Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-02-16

Wealth, however, brought her no consola-
tion she wept with her mother, aud would
never leave her. They left their residence at
Nenaradof, and took up their abode on ano-
ther estate. Numerous suitors thronged
around the rich and lovely heiress, but to
none of them did she youchsafe the smallest
encouragement. Her mother often implered
her to choose husband, but she silently
shook her head Vladimir was no more he
expired at Moscow on the eve Of the day the
French entered that city. TO Mari bis mem
ory seemed sacred she treasured up the
books they had read together, his drawings,
and the notes he had written to her--every-
thing that could pcrpetuate her remembrance
Of the unhappy young man.
About that time war, glorious for our
country ended. The triumphant regiments
returned from the frontiers, and the people
rushed in crowds to greet them. The officers
who had set out as mere striplings came back
with stern marshal countenances, their brave
breasts covered with glory How the heart
OF Russian then bounded at the name Of his
country
A colonel Of hussars, named Vournin,
wearing in his button-hoe the Cross of st.
George, and on his face an interesting pale
ness, came to spend few months leave of
absence on his estate, which Joined that where
Mari was residing. The young girl received
him with far more show OF favor than she had
hitherto bestowed on any Of her visitors
They resembled each other in many psrtcu-
! lars: both were handsome, pleasant, intellec-
tual, silent aud reserved There was sort
Of mystery in the demoauor Of NourMin which
| piqued the curiosity and excited the interest
| of the heiress. lie evidently admired her
paid her every possible attention-why did he
not speal, Of love? He had acquired habit
of fixing his bright darl; eyes on hers. half in
revcrie and half with an expression that
seemed to declare the approach Of a decisive
| explanation. Already the neighbors spoke
OF the marriage as decided business; and
| Petrowna reioiced at the thought that her
daughter would Ut length have husband
worthy Of her.
One morning, when the good lady was
seated in her drawing-room, Vourmiu entered
and inquired for Mari
"She is in the garden replied Petrowna
You will find her there if you wish to see
her"
The Colonel went out hastily and Petrow-
na, making the sign of the cross, murmured
to herself God be praised hope every
! thing will lie arranged to-day"
Nourmin found his lady-love dressed in
white, seated beneath tree, close by a lake.
with book on her knee, like any heroine of
romance. After the Interchange Of few
commonplace sentences, NoGrinu, with con-
siderable agitation, told her that for long
time he had been desirous Of opening his
mind TO her, and now prayed her TO listan to
| him for few moments. She closed her book
and cast down her eyes in token of assent.
Il love you y exclaimed Vourmin-"I love
you ardently"
Mari bent down her head q little more.
ii have committed the imprudence of see
ing you, OF listening to you, every day.
! Mari recollected the first letter Of St.
PreuX.) Now it is too late 10 resist my
destiny. Tie memory Of your sweet face and
gentle voice will form hence(Orward the Joy
and the torture of my existence; but | have
a duty TO fulfil towards you. | must reveal
TO you u strange secret which places between
US an unsurmountabe barrier.
That barrier" murmured Mari, "has al.
woys existed. l could never have become
your wife"
Il know" replied Vourmin in a low voice,
that you nave loved; but death. and three
years cf mournng-Dearest Mari do not
take from me my last consolation do not
deprive me Of the happiness Of thinking you
might have been nine if not"
"llush" cried Mari. Cease, | coniure
you: yCu pierce me to the heart"
Yes. l hare The consoling thought that
you would have been mine. But | am the
mos, unfortunate Of mcn--I am married !"
Mari raised her eyes with look Of amaze.
meut.
Il am married." resumed the Colonel
"marred these iour years, and neither know
,cko my wife is, nor irhsre she is, nor whether
shall ever meet her"
What can you mean? What is the mys-
terry? But go ON, beg Of you-l will tell
you afterwards"
Here. then" said the Colonel, "are the
facts. In the year 1912 was going to vii
ma TO join my regiment. | arrived late one
evening at astatiOn, and had just given orders
to have the horses Immediately harnessed
when suddenly there arose Il snow storm
The master Of the house and the position
both strongly advised me to defer my jour
ney; hut, tempest or no tempest, | was re-
solved to push on. The position took it into
his head that he could shorten the way by
crossing a river whose banks he knew very
well. However, he missed the right ford
and brought me TO place which was totally
strange to him. The storm continued Il
rage but at length we deserted distant
light. ] FASTENED towards it, aud found my
self outside church, whence the light pre-
ceeded. The door was open. Sledges were
waiting outside and several persons were
standing in the porch. One of them called
to me, This way this way l got out o.
my sledge, and entered the church. One O.
the people in the porch said:
In the name OF Heaven what has delayed
you The bride has tainted and We are al
on the point of returning home"
lIaif 5ewildered ard half amused, resolved
TO follow up the adventure. Indeed | was
allowed no time to deliberate. for my mpa
tient friends hurried me into the interior oi
the church, which was family litup by two or
three torches. A girl vas seated on bencl
in the shadow. while another, standing beside
her, was rubbing her temples.
AT length said the latter, "God b,
praised that you are come. My mistress was
nearly dying"
An old priest approached and said, "Shal
we begin :"
"Oh, begin by all means, my reverend
father, replied | giddily.
They assisted the young girl to rise. She
seemed very pretty. Through levty quite
objectionable. and as it now seems to me, in
conceivable, / advanced beside her to the
altar. Her servant, and the three men who
were present, were so much occupied about
her. that they scarcely glanced at me be-
J sides, the light, as have said, was very dim
and my head was enyeloped in the fur hood
of my travelling pelisse.
In a few moments We were morried.