The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-08-03

Vladimir urged his horse forward, and
reached the skirt of forest. He now
hoped to reach his destination soon, as il
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, ana the moon shone
brightly. He finally Reached the opposite
skirt of the forest Still no Jadrino; but a
His knock at the door of the nearest was
answered by an old man.
''What do you want 90 he said.
Where lies Jadrino ?'' asked Vladimir
''About ten wersts distant
At this reply Vladimir felt as if his sem
him.
Can you procure me horse to take me
thither?' he asked.
eve have no horse
cor at least guide: I will pay any
price"
''Tery well. My son can accompany the
gentleman.
After a little while, which seemed an
eternity to Vladimir, young fellow made
his appearance, holding thick staff in his
hand, and they took their way across the
snOw-covered plain.
'sWhat o'clock is it ?'' asked Vladimir.
cit is already past midnight"
And in very truth the sun began to gild
the east, when they finally arrived at Jad-
rino. The church door was locked. Via
dimir 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
quietly. In the morning the master OF the
house and his wife arose as usual, and pro-
ceeded to the dining room, Gabriel Gabri-
lovitch in his woOlen Jacket and nightcap;
Petrowna i'll 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
entered the room, looking exceedingly
pale, yet without the least perceptible agi-
tatiOn.
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, a serious
change for the worse took place i'll Marie S
condition. The family physician was sum-
moned from the nearest town, who found
her in a state of most violent fever. For
fourteen days she lay at the point of death.
Nothing transpired of the nocturnal
flight; 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 iii-
fiuence of brandy, so greatly did they dread
Gabriefs 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 the young soldier, seeing that one
cannot escape ones fate, and, besides, that
riches do not always lead to happiness.
The patient recovered. During her ill
ness Vladimir had not once showed his face
in the house, and it was resolved to oapprise
him of his unexpected good fortune. But
to the astonishment of the proud proprietor
of Nemaradof, the cadet declared that he
should never again cross the threshold OF
his house, begging them at the same time
to forget utterly so wretched creature as
he, to whom death alone would give rcpose.
a few days afterward, they learned that
Vladimir had again returned to the army.
1t was in the year 1912. No one uttered
his namc in Marie's presence, and she
herself never made mention of him in any
way. Two or three months had elapsed,
when one day she found his name among
the list of the officers who had distinguished
themselves at the battle of Borodino, and
had been mortally wounded. She tainted
away and had relapse, from which she re-
covered but slowly,
Not long after her father died, bequeath,
ing his whole property to her. But riches
were not able to comfort her; she wept
with her mother and promised never tc
leave her. They sold Nemaradof, and re-
moved to another estate, Suitors thronged
round the wealthy and amiable heiress
but none of them received the slightest
encouragement from her. Often did hel
mother press her to choose husband
would merely shake her head in silence. =
Vladimir was no more; he died at Moscow
on the evening before the entrance of tht
| French. Marie seemed to hold his memor,
sacred; she carefully preserved the book
they had read together, his sketches, tn,
letters he had written to her-in brief
everything that could serve to keep aliv'
the remembrance of the Inflated youth.
About this time the war, fraught witt
such glory to the allies, of whom Russi;
was also one, came to an end. The victo
rious regiments returned home, and larg
a =