The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-06-16

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in ectacies before the siren, who SO wei
understood giving the proper expression
TO her native songs. During these inter
courses, Alexis always preserved his in
cognltc, and consequently Marichkin trca
ted him tamiliarly and us the friend O
her old tutor. But Matwcll found him
self in different position. lie did no
dare to interrupt the intimacy of the Ca,
with Marichkin, md yet he felt is his du
ty to protect his friends daughter agains
q snare which she neither guessed nor un
derstood.
The day of the great ceremony of choos
ing Czarian approached. The Lord.
had returned from their tour, and already
the walls Of the Krcmln enclosed sixty
OF the most beautiful flowers of Russia.
The great ladies of Moscow prepared THEN
flenst dresses. The whole city was alive
the army was concentrated about the pal.
ace; the bells rang and Jonfres blaZcd
the Car alone changed none of his habits,
he was at Marichkin's side. MAXWELL
sad and anxious, was thinking how this
unfortunate passion was to end, when the
Car appeared before him gayer than
usual.
lhe booming cannon the next dav an
nounccd to the inhabitants of Moscow.
that the moment for the Cars choice had
arrived. The great Hall of the KremIm
wes magniicently decorated the Lords
were dressed i'll most brilliant uniforms. tbo
Ladies in the richest toiIcttcs. while masks
were wandering everywhere about. Every
eye was turned towards the group ofyounr
girls among whom the great Alexis WAS
was to choose his consort. The priuros.
Barbarykin fixed the attention above aII
the rest, and tried to surpass her rvols.
proud OF her birth, she hopes to be Queen
by her beauty.
"A mask, i'll more brilliant costume
than the others, surrounded by courticrS
enters the room. Everybody takes him
Tor the Gar, and the Princess Barbarvkin
cannot contain herself for Joy when be
comes up and talks to her.
Marlchkin, in Il simple dress. remained
IN corner of the hall, seated beside Mat
we'll As the latter was examining the
mask who was talking to the Princess, he
recognized the Car, who, in a plain mil
Itary costume, and his face half-hid bv
a mask, approached Marichkin Marich-
Kun recognized her friend, and asked him
with her usual simplicity if the Gar had
made his choice. =. '......
"SsaNt'.rs,"t1 see Glh,, Al VIM e6uuuit YOU
to him."
81 am very we'll here" continued Marich
kin-"who knows" continued Alexis,
when the Car sees YOU pcrhaps---
81 am not ambitious of the crown"
"( on are too modest"
"lou annoy me"-and she signed, and
the tears came to her eyes. Alexis
understood that he was beloved, and his
ncart swellcd with JOY.
Let every one unmask " he cried.
In an instant a profound silence perva-
dcd the hall, and every heart beat; the
subjects awaited the decree ofthe master
to know where to carry their homage
The rage of the Princes Barbarvkin NAV
be imagined, when she discovered that
the pretended Car who had said so many
amiable things to her, was no other than
the Court Fool; but what was this to her
astonshment when she saw the crown
placed on Marichkin's head and heard
these words:
"Bayards of Moscow! behold your
Czarinam
The Musical superiority of Marchkin,
as well as her beauty, was the cause of
her fortune, and she did not neglect il.
With the Cars permission and aid, she
encouraged arts and artists; and her ia
vors fixed in Russia several italian, Ger
man and French musicians. In short it
was during her reign that the first at
tempts at National Operas were made in
Russia
1t is from this Marichkin that the Rus
sian Countess pretcnds to descend, and
upon this descent she founds her right to
the Presidential consideration.