The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-18

were no signs Of Jadrino. By degrees
the storm abated and the moon shown
brightly. He finally reached the opposite
skirt ofthe forest. Still no Jadrilo; but
a group Of four or five houses met his
view. His knock at the door Of the
nearest was answered by an old man.
"Wkat do you want 2" he said.
"Where lies Jadrino I" asked Vladi-
mar.
q About ten wersts distant"
AT this reply yladinnr felt rs II his
sentence Of death was being announced
to him.
"Can you procure me q horse to take
me thither p, he asked.
4" We have no horses"
cor at least guide. i will pay any
price.
"very we'll. My son eau accompany
the gentleman.
After little while, which seemed an
eternity to Yladimar, q young. fellow
made his appearance, holding thick
staff in bis hand, and they took their
WY across the snow-coyercd plain.
"What o'clock isit?" asked Vladimar.
"It Is already past midnight"
And in very truth the sun began to
gid the east when they finally arrived at
Jadrino. Tho church door wps locked.
Vladimar paid md dismissed his guide.
and then instantly hastened to tho min.
ister's dwelling. What he there learned
will appear from the sequel.
AT Ncmaradof tile night had passed
quietly. In the msrnipg the master Of
the house and his wife arose as usual,
and preceded to the dining-room,
Gabriel Gabrilovitch in his wooden
jacket and nightcap, Petrowa in her
morning gown. After they had break
tasted, Gabriel sent up one OF the girls
to inquire how Marie was. She returned
with the message that her young mistress
had had q 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
agitation.
How do you feel this morning loyes"
IlQUulTBu utE lubucE.
I" Better" was the answer.
The day passed as usual, but, instead
OF the looked.for Improvement, q serious
change fer the worst took place in
Marie's condition. The family physician
was summoned from the nearest town,
who found her in o state Of most violent
fever. For II 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 itnever betrayed
themselves with a syllable, even when
under the influence Of brandy, so greatly
did they dread Gabriel's anger.
Marie, however, spoke 80 necessarily
Of yladimar when delirious, that her
mother could not remain in doubt as to
tho 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 beside that, riches do not always
lead to happiness.
The patient recovered. During her
illness Vladimar bad not once shown
Ibis facc near the house, and it was re-
solved to apprise him Of his unexpected
good fortune. But to the astonishment
Of tie proud proprietor Of Nermaradof,
the cadet declared that he should never
again cross the threshold OF his house,
lbegring them ut the same time to forget
utterly so wretched q creature as he, to
whom death alone would give rep,se.
A few days aiterward they learned
that Vladimar had again returned to the
Iarmy. II was in the year 1872. No one
uttered his name 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 officers who had
distinguished themselves at the battle Of
Borodino and been mortally wounded.
She tainted away and bad o relapse,
from which she recovered but slowly.
Not long after her father died, be-
Iqueathing his whole property to her.
But riches were not able to comfort her
she wept with her mother, and promised
never to leave her. They sold Nemara-
dof and removed to another estate.
Suffers thronged around tho wealthy
and amiable heiress but none OF them
received tho slightest encouragement
from her. Often did her mother pres!
her TO choose q husband-she would
merely shake her head in silence. Vladi'
mar was no more (; he died at Moscow
on the evening before the entrance o.
The French. Marie seemed to hold hil
memory sacred she carefully preserved
tho books they had read together, bill
sketches, the letters he had written Z
Iher-in brief, everything that coult
serve 10 keep alive the remembrance o
the ill.iated youth. -,
About iris time, the war, fought will
such glory TO the allies, Of whom Rnssi'
was also one, came to an end. Th'
victorious regiments returned home
:. and large crowds Of people tlockst
iorether to greet them, Officers wht
had gone forth asbeartlless youths can't
back with the grave faces Of warrior,
their gallant breasts covered viii
badges. ,r
name, with On Interestingly pale taee, an,
decorated with the Cross Of ST. George
- aknnAaa n