The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-23
AR0MANCB Or THREE FOND HEARTS
AN HEIREss, AN ENSIGN, A CAPTAIN.


which were engraven two flaming heart
with an appropriate inscription, she at las
threw herself upon her bed before daybreak
and dozed off, though even then she wa
awakened from one moment to another BY
terrible thoughts. First it seemed to her
that at the moment of entering the sledgt
IN order to go and get marri.d, her father
stopped her and with cruel rapidity dragged
her over the snow, and threw her into a
dark, bottomless cellar-dewn which she
fell headlong with an indescribable sink
ing of the heart. Then she saw Vladimir
lying on the grass, pale and bleeding; with
his dying breath he implored her to make
senseless visions foated before her one
after another. Finally she rose paler tina n
usual, and with a real headache.
Both her father and her mother remarked
her indisposition. Their tender anxiet )
and constant inquiries, "What is the mat
ter with you, Masha-are you ill?'' cut her
to the heart. She tried to pacify them and
to appear cheerful. but she could not,
Evening set in. The idea that she was
passing the day for the last time in the
midst OF her family, oppressed her. In her
secret heart she o leave of everybody;
OF everything which surrounded her. :
Supper was served; her heart beat violent
~. In a trembling voice she declared that
she DID not want any supper, and wished
her father and mother goodnight. They
kissed her, and as usual blessed her; and
she nearly wept.
Reaching her own room. she threw her
self into an easy chair and burst into tears.
Hell maid begged her to be calm and take
courage. Everything was ready. In half
an hour Mesha would leave forever her
parents home, her own room, her peaceful
life as a young girl.
Out of doors the snow was falling, the
wine bowling. The shutters ratified and
shook. In everything she seemed to recop-
nlze omens and threats.
Soon the whole home was quiet and
asleep. Masha wrapped herself in a shawl,
put on a warm cloak, and with a box in her
hand passed out on the back staircase,
Ihe maid carried two bundles for her,
They descended into the garden. The
snow storm ragged; a strong wind blew
against them, as If to stop the young cul-
prlt. With difficulty they reached the end
OF tho garden. In the road a sledge awaited
them.
The horses, from cold, would not stand
still. Nladimir's coachman was walking ia
and fro IN front of them, trying to quiet
them. He helped the young lady and maid
to their seats, and packing away the bun
dies and dressing case, took up the reina.
and the horses flew forward in the darkness
of the night.
Having entrusted the young LADY to the
care OF fate and of Tereshka, the coach
man, let US return to the Young lover.
Vlad!mir had spent the whole day in
driving. In the morning no had called ON
the Jadrino priest, and with difficulty came
to terms with him. Then he went TO seek
the witnesses from among the n%siRhborino
gentry. The first on whom he called was 4
former cornet of horse. Drawn by name, q
man in his ~forties, who consented Mt once.
The adventure, he declared, reminded him
of old times and of his larks when he was
in the Hussars. He persuaded Vladimir To
stop to Inner with him, assuring him that
there would be no difficulty in getting the
other two witnesses. Indeed. immediately
after dinner in came the su veyor, Schmidt,
with a mustache n spurs, and the son OF
a captain magistrate, a boy of Is. who had
recently entered the Uhlans. They not
only accepted Vladimir's% proposal. but even
swore that they were ready to sacrifice their
lives for him. Vladimir embraced them
with delight, and drove of to get every
thing ready.
II had long been dark. Vladimir des-
patched his Trustworthy Iereshks to Nensr-