The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-09-13

a settled matter, and mother Pctrow.
ma was more than happy at the
thought of her daughters finding n
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. "fou will find my
daughter there if you would like to
see her"
The young officer hastily walked
ont into the garden.
Petrowna crossed herself, murmnr.
ing; God be praised To-day, |
trust, his visit will have some result"
Wu:min found his beloved, clad in
white, sitting under a tree by the side
of the pond, book upon her lap, like
heroine oil romance. The usual sal
uta,ions over. Wurmin. who was
strangely agitated, told her how he
had long yearncd to pour out his
heart before her and begged that she
would listen 10 him few moments.
She closed her book, aud nodded III
token OF assent.
II love you" sid Wurmin. II
love you passionately."
Marie cast down her eyes.
Il have been imprudent enough TO
see you, to hear you-daily. 1t is
now too late 10 escape my fate. The
thought of your lovely lace, Of your
sweet voice, will heneeiorth constitute
the joy aud anguish OF my existence.
But have duty 10 perform toward
you; ! must reveal To- you secret
which has placed al insurmountabtc
barrier between us."
That barrier murmured Marie,
EXISTED alwavs-I could meyer have
become yours"
II know replied Wurmin, in a
suppressed voice, that You loved be.
fore; but dcaih--threc long years OF
mourniug--ticarest Marie, 10 not de
prive me OF my last comfort, OF the
blissiul thought you might become
mine, if
Cease, l conjure you! You rtnd
my heart!"
Yes. YOU will grant mc the CON
fort OF knowing that you would have
become mine; bat, most wretched OF
men that ami am already mar
r!edm e.
Marie gazed up at him with look
Of astonis shmcut.
Yes, married Tor four years" con.
tined the lieutenant, 'and do not
know tcho my wife is, tohcre she is, or
whether shall ever meet her"
"ESplaln yourself more clearly
said the girl.
Il love you, Marie, and will coniidc
in you. You shaIl know all, and you
will not judge too severely an act oi
youthful lcyity. II was ia the year
1872 ! happened TO be on my way
To Wilma, with the intention oil join
ing my regiment. Late in the even.
| iug reached station, aid had al
rea ~ ordeied that horses should III.
staniiy be put To again, when fierce
snow storm suddenly arose. Ny
landlord and the poslillion urgently
advised me to postpone my dep ut.
urc; but | was determ.ned - 20 III
spite OF the rough weather. The
postillion had got it into his bead
that by crossing q small river, the
banks Of winch were perfectly well
known TO him, he should fad short.
er route. lie missed the right cross.
ing, however, and got into u region to
which he was All entire stranger
The storm continued TO rage; ai
length We deserted L light at q DIS
tance. We made for il, and stopped
before church, from the brightly II.
Illuminated windows Of which the light
shone The door was open, three
sIeighs were in front of it, and saw
several persons i'll the vestibule. One
OF them called TO me: This way this
waym got out and walked toward
the vestibule.
"The person who called advanced
toward me.
"'Great heavensr he said. how late
you come Your intended has tainted
and we were on the very point oi
driving home again"
Half and half.amazed
| remained, resolved to let the ad
venture take its course. And, indeed
| had but little time for reflection
Ny friends tugged me into the interi
or OF the church, which was poorly
lighted, with two or three lamps. A
female was setting upon bench in
the shadow, while another stood be
side her and chafed her temples.
"'At last cried the latter, God be
praised that you have come My poor
mistress liked to have died"
"An aged priest emerged from be
hind the altar, and asked, "Can We
begin p
"Begin, reverend father" / cried
unadvlsedly.
"They assisted the half,unconsciou'
girl TO arise; she appeared to be very
pretty. In fit OF objectionable, anc
now uncomprehensible levity, readi
ly stepped with her to the ALTA. He
maid and The three gentlemen pres
ent were SO much busted with her al
scarcely to throw look at me. Be
sides. the light in this part of the
church was dim, and my head wa
mufIied in the hood OF my cloak.
'In a few minutes the. nuptial cere
mony was over, and the priest, accord
ingly to custom, desired the new.
married pair to embrace.
"My young wife turned her pale
charming little face toward me, an,
, was ABOUT to rest her head upon m,
f shoulder with a sweet smile-wheu
suddenly, she stared at me as
turned into stone, tottered, and wit
| II 5j,, W f.,n g.. .,