The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-03-16
SONIA
MARANIEFF
By F. A. Mitchell

|
dence. One day lady rode out iron
this house on horseback. 1t was tn,
spring of the year, and the winter hat
been cold. The lady had been told
that wolves from the forests had beer
driven by hunger to seek food in tn,
more civilized region, and she had pis
tolls and holsters at the pommel of hel
saddle and short rife slung over hel
shoulder. Two servants, also armed
rode short distance in her rear. She
was going to visit charitable institu
ton In which she was interested.
During her return sound of bark
ing and shots was heard behind her
which drew rapidly nearer. Then q
sleigh appeared, the driver lashing 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. 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
1
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. | 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 a swimming
sensation and did not notice the inn
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.
II 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 card on which was the
name of Sonia Maranieff, the lady whe
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"
81. sal hor u NJ
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, ! It
as many as you please. | am one o.
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 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, hst it was
generally known that he was mar
ried man and the Russian church does
not admit of divorce.
There is a custom In Russia that a
man of rank may marry a woman of
wealth, giving her the right to bear
his name and title for consideration. |
Count Geronsky, on coming of age,
found his paternal estate involved in
debt career at court was open to
him, but he must have means to
achieve ii. For 100000 rubles he had !
given 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. I
tention to Sonia Maranieff and to |
whom it was evident that he had fall |
en- in love with her, knowing of his
marriage, sympathized with him, for
there was a certain dignity about this
girl from distant province, a chaste
bearing. to make it evident that no
man could possess her wit ut making
her his wife.
One evening when Sonia was dancing
at the Winter palace lackey stepped
up to her with telegram on a salveI
which had been forwarded from her
abode. She opened it, and it was evi.
dent that it contained some distressing
news She straightway left the room,
and so absorbed was she that she drop
ped her telegram. A lady picked it mp
and read the address, Countess Ge-
ronsky."
The incident was soon common talk.
Geronsky was congratulated on his
with Sonia Maranief and
asked why he had not announced it.
The count was astonished and when
told of how Sonia had dropped the
telegram sought her Immediately. He
found her In an apartment, waiting for
her carriage.
81 learn" he said, that you have
received a telegram bearing my name
md title. Are you not Sonia Mara
lieff?"
81 was Sonia Maranieff till L became
he Countess Geronsky.'' !
The countess had received news Of
he death of her mother. Her hus- !