National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-11-15

several months, took up his residence
upon his estate, which adjoined Marie's
present abode. The young eil received
him with far more favor than she had
hitherto shown to any Of her visitors.
They resembed each other in many re.
spects; both were handsome, intelligent,
taciturn and reserved. There was some
thing mysterious about Wurmin which
reused the curiousity Of Marie. His af'
fection tor her was soon unmistakable;
he showed her every conceivable atten-
tion; but why did he not 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 declarationf Already
the neighbors spoke of their marriage as
q settled matter, and Mother Petrowna
was more than happy at the thought Of
her daughters finding 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" answered her
mother. "Y ou will find my daughter
there if you would like to see her."
The young officer hastily walked ont
into the garden.
Petrowna crossed herself, murmurisg,
" God be praised! To-day. | trust his
visit will have some result"
Wurmiu found his beloved, clad in
white, sitting under tree by the side Of
the pond, hook upon her lap, like a
heroine of romance. The usual sauta-
tions over, Wurmin, who wa. strangely
aeitatcd, told her how be had long
yearned To pour out his heart before
her, and begged that she would listen a
few moments. She closed her book and
nodded in token of assent.
Il love you," said Wurmin, 81 love
passionately,n
Marie cast down her eyes.
81 have been imprudent enough to ee
you, to hear you daily. 1t is now 90
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 II secret, which has
placed an insurmountable barrier be-
tween Ms.
"That barrier murmured Marie, ''ex-
listed always could never have become
yours
81 know" replied Wurmin, in sup
pressed voice, that you loved before;
but doath-three long years of mourning
dearest Marie, do not deprive me OF
my last comfort, of the blissful thought
that you might become mine if"
Cease, | coniure you! You rend my
heart"
"Yes. You will grant me the comfort
of knowing that you would have become
mine; but, most wretched OF men that L
ami am already married y
Marie gazed up at HIM with look OF
astonishment.
"Yes, married for four years" con-
tinued the lieutenant, land l do not
know either who my wife is, where she
is, or whether shall ever meet her"
Explain yourself more clearly" said
the girl.
81 love YOU, Marie, and will coniide
in you. You shall know all, and you
will not judge too severly an act OF
youthful levity. 1t was in the year
1912, happened to be on my way to
wilma, with the intention of joining my
regiment. Late in the evening reached
station and had already ordered that
horses should instantly be put to again,
when fierce snow storm suddenly
arose. Ny landlord and the position
urgently advised me to postpone my de-
parture; but l was determined to go in
spite of the rough weather. The postil-
ion had got it into his head that, by
crossing a small river, the banks of which
were perfectly well known to HIM, ne
should find ashorter route. He missed
the right crossing, however, and got IN
to a region to which he was an entire
stranger. The storm continued to rage;
at length we deserted Il light in the dis
tance. We made for it, and stopped be-
fore a church, from the brightly illum-
mated windows of which the light shone
The door was open, three sleighs were IL
front of it, and / saw several persons IL
the vestibule. One of them called tc
me This way this way" | got out
and walked toward the vestibule.
"The person who had called advanced
toward me.
"'Great Heavens." he said how late
YOU come Your intended has tainted
and we were on the very point OF driving
home again.
" Half bewildered and half amused.
resolved to let the adventure take its
course. And, indeed, had little retlec
ton. 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. the shadow
while anot1 pc her
d lla! :'ssss 'sss g s. IL
exX64in, reverend father ! Fscried
uAadvisedly.
"They assisted the half unconscious
girl to rise she appeared to be very
pretty. In a fit of unpardonable, ant