The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-07-30

to serve him. Such an adventure, he said,
carried him back to the days of his own
youth. He determined Vladimir to remain
with him, taking upon himself to procure
the other two witnesses. There according
ly appeared at dinner surveyor Schmidt,
with his spurs and moustache, and Isprav-
nik's son, lad of seventeen, who had but
just enlisted with the Uhlans. Both prom
ised Vladimir their assistance, and after
cordial embrace the happy lover left
his three friends to complete his prepara-
tions at home.
Having despatched a trusty servant with
a sleigh for Marie, he got into one-horse
sleigh himself, and took the road leading to
Jadrino. Scarcely had he set off, when the
storm burst forth with violence and soon
every trace of the way was gone. The en-
tire horizon was covered with thick, yellow
clouds, discharging not flakes but masses
of snow; at last it became impossible to dis
tinguish between earth and sky. In vain
Vladimir beat about for the way; his horses
went on at random, now leaping over banks
of snow, now sinking into bitches, and
threatening every moment to overturn the
sleigh. The insupportable thought of hav-
ing lost the road had become a certainty.
The forest of Jadrino was nowhere 10 be
discovered, and after two hours the iaded
animal seemed ready to drop to the ground.
AT length kind of dark line became visible
in the distance. Vladimir urged his horse
forward, and reached the skirt of a forest.
He now hoped to reach his destination soon,
as it was easier to pursue his way in the
forest, into which the snow had not yet
penetrated. Vladimir took fresh courage;
however there were no signs of Jadrino.
By degrees the storm abated, and the moon
shone brightly. He finally reached the op-
posite skirt of the forest. Still no Jadrino;
but group of four Or five houses met his
view His knock at the door of the nearest
was answered by an old man.
"What do you want?" he said.
"Where lies Jadrino?" asked Vladimir.
"About ten wersts Distant
At this reply Vladimir felt as if his sem
tence of death was being announced to him.
"Can you procure me horse to take me
thither ?" he asked.
"We have no horses"
Cor at least guide. / will pay any
price,"
every well. My son can accompany the
gentleman"
After little while, which seemed an
atarnitv to VIod;n,;r n yo,,no folIo,,, ,,ooJo
his appearance, holding a thick staff in his
hand, and they took their way across the
snow-covered plain.
"What o'clock is it ?" asked Vladimir.
at is already past midnight"
And in very truth the sun began to gld
the east, when they finally arrived at ia
drino. The church door was locked.
Vladimir paid and dismissed his guide, and
then instantly hastened to the minister's.
dwelling. What he there learned will ap-
pear from the sequel
At Nemaradof the night had passed qui-
city. In the morning the master of the
house and his wife arose as usual, and pro-
ceeded to the dining-room, Gabriel Gabrilo-
witch in his woolen jacket and night-cap,
Petrowna in her morning-gown. After
they had breakfasted, Gabriel sent up one
of the girls to inquire how Marie was She
returned with the message that her young
mistress had had sleepless night, but that
she was feeling better now, and would
come down presently Marie soon after en-
tered the room, looking exceedingly pale,
yet without the least perceptible agita-
tion.
GLOW do you feel this morning love ?"
inquired her father.
"Better," was the answer
The day passed by as usual; but, instead
of the looked-for improvement, serious
change for the worse took place in Marie's
condition. The family physician was sum-
moned from the nearest town, who found
her in state of most violent fever
For fourteen days she lay at the point of
death. a.. .t,i.
Nothing transpired of the noctural fight;
for the maid took good care to keep silence
on her own account, and the others who
knew of it never betrayed themselves with
a syllable, even when under the influence
of brandy, so greatly did they dread Gabri-
els anger.
Marie, however, spoke SO necessarily Of
Vladimir when delirious, that her mother
could not remain in doubt as to the cause
of her illness. Having advised with few
friends, her parents resolved to let Marie
marry tho wanna, eold;ar eaa;no, that opa