Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1914-04-30
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 rathera wild country Near
its center is a fine estate, in which on a
piece of rising round is a spacious resi-
dence. One day 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 short rife 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 a sound of bark
ing and shots was heard behind her,
which drew rapidly nearer. Then
sleigh appeared, the driver flashing his
horses to escape pack of wolves A
man in the rear seat of the. sleigh fired
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 II
not been for their coming, in 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:
eff 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 swimming
sensation and did not notice the i'm
preston his name had created. :.
You need rest and refreshment,"
she replied to his request. 1--WE are
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 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 great city. | would
like to be present at one of the func-
lions given at the palace"
You shall be present. the count an
swered, mot only at one function. but
rs many as you please. l am one Of
the emperor's privy council and can
: command invitations for the asking"
Sonia Maranieff proved great sue
4 cess in court society. Though she
came from wild country she was re-
y fined, and there was about her a
! greater freshness and ingenuousness
than in the women Of the city More
Il over, she was beautiful. Since she
0 always gave her name as Sonia Mara
: nieff it was supposed that she was un
S married. Many men strove to win her
q but she seemed to prefer the attentions
o Of him who had introduced her. Count
S Boris was devoted to her. but it was
e generally known that he was a mar
lrinl l,a IrSS l,,rra
J. not admit of divorce
l. There is custom in Russia that {
a man of rank may marry a woman OF
d wealth, giving her the right to bea1
o his name and title for consideration
n Count .Geronsky, on coming of age
q found his paternal estate involved IL
d debt. A career at court was open t.
N him, but he must have means /,
achieve it, For 100000 rubles he hat
d given a wealthy woman the right It,
a call herself Countess Geronsky. Til
j. marriage had been by proxy, and b.
W had never seen his bride.
v Those who noticed Count Boris al
lie .ention to Sonia MaIanieff and t
he whom it was evident that he had fal
v. en- i'll love with her. knowing of hi
a. marriage, sympathiZed with him, 70
b. there was certain dignity about thi
ne girl from a distant province, chast
bearing, to make it evident that n
81 man could possess her without maxim
n her his wife.
ID One evening when Sonia was dancin
20 at the Winter palace lackey steppe
n up to her with telegram on salye
II. which had been forwarded from he
re abode. She opened it, and it was ev
ae dent that it contained some dstressin
!. news. She straightway left the room
~ and so absorbed was she that she drol
=. ped her telegram. A lady picked it u
=, and read the address, Countess G,
~ ronsAy."
81 The incident was soon common tall
y. Geronsky was congratulated on h
u. marriage with Sonia Maranieff an
~ asked why he had not announced
:. The count was astonished and whe
4