West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-05-29
HASTILY MARRIED.
How a Russian Soldier Found His
Unknown Bride.

Toward the end of 1911, an epoch so
memorable i'm the history of Russia.
there dwelt on his domain of Menaro-
downo, Gabriel Gabrielowich, with his
wife and only daughter Maria, charm
ing young girl about seventeen years of
age.
Gabriel Gabrielowich was much loved
and respected; generous to an unusual
degree, his house was ever open TO all
who chose TO accept his lavish hospital
ity. Maria Gabrelowna had, of course.
many suitors, attracted both by her per-
sonal charms and reputed wealth. but
in spite of all opportunities she remained
obstinately Indifferent TO all. Her ro-
mantle and impressionable mind.
affected by the constant reading of
many French novels, led her to imagine
herself desperately and irrevocably i'm
love. Unfortunately, the object of her
affections, who undoubtedly returned
her love, met with the contemptuous
dlsapprobation of her parents. i'm whose
mind poor non-commissioned officer
was no lifting match for the heiress of
Menarodowno. He was relentlessly for
bldden the house, but in spite of this
the lovers met daily at the old forest
Well and there plighted their troth.
Nhen winter came. these stolen inter
views were, perfOrce, discontinued At
Length the separation became intolera-
Die, even with the solace of a daily in
terchange OF loye-letters. and Nlad mir
Nlcolaewlch, IN one Of these. poured
forth IN glowing words all his love and
misery, and besought his lady love to
ny with him, assuring her OF her IA
rents forgiveneSs-for who, indeed.
could Withstand the humble PRAYER the
lovers would make for forgiveness, or
tail to be touched by such heroic love
and constancy?
Maria : romantic imagination was fas-
c.nated; she could not resist. and soon all
preliminarieS for the flight were settled.
She would feign headache. and retire
early; at ten o'clock Il sleigh would be
waiting at the small garden gate. and
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 elone-
ment, Mara, who was restless and nm
happy, retired early to her room and
spent part of the night inditinp a lone
and sentimental epistle to her dearest
Trend, and also "A shorter one To her
parents, in which she entreated their
forgiveness for the step she was about
10 take, impelled by her unalterabla
love for Vladimir, who. a, her bus-
band, would return TO beg their in
diligence and blessing After sealing
TINS efusion with two flaming hearts
and an appropriate motto. the rest of
the night was spent in all the terrors
OF manifold and complicated NIGHT
mares. so that dawn found our heroine
up and dressed. pale, and with no need
To teign headache. Every anxious in
curry on the part Of her afTectionate
parents cost her pang, yet she man
aged to get through the day without
exciting their suspicious. and retired
Immediately after dinner The maid
entering little after nine to make the
hnal preparations. found her YOUNG
mistress weeping bitterly. Ia less than
an hour, though she must 90: so.
quickly drying her tears, Maria soon be-
came once more the love-sick damsel
flying from stern and cruel parents TO
the arms of her own true knight.
All was quiet within the Sleepin0
household, but without the Wind
howled, and moaned, and beat madlv
against the easements truly a threat
enlng night Maria and her maid went
softly down stairs, and reached the gar
den IN safety. 1t was dark as pitch.
the piercing cold wind whistled dis
mally through the trees aud blew fierce
~ IN their faces, as if bidding them
turn back At length through the dark
ness they could discern the sleigh and
vladimir trusty servant vainIy TRYING
TO quiet the FESTIVE horses. who. n. Il
aware OF the danger Of freezing where
they stood, impatiently struck the hard
frozen ground with their hoofs.
Meanwhile let us follow the bapnv
bridegroom. Vladimir Nicolaewicb bad
had a busy day, what with hi, peruad-
ing the priest Of Jadrino to perform the
marriage ceremony, and searching for
"Itnesse- among the neighborin0 land
owner The first be found was an OK
olhcer, Dravine by name. who accented
the duty with pleasure reminded
him, be said, Of IBIS escapade- when i'm
the regiment Of hussars. fIe beo0ed
Vladimir to dine with him. and under
took 70 find the other two witnesses
NiHhN'i' Ouf OF Iuc-e was ~midf fho
surveyor. AMI the other Young I.praeo.
mex. just turned seventeen. and about
to enter the Fifth Lancer These two
not only promised ~ be Witnesses fo
Nladim'rs marriage. bat entbu-iasfi,
ally wore they would face death ifsalf
lo help him Vladimir thanked thorn
heartily and left 10 make Che final prem
aratOns at bio own place
lt was already dar, so aue- di.
patching u.- faithful Rer0deka fo Men
arodpWnD with "a frytu rwo.hor.r
sleigh he ordered one. horse -Ia.oa
Tor himself and started ], VA. u.ua
o'clock he could reach Jadruo uIIv
half an hour before Maria. for ho could
certainly drive there iu thirty minute.
But driving was no easy matter. fha
wind was full against hlm. and blow
the binding snow flakes sharply into
ms face soon the very road ds4u-
peared under q white cloud. tho horse
stumbled blindly 40 ever. ,top. and
Vladimir was obliged over and over
again tO get out and di cuvavc fre
10. gh from some Fu0w-hoag With
feel ng. akin g. de- pair he poor fellow