The Raymer enterprise., 1911-08-03
The Fate of
VaSsilO Ivanoff

Vassilo Ivanoff was by profession
an architect. He was also an artist OF
some repute. and two or three OF his
pictures had found a place on the
walls OF the St. Petersburg salon. His
friends sometimes rated him for de.
voting too much time to painting pic.
lures that did not pay. and too little
to his profession, which did pay. He
had long been engaged to Maria
Alexeyevina. who had the reputation
OF being one Of the most beautiful
young women In St Petersburg. She
WAS member OF poor but exceed.
ingly good family. The marriage OF
the young couple had been delayed on
the grounds that lvanor could not af.
ford to keep wife until his financial
position improved.
Among Iyanoff's friends was one
Riskoff. who was said to be wealthy
aud also exceedingly practical, and
lranoff was In the habit OF consulting
him about many things. Riskoff,
knowing that his friend was improvi
dent, as well as Impractical, strongly
advised him to delay his intended
marriage. Ivanofi was headstrong,
and Riskoif was persistent. with the
result that the lifelong friends quar-.
relied. and the two. who had been like
brothers. passed each other by as II
they were strangers. Ivanor kept
urging his sweetheart to consent to
their marriage until finally she yield.
ed and they became man and wife.
The first year OF their married life
was Il happy one. but romance cannot
last forever. fact Of which Ivanoff
was soon to prove the truth. To his
horror he found that he was on the
verge OF bankruptcy. He realized that
he was completely ruined: and to
such an extent did the discovery ar.
feet him that one night he was seen
at fashionable cafe In n state OF in.
toKication, Some acQualntances tried
to persuade him to go home. but his
excitement only Increased, and he
was heard to exclaim: 1T Is a shame
that I should be poor when there are
Thousands less worthy rolling in
wealth, feel as II could murder
those who hoard their gold when so
many are suffering for the want of
common necessarles."
This outburst OF passion was due,
no doubt. to his condition. but 1t was
dangerous sentiment to express in
Russian cafe, though but for subsc.
quent events no Importance would
have been attached to II. Finally
iyanoH went home. and on the follow.
ing day resolved to appeal for help to
his former friend. Riskoff With that
intention he went to the latters house
but found he was out, and rs It was
uncertain when he would return.
Vassilo asked for pen and paper and
wrote letter. begging RiskOff to
lend him two thousand roubles, prom.
Using faithfully to repay the loan In
six months time. The next day he
received the following reply:
Dear Ivanon-
Il am surprised after the coolness
there has been between us OF late that
you should apply to me for assist.
ance. | was your warm friend once,
but you thought proper to trife with
my friendship, 30 there's al end OF 1t.
II will not be OF any use for you TO
write to me or call here again. as to.
morrow morning | shall set of on a
Journey to visit my estates and shall
not be back for month
Deeply hurt by his friends con.
temptuous refusal. lvanofr showed the
letter TO his wife, Up to that time
she had not realized that matters
were quite SO bad and In a 1T of
petulance and wounded pride she has.
lily put on her cloak and bonnet and
went OF to her parents. Soon after.
wards her unhappy husband also
went out and was absent for some
hours. In the evening his wife re.
turned. accompanied by her brother.
She had repented her hasty action.
and In the meantime Ivanofr had also
come back He appeared to be In a
much happier frame OF mind, and
Maria's brother witnessed a pleasant
reunion. He spent the evening with
them Before retiring Vassilo told his
wife that he was In funds again and
all would be well. He laughingly re.
marked that he couldn't explain his
good luck Just then. but would do so
later on. The next day lyanofY rose
early He attended to some business
matters. paid several OF the most
urgent claims against him. and In the
evening he and bis wife dlned at
their own house In company with
some friends In the midst OF the
dinner the company were startled by
the violent ringing Of the door bell
The servant hurried to the door, and
on opening Il was confronted by an
ofiiclal known as Judge OF Instruc.
tion. accompanied by his two legal
assistants and two armed policemen.
II must see your master. vassilo
Ivanok. at once" said the Judge
sternly.
The servant led the way 10 the d.
,,tu~ roouo fNilov al nv ths nm riol nj