The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-07-30
Grbe Qintes, New Bloomfield, 1Da.

1t was in the year 1912. No one uttered
his name in Marie's presence, and she her
Self never made mention 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 Borodino, and had
been mortally wounded. She tainted away
and had "a relapse, from which she recover
ed but slowly.
Not long after her father died. bequeath-
ing his 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
another estate. Suitors thronged round
the wealthy and amiable heiress; but none
of them received the slightest encourage
ment from her. Often did her mother press
her to choose husband-she would mere
ly 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 memory sacred; she
carefully preserved the books they had
read together, his sketches, the letters he
had written to her-in brief, everything
that could serve to keep alive the remem-
brance of the Inflated youth.
About this time the war fraught with
such glory to the allies, of whom Russia
was also one, came to an end. The victori-
GUS regiments returned home, and large
crowds of people focked together to greet
them. Officers who had gone forth as
beardless youths, came back with the grave
faces of warriors, their gallant breasts COW
cred 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 absence for sever
al 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 visitors. They resemble each
other in many respects; both were hand
some, intelligent, taciturn, and reserved.
There was something mysterious about
Wurmin, which reused the curiosity and
interest of Marie. His affection for her
was soon unmistakable; he showed her
every conceivable attention; 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 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 sitting
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, murmuring:
"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,
a book upon her lap, like heroine of TO-
nance. The usual salutations over, Wur-
min, who was strongly 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.
81 love you," said Wurmin, "I love
you passionately."
Marie cast down her eyes.
81 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 an
guish of my existence. But have duty
to perform towards you; must reveal to
you secret, which has placed an insur-
mountable barrier between u.s.
That barrier" murmured Marie, eek
listed always-I could never have become
yours"
81 know" replied Wurmin, in a 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, of the blissful thought that
you might become mine, if"
Cease, conjure you You read my
heart
Yes, you will grant me the comfort of
knowing that you would have become mine;
but most wretched of men that 1 AMI
am already married 70