The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-18

present Rboue. Inc young gul received
him with far more favor than she had
hitherto shown to any Of her visitors.
They resembled 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-
feotion for her was soon unmistakable;
he showed her every conceivable atten-
tion; but why did ho 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 declaration Already
the neighbors spoke OF their marriage as
settled matter, and Mother Petrowna
was more than happy at the thought OF
her daughters finding worthy husband
at last.
Ono msrning when the latter was sit
ting in the parlor, Wurmin entered and
asked for Marie,
"she Is in the garden" 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, murmurisg,
"God be praisedl To-day, l trust his
visit will have some result.n
wurmin found his beloved, clad in
white, sitting under tree by the side Of
the pond, book upon her lap, like o
heroine OF romance. The usual saluta-
tions over, Wurmin, who was strangely
agitated, told her how be had long
yearned to pour out his heart before
her, and begged that she would listen o
few moments. She closed her book and
nodded in token of assent.
"IlOve you,n said Wurnlin, II love
passiOnately,"
Marie cast down her eyes.
"I have been imprudent enough to sec
you, to hear you-daily. II Is now toe
late to escape my fate. The thought oI
your lovely face, Of your sweet voice
will henceiorth constitute the joy and
the anguish Of my existence. Bnt ]
have q duty to perform toward you
must reveal to you secret, which has
placed IN insurmountable barrier be.
tween us"
'sThat barrier" murmured Marie, lex.
listed always-l could never hayc become
yours"
az know" replied wurmin, in q sup.
pressed voice, "that you loved before
but deatli-three long years ofmourning
-dearest Marie, do not deprive me oi
my last comfort, Of the blissful thought
that yen might become mine If"
"Cease, I coniure you'll You rend my
heart"
ayes, You will grant me the comfort
Of knowing that you would have become
mine; but, most wrctched Of men that l
AMI am already married !"
Marie gazed upat him with q look oi
astonishment.
dyes, married for four years." con.
tinred the lieutenant, "and I do not
know either who my wife is, where she
is, or whether ! shall ever meet her.
"Explain yourself more clearlyn said
the girl.
"Ilcye you, Marie, and will confde
in you. You shall know all, and you
will not Judge too severly m act oi
youthful levity. II was in the year
1872, / happened to be on my way to
wilma, with the intention Of joining my
regiment. Latein the evening / reached
a station, and had already ordered that
horses should instantly be put to again,
when q fierce snow storm suddenly
arose. Ny landlord and the postilien
urgently advised me TO postpone my de.
parture; butT was determined to go in
spite OF the rough weather. The postil-
ion had got it into his head that, by
crossing small river, the banks of which
were perfectly well known to him, lie
should find shorter route. He missed
the right crossing, however, and got In.
to region TO which hewas m entire
stranger. The storm continued to rage;
at length we deserted q light in tho dis
lance. We made for it, aud stopped be-
fore a church, from the brightly illum-
mated windows OF which the light shSne,
The door was open, three sleighs were in
front Of 1t, and / saw several persons in
tho yestibule. One OF them called Ia
me: This way this wayl' ] got oui
and walked toward the yestibule.
!" The person who had called advanced
toward me.
G,Great Heayensl'' 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 lot the adventure take III
course. And, indeed, had little reaec'
iioa. My friends tugged me into the
interior Of the church, which was poorly
lighted bytwo or three lamps Aiemalt
wRs sitting upon q bench in the shadow.
while another stood beside her and
chafed her temples.
Atlast r. cried the latter. "God
be praised that you have come My
poor mistress liked to have died"
"An aged priest emerged from behind
the altar, and asked, 'Can we begin 2
".Begin, reverend iatherr 1 cried
unadyisedly.
aThey assisted the half unconscious
girl to rise she appeared to be very
pretty. In fit Of objectionable, and
now quite incomprehensible, leyity, ]
readily stepped with her to the altar,
Her maid and the three gentlemen pres
emit were so much busted with her n;
scarcely to throw q look at me. Besides
the light in this part Of the church wa
dim, and my head was mufled in the
hood Of my cloak.
"In few minutes the nuptial ceremony
was over, and the priest according to Gus
tom desired the newly married pair t.
embrace.
uAiy young wife turned her pale, charm
ing little face toward me, and was ahou
to rest her head upon my shoulder with I
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