Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-12-04

their gallant breasts covered with
badges.
A lieutenant Of hussars, Wurmin by
name, with an Interestingly pale face,
and decorated with the cross of st.
George, having obtained leave of alb
sence for several months, took up his
residence upon his estate, which ad.
joined Marie's present abode. The
young girl received him with far more
favor than she had hitherto shown to
any of her visitors. They resembled
each other in many respects; both were
handsome, intelligent, taciturn and re-
served. There was something mysteri-
GUS about Wurmip, which reused the
curiosity and interest of Marie. His
affection for her was soon unmi staka-
BILE; heshQwed her every conceivable
attention; but why did he never speak
Of love, though his dark ardent eyes
would rest upon hers half dreamily,
half with an expression that seemed
to announce an early and positive de-
claraton? Already the neighbors spoke
OF their marriage as a settled matter,
ana mother Petrowna was more than
happy at the thought of her daughters
hhd1ng worthy husband at last.
One morning when the latter was sit
ting IN the parlor, Wurmin entered and
asked for Marie
"She is in the garden" I" answered her
mother. You will find my daughter
there Ii you would like to see her.
The young officer hastily walked out
into the garden.
Petrowna crossed herself, murmur-
ing: "God be praised To-day, I
trust his visit will have some result. -
Wurmin found his beloved, clad in
white, sitting under tree by the side
of the pond, book upon her lap, like
a heroine of romance. The usual sa-
lutations over, Wurmin, who was
strangely agitated, told her how he had
long yearned to pour out his heart be-
fore her, and begged that she would
listen to him few minutes. She clos
ed her book, and nodded In token of
assent.
81 love you," said Wurmin, "I love
you passsionately."
Marie cast down her eyes.
" [ have been imprudent enough to
see you, to hear you-daily. 1t is now
too late to escape my fate. The thought
of your lovely face, of your sweet
voice, will henceforth constitute the
Joy and the anguish of my existence.
But | have duty to perform toward
you; [ must reveal to you a secret,
which has placed an insurmountable
barrier between us"
'SThat barrier" murmured Marie,
existed always-I could never have be-
come yours 2"
"I know" replied Wurmin, in
suppressed voice, "that you have 1ov-
ed before but death-three long years
of mourning-dearest Marie, do not
deprive me of my last comfort, of the
bllssful thought that you might become
mine if"
" Cease, coniure you! You rend
my heart
eyes, you will grant me the comfort
of knowing that you would have be
come mine; but, most wretched of men
that [ ami am already married."
Marie gazed up at him with a look of
eyes, married four years." continu-
ed the lieutenant, aud [ do not know
either who my wife is, or where [ shalP
ever meet her."
'sExplain yourself moro clearly
said the girl.
Il love you, Marie, and will confde
in you. You shall know all, and you
will not Judge too severely an act of
youthful levity. 1t was in the year
1872. [ happened to be on my way to
Wins, with the intention of joining my
regiment. Late in the evening I reach
ed a station, and had already or
dered that horses should instantly
be put to again, when a fierce Snow
storm arose. My landlord and the
postillion urgently advised me to post
pone my departure; but [ was deter
mined to go in spite of the rough
weather. The postillion had got 1t into
his head that, by crossing small river,
the banks OF which were perfectly we'll
known to him, he should find shorter
route. He missed the right crossing,
however, and got into region to which
he was an entire stranger. The storm
continued to rage at length we dis
cried light in the distance. We made
for 1t, and stopped before a church,
from the bright illuminated windows
OF which the light shone. The door
was open, three slelghs were in front of
1t; and saw several persons in the
veo .lbule. One of them called to me:
This way! this way!' I got out and
walked toward the vestibule.
The person who had called adyanc-
ed toward me.
"Great Heaven! chow late you
have come Your intended has faint
ed, and we were on the point of driv-
ing home again"
Half bewildered and hall amused, 7
resolved to let the adventure take it's
course. And, indeed, [ had little time
for reflection. My friends tugged me
into the interior of the church, which
was poorly lighted by two or three
lamps. A female was sitting upon a
bench IN the shadow, while another
stood beside her and cbafed her tenn
pies.
cat last ! " cried the latter. ''God
be praised that you have come! Nv
poor mistress liked to have died"
An aged priest emerged from behind
the alter, and asked "Can we be-
gin :"
" Begin, reverend father!' - [ cried,
unadvisedly.
sThey assisted the half unconscious
girl to rise; she appeared to be very
pretty. In fit of objectionable, and
now quite incomprehensible, levity, [
readily stepped with her to the altar.
Her maid and the three gentlemen
present were SO much busted with her
as scarcely to throw look at me. Be
SIDES, the light in this part of the
church was dim, and my head was
muttled IN the hood of my cloak.
" In few minutes the nuptiaI cere-
m!ony was over, and the priest, accord
ing to custom, desired the newly-mar-
RED pair to embrace.
My young wife turned her pale
charming little face toward me, and
was about to rest her head upon my
shoulder with sweet smile, when sud
denly she stared at me as if turned into
stone, tottered, and with a cry of {" It
IS not he " fell to the floor.
All the furies of hell Iashed me out
OF church. Before any one could think
OF staying me [ had jumped into my
sleigh, S61Zp1 tho raioS and IuaS SOO1,