Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06

IL
Alexander Wernin was 60 years old He
was a Senator, Counselor of State and .
knight OF many orders. He had an income
OF 100, 900 rubles year and only one daugh-
ter, the fair Jana, who was to inherit his
whole fortune.
Wernin was favorite at court and de-
voted heart and soul to the Emperor In
every reform or innovation he saw revolt
tionary tendencies and believed firmly that
since the French Revolution OF 1889 the
reign OF the Antichrist had begun. His re-
spect for the hierarchy of the civil service
was very extraordinary; subordination and
etiquette were to him Christian virtues
As soon as he saw a Privy Councillor he
rose; General he accompanied bareheaded
TO his carriage in the bittereSt cold, and
always barred his head when anyone uttered
the name of the Gar in his presence. He
required, however, something like il from
his interiors, also, Tor himself; he called
every inferior officer by his christian name
and oniv became respectful with Privy
Councillors. He often repeated the words:
I'm my ewes no one is anybody who is not
Counselor of State or Colonel"
The only exception he made was in behalf
of the surroundings OF the Gar. Whenever
he appeared at court-and this occurred
quite oiten-he bowed even to the lackeys
who wore the imperial livery. In spite of
these eccentricities Alexander Wernin was
one of the best men in the world; courage
ous noble, ever ready to hell others and
benevolent. He won the love and esteem of
all who came in close contact with him,
Jana, his only daughter. whom ne loved
with his whole heart, was in every sense of
the word a spoiled child, and the enormous
fortune of her father enabled her to CRAFTY
every whim. Gradually she came to tyran-
ize over him entirely; he never ventured to
check her in her caprices and be trembled
at look from her. Jana did not look at all
like a fair daughter OF the North. In her
dark ewes, oTershadowed bv heavy, black
brows, every moment flashes OF impatieuce
or wrath would shine forth; her gestures
were quick, passionate, full of life and ener-
gy. Her beauty was enchanting, and every-
body soon recognized in her the omnipotent
woman, before whom all in the house knelt
down. And Jana was by nature not bad at
all; there was nothing devilish in her ewes
as in those of George Sands heroines; when
she was at rest her features reflected the sat-
is action OF queen whose every wish is
silently fulfilled by her subjects. Wrath
was not inrequent. but it was short-liyed
Il
when she could make others happy. Un-
fortunately, she, the object of continuous
fattery, had become so proud that when she
did kind act or conferred a benefit she
made the recipient feel that her presence
alone was great favor.
One the same day when the remarkable
scene took place at the Ministry of the In
terror Jana was sitting in a large drawing
room idly turning over the leaves of an
album. The clock struck f. Facing the
fire sat young man of very fine and prom
Using exterior busily engaged in arranging
visiting cards and writing addresses This
was Count Vladimir Lanin, Jana's be-
trothed.
Jana refused to hear marriage spoken of
till she was 20; she knew how to dispose of
all aspirants to her hand very cleverly and
kindly, though occasionally one Jared not
qufte so we'll. One day, however, she met
young diplomat who was presented to her
by his uncle, the Emperor's first aid de
camp. She had known him now whole
year. She had early begun to favor him
among the host OF admirers who constantly
filled her fathers house. He was desperate
ly in love with her, vet he did not venture
TO declare himself, although his position and
his fortune would have justified the step.
Jana anticipated the confession, which the
young diplomat did not venture to make.
"Count Vladimir" she said one evening
to him, calling him for the first time bv-his
Christian name, You are in love with me,
are YOU not?'
The young man blushed, then turned pale,
and was barely able to fold his hands as if
in silent prayer.
81 love you also," continued Jana, and
her voice, which was generally icy cold, be-
came of a sud len soft and gentle. "Will you
make me your wife?"
Count Lanin fell on his knees over
whelmed by his unexpected good fortune,
kissed the hem of her dress and was SO re-
Joiced and SO deeply moved that the
naughty beauty did not repent having given
him such vigorous encouragement
The next day Jana informed her father of
her engagement. The Councillor was unable
10 oppose any wish OF his daughter, and
moreover, Lanin possessed all that could be
desired in a son-in-law and was certainly an
excellent match. Alexander Wernin gave
his consent most willingly.
As Jana knew only one will and that her
own, and as she never liked to wait, she de-
termined to have the wedding at once. Wer-
min knew no difficulties and no impediments
when his daughters wish was made known
TO him, and he turned everything upside
down in the house in preparation for the
wedding on the following Sunday.
On Tuesday Lanln was 9lready busy send
ing out invitations, which he did verv
methodically, having gone through all the
cards Of friends and acquaintances, select
ing those to be favored and now appending
their names to engraved invitations. Lanin
paused for a moment in this occupation.
Examining one card which evidently caused
him great surprise, he read it once more,
laughed aloud and asked, showing it to his
betrothed:
"WhO might this be?''
Jana raised her eyes and said, smiling:
i must see the name; 1 cannot read it
from here"
''0nophri Schelm, Privy Councillor, Head
of Division in the Ministry of the Interior,
knight OF the Order of St. Stanislas, 1.
Class of the Order of st. Ann, etc., Presi-
dent of the Society for the Protection of
Animals, etc. Caravan street, So"
Jana laughed aloud.
HE is one of my adorers, who last Satur-
day asked nv hand through the agency of a
very high parsonage. When father brought
me his card he said very soiemnIy: This is
q man recommended to us from high places,
and if Lanin did not have our word he