Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-12-05

/ fortune. buG TO Inc aStOn1SlmCnt O
the proud proprietor of Nemaradof, tn
cadet declared that he should neve
again cross the threshold of his house
begging them at the same time to for
get utterly so wretched a creature q.
he, to whom death alone would Civ.
repose.
A few days afterward they learned
that Vladimir had again returned tc
the army. 1t was in the year 1912. Nc
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 mortailv wounded. She tainted
away and had relapse, from which she
recovered but slowly.
Not long after her father died, be.
queathing the whole property to her.
But riches We're not able to comfort
her, she wept with her mother, and
promised never to leave her. Thew
sold Nemaradof and removed to anotL-
er estate. Suitors thronged around the
wealthy and amiahle helress; but none
OF them received the slightest encour-
agement from her. Often did her
mother press her to choose a 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 gl0ries to the allies, of whom
Russia was also one, came to an end.
The victorious regiments returned
home, and crowds Of people flocked 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 hussays, Wurmin by
name, with an interestingly pale face,
and decorated with tie 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 mare
favor than she had hitherto shown to
any of her visitors. They resembled
each other in many respects; both were
intelligent, taciturn and re-
served. There was something mystari-
Gus about Wurmin, which reused The
curiosity and interest of Marie. Els
affection for her was soon unmi staka-
Bile he showed her every conceivable
attention; but why DID he never speak
Of love, though his dark ardent eyes
would rest upon hers half drea2nily,
half with an expression that seemed
to announce an early and positive de-
claraton2 Already the neighbors spOko
of their marriage as a settled matter,
and mother PetroHna 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 woud like to see her.
The young officer hastily walked out
into the garden.
Petrowna crossed herself, murmur-
ing: Good 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
q 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.
q love you," said Wurmin, 81 love
YOU passsionately.
Marie cast down her eyes.
q have been imprudent enough to
see YOU, to hear you-daily. Il is now
too late to escape my fate. The thought
of your lovely face, of your sweet
voice, will henceforth constitute the
10y and the anguish of my existence
But / have duty to perform toware
You; / must reveal to you a secret
which has placed an insprmountabl'
barrier between us.
THAT barrier murmured Marie
existed always could never have be
come yours "
q know" replied Wurmin, IN
suppressed voice, THAT you have low
ed before but death--three long year
Of mourning-dearest Marie, do no
deprive me of my last comfort, OF tn
blissful thought that you might becom
mine if
Cease, l conjure you You rem
my heart !! y