The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-23

adova with his two-horssd sledge, and with
appropriate Instructions for the occasion
For himself he ordered the small sledQe
with one horse and started alone without q
goodman for Jadrino, whore Maria ought
to arrive in a compile of hours. He knew the
road, and the drive would only occupy TWEEN.
ty minutes.
But Vladimir had scarcely passed from the
enclosure into the open field when the wind
rose, and soon there was a driving snow
storm SO heavy and so severe that he could
not see. In q moment the road was covered
with snow. All landmarks disappeared in
the murky yellow darkness. through which
fell white flakes of snow. Sky and earth be-
came merged into one. Vladimir, in the midst
ct the field, tried IN vain to get to the road.
The horse walked on at random. and every
moment stepped either into deep snow OF
into q rut, 90 that tho sledge was constantly
upsettina. Vladimir tried at least not to
lose the right direction, but it seemed to
him that more than half an hour had passed.
and he had not yet reached the Jadriro
weed. Another ten minutes passed, and
still the wood was invisible. Vladimir
drove across fields intersected by deep
bitches. The snowstorm did not abate,
and the sky did not clear. The horse was
getting tired, and the Precipitation rolled
from him like hail, in spite Of the fact that
every moment his legs were disappearing
in the snow.
At last Vladimir found that he was going
in the wrong direction. He stopped; began
to reflect, recollect and consider: till at
last he became convinced that he ought to
have turned to the right. He did so now.
His horse could scarcely drag along. But
he had been moro than an hour on the road,
drove and drove, but there was no getting
out OF the field. Still snow drifts and
bitches: Evory moment the sledge was up
set, and every moment Vladimir had to
raise it up.
Time was slipping by, and Vladimir grew
some dark object could be seen.
Vladimir turned in its direction, and as
be drew near found it was a wood.
near the end"
He drove by the side of the wood, hoping
If not, to pass round the wood. Jsdrino
was situated immediately behind it.
he soon found the road, and passed into
the darkness OF the wood, now stripped by
the winter. The WING could not rage here;
the road was smooth. the horse picked up
courage, and Vladimir was oomforted.
lie drove and drove, but still Jadrino
was not to be seen; there was no end to the
wood. Then, to his horror, he discovered
tnat ne mad got into a strange wood. He
whipped his horse, and the poor animal
started off on a trot. But it soon got
""~ NO HuotteI oI III nOur, In spite
OF all poor Vladimir's efforts, could ouly
crawl. ~
dradually the trees became thinner and
vladimir drove out of the wood, but lad
rlno was not to be seen. It must have been
about midnight. Tears gushed from the
young mans eyes. He drove on at random,
and now the weather abated. the clouds
dispersed and before him was a wide stretch
OF plain covered with a white billowy car
pet: The night was comparatively clear
ana he could see q small village a short dis
lance off which consisted of four or five
cottages. Vladimir drove toward it. At
the first door he jumped out of the sledge.
ran up to the window and tapped.
After a few minutes a wooden shuttsr waa
raised and an old man stuck out his gray
beard. Wy
What do you want2"
How far is Jadrino?"
How far is Jadrino2"
Yes. yes. Is it far?"
Not far; about ten miles,"
At This answer Vlndimir clutched hold Of
MS nair and stood motioness like a man
condemned to death.
man. Vladimir had not the courage to re-
ply.
my man" he said. loan you procure ma
horses to Jadrinol"
we have no horses,' answered the pess-
ant. p'"'
Could find a guide? l will pay him
any sum he likes. " w
stop said the old man, droppino tbe
shutter; Il will send my son out with Won:
ne wili eonduct you"
Visdimil waited. Scarcely a minute had
passed when he again knocked. The shut
Ter was lifted and . beard was seen,