River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-12-06

Her father and mother nursed her ten
derby, asking her again and again
How do you feel now, Marie Are
you no betterl' This loving solicitude
cut the girl to the heart, aud with the
approach of evening her excitement
increased. At supper she ate nothing,
| but rose betimes and babe her parents
goodnight. The latter kissed and
/ blessed her, as was their won't, while
Marie could scarcely repress her sobs.
Having reached her room, she threw
herself into a chair and wept aloud.
Her maid finally succeeded in comfort.
ing 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 wrapped herself
in iIer cloths and furs, and followed by
the servant with portmanteau, lett the
parental roof. A sleigh drawn by three
horses received them, and away they
went at a furious speed.
Vladimir had also been active
throughout the day. In the morning
he had called upon the minister at Jad-
rino to arrange for the ceremony, and
then he went to look up the required
witnesses. The first acquaintance to
whom he applied was an officer on half
pay, who expressed himself quite ready
to serve him. Such an adventure, he
said, carried him back to the days of
his own youth. He determined Vladi-
mir to remain with him. There ac-
| cordingly appeared at dinner Surveyor
Schmidt, with his spurs and mustache,
and Ispravnik's son, a lad of seventeen,
who had just enlisted with the Uhlans.
Both promised Vladimir their assis.
lance, and after cordial embrace the
| happy lover parted from his three
friends to complete his preparations at
| home.
Having dispatched trusty servant
with a sleigh for Marie, he got into a
one-horse sleigh himself, and took the
road leading to Jadrino. Scarcely had
he set of, when the storm burst forth
with violence, and soon every trace of
the way was gone. The entire hori zon
was covered with thick, yellow clouds,
discharging not flakes, but masses Of
snow at last it became impossible to
distinguish between earth and sky. In
vain Vladimir beat about for the way !:
his horse went on at random, now leap
ing over banks of snow, now sinking
into bitches, and threatening every mo.
ment to overturn the sleigh. The in
supportable thought of having lost the
road had become q certainty The
forest of Jadrino was nowhere to be
discovered, and after two hours the lad
ed animal seemed ready to drop to the
ground. At length a kind OF dark line
became visible in the distance. Vladl-
mir urged his horse forward, and reach
ed the skirt of forest. He now hop
ed to reach his destination soon, as it
was easier to pursue his way in the for
est, into which the snow had not yet
penetrated. Vladimir took fresh cour.
age however there were no signs of
Sadrino. BY degrees the storm abated
and the moon shone brightly. He
finally reached the opposite skirt of the
forest. Still no Jadrino; but group
Of four or five houses ne this view. His
knock at the door of the nearest was
tAAARWNAt ~ 0lA OAN1 man.
What do you want
"Where hes Jadrinoln asked Vladi-
mir.
about ten wersts distant
At this reply Vladimir felt as if his
sentence of death was being announced
TO him.
Can you procure me horse to take
me thitherl he asked.
We have no horse,
Or at least a guide; | will pay any
price"
every well. My son can accompany
the gentleman"
After little while, which seemed an
eternity to Vladimir, a young fellow
made his appearance, holding a thick
staff III his right hand, and they took
their way across the snow-covered
plain.
What o'clock is ita" asked vladi-
mir
I" 1t is already past midnight"
And in very truth the sun began to
glide the east when they arrived at
Jadrino. The church door was locked.
Vladimir paid and dismissed his guide,
and then instantly FASTENED to the min
ister's dwelling. What he there learn
de will appear from the sequel.
At Nemaradof the night had passed
quietly. In the morning the master ol
the house and his wife rose as usual,
aud proceeded to the dining room,
Gabriel Gabrilovitch in his wooden
jacket and nightcap. Petrowna in hen
morning gown. After they had break
tasted, Gabriel sent up one of the girls
20 inquire how Marie was. She return.
ed with the message that her young'mis
tress had had a sleepless night but feels
much better now, and would come down
presently. Marie soon after entered
the room, looking exceedingly pale, We;
without the least perceptible agitation.
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