The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-06-04
and night-cap, AMI Petrowna in her dressing

and night-cap, ami Petrowna in her dressing
gown.
Tea was served, and Gabriel sent maid to
inquire for Mari. The girl returned with a
message that her young mistress had passed a
restless night, but now felt better and was COM
ing down. In few minutes Mari entered and
embraced her parents.
'Hcw do you feel, my poor little one?s asked
her father.
"Better," was the answer.
The day passed off as usual, but towards
evening Mari became very i'll and feverish.-
The family physician was summoned from the
nearest town, and when he arrived he found
his patient in high fever. During fourteen
DAYS she continued on the brink Of the grave.
Nothing was known Of her nocturnal flight
as the waiting-maid, for her own sake, was
prudently silent on the subject; nor did any of
the other accomplices, even after having drunl,
wine, breathe word on the subject, so much
did all parties dread the wrath of GABRIEL
Mari, however, during her delirium, raved so
necessarily about Vladimir that her mother
could not doubt that her illness was caused by
love. She and her husband consulted some of
their friends on the subject; and, as the result
that Mari was destined TO marry the ensign
hat one cannot avo id ones fate-that riches
do not insure happiness-and other fine max
inns of the same kind.
The invalid recovered. Vladimir. during her
Illness, had never appeared at the house; and
it was determined that his unexpected goo d
fortuue should be announced to him that he
should be told he was now free to marry his
beloved. What was the astonishment of the
proud owners of Nenaradof when they received
In reply letter from the young ensign, in
which be declared, u.at he would never enter
their dwelling again, and prayed them to for
get an unhappy being for whom death was the
only refugel
A few days afterwards they learned that
Vladimer had rejoned the army. It was in 1912.
No one ever mentioned his name to Mari. nor
did she herself alude to his in any way. Two
or three months elapsed, and one day she saw
his name mentioned among the officers who had
distinguished themselves at the battle of Boro-
dino, and who were mortally wounded. She
tainted, and had relapse of fever, from which
sheslowly recovered.
Not long afterwards her father died, leaving
her the reversion Of his whole property
Wealth, however, brought her no consola' ion
She wept with her mother, and vowed never to
leave her. They left their res de ice at Nenar-
adolf, and took up their abode on another es-
tate. Numerous sui:ors thronged around the
rich ana lovely heiress, but to none of them
did she vouchsafe the smallest encouragement
Her mother often implored her to chose hus-
band, but she silently shook ner head Vladi-
mir was no more. He expired at Moscow on
the eve of the day the French entered the city.
She treasured up the books they had read to-
gether, his drawings, and the, notes he had
written to her-eyerythng that could perpet-
uate her remembrance Of the unhappy young
man.
About that time war, glorious for our coun-
try. ended. The triumphant regiments re-
turned from the frontiers, and the people
rushed IN crowds to meet them. The officers
who had set out as mere s.riplings came back
with stern martial countenances, their brave
breasts covered with orders. Time of ineffa-
ceable glory How the heart of Russian then
bounded at the name of his country!
Acolonel Of hussars, named Vourmin, wear
ing in his button-hole the Cross of st. George.
and on his face an interesting paleness, came to
spend few months leave of absence on his es-
tate, hichjoincd that where Mari was residing
The yourg girl received him with far more
show of favor than she had hitherto bestowed
on any Of her visitors. They resenbled each
other in many particulars;both were handsome,
pleasant, intellectual, and reserve. There
was sort of mystery in the demsanor of Your
min which piqued the curiosity and ex,
cited the interest of the heiress. He
evidently admired her, paid her every pos
sible attention-why did he not speak of love?
He had acquired mbit of fixing his bright,
dark eyes on hers, half in reverie and half with
such an expression that seemed TO declare the
Of a decisive explanation. Already
the neighbors spoke Of the marriage as deci-
ded business and Petrowna rejoiced at the
thought that her daughter would at length
have husband worthy of her.
One morning when the good lady was seated
in her drawing-room, vourmin entered and
enquired for Mari.
'She is in the garden,s replied Petrowna.-
"You will find her there, il you wish to see
her,"
The colonel went out hastily, and Petrowna.
making the sign of cross, murmured to her
self: ''God be praised hope everything will
be arranged to-day"
Vourmin found his lady-love dressed in
white, seated beneath tree close by lake.
with book on her knee like any heroine of
romance. After the interchange of few com
non-place sentences, Vourmin, with consider
able agitation told her that for long time he
had been desirous of opening his mind to her,
and now prayed her to listen to him for a few
She closed her book and cast her
eyes down in token Of assent.
II love you," exclaimed vouamin-aI love
you ardently !7
Mari bent down her head little more.
81 have committed the imprudence of see
ng you, of listening to you, every day. (Marl
rec oiiec ed the e. sf laft ar oe c. p.a,x, No..