Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-02-12

and eleven 1t = memorable period f0r
Russiana, lived on his own dcuraiu Of
Eenaradova the kind heartcd Gayril
r. He was celebrated n the whole
district for his hospitality and his
genial character. Neighbors constantly
visited him to have something to eat
and drink and to play e 6ve copcck
boston with his wife. Praskovia. Some.
too. went to hare look Ut their daugh-
ter, Maria, tail. pals girl Of seventeen.
She was an heiress. and they desired her
either for themselves or for their sons
Maria had been brought up on French
novels. and consequently was in love.
The object'of her affection was = poor
snsi2n in tho army, who was now at
home in his small village on leave of abb
sence. Az matter OF courza. the young
man reciprocsted Msria's passion. Bat
the parents Of his beloved, noticing their
mutual attachment, forbade their laugh-
ter even to think OF him. while they re-
ceived him worse than "A ex-assize
Judge.
Our lovers corrcsponded and met alone
daily In the pine wood or by tho old
roadway chapel. There they vowed
everlasting lovo. inveighei against fate
and exchanged various suggestions
Writing and talking in this way. they
quite naturally reached the following
conclusion;
II we cannot exist apart from each
other. and If tho tyranny Of hard heart
ed parents throws obstacles in tho way
Of our happiness, then can No not man.
ago without them?
OF course this happy idea originated
In the mind Of the young men, bnt it
pleased immensely the romantic imagi-
nation Of Maria
Winter set in and put stop to their
meetingA But their correspondence be-
came AL the moro active. Vladimir
begged Maria in every letter to give
herself up to him that they might get
married secretly. hide for awhile. and
then throw Themselves at tho feet Of
their parents, who would. of course. in
the and BE- touched BY their heroic con-
atancy and say to them. children.
como to our asupsls
Maria hesitated : long whils, and ont
Of many different plans proposed that OF
flight was for time rejected. At last.
however, she consented On the sp-
pointed day she was to decline supper
and retire to her room under the plea Of
headache She and her maid. who was
in the secret, were then to 90 out into
tho garden by the back stairs, and b.
yond the gafden they would find sledge
ready for them, would get into it and
drive = distances Of ave miles from Nena-
sadova to the village Of Jadrino. straight
to tho church, where Vladimir would be
waiting Tor them.
On the eve OF the decisive day Maria
did not sleep all night; sho was packing
and tying up linen and drcsses. She
wrote. moreover. long Ictter to . friend
Of hsrs. ssntimsnta1 young lady. and
anothee to her parents. OF the latter she
took leave h tho most touching terms.
She excused the step che was taking BY
reason Of tho unconquerablc power OF
love, and wound mp by declaring that
che should condder e the happiest mo-
meut Of her life wh0n abe was allowed to
throw herualf ct the teet Of her dearest
pasentG
Sealing both letters with : Touia ssal
On which WeEe eugraven two flaming
hearts with IN appropriate Inscription.
ihe at last thrsW herve1 upon her bed
/ before dsybeook and dnsed o6, though
even then ~ Wss awaksped from ons
monsnt 70 smother BY terrible thoughts.
First e sesmed - her At the moment Of
entering tho oledge. In order 10 % and
get marfisd. her father stopped her and
with cruel raudity dragged her over tbs
snow ard threw her into . dark, bot
tumloo cel1ar-down which che fell
hsadlong WITH N Undesirable sinking
q the heart Theo shs sav vladimir
lying On the grAn. pale and bleeding;
with hts dying breath ho implored her
| 10 make hasss ard marry him. Other
| h,deous and senscless visions Seated be-
| fore her one aftsr Aoothsr. Finally che
aruse paler than usuA1, end With : RAJ
hondacha
| Both her father ana her usothsr ~
nasksd her indipositiou. Thoff tsndef
! snxis1y and constant ipquirfos, THAT
/ = Ne natt9 With you. Mnshnr-axe you
illr cut her - ~ kart - tried to
pacify then and 10 appeAr chsesful, bat
/ che could pek Dveo1ne - n. The
| idea fhas - was pAmins The 'ay for the
last time In - midst - her family op-
raz1s. ~ II her SECRET hart che
| took Iesso q svGyboay. Of svcgythins
| which surrounded her.