The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-18
MARRIED. hi A sNOw STORM.

About the year 1911, memorable in
Russian history, there lived upon bis
estate of Nemaradof, q rich landed pro-
pretor, Gabrilovitch by name, noted for
his affability and hospitality. His house
was always open to his friends and neigh.
bors, who used to congregate there every
evening; the older ones to enjoy game
Of cards with the host ard Ills wife Pc.
trowna, the younger ones in the hope Of
winning the favor Of Marie, a beautiful
girl Of II, the only daughter and heiress
of Gabriloyitch.
Marie read French novels, which natur.
ally rendered her very sentimental and
romantic. Under these circumstances
love was not long in coming. The object
other affections was a Russian cadet, with
scarcely penny in his pocket, who re-
sided in the neighborhood, AID was then
home on leave Of absence. As matter
Of course ho returned her love with
equal ardor. Marie's parents had strictly
forbidden her thinking Of such a union,
and they treated the lover, wherever they
met him. with just as much friendliness as
they would have shown to an ex-collector
Of taxes. The amorous pair meantime
carried on a correspondence, and met
clandestinely beneath the shade Of the
pine grove, or behind the old chapel. AS
will readily be supposed, they here vowed
eternal fidelity to each other, complained
of the severity of fate, and devised
beautiful plans for the future. After
some time they naturally came to think
that, should their parents persist in oppo.
sing the union, 1t tmight In The end be con
summated secretly, and without their con-
sent. The young gentleman was the first
propose this, and the young lady soon
saw the expediency Of 1t.
The approach Of Winter put an end to
these stolen interviews; but their letters
increased in frequency and warmth. In
each of them Vladimir Nickoloyitch con.
jured his beloved to leave the paternal
roof, asd consent to q clandestine mar.
marriage. aWe viii disappear for short
while" he wrote, "csine back, and cast
ourselves at the feet Of our parents, who,
touched by such oonstancy, will exclaim,
"come to our arms, dear children l'''
Z, Marie was long irresolute; at length II
was agreed, however, that she should moi
appear at supper on day appointed, but
should retire to her room under the pre-
text Of indisposition. Her maid had beer
let into the secret. Both were to escape
by a back.door, In front Of which they
would find a sleigh ready to convey then
a distance Of FIVE wersts, to the chapel O.
Jadrino. where Vladimir and the prizes
would await them.
Having made her preparations, ant
written q long apologetical letter to hel
parents, Marie retired betimes to hel
room. She had been complaining all da,
Of q headache, and this certainly was NJ
mere pretext Tor the nervous excitemen
had in truth indisposed her. Her fathel
and mother nursed her tenderly, askinl
her again and again: "How do you fec
now, Mariei Are you no betteri' ThiI
loving solieitude cut the girl to the heart
and with the approach Of evening herex
citement increased. AT supper she at,
nothing, but rose beLimes and bade he
parents goodnight The latter kissed ant
blessed her, as was their wont, Will,
Marie could scarcely repress her sobs
: Having reached her room, she threw her
self into q chair and wept aloud. He
maid fnally succeeded in comforting ant
cheering her up.
Later in tho evening snow.storn
arose. The wind howled about the house
causing the windows to rattle. Tho in
mates had hardly gone to rest, when tn
Young girl, wrapping herself in he
clothes aud furs, and followed by the ser
want with aportmanteau, left the paterna
roof A'slelgh drawn bylthree horses re
eeiyed them, and away they went Of
, furious speed. ia0
Vladimir had also been active through
ont the day. In the morning hc la,
called upon the minister az Jadfino 10 al
range for the ceremony, and then he wen
TO look up the required witnesses. TIL
first acquaintance to whom he applied wa
an officer on half-pay, WHO expressed him
self quite ready TO serve him. Such Al
adventure, he said, carried him back +
the days OF bis own youth. He deter
mined Vladimir to remain with him, takin
on him TO procure the other two witnesses
There accordingly appeared at Dime
Surveyor Schmidt, with his spurs an
mustache, and 1spraynik's son, a lad Of Il
who had but lust enlisted with the Uh