The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-01-02
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THE SNOWSTORM.

Toward the end of 1911, at Il memorable
period for Russians, lived on his own do
main of Nenaradova the kind-hearted
Gavril Il. He was celebrated in the whole
district for his hospitality and his genial
character. Neighbors constantly visited
him to have something to eat and drink,
and to play at iive-copeck boston with his
wife. Praskovia Some, too, went TO have
look at their daughter, Maria, a tall, pale
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 ensign IN
the army, who was now at home in his
small village on leave of absence. As a
matter of course, the young man recipro-
Gated Maria's passion. But the parents OF
his beloved, noticing their mutual attach
ment, forbade their daughter even to think
of him, while they received him worse
than an ex-assize judge.
Our lovers corresponded, and met alone
daily in the pine wood, or by the old road
way 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
If we cannot exist apart from each other,
and if the tyranny of hard-hearted parents
throws obstacles in the way of our happi-
ness, then can we not manage without
them?
OF course, this happy idea originated in
the mind of the young man, but it pleased
immensely the romantic imagination of
Maria.
Winter set in and put stop to their
meetings. But their correspondence be-
came all the more active. Vladimir begged
Maria in every letter to give herself up to
him, that they might get married secretly,
hide for while, and then throw themselves
at the feet of their parents, who would, of
course, in the end be touched by their
heroic constancy and say to them, "Chil-
dren, come to our arms
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 appointed
day she was to decline supper and retire
to her room under the plea of Il headache
She and her maid, who was in the secret,
were then to 90 out into tue garden by the
back stairs, and beyond the garden they
would find a sledge ready for them, would
get into it, and drive distance of five
miles from Nenaradova TO the village of
Jadrino, straight to the church, where
Vladimia 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, a long letter to friend
of hers, a 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 it the happiest moment 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 engraved two flaming hearts with an
appropriate inscription, she at last threw
herself upon her bed before daybreak, and
dozed off, though even then she was awak-
ened from one moment to another by ter
ribIe thoughts First it seemed to her
that at the moment of entering the sledge
in order to 90 and get married, her father
stopped her, and with cruel rapidity dragged
her over the snow, and threw her into
dark, bottomless cellar-down which she
fell headlong with an indescribable sinking
of the heart. Then she saw Vladimir
lying on the grass, pale and bleeding; with
his dying breath he implored her to make
haste and marry him. Other hideous and
senseless visions foated before her. one
after another Finally she rose paler than
usual, and with real headache.