Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1914-05-08
SONIA
MARANIEFF'
By F. A. Mitchell

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 n fine estate, in which on
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 rear. She
was going to visit charitable institu
ton In which she was interested.
During her return q sound Of bark
ing and shots was heard behind her,
which drew rapidly nearer. Then
sleigh appeared, the driver flashing his
horses to escape q pack of wolves. A
man in the rear seat of the sleigh fired
a shot at the brutes, then threw down
his gun. 1t was evident that he had
used his last cartridge. The equestri-
enne, supported by her servants, began
firing at the wolves, which made off 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
card to the lady bearing the name
Count Boris Geronsky, he said:
"If you ever come to st. Petersburg
please advise me. l trust l 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 n swimming
sensation and did not notice the i'm
preston his name had created.
"You need rest and refreshment,"
she replied to his request. eve are
not half dozen versts from my house.
If you will partake of my hospitality
l will accept your invitation later, for
/ shall soon 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 n 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.
II live on the edge of Wilderness
she replied, land have never seen any
thing of life in a great city. l would
like to be present at one of the func-
tons given Mt the palace"
you shall be present" the count an
swered, mot only at one function, but
as many as you please. | am one of
the emperor's privy council and can
command invitations for the asking"
Sonia Maranieff proved great sue
cess in court society. Though she
! came from 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
|
nieff 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 it was
, generally known that he was mar
ried man and the Russian church does
, not admit of divorce.
There Is custom in Russia that 6
man Of rank may marry woman Of
wealth, giving her the right to beal
D his name and title for a considera ton
= Count Geronsky, on coming of age
= found his paternal estate involved fl
y debt. A career at court was open t.
him, but he must have means t
achieve 1t. For 100000 rubles he hat
given a wealthy woman the right t
call herself Countess Geronsky. Thu
marriage had been by proxy. and h
r had never seen his bride.
n Those who noticed Count Boris al
O tention to Sonia Maranieff and t
f whom 1t was evident that he had fall
+ en- In love with her, knowing Of hi
@ marriage, sympathized with him, 70
there was a certain dignity about thi
girl from a distant province, chast
bearing, to make It evident that n
man could possess her without maxim
her his wife.
One evening when Sonia was dancin
at the Winter palace a lackey steppe
up to her with a telegram on salve
/, which had been forwarded from he
6 abode, She opened 1t, and it was ev
dent that 1t contained some distressin
news. She straightway left the room
;. and so absorbed was she that she droI
q ped her telegram. A lady picked it Il
e and read the address, Countess CT
ronsky."
3, The incident was soon common tall
Geronsky was congratulated on hi
marriage with Sonia Maranieff an