The Weekly Minnesotian

A SHORT ROMANCE.—The following romantic incident is said to have occurred a few years before the Russian conquest in Armenia:

"The Sirdar fell violently in love with a beautiful Armenian maiden, and demanded her from her parents. Their supplications, and those of the girl herself, were unavailing: for though she had a lover, she was not formally betrothed; she was consequently carried off to the harem. During the night her lover entered the palace gardens, and in a low voice commenced singing beneath the window of the harem, in the hope that she would hear him. Soon a window was opened, and some one leaped out. Fearing that his singing had betrayed him, he fled: But as he heard nothing more, he crept back, and found his beloved caught in the branches of a tree, which had broken her descent to the ground. He helped her down, and they prepared for flight; but being overheard, they were pursued and caught, and in the morning were brought before the Sirdar. When the latter had heard the circumstances of the case, he exclaimed: 'I see that in the sight of God you were already betrothed. Lovers so true should never be parted. Live happily together, and God be with you.'"