Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-05-26
THE MYSTERIOUS MARRIAGE

! Toward the end of 1911, an epoch so
there dwelt on his domain of Menaro-
downo, Gabriel Gabrielowieh, with his
| wife and only daughter Maria, a
| charming young girl about II years of
age.
| Maria Gobrielowna had, of course,
4 many suitors, attracted both by her
personal charms and reputed wealth,
but in spite of all opportunities she
remained obstinately Indifferent to all.
Her romantic and impressionable mind.
| affected by the constant reading OF
| many French novels, led her to
imagine herself desperately and irrey-
| ocably in love. Unfortunately, the OBJ
| ject of her affections who undoubtedly
returned her love, met with the con-
| temptuous disapprobation of her par
entS, in whose mind a poor non-con-
missioned officer was no fitting match
! for the heiress of Menarodowno. At
| length the separation became intoler-
able, even with the solace of a daily
| interchange of love letters, and Vladi-
mir Nicolaewich, in one of these, pour
ed forth in glowing words all his love
| and misery, and besought his lady love
| to fly with him,
| Maria's romantic imagination was
1 fascinated she could not resist, and
soon all prel!minaries for the flight
| were settled. She would feign head
| acne, ana fSI1TS early DIT III u NACSh q
sleigh would be waiting at the small
garden gate. and in this she would
| be driven with her maid, through the
forest of Jadrino, where Vladimir
| would await his bride in the village
| church.
on the eve of her contemplated
| elopement Maria, who was restless and
unhappy, retired early to her room and
spent part of the night inditing a long
and sentimental epistle to her dearest
| friend, and also shorter one to her
| parents.
| Meanwhile let US follow the happy
! bridegroom. Vladimir Nicolaewich had
| had a busy day. what with his per-
suading the priest of Jadrino to per-
| searching for witnesses among the
| neighboring land owners.
1t was already dark; SO, after dis
patching his faithful Rerodeka to
Menarodowno with a troil1a (two-
horsesleigh), he ordered a one-horse
sleigh for himself, and started, But
driving was no easy matter; the wind
| was full against him, and blew the
| binding snowflakes sharply into his
face. With feelings akin to despair.
| the poor fellow realized that he had
gone astray and stumbled along,
scarce daring to hope chance might
yet lead him straight. AT length the
sight of a little black speck ahead
aroused his failing courage, and, ferv-
| emily thanking God, Vladimir made for
| the friendly hut.
| How far is it to Jadrino?"
| "Jandrino? Not far-a matter of 10
miles"
| Poor Vladimir.
Can you let me have a horse? Mine
| is half dead
| "A horse! Where would l find a
horse?'
| We'll, can one get a guide here
about?"
| .'Wait-maybe my son can show you
the way
After what seemed to Vladimir an
interminable delay, the door opened
and small boy came out.
What time is it," inquired Vladi-
mir.
TT will soon be daylight" The
baffled bridegroom was silent.
The cocks were growing and the day
breaking when they reached Jadrino
/ The church was closed. After reward
ing his guide and bidding him good
by, Vladimir knocked with trembling
hand at the priests house; his troika
was not in the yard.
But we will return to the good Ca
brielowich and see what was going on
in his house. The old people rose as
usual and went down to breakfast; Ga
briel GabrieloWich in his flannel car
and gown, and Pascowia Petrowna
| ready dressed for the day. In answer
to message from Gabrielowich. Maria
sent word she had had a bad night
4 but would be down presently. In q
few minutes the door opened, and our
heroine entered.
Il How is the head, daughter"
Much better, father"
Toward evening, though, Maria was
not so well, and the village doctor was
sent for. but before he came high
fever had set IN and the poor girl was
delirious. For a whole week she huns
{ between life and death.
| For wonder, the secret was vel
kept, although known to half a dozer
people. Maria, of course. spoke Of
nothing else during her delirium, anC
the good mother, who nursed her de-
Votedly made out that her child was
dying of love for Vladimir. Therefore
when Maria became convalescent, hel
parents sent for Vladimir Nicolaewich
but great was the CONSERVATION al
| Menardowno when in came a letter
written apparently by a mailman, il
which the young fellow declared he
would never set foot in their house ant
begged them to forget a poor wretch
whose only hope was in death. Soor
after they heard he had joined the
army. That was in 1912.
} They dared not tell Maria, who or
her side never mentioned his name.
relapse Of the fever was feared when
few months later. she fell into a dead
swoon, having accidentally seen his
name in the list of those who had dis
tinguished themselves and beer
wounded at Borodino.
The war ended gloriously for Russia
her legions returned victorious, anG
were received everywhere with vocif.
erous and joyous acclamations. Per.
haps Maria and her mother living 81
far out of the way, were among the
very few who took no part in the gen
enal enthusiasm. The monotony of theil
lives, though, was even there disturbed
by the advent of the dashing young
Colonel BourTnine, before whom hel
usual train of adorers had to retreat
One thing however, puzzled her-un.
doubtedly Bourmine loved her, and IL
her inmost soul she confessed to a lik-
ing for him-why, then did he no
speak? Why such marked attentions
wistful looks, and yet not a word Of
love?
! One day her mother was alone IL
the parlor when Bourmine entered anC
inquired for Maria.
"You will find her in the garden,
said the old lady; "go, will await yol
| r iro CFo ~