The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1892-03-17

- ~
~ STMF>
Al last vladimir found that he IBas
going In he tDroRg direction
Toward the end Of eighteen hundred
and eleven at u memorable period for
Russians, lived on his own domain Of
Nenhradova the kind hearted Gayril
r. He was celebrated in the whole
district for his hospitality and his
genial character. NeighboTs constantly
visited him to have something to eat
and drink and to play at five copeck
boston with his wife, Praskovia. Some,
too. went to have look ut their daugh-
ter, Maria, q tall, pale girl Of seventeen.
She WIS 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 q poor
enign in the army, who was now at
home In his small village on leave Of alb
sence. As q matter Of course, the young
man reciprocated Maria's passion. But
the parents Of his beloved, noticing their
mutual attachment, forbade their daugh-
ter even to think Of him, while they re-
ceived him worse than an ex-assize
judge. ...
Our lovers corresponded and met alone
daily In the pine wood or by the old
roadway chapel. There they vowed
everlasting love, inveighed 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 II the tyranny Of hard heart
ed parents throws obstacles in the way
Of our happiness, then can we not man
age without theInP
Of course this happy idea originated
in the mind Of the young man, but it
pleased immensely the romantic imagi-
nation Of Maria.
Winter set in and put o stop to their
meetings. But their correspondence be-
came all tho more 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 the feet Of
their parents, who would, Of course, in
the end be touched by their heroic con.
stancy and say to them, Children,
come to our armsi'
Maria hesitated . long while, and out
Of many different plans proposed that Of
flight was for time rejected. At last,
however, she consented. On the ap-
pointed day she was to decline supper
and retire to her room under the plea Of
q headache. She and her maid, who was
In the secret, were then to go out into
the garden by the back stairs, and be-
You'd the garden they would find sledge
ready for them, would get into it and
drive distance Of Eve miles from Nena-
radova to the village Of Jadrino, straight
to the church, where Vladimir would be
waiting for them.
On the eve Of the decisive day Maria
did not sleep all night; she was packing
and tying up linen and dresses. She
wrote, moreover, long letter to a friend
Of hers, q sentimental young lady, and
another to her parents. OF the latter she
took leave in the most touching terms.
She excused the step she was taking by
reason Of the unconquerable power Of
love, and wound up by declaring that
she should consider 1t the happiest mo-
ment Of her life when she was allowed to
throw herself at the feet Of her dearest
parents.
Sealing both letters with TOula seal
on which were engrayen two flaming
hearts with an appropriate inscription,
she at last threw herself upon her bed
before daybreak and dOZed of, though
even then she was awakened from one
moment TO another by terrible thoughts.
First Il seemed to her at the moment Of
entering the sledge, in order to go and
get married, her father stopped her and
with cruel rapidity dragged her over the
snow and threw her into q dark, bot
tonless cellar-down which she fell
headlong with an Undesirable sinking
Of the. heart. Then she saw Vladimir
lying on the grass, pale and bleeding;
with his dying breath be implored her
to make haste and marry him. Other
hide0us and senseless visions hoated be-
fore her one after another. Finally she
NA01o pAAGA NAlAA uAuaAAt Au0 WIN = ANaA
headache.
Both her father and her mother re-
marked her indisposition. Their tender
anxiety and constant inquiries, 'What
Is the matter with you, Masha-are you
illF cut her to the heart. She tried to
pacify them and 10 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 op-
pressed her. In her secret heart Shs
took leave Of everybody, Of everything
which surrounded her.
Supper was served; her heart beat VIC
lenfly. In a trembling voice she de-
Glazed that she did not want any sup
per, and wished her father and mother
good night. They kissed her, and IS
usual blessed her; and she nearly wept
Reaehing her own room, she threw
herself into an. easy chair and burst into
tears Her maid begged her to be calm
andtaks courage. Everything wasready.
IN half an nour Maria would leave for
ever her parsntS home, her own room.
her peaceful life as young girl.
Out Of doors The snow was falling, the
wind bowling. The shutters ratified
and shook. In everything she seemed
N rnrnuriVa r1raua and tl,rs.ata