The Dickinson press., 1895-11-16

," NoU6ACCA V4AS1lO.
But, ! K many other girls of her age
and station in the Russian provinces,
Masha had been brought up on the
French novel, and was passionately in
love with a poor army officer, who
lived a few versts away from her
fathers estates, and who yeciprocated
her love. But Masha's parents posi-
lively objected to the match, and the
young mans welcome became cooler
every day. This, however, did not
hinder the lovers from corresponding
or from meeting frequently in the for
est. Amid romantic surroundings, with
no human being to detect or to v
hear them, they would pledge to each
other eternal love, bewail their fate.
and devise all sorts of schemes. Elope-
ment was, of course, proposed in due
season by the young man, and as
Masha was an ardent admirer Of all
sorts Of adventure pertaining to hero
ism, it more than pleased her romantic
Imagination.
line cold winter put an end to their
secret Interviews; the more volumin.
Gus, however, became their correspond
ence. Vladimir would entreat his be-
loved in every letter to intrust her des-
tiny to him; to elope, to keep out Of
sight until the excitement should be
over, then to appear before her par
ents, who would undoubtedly become
resigned to the inevitable to kneel
down before them and beg their for
giveness and blessing. And this, ac.
cording to his calculations, would
surely end in: "Come, children, to our
embrace and be happy" All this
seemed very fascinating to Masha, and
without much meditation she consent
ed to follow the course suggested by
her lover. And the course was this:
On the day of her departure she was
to decline taking her meals with her
parents at the table, pretending to SUI.
fer with a sever headache. Thus she
would be enabled to make the neces-
sary preparations for her journey in
her room. Her servant, who was in
the secret, was to accompany her to
the garden gate, where q trodka, Dr.
span of three horses, sent by vladimir,
would be in waiting. They were then
to drive as fast US the horses could
carry them to the church in the village
of Dshadrino, where Vladimir would
be sure to meet them.
Vladimir had his hands full all day.
In the morning he visited the Dsha-
drino minister. who. after considerable
difficulty and upon receiving a hand
some deposit, consented to marry him.
Then he set out in search of the nee
essary three witnesses.
The day drew to its close. Night set
in. A strong northern wind filled the
Storm Vladimir thought to himself,
as he sat in the sleigh, driving as rap
idly as his horse could carry him to
Dshadrino, where he intended to ar
rive before Masha. The road to Dsha-
drino was familiar to him, and he ex-
pected to traverse the short distance
in an hour at most. The reverse of his
expectations, however, was the result.
The wind grew stronger and stronger,
eliminating s0on in a raging and blind
ing snow storm. The road was swept
out Of sight, the familiar surroundings
vanished. Vladimir's efforts to keep
the right track were fruitless. The
horse went on at. h%aphazard, now as
cending q snowdrift and now falling
and upsetting the sleigh in q ravine.
An nour, two hours passed. but not
the slightest sign of Dshadrino.
At last a welcome object presented
itself to his sight. 1t was a small for
est. BLESSED be the Lord" he thought
TO himself. "DshadrinO must be near"
Thus encouraged. lie drove onward.
He dashed the horse; the poor animal
made an effort to move. He dashed It
again and again, but 1t would not trot,
Gradually, ..owever, he passed the for
eat. The plain, snowy field, stretching
In the distance as far as his eye could
reach, presented itself once more to
his sight. Although the storm sub
sided and the bright moon hung once
again rel his cherries and monoton-
ous surroundings, it was bitterly cold,
AS he drove along, contemplating all
sorts of means to extricate himself
from his perilous position, he beheld q
village, consisting of four or I'VE little
huts. He directed his horse toward II.
and as he reached the first hut began
to rattle at the window with all the
might of q man for whom there ID
nothing left but despair. A few mo.
ments later the window raised, and q
long gray beard, apparently belonging
% tine mdSrer OF the ouG DecamN
visible.
"What is it you want?'
Can J0u tell me how far 1t 10 10
DShadrinO? r..
'Dshadrino! Dshadrno! Let me see.
I reckon 1t will be about ten versts."
A thunderbot or an electric shock
SVuAV MOt 0AVS udU uVT6 CueCI upon
Vladimir than these words. He re.
manned upon the spot, motionless, like
q man doomed to death.
"And where do you come from?" re.
sumed the old man.
Vladimir had no patience to answer
his question. "Can I hire your horse
to take me there?" he uttered ut last.
.Hire my horse? Why, man, wal,
till i buy one!"
Then give me a guide. 1 will pay
him all he wants for his services"
This I'll do. Just wait a second; III
send my o and he will take you
there" said the old man, disappearing
In the darkness.
The young fellow, armed with Z
dubina, soon appeared, and, without
losing any time. started on their wal
Ito DshadriuO. Morning dawned wher
Trey reached their destination. Thu
ehmrch was locked. After paying hi
G1lde he directed his steps toward tn,
sMfptsters house. Alas! his team wa
be seer there. How sad thu
that awaited him!
sa klet US return to N~enaxadsyo ant