River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-12-06

IOTluue. DuJ TO INC dSJOhlSL ueHI Oh
the proud proprietor of Nemaradof, the
cadet declared that he should never
again cross the threshold of his house,
begging them at the same time TO for
get utterly so wretched a creature as
he, to whom death alone would give
repose.
A few days afterward they learned
that Vladimir had again returned to
the army. 1t was in the year 1912. No
one uttered his name in Marie's pres
ence, and she herself never made men
ton of him in any way. Two or three
months had elapsed, when one day she
found his name among the list OF the
officers who had distinguished them.
selves at the battle of Borodlno and
been mortally wounded. She tainted
away and had a relapse, from which she
recovered but slowly
Not long after her father died, be.
queathing the whole property to her.
But riches were not able to comfort
her; she wept with her mother, and
promised never to leave her. They
sold Nemaradof and removed to anoth-
er estate. Suitors thronged around the
wealthy and amiable heiress; but none
of them received the slightest encour-
agement from her. Often did her
mother press her to choose husband
she would merely shake her head in
silence. Vladimir was no more; he
died at Moscow on the evening before
the entrance of the French. Marie
seemed to hold his memery sacred /,
she carefully preserved the book they
had read together, his sketches, the
letters he had written to her--in brief,
everything that could serve to keep
alive the remembrance of the Inflated
youth.
About this time, the war, fought with
such glories to the allies, of whom
Russia was also one, came to an end.
The victorious regiments returned
home, and crowds of people focked to-
gether to greet them. Officers who had
gone forth as beardless youths came
back with the grave face of warriors,
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 abb
sence for several months, took up his
residence upon his estate, which ad 9.
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 my steri-
GUS about Wurmin, which reused the
curiosity and interest of Marie. His
affection for her was soon unmi staka-
BILE; he showed her every conceivable
attention utwhy 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 e.
claraton Already the neighbors spoke
of their marriage as a settled matter,
and mother Petrowna was more than
happy at the thought of her daughters
finding a 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. "You will find my daughter
there if 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,
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
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 III token of
assent.
81 love you" said Wurmin, 81 love
you passsionately."
Marie cast Town 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 l have duty to perform toward
You; must reveal to you a secret,
which has placed an insIrmountable
/ barrier between us. d"
THAT barrier" murmured Marie,
existed always could never have be
come yours "
Il know" replied Wurmin, in n
suppressed voice, "that you have low
ed before but death-three long years
of mourning-dearest Marie, do not
deprive me of my last comfort, of the
blissful thought that you might become
mine it,
Cease, | conjure you You rend
my heart
{" Yes, you will grant me the comfort
of knowing that you would have be
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