Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-06-02
A Russian Romance,

Here is a true story l was once told,
showing that once upon time this
prophecy actually came true.
1t happened somewhere in the coun-
try, many, many years ago, IN the
good old days" when there were no
railroads, and people travelled about
mostly in their own sledges or car
riages drawn by post-horses, or if the
distance was not to great, by their own
"troika"-a Russian sleigh drawn by
team of three horses.
The heroine of my story was at that
time young girl still in the school
room, greatly troubled with lessons,
goverresses, and dancing-masters AMI
becoming rather tired of her quiet life
in the country. So, one fine evening.
just before going to bed, she thought
she would like to cast one look into
the future and see from what direction
she was to expect her fate. She step
ped out accordingly upon the terrace,
and-whiz-her slipper went skim
ming through the cold night air. But
what was her discontinue when she
saw it fly over the high fence and into
the road beyond Here was predi-
cament.
She could not possibly follow and seek
it in the deep snow, her feet clad in
silk stockings, and only one slipper
for them both. She jid not like send
ing out the servants, who were all at
supper. and it did not seem worth
while to put on thick boots and begin
a regular search so late at night.
This comes of being too curious" she
soliloquized. as she limped to her own
room. well, never nina; dare say
I'll find my slipper safe and sound to-
morrow morning" But her search
next day proved vain; fresh snow had
fallen during the night, and the lost
slipper, she thought, was probably
buried deep beneath the soft white
covering.
Several years passed. Her parents
moved to Moscow, where, in the
course of time. she married an officer
in the Emperor's guards. In her hus-
bands study, on the mantel shelf. she
often noticed, among other knick-
knacks. girls dainty but faded satin
slipper. 1t certainly seemed familiar
to the sleigh. The something provel
dered about it. she never could remem-
Der where and when she had seen just
such shoe as that. At last her curios-
ity grew to such pitch-the old
slipper was always ..alf reminding her
of something, she knew not exactly
what-that she decided to question
her husband about it.
1T is an old story" he answered,
"and happened many years ago.
was then young fellow, just begin
ming life, and travelling post-haste to
Join my regiment. Happening TO pass
through 4 village one evening, at a
great speed (my horses being fresh
and in high spirits), | suddenly felt
stinging blow on the cheek, | heard
an exclamation from the other side
of fence-and something dropped ill.,
to the sleigh. hTe something proved
to be satin slipper, and as | took it
up. my cheek stinging with pain,
own that | felt very angry and indig-
iiohe tt thic uitAptIlIu doSduIJ.
Then | remembered it was Twelfth
Night; | remembered too, the ancient
custom, and by that time my wrath
had calmed down. | even thought of
turning back and delivering the weap.
on into the fair hands that had, unin-
tentionally, dealt the blow, but on
looking round. | perceived that the
village, 'krasnoe' | think it was called,
was far behind us, and |, still holding
the slipper in my hand, was being car
ried along over the snowy steppes at
full speed.
Il have never since been in that
part of the country, nor have | any
idea whose feet once tripped about
gaily in this old thing; but l came to
have a tender feeling for it. l was
sorry for the girl who had surely been
looking for it and probably wondered
about its mysterious disappearance,
and as time rolled on somehow came
to associate it with my early youth,
and all its golden dreams; that is why
| have kept it all through these past
ten years. You are not jealous dear,
are you?" he added. smiling.
'Jealous!-of my own slipper?" she
cried. This Is fun! Why, it is mine.
mine, mine! and she clapped her
hands and laughed a joyous, ringing
laugh. You said the village was
Krasnoe. on Twelfth Night, and just
ten years ago? Why. it must be mine.
From the very first though it looked
familiar and like an old friend Ten
years old. | was 10 then, and, oh, so
tired of lessons, lessons, lessons, and
snow. snow. snow, all day long. with
nobody of my age near, and the winter
evenings SO lonely and dull that one
evening | decided to try the old ex-
pertinent, and see whether there was
any hope of q change for me. And it
has come true! for didn't it strike you
on the cheek? Poor old cheek" ard
she patted it tenderly.
Five wards in four wears is the ratio