Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-02-17
THE BARRIER.
a Russian Lows Story.

dorf proprietor named Gsbrilovltco.
He WAS noted for his hospital habits.
His house was st all times open to his
friends and nelghbors, who resorted
there in the evenlngs-the elder onesin
order to enjoy 3 quiet game Of cards
with their host and his wife Petrowns;
the younger in the hope of gaining the
good graces Of Mari, q fair girl of II, the
only child and heiresJ Of Gabriloyitch.
Mari used 10 read French romances,
and, as the natural and necessary con-
sequence, was deeply in love. The OBJ
iect Of her affection was an almost pen
niless young ensign belonging to the
neighborhood and then at home on
leave, who returned her love with equal
ardor. 1t is scarcely necessary 20 add that
the young lsdy's parents had strictly for
biden her 10 think Of such alliance; and
whenever they met the lover they re-
ceiyed him with about that amount o.
kiendliness which would have bestowed
on an ex-collsetor Of taxes Our young
lovers, however. managed to keep up =
correspondence and used to meet in Sc
cret beneath the shadow of the pine
grove or the old chapel. On these oc-
casions they, Of course, vowed eternal
constancy, accused Fate OF unjust rigor,
and formed various projects. AT length
they naturally came to the conclusion
that, as the will OF cruel parents oppoS-
ed their marriage, they might very
well accomplish it in secret. 1t was
the young gentleman who first pro-
pounded this proposition, and 1t was
most favOrably received by the young
lady.
The approach Of Winter put stop to
their interviews, but their correspond
ence went on with increased frequency
and fervor. In each OF his letters Nlsdi-
mir NicOlevitch eODjured his beloved TO
leave her home and consent TO q PR
vate marriage, 1--WE will disappear"
he said, "fOr short time: then one day
we will go and throw ourselves at our
parents feet, who, touched by our noble
cOnstancy, will eXClaim, Children,
come To our arms"
For long time Mari hesitated. Al
length it was agreed that on certain
DAY she should not appear at supper,
but retire early 10 her room on the pre-
text of a violent headache. Her wait
iIg-mald was in 8 secret, and they were
10th to slip out through \ back door,
uear which they would find sledSer
waiting to convey them to the chapel OF
.JadrinO, about five versts distant, where
Vladimar and the priests would await
them.
Having made their preparations and
written long letter of excuse TO her
parents, Mari retired at an early hour to
her room. During the day she had
complained OF headache, which was
certainly more than preteXt, for ner-
vOus excitement had really made her
i'll. Her father and mother watched
her tenderly, and constantly asked,
How do you feel now, Mari? Are you
still suffering" Their fond sOlicitude
went to the girls heart, and with the
approach OF evening her agitation in
creased. At dinner she ate nothing,
and soon 'aiterward rose to take leave Oi
her parents. They embraced her, and,
according to their Usual custom, gave
bel their blessing. Mari could scarcely
refrain from sobOipg. When she reach
ed her chamber she threw herself into
an armchair and wept aloud. Her
waiting. maid tried TO console and cheer
her, and at length succeeded.
There was a snowstOrm that night;
the wind howled outside the house and
shook the windows. The young girl,
however, IS soon rs the household had
retired TO rest, wrapped herself up in
thick mutilings and, followed by her
maid carrying valise, gained the outer
door. They found sledge drawn by
three horses awaiting them; and, hav-
ing got into it, they started off at q
RAPID pace. We will leave them to pur-
sue their journey while we return to
vladimir.
All that day he had been actively
employed. In the morning he had Wis
tied the priest of Jadrino, in order to
arrange with him about performing the
ceremony ard then he set of TO procure
the necessary witness The first &C
abundance 10 whom he addressed him
self was half pay officer, who willing
In consented TO what he wished. "Such
an adventure" he said, reminded him
pleasantly Of the days OF his youth
lie pre- vailed on Vladimir to remain
with him, promising to procure for HIM
the other two witnesses. Accordingly
there appt AIRED at dinner the geOmetri
clan Schmidt, with his mOustaeheS aud
spurs, and the son Of Captain lsprav-
nick, lad of Il, who had just entered
the Uhlan cOrps. Both promised Vladi.
mir TO stand by him TO the last; and
the happy lover, having cordially EN-
braced his three friends, returned TO hi
dwelling in order TO complete his pre-
parstiODs.
Having dispatched o servant on
whom he could rely with sledge and
started for JadrinO. Scarcely had h.
set out when the storm commenced
with violence, and soon every trace o.
the road disappeared. The entire hOrl
ZOn was covered with q thick, yellow
cloud, whence fell masses rather than
flakes of snow and soon all distinction
between land and sky was lost. In vain
did Vladimir try to find his way. Hls
horse went on at random, sometimes
climbing over heaps Of snow, some
times failing into ravines. Every mo
ment the sledge was in imminent dan
ktf vi btluk Upset, ANU III aOulliOht lilt
unpleasant conviction forced itself on
Vladimir that he had lost his way. TIE
wood Of Jadriuo was nowhere TO be
seen: and after two hours Of this sort Of
work the poor horse was ready to drop
tIOm fatigue.
AT least 3 sort Of dark line became
visible in front; he urged his horse on.
ward, and found himself on the borders
of a for,st "Ohw he exclaimed, II am
all right now; shall easily find my
way to Jadrino." He entered the forest,
of which the branches were so thiekly
inteIlaced that the snow had not pene.
trstsd through them and the road was
easy to follow. The horse pricked up
bis ears and went on readily, while
Vladimir felt his spirits revive.
However. as they say in the fairy
tales, he went on and on, and yet could
not find JsdrinO. His poor, tired steed
with the utmost difficulty dragged him
70 the other side Of the forest, and, by
the time he arrived there, the storm
had ceased and the moon sh6he out
No appearance, however, of Jsdrino;
before him lay extended large plain,
fn.orl The aanRak ~ tuhiah tho nOnr