The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-08-03

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rated with the cross of St. George, having
obtained leave of absence for several months
took up his residence upon his estate, which
adjoined Marie's present abode. The young
girl received him with far more favor than
she had hitherto shown to any of her visit
ors. They resembled each other in many
respects; both were handsome, int ntelligent,
taclturn, and reserved. There was some
thing mysterious about Wurmin, which
reused the curiosity and interest of Marie.
Ills affection for her was soon unmistaka-
BILE; he showed her every conceivable at
tention; 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 declaration? AL
ready the neighbors spoke of their mar
riage as a 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 sitting
in the parlor, Wurmin entered and asked
for Marie.
''She is in the garden answofed 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, murmuring
f'God be praised! To-day, trust his visit
viii 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 ro-
nance. The usual salutations over, Wur-
min, who was strangely agitated, told her
how he had long yearned to pour out his
heart before her. and begged that she would
listen to him few moments. She closed
her book; and nodded in token of assent.
'I love you,r said Wurmin, az love you
passionately:"
Marie cast down her eyes.
81 have been imprudent enough to see
yoii; to herr you7laily. 1t is now too late
to escape MY fate: The thought of your
lovely face, of your sweet voice, will hence
forth constitute the JOY and the anguish of
my existence. But have a duty to per-
form towards you, l must reveal to you
secret, which has placed an insurmounta-
BILE barrier between us;''
''That barrier murmered Marie, Eek
| listed always-I could never have become
| yours
81 KNOW replied Wurmin, in SUP
pressed voice, 'that you have loved before;
but death-three long years of mourning
dearest Marie, do not deprive me of my
last comfort, if the blissful thought that
you might become mine, if
| ''Cease, 1 conjure you! You rend my
| hearth
eyes, you win grant me the comfort of
knowing that you would have become mine !;
am already marriedr'
Marie gazed up at him with a look of as
| constituent.
eyes married for four years." continued
the lieutenanb 'and do not know either
aoho my wife is E0here she is, or whether
shall ever meet her"
Explain yourself more clearly said
the girl.
81 love you, Marie, and will confide in
you. You shall know all, and you will not
judge too severely fin act of youthful
lev.ty. 1t was in the year 1912. l hap
pened 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 instant
ly be put to again, when a fierce snow
storm suddenly arose. My landlord and
the postillion urgently advised me to post
pone my departure; but l was determined
to go in spite of the rough weather. The
postillion had got it into his head that, by
crossing a small river, the banks of which
were perfectly well known to him, he should
find a 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 des-
cried light at distance. We made for
it, and stopped before church, from the
brightly illuminated windows of which the
light shone. The door was open, three
sleighs were in front of it, and saw sever
al persons in the vestibule: One of them
called to me: s'This way! this wayP'
got out and walked toward the vestibule.
The person who had called advanced
toward me.
''Great Heavensr he said, how late
/ you come! Your intended has tainted; and
we were on the very point of driving home
again. .'.r
4 'Half-bewildered and half-emused; 1
resolved toilet the adventure take its 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 bench in the shadow, while another
stood beside her and chafed her temples.
".At lastr cried the latter. God be
praised that you have come! My poor
mistress liked to have died
can aged priest emerged from behind
, the altar, and asked: Can we begin p
| -..--...o.,II fnthorrI or;nd ,,,,