The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-10
MATED In MYSTERY.
[Argonaut Trans. from the Russianl
MADISON, Wis -

IArgonaut Trans. from the Russian.l
Toward the end OF 1911, an epoch so MEM
orable in the history of Russia, there dwelt
on his domain of Menarodowno, Gabris
Gabrielowich. with his wife and only daugh-
ter Maria, charming young girl about IL
years of age.
Gabriel Gabrielowich was much loved AMI
respected; generous TO an unusual degree,
his house was ever open to all who chose to
accept his lavish hospitality. Maria Ca
brielCwha had, of course, many suitorS, at
tractei both by her personal charms and
reputed wealth, but in spite of all impor-
tunities she remained obstinately indiffer-
emit to all Her romantic AMI impre. siona-
BILE mind, affected by the constant reading
Of many French novels, led her to imagine
herself desperately and irrevocably in love.
Unfortunately. the object of her affections,
who undoubtedly returned her love, met
with the contemptuous disapprobation of
her parents, in whose mind poor, non-com-
missioned officer was no fitting match for
the heiress of Menarodowno. He was re-
lentlessly forbidden the house, but in spite
OF this the lovers met daily at the old for
est well, and there piighted their troth
When winter came, these stolen in
terviews were, perforce, discontinued At
length the separation became intolerable,
even with the solace OF daily interchange
of love-letters, and Vladimir Nicolaewich,
IN one OF these, poured forth in flowing
words all his love and misery, and besought
his lady love to fly with him, assuring her
OF her parents forg veness-for who, indee1,
could withstand the humble prayer the
lovers would make for forgiveness, or fail
70 be touched by such heroic love and con-
stancy9
Maria's romantic imagination was fas-
cinated; she could not resist and soon all
preliminaries for the flight were settled She
would feign headache, and retire early; at
10 o'clock a sleigh would be waiting at the
small garden gate, AMI in this she would be
driven, with her maid, through the forest Of
Jadrino, where Vladimir would await his
bride in the village church
On the eve OF her contemplated elopement,
Maria, who was restless and unhappy, re-
tired early to her room and spent part OF the
night inditiIg a long and sentimental epistle
to her dearest friend, and also a shorter one
to her parents. in which she entreated their
forgiveness for the step she was about TO
take, impelled by her unalterable love for
Vladimir, who, as her husband, would re-
turn TO beg their indulgence and blessing.
After sealing this effusion with two flaming
hearts and an appropriate motto, the rest OF
the night was spent in all the terrors OF
manifold and complicated nightmares, so
that dawn found our heroine up and dressed,
pale, and with no need to feign headache.
Every anxious inquiry on the part of her
affectionate parents cost her a pang, yet
she managed to get through the day
without exciting their suspicious, aud
retired Immediately after dinner. The
maid entering little after Q
to make the final preparations, found her
young mistress weeping bitterly. In less
than an hour, though, she must go; so,
quickly drying her tears. Maria soon be-
came once the love-sick damSel, flying from
stern and cruel parents to the arms of her
own true knight.
All was quiet within the sleeping house
hold, but without the wind howell, and
moaned and beat ma1ly against tho case
ments-truly, threatening night Maria
and her maid went softly down stairs, and
reached the garden in safety. 1t was dark
rs pitch; the piercing cold wind whistled
dismally through the trees and blew fiercely
u their faces, as if bidding them turn back.
At length through the darkness they could
discern the sleigh and Vladimir's trusty serv-
ant vainly trying so quiet the FESTIVE horses,
who. rs if aware Of the danger of freezing
where they stood, impatiently struck the
hard, frozen ground with their hoofs
Meanwhile let Us follow the happy BRIDE
groom Vladimir Nicolaewich had had a
busy day, what with his persuading the
priest of Jadrino TO perform the marriage
ceremony. and searching for witnesses
among the neighboring landowners The
nrst he found was an ex-officer. Dravine by
name, who accepted the duty with pleasure
1T reminded him, he said, Of his escapades
when IN the regiment of hussars. h begged
Vladimir TO dine with him, and undertook
70 ind the other two witnesses himself
One of them was Smidt, the surveyor. and the
young lspraeonek just turned II, and about
TO enter the Fifth lancers. These two not
only promised to be witnesses TO vladimir's
marriage. but enthusiastically swore they
would face death itself to help him. VIadi-
mir thanked them heartily, and left to make
the final preparations at his own place.
Il was already dark; so, after dispatching
his faithful Rerodeka to Mens-odowno with
. troika (two-horss sleigh. he ordered O
one-horss sleigh for himself, and started. II
was O'Clock; he would roach Jadrino fully
half al hour before Maria, for he could GER
tainly drive there In thirty minutes But
driving was nc easy matter; the wind was
full against him, and blew the binding
mow-dakes sharply into his face. Soon the
very road disappeared under . white cloud,
Ne horss stumbled blindly ct every step and
Vladimir Hss Obliged over and over again