Sharp County record., 1881-07-14


selle Bolaroff lost her way--was driven out py
her father-anything you choose" said l.
Kharvieff sat silently gazing at her.
A tremendous upFoar at the door now began,
and before we had time to open 1t Bolaroft
dashed into the room, looking like madman.
"Where is that wretched girl, no longer
daughter of mlneln he yelled. His eyes fell
upon her, and he rushed at her, but hharyl'H
suddenly rousing himself, caught him and hello
him firmly.
"That daughter of yours is now under my,
protection, and will soon be my wife. Now, II
YOU dare, lay hands on her." As he spoke he
| dung Bolaroff clear across the room.
His aScendancy over Bolarolf was never more
apparent. The latter, burning with fury,
seemed to be uncertain what to say or do next.
"AndS said l, remember that the Count
ess Varva Bolaroff is of a rank that EMIT es
her to the Emperor's protection. She is ward
of the Emperor; and he will make you feel the
weight of his displeasure if the news of your
treatment of her comes to his knowledge. Did
you ever hear of Michael Narishkin, who was
sent to Siberia for his treatment of his chill
| drenln
Varva in the meantime slept on, undis-
turbed by the clamor.
Bolaroff began to perceive that we were too
many for him. May be permitted to ask
who assumes the responsib lity of mademoi-
sele's actions, since she has seen fit to rebel
against me!h said he.
81 do" answered Kharvieff. "She shall be
my wife before we leave this place"
| Kharvieff's decision gave all of us a sensa-
ton of relief. 1t cut the knot of our difficult
ties; for Bolaroff's conduct convinced us more
and more that his daughters life would not
be safe with him.
"But where is your permission to marry!"
| said Bolaroff, as if an idea had suddenly struck
| him.
81 have, it is true, no formal permission to
marry, but shall have no fear when the cir
cumstances are brought before the Emperor.
And it must take place immediately" contln-
ued Kharvieff, turning to me. go, Dubassof,
and wake up the Mayor. Come, let us go into
| the next room to make what arrangements are
necessary"
All was now excitement. One went for some
kind of carriage for the bride; all found
| something to do to aid in this unexpected
wedding Kharveff seemed to be as eagerly
bent on it as any bridegroom could be. he
was as cool and self-possessed as possible, and
directed everybody Bolarotf, upon finding
what turn affairs were taking, rose and an
nounced his purpose to return home.
"No, you will not" said Kharvieff. "The
presence Of the parents of the bride is forbid
den, it is true, at marriage, but none the less
shall you accompany us as far as the church
door"
At look from Kharvieff, two young officers,
who were ready for anything, took their
seats one on each side of Bolarof, to prevent
his escape. We had gone into the outer room,
leaving Varva sleeping profoundly in the in
ner one. In about two hours Dubassof re-
turned with the Mayor and Radetsky with the
priests wife Everything was ready. Bv the
liberal use of threats, promises and money,
the affair had been arranged in two hours, in
stead of the two weeks that the village officials
usually require,
1t was now almost daylight The only thing
to be had for the bride in the shape of car
riage was tarantass, which had arrived, and
| the priest was waiting in the church. Khar-
vietf now went into the next room for Varva.
In few moments we heard her voice in
angry protest. Then the door flew open, and
she walked in among US.
She went up to her father " lie ys"-
pointing over her shoulder to Kharvieff-
"that 1 am to marry him. Now, will not
marry him." she said, stamping her foot. 81
will 90 back with you. You may beat me, you
may kill me, you may do what you will, but
will never marry Vicjor Kharvieff"
This unexpected condition of things discon-
certed every one except Kharvieff. "Varva,"
said he 81 love you. | viii never marry any
woman but you"
| but you will never marry me, said Varya.
'r'I deceived myself once into believing that
you loved me; but you, Victor Kharvief, can
| deceive me no more" She looked around tri-
umphantly. so, see how absurd he looks
He was gsing to marry me. Well, he is not"
Kharvieff put stop to all further argu-
ments by seizng her firmly in his arms and
caxrying her out to the tarantass and placing
her in it.
The ludicrous now fully predominated. We
all had desire to see Kharvieff succeed in his
bold enterprise and felt that it was the best
thing that could befall Varva.
The procession to the church was as follows:
| Varva and Kharvieff in the tarantass, he hold
ing her so that she was utterly powerless, and
| replying to her angry tears and declarations
that she would die rather than marry him by
the most endearing expressions; Loris BOlar-
off, on b S own old horse, with two Of the
scapegraces of the regiment on either side of
him, one holding his bride, while the her took
possession of his stick-he was by that time
too subdued to do anything but swear below
his breath; the Mayor, half tipsy, escorted be-
tween two other officers, who stopped occa-
sionally to refresh him from a flask of vodi
which they carried; myself with the priests
wife, who was supposed to give dignity to the
affair; and misce laneous crowd at our heels
for the regiment, as well as the whole vii
lage, was awakened by this time
Upon reaching the church some Of our COM
rades were found wa ting with the priest, and
according to the Russian custom, that the par
ents of the bride shall not be present at the
church, in order that she may be free and un-
trammeIled in her choice, Loris Bolarof re-
NAMED outside under strong guard of vii
layers. By the aid of few roub es the priest
was induced to overlook any iDformalties in
| this hasty transaction.
The ceremony began. When the consent Of
stiffly and absolutely refused to speak,
when Kharvef, taking her by the
top of her head and her chin, inclined
her head for her. The priest proceeded, and
in few moments they were man and wife.
The marriage was scarcely over before was
beckoned out of the church by courier.
was ordered to transfer the regiment to the
next in command, and to lose not an instant
in presenting myself at st. Petersburg to be
sent to France on mission of Importance
from the Ministry of War.
The last saw of Varva she was receiving
the kiss from the bridegroom usual at Rms
sian marriages, while it required all of Khar-
vieff's strength to keep her from rushing
away from him.
| reached St. Petersburg several days before
| the regiment, and was sent to Paris immedi-
ately. l remained there for nearly three years,
| by order of the Government, During that
| time l received the following letter from Khar-
| vieff;
You are, perhaps, commiserating my do
mestic difficult s. Ny friend, | have none.
Ny wife is most beautifully atfectionate and
submissive to me. She is perfect. But for a
year after my marriage she never gave me a
| al, ho oil MI ha would III