Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-01-03
THE SNOW.STORM.
4 Russian Romance.
: Boston Courier.

Russian Romance.
About the year lSl1-a period so men,
orable in the history OF Russia there
lived on his domain of Nenaradof a
rich proprietor named GabrilOvitch. He
was noted for his hospitable habits.
His house was at all times open to his
friends and neighborS, who resorted
there in the evenings-th the elder ones in
order to Joy a quiet game of cards
with their host and his wife Petrowna;
the younger in the hope of gaining the
good graces of Mari. fair girl of seven
teen, the only child and heiress of
Gabrilovitch.
Mari used to read French rOmances,
and, as the natural and necessary conse-
quence, was deeply in love. The OBJ
iect OF her affection was an almost
penniless young ensign belonging to the
neighborhood, and then at home on
leave, who returned her love with equal
ardor 1t is scarcely necessary to add
that the young lady's parents had strict
ly forbidden her to think of such an ALI
ance; and whenever they met the lover
they received him with about that
amount of friendliness which they would
have bestowed on an ex-collector of
taxes. Our young lovers, however,
managed to keep up correspondence
and used to meet in secret beneath the
shadow of the pine grove or the old
chapel. On these occasions they, of
course. vowed eternal constancy, acc
cused fate of I'M ust IigOr. and formed
various projects. At length they natur-
oil t<,f .l,,,; Int bn
Will of cruel parents opposed their
marriage, they might very well accom-
plish it in secret. 1t was the young
gentleman who first propounded this
proposition, and it was most fayOrably
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 leach of his letters
Vladimir Nicolevitch conjured his be-
loved to leave her home and consent to
pear" he said. ''fOr short time; then
one day we will go and throw ourselves
at our parents feet who, touched by
our heroic cOnstancy, will exclaim:
children. come to our arms" For a
long time Mari hesitated. At length it
was agreed.that on a certain day she
should not appear at supper, but retire
early to her room on the pretext of a
violent headache. Her waiting maid
was in the secre', and they were both
TO slip out through back door, near
which they would find sledges waiting
to convey them to the chapel of adrinO,
about five versts distant, where
Vladimir and the priest would await
them. -
Having made her preparations and
written long letter of excuse to her
parents. Mari reti ed ut an early hour
to her room. During the day she had
complained of a headache, which was
I certainly more than pretext. for ner-
vous excitement had made her really
ill. Her father and mother watche
her tenderly, and constantly asked:
.How do you feel now, Mari-are you
still suffering" Their fond solicitu,ie
went to the girls heart, and with the
approach of evening her agitation in
creased. At dinner she ate nothing,
and soon afterwards rose to take leave
of her parents They embraced her,
and, according to their usual GU tom,
gave Eer their blessing. Mari could
scarce refrain from sobbing. When she
reached her chamber she threw herself
into an armchair and wcpt aloud. Her
waiting-maid tried to console and cheer
her, and at length succeeded.
There was a snow-stOrm that night:
the wind howled outside the house and
shook the windows. Tire Young girl
however, rs soon as the household had
retired to resi-, wrapped herself up in
thick mufiiings and: followed by her
maid. carry 'ng valise. gained the out
er door. They found a s.edge, drawn
by three horsvA-awaiting them; and
having got into L. they started 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 EN-
9ioyed. In the morning he had visited
she priest of Jadrina in order to arrange
With him about performing the cere-
the necessary witnesses. The first &C
quaintance to whom he addressed him.
self was half pay officer, who willing
" consented to what be wished. ..Such
an adventure" he said, reminded him
pleasantly of the days of his youth. 81
He prevailed on Vladimir to remain
with him, promising to procure for him
the other two witnesses. Accordingly
there appeared at dinner the geometri.
clan Schmidt, with his mustaches and
spurs; and the son of Captain lsprav.
nick, lad of seventeen, who had just
entered the Union corps. Both prom.
ised Vladimir to stand by him to the
last; and " happy lover. having cor.
daily embraced his three friends, re.
tarned 10 his dwelling IN order to com