Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-05-14
HASTILY MARRIED.
How a Russian Soldier Found HE
Unknown Bride.

downo, Gabriel Gabrielowich, with his
wife aud only daughter Maria, a charm
ing young girl about seventeen years Of
age.
Gabriel Gabriclowich was much loved
and respected; generous to an unusual
degree. his mousse was ever open to all
who chose TO accept his lavish hospital
ity. Maria Gabrielowna had. of course.
many %suitors, attracted both by her per-
sonal charms and reputed wealth, but
IN spite of all opportunities she remained
O%bstinately indifferent to all. Her no
mantle and im~pressionable 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 a poor non-commissioned officer
y was nc lifting match for the hcircss of
Mcnarodowno. He was relentlessly for
hidden the house, but in spite of this
the lovers met daily at the oil forest
well. and there plightcd their troth.
When winter came. these stolen inter
views were, perforce. discontinued. At
length the separation became intolern-
BILE, even with the solace of n daily in
terchange of loye-letters. and Vlad mir
Nicolaewich, in one Of these, poured
forth in glowing words all his love and
misery, and bcsought his lady love to
fly with him. assuring her of her pa
rents forgivencss-fOr who, indeed,
could withstand the humble PRAYER the
lovers would make for forgiveness, OF
fail to be touched by such heroic love
and c~onstancyp
Maria's romantic Imagination was fas-
c'nated; she could not resist, and soon all
prcliminaries for the flight were settled.
She would feign headache, and retire
early; al ten o'clock a 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 elope-
ment, Maria, who was restless and I'M
happy, retired early to her room and
spent part Of the night inditing a long
and sentimental epistle TO her dearest
jr end, and also a shorter one to her
parents. in which she entrcated their
forgiveness for the step she was about
10 take, impelled by her unaltsrable
love for Vladimir, who, a her hus-
band, would return to beg their in
diligence and blessing. After sealing
this illusion 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
mp aoC dressed, pale, and with no need
10 feign headache. Every anxious in
quiry on the pat of her a1ectionate
parents cost her u pang. yet she man
aged 10 get through the day without
exciting tlrcir suspicious, AMI retired
Immediately after dinner. The maid,
entc ring a little after nine to make the
final preparations, found her young
mistress weeping bitterly. In less than
an hour, though, she must 90; so,
quickly drying her tears, Maria soon be-
came uce more the love sick damsel.
flying from stern and cruel parents 10
The arms Of her own true knight.
All was quiet within the sleeping
household, but without the wind
howled, and moaned, and beat madly
against the easements truly, a threat
ening night. Maria and her maid went
softly down stairs, ald reached the gar
den In safety. II was dark as pitch;
the piercing cod wind whistled dis
mally through the trees AMI bl.y fierce
ly In their faces, as II bidding them
turn back. At length through the dark
ness they could discern the sleigh and
Nladimir's trusty servant vainly trying
10 quiet the FESTIVE horses, who, as ID
aware of the danger Of freezing where
they stood, impatiently struck the hard
frozen ground with their hoofs,
Meanwhile let us follow the happy
bridegroom. vladimir Nicolaewich had
had a busy day, what with his persuad-
ing the priest Of Jadrino 10 perform the
marriage ceremony, and searching for
witnesses among the neighboring land
owners. The first he found was al ex-
officer. Drayine by name, who accepted
the duty with pleasure-it reminded
him, he said, Of his escapades when in
the regiment Of hussars. He begged
Vladimir to dine with him, and under
took 10 find the other two witnesses
himself One Of the was Smidt. the
surveyor, and the other yoFng Ispraeo.
mex, just turned s~eYenteen, and about
10 enter the Fifth Lancers. These two
not only promised to be witnesses 10
Vladimir's marriage, but enthusiastic
ally swore they would face death itself
10 help him Vladimir thanked them
heartily, and left 20 make the final prep
arations at his own place.
II was already dark; so. afie. dis
patching his faithful Rerpdeka to Men
arodowno with a froaa (two.h horse
sleigh). he ordered a one-horse sleigh
for himself and started IL was nine
o'clock; he could reach Jadrino fully
half an hour before Maria. for he could
certainly drive there in thirty minutes.
But driving was no easy matter; the
wind was inll against him, and blew
the binding snow-iRkes sharply into
bis face. Soon the very road disap-
peHred under a white cloud, the horse
stumbled blindly at every step, and
Vladimir was obliged over and over
again : get ont and %disengage the
sleigh from some snow-heap. With
feel ngs akin 10 despair the poor fellow
realized that he had gone astray, and
stumbled along, scarce daring 10 hope
chance might yet lead him straight. Al
lepgfh The sight OF a little black speck
ahead aroused hiA courage, and,
l~prfently thanking God, Vladimir made
for the friendly hut
'Jadrlno can not now be far
thought hei II win stop hore and ask
my way"
Al old man, half asleep, answered
ne knock.
'1fhaf DO you Wanf2n
How far IS ii 10 JAdrinopN
tadrlnoY Not iag--a msdtor Of ton
miles
i'p,a flai|mirI