Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-12-06

MarstOn came TO stop AT ner estaD
lishment for few days. Up to the
present / have not said anything
about the character or appearance oi
the Countess Cheraski, because so far,
l have merely been reciting a number
of facts which are necessary TO ena'
BILE the reader to understand the
curious tale that we are approaching.
That she was either pretty or hand.
some or beautiful, in some sense or
other, the reader will probably antici-
pate from the fact of the Count hav-
ing fallen in love with her. IL / men
ton that she was tall, with dark hair
and aquiline features, all who are in
terested in the matter can fill up the
rest of her portrait to suit their own
tastes. In character she must have
been of rather truthful disposition, as
will. l think, appear from her conduct
to Mr.. Marston. He was her senior
by about two years, and had been
practicing as a surgeon and physician
for some time in poor district in the
east end of London. When he first
came TO her house he did not intend
to remain many days in Paris, but his
stay was prolonged for one reason or
another over a space of about three
weeks, during which time he and the
/ 1n1 faI Gil crn-
lar friendship for each other. Finally
on the night before he left she told
him her story, and asked him If he
could see any way in which she could
establish the rights of herself and
children.
Not at present" said Mr.. Marston,
when he had listened attentively to
her story; "but l shall think the mat
ter over"
The next day Mr.. Marston left for
London, having bade the countess
cordial farewell, and promised to
write to her at once if any idea should
occur to him with regard to the re-
covery Of her title and estates.
More than a month passed away,
during which she did not hear from
him, and consequently was beginning
to think that he had probably for
ten all about her, or he would have
written, when one evening the ser
want came up stairs to say that Mr.
Marston was in the parlor on the
ground floor, and would like to see
her
Il have been thinking ever since l
left YOU" he said, when they had
greeted each other, 'of the extraor-
dinary history you told me. And
think now that | see way to over
come your difficulties. But you will
have to exercise great patience. 1t
will take me probably year, perhaps
more, to carry out my plans. | shall
have to go to Russia and live in the
village of Navorel, and | shall want
at least e400 at once, and prob
ably another e400 in the course
of about six months. In the mean
time you must be content not to ask
NE any questions, and to remain in
perfect ignorance of what am doing.
My word is the only guarantee you
can have that shall be honestly do
ing my best on your behalf"
1T is sufficient said the Countess.
"You shall have the money. When
can you starts"
Tomorrow" was the answer.
Accordingly next day Mr.. Marston
started for Narovel, which is a village
in the province of Minsk, in Western
Russia. Here he took up his abode
in the guise of a well-to-do English
man, who wished to make himself
acquainted with the language and
institutions of the country, and who
had no objection to spending his
money pretty freely. He was a good
shot, was found Of riding, and apart
altogether from the necessity OF act
ing a part which was involved by the
business he had on hand, he was
really jovial and pleasant conpan-
ion. The consequence was that he
soon became favorite with every
body in the district. The men liked
him becouse he was a capital sports
20 Ia wit
the best of them, the women because
he was good-looking foreigner, who
was always paying them such COM
pliments as circumstances permitted
and who was very fond Of children.
Among others with whom he shortly
became intimately acquainted was
the new priest, a young man named
Nicholas Kohl. Kohl acted, as priests
very often do in Russia, the part Of
priest and physician to the district.
And since Marston was able TO give
him a great deal of valuable advice
and assistance they soon became fast
friends.
One day, about five months after he
came to Narovel, he went with Kohlto
the vestry room of the chapel where
the Countess was married He had
been in this room frequently before,
and knew exactly where the book in
which her marriage was registered
lay among some others in a sort OF
cupboard. Already he had, on the
pretence of comparing the Russian
system with the English, examined
registers of births, deaths and mar
riages, so that he was familiar with
the forms, and on looking at book
of such registers could easily find any
particular one that he might be in
quest of. As yet, however, he had
no opportunity Of examining the
- .wb;ob contained tho racord NJ