Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-12-06

from the distracted scenes OF war,
this was at the very moment when
the great Russian army had quickly
thrown itself into Smolensko so as
not to be cut off by the French.
On the same night when the army
had already began its retreat from
the fortress to Moscow, Dolgorof and
Ochalskoi arrived at the castle. The
marriage was to take place the fol-
lowing morning. In accordance
with Dolgorofs wish, the nuptial
night was to be passed at the castle;
but on the next morning the gentle
men were again to repair to their
posts in the army, while the ladies
were to set out on their journey to
Ochalskoi's estate.
The moment had arrived. Lodo-
iska had been arrryed in her bridal
dress by her maid, the bridal wreath
had just been placed among her
tresses, her maid had retired, and
for moment, lost in painful revery,
the unhappy bride stood at the win
dow. Everything conspired to make
the day a dreadful one. In the dis
lance was heard the deep roar of the
cannon from the beseiged fortress;
and long struggling lines OF horsemen,
passed in disorder, along the nigh
road to Moscow, about half mile
from the castle. The sight of these
hordes Of Tartars and Cossacks, who
came from countries not yet reached
by European culture and among
whom she was to reside in future
filled her with gloomy horror, "oh!
why did I become acquainted with
lands more beautiful, manners more
refined, men more civilized!" she
sighed. When suddenly Ochalskoi
entered, to offer his deuoirs and to
conduct her to the church, where
Gregorius was awaiting them.
In silence, but with firm step she
descended leaning on Ochalskoi's
arm.
In the saloon she was received by
her parents and the assembled
guests. There were only few male
relations OF the two families, mostly
elderly gentlemen OF high rank, and
several Generals, who being Ochals-
koi's superiors, had been invited. |
The procession headed by the young
bridal pair, moved towards the
church. The inhabitants OF the viii
lage had assembled and formed
double line through which Lodoiska
passed, saluting her friends on either
side with a melancholy affability.
Flowers were strewed on her path;
but they could not cover the yawn-
ing gulf which the bride saw opening
beneath her. The guests and the
people were also solemn, for a mar
riage ceremony celebrated under
circumst ances such as the present,
when the cheerful tolling Of bells
was accompanied by the not distant
roar of dreadful conflict; with hun
dreds Of bleeding victims sinking,
while words OF peace and blessing
are pronounced. cannot be called
happy event. Gregorius spoke with
deep emotion, grave but consoling;
all listened in solemn silence. In
few minutes the rites OF the church
were performed the two were pro-
nounced man and wife, and the pro-
cession took its way back to the
castle where dinner was prepared
for the assembled guests. During
the repast, the cannonading con-
tinued with increased violence.
The Coun tess Dolgorof became
and suggested whether 1t
would be best to break up the fes-
tivity.
I'VE are here in perfect safety,
said one Of the Generals at the table;
Smolensko is the key OF this road.
As long as that gate Is shut no enemy
can trouble us. And we are more
over secured against any little
by large troops OF Cos
sacks, who patrol up and down along
the banks of the river"
The evening had set In when the
banquet broke up, and the guests
dispersed to pass the time in the
rooms. Lodoiska looked
forward with trembling anxiety to
the approaching hour, when left
alone with her husband. she would
be compelled to encounter the last
fearful struggle with her lacerated
heart.
1t was then that her maid approach
ed at a moment when she had ret.r- ,
cd to an adjoining room from
the company, informing her that
dregorius was In her chamber, ug-
entity desiring to see her. Lodoiska
FASTENED to comply with the request
Of the worthy old man. Alas! her
whole heart was drawn towards him. :
Tor from him alone she expected to
receive consolation and strength for I
he trying ordeal which she was about q
% encounter. She found him in her
-oom, with an expression OF counte-
nance more SERIOUS than usual. !
My daughter" he addressed her. +,
he hour has come, when I must
speak to thee Of important things.
Thou art now irrevocably the wife OF
Prince Ochals Koi, for the sacred S
,ites OF the church have united you. l
Daafb aIopa oan diaaolve the union