The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-11-07
to the master of the house. became

(
visible
''What is it you want?"
"Can you tell me how far, it Is to
DslN,drino?''
"Dshadrlno! Dshadrino! Let me see.
reckon it will be about ten versts."
A thunderbolt or an electric shock
could not have had more effect upon
Vladimir than these, words. He re-
manned upon the spot, motionless, like
Il man doomed to death.
''And where do you come fromY' re-
sumed the old man.
Vladimir had no patience to answer
his question. Can I hire your horse
to take me there?" he uttered at last
"Hire my horse? Why, man, wait
till buy one! ~.
''Then give me a guide. I will pay
him all he wants for his services"
''This I'll do. Just wait a second; I'll
send my son and he will take you
there" said the old man, disappearing
in the darkness.
The young fellow, armed with a
dubina. soon appeared, and, without
losing any time started on their way
to Dshadrino. Morning dawned when
they reached their destination. The
church was locked. After paying his
guide he directed his steps toward the
minister's house. Alas! his team was
not to be seen there. How sad the
news that awaited him!
But let us return to Nenaladovo and
see what is going on in Gavrilo Gavril-
ovitch's house.
Nothing in particular.
AS usual, the old folks rose early in
40 vi itoh
pearing in his ancient ''lolpak" and
felt jacket, and Paraskovia Petrovna
in her warm morning gown. The
samovar was brought in, the table
was set. and as Masha failed to ap-
pear in the gostinnui. or dining room,
a servant maid was dispatched to her
apartment to inquire how she slept
during the night and how she felt in
general. The maid soon returned, an
nOuncing that the baruishinia (miss)
had had a restless night, but that she
felt much better Low, and would soon
join them at the table. The maid had
no sooner made her report than Masha
appeared, approaching her papenki
and mamenka with an affectionate
good morning.
"How is your health. dear?" in
Ql1ired Gavrilo Gavrilovitch.
81 feel much better, papa" replied
Masha.
"You must have caught cold, Ma.
sha,' interposed Paraskovia Petrovna
''That may be, mamenka."
The day passed quietly, but towards
evening Masha fell sick. A doctor
was Immediately sent for, and when
he arrived, two hours later, he found
the patient in a state Of delirium. 1t
soon developed into high fever, and
for two weeks the poor girl lowered
between life and death. s.
No one in the house has the slight.
est idea about the intended elopement
The letter which she addressed the
night previous she destroyed as soon
as she returned home, and the maid
| fearing to incur the anger and punish.
ment of her master, kept the secret tC
| herself. The minister and witnesses
were alike reticent about the matter
| (they had good cause for it). And as
! to Tereshka. Eladimir's driver, he
knew we'll how to keep a secret, ever
when drunk, and more so when sober
Thus the secret was kept sacred by
over half a dozen conspirators. Blu
Masha herself, In her delirium, bega1
to unravel the mystery. Yet her moth
er, who never left her daughters room
paid no attention to her words. Sht
merely ascribed them to the fact 0:
Masha being in love with Vladimir