The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-22
THE WIFE STEALER.


The Markoff family came from Russia
toward the end OF the last century, and
Demeter Markoff, the third descendant of
this family, was already large landown-
er In Hungary and could not speak n syl-
liable OF the Russian tongue. Demctcr III
was a famous man in his time first, be-
cause he could ride down the strongest
horse in one day; secondly, because he
could swallow tho largest glass of wine ut
one gulp (and afterward eat the glass It
self; thirdly, because, however large his
income might be, he could always spend
twice as much, and, fourthly, because, no
matter what woman he met, he could al
ways either fascinate her, or, failing that,
marry her-and within twelvemonth the
lady In question would punctually be
abolished from the face OF the earth. When
he reached his forty eighth year, ne had
just buried his third wife. She was
good soul, they say, never complained,
and died quietly and without protest.
BY his first wife he had son, Demcter
Markof Nv. At the timc OF which we
write this young man was "a years of age.
In many respects he failed TO resemble his
father. He lacked that gentleman s heroic
qualities, being a quiet and economical
young man, fond Of reading, painting and
sick, and IL pretty girl looked Mt him he
would blush. Demeter III was irritatcd
by his sons virtues and called him boo
by, but he was his only son, all the same,
and he could not dsown him. Patcrnal
example had no effect upon him. In vain
did Demetcr III take him to boar hunts
the son simply began 10 paint the forest
scenery; in vain did he give him money TO
spend-ho bought nothing bat books or
pictures; in vain did he take him TO places
of amuscmcnt--hc simply went TO sleep
while the fun was going on.
One day, however, Dcmeter III was es-
tonished by the news that his son wished
TO marry. In the adjoining county there
was charming young girl who was the
youngest OF six daughters OF n small land
ed proprietor. IL was on the occasion of
vintage festival that the youth had first
met her and ever since then he had been
accustomed, in the soft moonlight, TO
dream away his time in her company and
TO talk about the stars and the flowers, as
respectable people are supposed TO do when
they are in love. The name of this yoang
girl was Angelica.
Young Dcmeter Markoff now came to
his father and asked him If he would be
good enough 10 journey into the adjoining
county and obtain for him the necessary
consent TO the projected marriage
with pleasure, +" replied his father. "Is
she pretty?"
Her beauty Is transcendcnt.
"Ah, you think so because she Is the
first girl you have mAl Is she fond OF
your"
''She worships me-"
is she youngy"
"Only rs.
"That is the most Interesting age.
Don't bc afraid. will go and manage it.
will bring her back. You can consider
her already here"
Dcmetcr III had his horses swiftly har-
nessed-iivc beautiful Arab stceds--and
he drove thcm into the ncighboring coun-
ty at such terrific rate that they were
pretty well lamed before they got there.
Directly he set eyes on Angelica he saw
that she was indeed the loveiest OF wom-
en-; also that she had a deeply rooted af-
fection for his son.
Angelica, as already said, was only is,
and at that age tho fancy rules over the
senses. Secret sympathics and inoxplica-
bic magnetic influences operate in the
soul These things whispered to Miss An
gelica that TO be drawn by 8vc Arab steeds
was more delightful than to be drawn by
two and that it was pleasanter 10 eat off
silver dishes than Off china plates, and, in
deed, Dcmctcr Nv possessed less property
than his father, for while the latter owned
large tracts of country nothing belonged
TO his artistic son but the landscape on
canvas which he had himself painted in
the paternal territory.
In ono wo:i, Angelica gave her hand to
Dcmeter III instead of TO his offspring
The matrimonial go between kept his
word-hc brought tho young lady home
but Dcmcter ~ was sufficiently astonish-
ed when his father told him that she did
not come as his wife, but as his step
mother.
The younger Demctcr now found it nee
essary TO quit Hungary altogether, for all
the inhabitants were laughing at his ex-
pensc. He won't TO Russia and lived in an
old mansion of his fathers at Podolia.
Thence he never returned.
After TINT the people at home told all
sorts of ludicruus stories rs 10 the life he
was leading in Russia. Some said that he
sat all day long In the corner OF room
opposite the portrait of the girl he had
wished =, e.. .,--- fh~t rho sDidprS yyprc In
N ~ S<l N