of the week. In a few days he arrived in France and on the day of his arrival on the Riviera, he hurried to his aunt’s apartment. In answer to his ring, the door was opened by a trim looking THE TECH REVIEW