Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-12-11
DAILY SHORT STORY
HIS CHOICE IN CHRISTMAS GAME

1t was Christmas time i'll Russia.
Ivan Ivanovitch went the rounds of the
village announcing that the usual fes-
tivities would be held ut his house and
that the marriage game would be play
ed. In this game the young girls are
muftied 80 that they cannot he distin-
guiShed. The young men one 10y one
are admitted To the room where the
girls are sitting ami each man chooses
4 girl. She is unveiled. and the man
must either marry her or pay Il heavy
forfeit.
Now. Peter Olizoff had met Sonia
Nicholaevna and had fallen in love
with her. Though he had been thrown
with her OH several occasions he could
not discover that she showed him any
preference. Possibly tbs may have
been because Peter was too bashful or
too uncertain of meeting Il favorable
response: possibly she did not care for
him; possibly she loved another. Peter
went To the Christmas celebration,
knowing that Sonia would be there,
with very conflicting emotions. II i'll
the marriage game he could pick out
Sonia he would he very happy, but his
happiness would also depend upon So
Mas desire to be picked out 10y him.
But if Sonia had any preference for
him she would have indicated il, for.
though he had never spoken his love.
he had looked il, and no girl is SO stu
pid as to be ignorant of IL mans pref
erence for her. especially when he takes
no pains to conceal il. But then, as
have said the two had met but few
times, and it was not likely that Il
girl would be Won so soon and without
Il cOurtship.
At the Christmas festivities Sonia
dressed in the costume of the country.
looked enchanting. She wore skirt
reaching To her ankles. About her
waist was girdle of narrow blue rib
bon wound several times around, the
ends gathered loosely and hanging in
two Streamers. each end tipped with
coin. The early part of the evening
was passed in dancing, singing and or
binary games. Peter tried To get
dance with Sonia, but she was always
enga ged-at least she always claimed
10 be. and Peter was discouraged.
Even if he should happen to choose her
in the marriage game il would bring
him no pleasure. and he would pay the
forfeit rather than marry one who did
not prefer him to all others.
At last Maria, the wife of IvanOvitch,
announced that they would play the
marriage game, to which they had all
been looking forward eXpectantly-
Maria took the girls all into an adJoin-
ing room, where each was envelOped
in a sheet. When all was ready the
young men drew lots to determine the
order in which they should enter. OF
course the first man, if he had prefer
euce. would have the best chance 10
secure IT, The last man would have
but one girl To choose. Peter drew the
NTH entry. When the first couple came
out the girl was smiling and blushing.
and all knew that she had been chosen
IN accordance with her wishes. The
swain did not look displeased. only
silly. The second couple were both
poutinc. snd both had evidently had
bad luck. In the case of the third the
man was radiant with happiness. the
girl evidently displeased. In the fourth
IL was plain that both had been much
disappointed.
Ii was now Peters turn to enter the
room and choose The varied appear
ance of the couples who had emerged
had told him how slim was the chance,
first, OF his choosing Sonia, and, second. |
of her being his willing bride. Never
theless he had been caught by the spirit !
of chance He was wild with desire |
to choose Sonia. and he would at least |
have the privilege OF seeming to he |
glad OF the alternative to pay the for |
felt.
He entered the room with a throb- |
bing heart. There sat line of girls |
looking very like large Indian papooses. |
Peter east his eye along the line, vainly |
endea voring 10 distinguish the girl he /
loved by her size or some other feature. |
but Sonia was Of the middle height and |
several of the girls were very nearly |
her size. Peter dallied.
Choose" said the matron
Peter. still hoping to discover through !
the sheet some guide. still hesirated. /
Come. caQoss.- sad tie. nauoR: 1