The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-02-18
THE SALE OF A TITLE

loriginall
There are many strange customs in
Russia. Among the strangest is one
wherein u man of noble birth for COLI
slderation will marry a woman and
give her his name aud her freedom at
the same time, leaving her at the mo.
ment they are pronounced man and
wife.
One winters dag in St Petersbur ?
the beauty and fashion of the capital
were skating on the Neva. Among TIE
throng were two ladies skating togets-
err A tall, handsome man of aristocrat-
ic mien was regarding one Of them
with admiring glances as they skated
by him and asked a friend who she
was
Il was told just now" replied the
friend, that one OF them was Miss
Mikhailof, the daughter OF one of tbs
new civil appolntees, but am not sure
which one sheis. think she is the bru.
nette.
Later the man who was interested
noticed the lady he had admired-tha
brunette-sk skating alone. She tripped
and fell. Darling toward her, he raised
her. She was. not hurt, but he wss
loath to leave her.
Permit me to introduce myself" he
said. Il am Count Akadyevltch."
Count Akadyevitch, the emperor's
aid-de-camp, needs no introduction"
Il have been sufficiently interested In
you to inquire your name, Miss Mix
hailof."
The lady turned her eyes upon the
count, but said nothing.
Count Akadyevltch received permits.
sion to call on the lady that evening.
She left the city next day. but not be-
fore inviting him to visit her Mt her
home in Kostroma. The invitation was
accepted punctually on the day 1t was
given for. The count found that his
new acquaintance, with whom he had
fallen desperately in love-a case of
love at first sight-lived a sort OF
queen among her tenants. It was
Miss Mikhailof. will you have thisY'
or Miss Mikhallof, will you have
that?" every one being punctilious In
addressing her by name when speak
ing to her.
From the first the count received
especial encouragement. A week pass.
ed, and when he proposed to return
his Intention was gently opposed. Two
more weeks he remained, and yet the
lady did not signify q wish that he
should go. Nevertheless the count was
melancholy. A secret seemed to be
gnawing at his heart. The more ne
became interested in the lady the mere
depressed he became. Finally she ASK
ed him the cause.
Il dare not tell you" he said. 4You
VIII despise me"
"IndeedF' replied the lady. 81 insist.
Have / been unwiss In trusting you on
90 short an acquaintance"
The count was silent for time, dur
ing which It was evident his sufferinRs
were great. At last he said:
Il was forced some years ago 70 do
. thing am greatly ashamed Of ana
which now stands in the way Of pos
sible happiness. When came into my
title and estate the latter was incum-
bered with debt. Twenty thousand
rubles were necessary to clear II. I
was about to lose 1t when / received
through a medium an offer Of ths
amount for my name by a woman
who wished to be noble I consented
on condition that the marriage should
take place by proxy. The condition
was accepted, and I was married. I
am welded, but I have never met ny
wife"
The count bowed his head.
efou are no more to blame than ths
woman who bought your namass
Leaving blame cut o. The QusstIoa,