The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-05-08
SONIA
MARANIEFF
b. F. A. Mitchell

iii By F. A. Mitchell
y The province Of Vyatka, in Russia,
borders on Siberia, and, though it is
not quite so far north as st. Peters
burg, it is rather a wild country. Near
its center is a fine estate, in which ona
piece Of rising round is a spacious resi-
dence. One day a lady rode out from
this house on horseback. 1t was the
spring of the year, and the winter had
been cold. The lady had been told
that wolves from the forests had been
driven by hunger to seek food in the
more civilized region, and she had pis-
tolls and holsters at the pommel Of her
saddle and a short rifle slung over her
shoulder. Two servants, also armed,
rode a short distance in her e She
was going to visit a charitable institu-
ton in which she was interested.
During her return a sound Of bark
ing and shots was heard behind her,
which drew rapidly nearer. Then. a
sleigh appeared, the driver flashing his
horses to escape a pack of wolves. A
man in the rear seat Of the sleigh fired
a shot at the brutes, then threw down
his gun. It was evident that he had
used his last cartridge. The equestri-
enne, supported by her servants, began
firing at the wolves, which made OF. into
the woods. Then the man in the sleigh
thanked them for his life since, had It
not been for their coming, in a few
minutes more both he and his driver
would have been devoured. Handing
a card to the lady bearing the name
Count Boris Geronsky, he said:
IF you ever come to st. Petersburg
please advise me. l trust I shall be
able to make your visit there enjoy
able"
When the lady read the name on the
card the expression on her face chang
ed, but the count, whose nerves had
been severely taxed, felt a swimming
sensation and did not notice the inn
preston his name had created.
"You need rest and refreshment,"
she replied to his request. "We are
not half a dozen versts from my house.
If you will partake Of my hospitality
I will accept your invitation later, for
I shall Don visit the capital"
The count invited her into his sleigh
and together they rode to her home,
where she entertained him at dinner.
After which he proceeded on his jour-
ney.
Within a few months Count Geron-
sky received a card on which was the
name Of Sonia Maranieff, the lady who
had saved him from the wolves. He
called upon her and begged her to tell
him in what way he could best make
her visit to the capital enjoyable. .ass
II live OH the edge of a Wilderness"
she replied. land have never cen any
thing Of life in a great city. I would
like to be present at zone of the func-
lions given at the palace"
"You shall be present" the count an
swered, mot only at mi function, but
as many as you please. 1 am one of
the emperor's privy council and can
command invitations for the asking"
Sonia Maranief proved a great sue
cess in court society. Though she
came from a wild country she was re-
fined, and there was about her a
greater freshness and righteousness
than In the, women Of the city. More
over, she was. beautiful. Since she
always gave her name as Sonia Mara
nien it was supposed that she was I'M
married. Many men strove to win her,
but she seemed to prefer the attentions
Of him who had introduced her. Count
Boris was devoted to. her, but 1t was
generally known that he was a mar
ried man and the Russian church does
not admit Of divorce.
There is q custom in Russia that q
man of rank may marry a woman of
wealth, giyingi4hsr the right. to bear
his; name-and title for a.coisideration.
Count Geronsky, on coming Of age,
found his paternal estate involved In
debt. A career at court was open to
him, but he must have to
achieve 1t. For 100000 rubles he had
given a wealthy woman the right to
call herself Countess GerOnsky. The
marriage had been by proxy, and he
had never seen his bride.
Those who noticed Count Boris at
tention to Sonia Maranief and TO
whom it was evident that he had fall
en- in, love with her, knowing of his
marriage, sy%mpathized with him, for
| there was q certain dignity about this
girl from a distant province, a chaste
bearing, to make it evident that no
man could possess her without making
her his wife.
One evening when Sonia was dancing
ct the Winter palace a lackey stepped.
up to her with a telegram On a salver
which had been forwarded from her
abode. She opened 1t, and 1t was EVIL
dent that It contained some distressing.
news. She straightway left the room
and SO absorbed was she that she drop