Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-13
A SEPULCHER
THE LIVING.
BY COUNT LEO ToLsToI.
fThe English adaptation By PHILIPPE Provost. J
CHAPTER ~.

Nv
The sunlight was streaming into tho
windows of Marina:s little home. She
was playing with her husbands children.
One OF them was on the floor at her feet
whlle the other was seated on Marina's
lap. His wondering black eyes were full
OF gladncSs He seemed facinated by the
glorious sweetness and purity of his
mothers face, as he looked into her wide-
opened limpid blue eyes, and ever and
anon his little hands reached up to Law
hold OF her long thick braids of golden
hair 1t was sight to touch heart of
stone The Virgin and her dear Son
from their place on the wall seemed to
look down with gracious pleasure on the
scene and to nod their divine heads in
thankfulneSs at the tender spectacle.
Suddenly the door flew open and there
was wild scramble and cries of joy and
welcome. Marina's husband had come.
He caught his children up, one on each
arm, and then laughingly cried out:
"Ah, dear little wife, I have no arm
left for you!"
But I have two for you, husband. "
exclaimed Marina encircling his neck
with her arms and kissing him first on
one cheek and then on the other.
After the little household had Quoted
down somewhat, the good man broke out
With:
"My little Marina, have you forgotten
the wedding? Akooina will be married
to-day. We must surely go, you know.
the bridegroom is a kinsman of mine"
Marina's round, honest blue ewes
clouded up.
81 did not think it would be well for
me to go, husband" she said looking nm
at him: "but if you wish, I'll gladly 90
Your love has brought perfect peace to
my heart. l bear no ill-will; I've for
given them all. God sent you to me.
dear husband. Yes, I'll go to the we'd
ding, II it's your wish"
And as her husband left the room to
harness the horses and make ready for
the little journey, Marina knelt before
the sacred images and bowed hcr head
in prayer, and then. as she rose and
went about her household duties she
murmured to herself:
at will be strange to come face to face
with Nikita-to feel the pressure of his
hand-listen to his words. Surely. I
will not be startled, for want to look at
him. L want to see whether he be
changed or not They say she leads him
life-that she is harsh and cruel TO
him. Poor man, the money tempted him
it was the money-he couldn't help
God let him go-Ive forgiven him long
ago-God would not have us remember
the wrongs people do u.s. But, all, it
was grievous hurt at the time. 1t cut
hard and deep, but it's all over now.
God has been so good to me. can ride
to the wedding, they'll hear the bells of
our slcdge-they'll see how red my cheeks
are, how clear my eyes are, how happy
l ami"
The horses were soon at the door and
Marina and her husband set out to At
tend Akoolina's wedding while the two
children, left in charge of a neighbor,
waved good-by with their chubby little
hands.
Upon reaching the village tavern Ma
rina was left alone, for her husband,
after attending to his horses, had disap-
peared In the tap-room with number
OF the wedding guests. Fearing lest he
might be persuaded to drink more than
was good for him, she had Just dis
patched messenger to call him to her,
when Nlkfta made his appearance
He started back nth cry of surprise
as his eyes fell upon Marina. His mind
was reeling under it's load of remorse.
and his senses were stupefied with LIQUOR,
but the sight of the young woman, so
neatly clad in her furs and so rosy and
pretty, set his scattered thoughts in or.
der, and he stretched out his unsteady
hand.
"Marina!" he exclaimed "Marina,
little Marina! Then you'll come to the |
wedding! l didn't think it,"
"My husband is the bridegroom's
uncle, Nikita," said Marina quietly |
at was my duty to come"
"Oh, little Marina" murmurmed |
Nikita, striving to lay his hand on her /
shoulder, shave you no word of pity for
me?"
"Pity?" repeated the young woman In
surprise, as she gently repulsed him.
"Pity? Why, have you not your rich
wife,"
Erich wife," repeated Nikita bitterly. /
"Oh. Marina, why did you not save me
from MYSELF"
II tried to, Nikita," murmured the
young woman sadly, and she crossed her
self and began to pray as her gaze rested |
upon Nikita's face.
He was terribly changed. Deep lines
furrowed his cheeks, and his eyes looked !