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

A BOUT the year 1911, memorable in
IA Russian history, there lived upon his
estate of Nemaradof, u rich landed propri-
etor, Gabrilovitch by name noted for his
affability and hospitality. His house was
always open to his friends and neighbors,
who used to congregate there every evening;
the old ones to enjoy a game of cards with
the host and his wife Petrowna, the young
er ones in the hope of winning the favor of
Marie, beautiful girl of seventeen, the
only daughter and heiress of Gabrilovitch.
Marie read French novels, which naturally
rendered her very sentimental and Roman
tic. Under these circumstances love was
not long in coming. The object other affec-
ton was a Russian cadet with scarcely a
penny in his pocket, who resided in the
neighborhood, and was then at home on
leave of absence. Asa matter of course he
returned her love with equal ardor.
Marie's parents had strictly prohibited her
from thinking of such a union, and they
treated the lover, wherever they met him,
with just as much friendliness as though
an ex-colector of taxes. The amorous pair
meantime carried on 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 beauti-
full plans for the future. After some time
they naturally came to think that, should
their parents persist in opposing the union,
it might in the end be consummated secret
ly, and without their consent. The young
gentleman was the first to propose this, and
the young lady soon saw the expediency of
it.
The approach of winter put an end to
these stolen interviews; but their letters in
creased in frequency and warmth. In each
of them Vladimir Nikolovitch conjured his
beloved to leave his paternal roof, and con-
sent to a clandestine marriage. "We will
disappear for a short while," he wrote,
"come back, and cast ourselves at the feet
of our parents, who touched by such con-
stancy, will exclaim, "Come to our arms,
dear children p" Marie was long irresolute;
at length it was agreed, however, that she
should not appear at supper ON day ap-
pointed, but should retire to her room un-
der the pretext of indisposition. Her maid
had been let into the secret. Both were to
escape by a back door, in front of which
they would find a sleigh ready to convey
them distance of five wersts, to the chapel
of Jadrino, where Vladimir and the priest
would await them.
Having made her preparations and writ
ten long apologetical letter to her parents,
Marie retired betimes to her room. She
had been complaining all day Of head
ache, and this was certainly no mere pretext,
for the nervous excitement had in truth in
disposed her. Her father and mother nurs-
ed her tenderly, asking her again and again:
Chow do you feel now, Marie? Are you
no better?" This loving solicitude cut the
girl to the heart and with the approach of
evening her excitement increased. At sup
per she ate nothing, but rose betimes and
bade her parents goodnight. The latter
kissed and blessed her, as was their won't,
while Marie could scarcely suppress her
sobs. Having reached her room, she threw
herself into chair and wept aloud. Her
maid finally succeeded in comforting and
cheering her up.
Later in the evening snow-storm arose.
The wind howled about the house, causing
the windows TO rattle. The inmates had
hardly gone to rest, when the young girl,
wrapping herself in her clothes and furs,
and followed by the servant with portman-
teau, left the paternal roof sleigh drawn
by three horses, received them, and away
they went at furious speed.
Vladimir had also been active throughout
the day. In the morning he had called
upon the minister at Jadrino to arrange for
the ceremony, and then he went to look up