Morris tribune., 1914-07-17
SONIA
MARANIEFF
By F. A. Mitchell

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 wild country Near
its center is fine estate, in which on a
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 rife slung over her
| shoulder. Two servants, also armed,
rode short distance in her rear. She
was going to visit charitable institu-
| tion in which she was interested.
| During her return a sound of bark
ing and shots was heard behind her,
which drew rapidly nearer. Then
sleigh appeared, the driver lashing his
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
a card to the lady bearing the name
Count Boris Geronsky, he said:
'If you ever come to st. Petersburg
| please advise me. I trust ! 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 swimming
sensation and did not notice the i'm
preston his name had created.
'You need rest and refreshment :"
she replied to his request I'VE are
not half dozen versts from my house.
If you will partake of my hospitality
I 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 lie 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.
81 live on the edge of wilderness, .
she replied, land have never seen any
thing Of life in a great city. would
like to be present at one of the func-
tons given at 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 a 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
always gave her name as Sonia Mara.
nieff it was supposed that she was un
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 d mar
ried man and the Russian church does
not admit of divorce
There is a custom in Russia that 3
man of rank may marry woman Of
wealth, giving her the right to beal
his name and title for consideration
Count Geronsky, on coming of age
!, found his paternal estate involved il
debt. A career at court was open t.
him, but he must have means t
achieve it. For 100000 rubles he hat
giyen a wealth. women the. right Il