Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-08-03

She closed her book, and nodded In token
Of assent. ...
al love you," said wurmin, 81 love
you passlonately."
Marie cast down her eyes.
have been lmpruient enough 10 see
you, to hear you daily. II 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 II duty
to perform towards youi must reveal to
you a secret, which has placed an insur-
mountable barrier between u.s."
"That harder," murmnred Marle "cx-
listed always-1 could never have become
yours"
"I know replied wurmin, In a sup
pressed voice, that you have loved be-
fore; 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, il"
"Cease, | conlure you You rend my
heart 4"
"Yes, you will grant me the comfort Of
knowing that you would have become
minei but, most wretched Of men that
ami am already married "
Marie gazed vt him with look Of as
tonishment'
eyes, married for four years." contin'
Hed the Lieutenant, "and ! do not know
either pho my wife is, uhsre she is, or wheth-
er ] shall ever meet her."
" Explain yourself more clearly" said
the girl.
81 love you, sIarie, and will coniide in
YOU. You shall know all, and you will
not Judge too severely au act Of youthful
levity. II was in tue year lsl2. happen
ed to be on my way to wilma, with the in
tention of joining my regiment. Late in
the evening | reached station, and had
already ordered that horses should Instant
ly be put to again, when fierce snow
storm suddenly arose. My landlord and
the position urgently advised me to post
pone my departure; but was determined
to 20 iu spite of the rough weather. The
position had got it into his head that, by
crossing a small river, the banks of which
were perfectly well known to him, be
should and shorter route. He missed
the right crossing, however, aud got into
a region TO which he was IN entire sirang-
or. The storm continued TO rage; at
faI Ia. g.
We made for il, and stopped before u
church, from the brightly Illuminated
windows of which the light shono. The
door vas opened, three sleighs were in
front Of it, aud saw several persons in
the vcstibule One OF them called to me
This way! this way' got out and
walked toward the vestibule."
The person who had called advanced
toward me.
Z" Great Heavens he said, show late
you come Your intended has flinted,
and we were on the very point OF driving
home again
" IInlf-bewildered and half-amuscd re-
solved TO let the adventure take its course.
And, indeed, had little time 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 Whlle anoth-
er stood beside her and chafed her temples.
"'At last cried the latter. God be
praised that you have come! My poor
mistress like to have died.
An aged priest emerged from behind
the altar, and asked Can we begin !
Begin, reverend father " | cried, I'M
adyisedly.
"They assisted the halt-unconscious
Erl to rise, she appeared to be very pretty
Ina tit OF nnpardonahle' anu no" quite in-
comprehensive, levity, ! readily stepped
with her to the altar. Her maid and the
three gentlemen present were 50 much
busted with her as scarcely 10 throw
look at me. Besides, the light in this part
Of the church was dim, and my mead was
mufled in the hood of my cloak.
." In a few minutes the nuptinl ccremo-
ny was over, and the priest, according to
custom, desired the newly-marricd pair to
embrace.
"My Young wife turned her pale, charm
ing little face toward me, aud was about
to rest her head npon my shoulder with a
sweet smile-when, suddenly, she stared
at me rs if turned into stone, tottcred, and
with cry of 'lt is not he - fell 10 the
door.
" An the furies OF hell lashed me ont of
the church. Before anyone could think OF
staying me had Jumped into my sleigh.
seized the reins, and was soon beyond the
reach of pursuit"
The lieutenant was silent. Marie. also
pnzed in silence to the ground.
"Aud have YOU never discovered what
hecame of the uoor girl 20 she finally
asked.
d" Never. know neither the name of
,t.. ~ .,..i.., t.,.. ,..,. A.