The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-11-08

the result. The wind grew stronger
and stronger, eliminating soon in a
raging and binding snow storm. The
road was swept out of sight, the famil-
lar surroundings vanished. Vladimir's
efforts to keep the right track were
fruitless. The horse went on at hap
hazard. now ascending a snow-drift
and now falling and upsetting the
sleigh in a ravine. An hour, two pass
ed, but not the slightest sign of Dshad-
rino. The storm continued raging.
The poor horse was completely tired
out, being scarcely able to move on.
Vladimir was in despair.
At last it occurred to him that he
was travelling the wrong way. He
stopped, reflected moment, made
some sort of geographical calculation
and turned to the right He consulted
his watch; it was past two in the morn
ing. Oh, horror! But towards Dshad-
rino he went in spite of the boundless
snow field and the innumerable snow
drifts that lay before him.
At last welcome object presented
itself to his sight It was small
forest. BLESSED be the Lord,'' he
thought to himself. '.Dshadrino must
be near" Thus encouraged he drove
onward. But the farther he went the
more embarrassed became his position
and the more horrid were the thoughts
that filled his mind. Gradually, how
ever, he passed the forest The plain,
snowy field, stretching in the distance
as far as his eye could reach, present
ed itself once more to his sight. Al
though the storm subsidized and the
bright moon hung once again over his
cherries and monotonous surround
ings, it was bitterly cold. As he drove
along, contemplating all sorts of means
to extricate himself from his perilous
position, he beheld village, consist
ing of four or five little huts. He
directed his horse towards it, and as
he reached the first hut began to rattle
at the window. A few moments later
the window was raised and long,
gray beard, apparently belonging to
the master of the house. became visi-
BILE.
"What is it you want?"
''Can you tell me how far it is to
Dshadrino?''
''Dshadrino! Dshadrino! Let me
see. reckon it will be about ten
versts."
A thunderbolt or an electric shock
could not have had more effect upon
Vladimir than these words: "Can l
hire your horse to take me tn ere?" he
uttered at last.
"Hire my horse! Why, man, wait
till I buy oner'
Then give me guide. will pay
him all he wants for his services
This I'll do. Just wait a second,
I'll send out my son and he will take
you there" said the old man disap-
pearing in the darkness. The young
fellow, armed with dubina, soon ap-
peared and, without losing any time,
they started on their way to Dshadrino.
Morning dawned when they reached
their destination. The church was
locked. After paying his guide he
directed his steps towards the minis
ter's house. Alas, his team was not
to be seen there. How sad the news
that awaited him.
''But let us return to Nenaradovo
and see what is going on in Gavrilo
Gavrilovitch's house."
Nothing in particular. AS usual,
the old folks rose early in the morning
-Gavrilo Gavrilovitch appearing in
his ancient gown. The table was set
and as Masha failed to appear in the
dining room, servant maid was dis
patched to her apartment to inquire
how she slept during the night. The
maid soon returned announcing that
the miss had a restless night, but that
she felt much better now and would
soon join them at the table. The maid
had no sooner made her report than
Masha appeared, approaching her. pa
penka aud mamenka with an affection
ate good morning.
''How is your health, DEAR" inquired
Gavrilo Gavrilovitch.
II feel much better, papa" replied
Masha.
''You must have caught cold,
Masha," interposed Paraskovia Pc
!! trovna.
THAT may be, Mamenka.
The day passed quietly, but towards
evening Masha took sick. A doctor
was Immediately sent for, and when
he arrived two hours later he found
the patient in state of delirium. 1t
soon developed into high fever, and
for %uo wookc tho NOR pir1 hovoro1