Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-10-03

Greek temple arranged as an orchfd-
house came upon two young ladies'
cutting flowers My peonies appeared
to draw their attention, and after 4
little whispering one asked in Russian:
PRAY, sir, would you tell us where YOU
found those peonies? My sister and
have looked for them in the park. but
In vain. Oh, thank you. Indeed, we
did not mean to deprive you-but IL
| they were really intended for us--at
least you must allow us to compensate
(, you!" and she handed me her basket
Of orchids.
The peonies," said /, grow on the
BLUM inside the outside Gordon, but
they are difficult of access, and if !
might sometimes bring some"
| ITO General VS. quarters, in the
left wing" said she. I'VE will ex-
change them for some of these flowers
which-are also difficult of access
A harsh voice called "Sonya,
Masha!"
THAT is the general: we must nd
| stay; do svidanya," said they.
| thought must not either, and hun
| ried away through the other end OF
the temple; but now had purpose.
| A bunch of peonies had brought me
into Livadia; a basket of orchids
should get me out of it.
walked as quickly as dignity would
permit toward a distant stone wall in
which was a gate and grille faced out
| side with sheet iron. Beside 1t stood
a guard house, before it two sentries
and great golden double-headed eagle
sprawled and gaped above. AS l came
| up the two soldiers crossed bayonets
before the gate.
why haven't you opened the gate"
said l; Il shall positively have to
wait" A sss
Your well-bornship will pardon"
| said one; none may pass"
Absurd" said l; you know who I
am; open at once"
Your high-well- will deign
to have patience; it is an order His
majesty arrives tomorrow"
| 'Of course. but / hasten to her SUI
preme eXcellency, Countess W with
I these flowers from the noble ladies'.
the daughters of his excellency, the
| highly honored General v"
But l have not the key" your ex-
cellency," said the poor man, in great
distress.
"Disgraceful negligence" said 1; "go.
| get it at once"
But the sergeant has it, and he is
digging potatoes, and dare not leave
my post" "a
turned away in despair to try some
where else, when in the distance, up
| the vista of gardens, / saw the two
young ladies of the temple, standing
with big man in large white cap
! and the uniform OF general Of the
guard. One of them held the fatal !.
peonies in her hand, and the big man
appeared to be interested in the con-
versation. Suddenly he wheeled round
and strobe swiftly in the direction of
the gate.
There Is General "" said I to
the sentries, pointing out the white
cap in the distance, as 1t appeared over
| an intervening cluster rose. IF he
comes and finds me waiting here, there
will be a terrible row. Now, / do not
| like getting anybody into trouble, so I
will incommode myself so Tar as to
| climb over the gate"
| Thank your high-well- supreme
excellency," said the guards.
| | went UP that gate like a squirrel,
orchids and all, for the generals steps
were already crunching the gravel of
! the path behind. AS | bestrode the
golden eagle he saw me, picking up his I.
| sword, and ran, HE spurs winking over
the grass in the sunlight and the or
! ders twinkling on his tunic ! pride
myself on being the first foreigner who
ever made Russian general run.
! | cut the descent short, picked my
self up and hurried down the avenue,
! praying that the iron gate might be
bullet proof and the potato garden not
convenient to the guard-house. / did
not run, but that was on account OF
the patrols. Some of them barred the
way, but / waved them aside with the
orchids and they fell back apologetic-
| ally and saluted. Presently | met
well-appointed brougham. empty.
stopped it, got in and told the coach
| man to drive quickly to the villa
| W. At sunset i entered the Count
| ess' hail.
! was met by the count You're
safe, them" said he; that will save
| trouble; but" he asked anxiously,
have you the wild peonies of the
| countess?"
mo; but / have the hot-house or
chids of the generals daughter" re-
| piled. He shook his head obviously,
and went into the drawing room.
you are late for luncheon" said the
countess, land you have not the peon-
less Don't explain; II will bore me-
oh, how lovely! You Englishmen are
wonderful. At noon leave you in the
forest on foot looking for peonies; at
| sunset you come out of 1t In carriage
and pair, with priceless orchids. Pray
explain how you came by them. No,
| 1t will not bore me. Why, Livadia
has not the like. What you think II
has? Very well. Then the count shall
take you there to-morrow--you could
not get in otherwise-with an intro
| duction to General v, the groom
| OF the palace, who will show you the
| gardens. He has very pretty daugh-
| ters; take them bouquet and they
will give you flowers which you can
! bring to me-"
But / did not explain. nor did / go
| to Livadia. not seeing any point in
which ! could improve on my first visit.
| CHILDREN TAUGHT TO USE THE