Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-09-05

his face in the house, and it was re.
solved to apprise HIM OF his unexpect-
ed good fortune. But to the astonish-
ment of the proud proprietor of Nema-
radof, the cadet declared that he should
never again cross the threshold of his
house, begging them at the same tine
to forget utterly SO wretched creature
as he, to whom death alone would give
repose.
A few days afterward they learned
that Vladimir had again returned to
the army. 1t was in the year 1872 No
one uttered his name in Marie's pres
ence, and she herself never made men,
ton of his name in any way. Two or
three months had elapsed, when one
day she found lis name among the list
of the officers who had distinguished
themselves in the battle of Borodino
and had been mortally wounded. She
tainted away and had relapse, from
which she recovered but slowly.
Not long after her father died be-
lueathing his whole fortune 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 an
other estate. Suitors thronged round
the wealthy and amiable heiress, but
none of them received the slightest en-,
enlargement from her. Often did her
mother press her to choose husband
she would merely shake her head in
silence. Vladimir was no more he
l;a1 at Mnuaauy fhn he
the entrance of the French. Marie
seemed to hold his memory sacred /;
she carefully preser ed 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 remembrance of the i'll fated
youth.
About this time the war, fraught
with such glory to the allies, of whom
Russia was one, came TO an end The
victorious regiments returned home,
and large crowds of people hocked to-
gethe' to greet them. Officers who had
gone forth as beardless youths came
back with the grave faces of warriors,
their gallant breasts covered with
badges
A lieutenant of hussars, Wurman by
name, with an interestingly pale face,
and decorated with the cross of St.
George, having obtained leave of alb
sence for several months, took up MS
residence upon his estate, which all
Joined Marie's present abode The
young girl received him with far more
favor than she had hitherto shown to
any of her visitors. They resembled
each other in many respects; both were
handsome, intelligent, taciturn and
reserved. There was something mys-
terious about Wurmin, which reused
the curiosity and interest OF Marie.
His affection for her was soon unmis-
taxable; he showed her every conceiv-
able attentions but why did he never
speak of love, though his dark ardent
eyes would rest upon hers half dream
lily, half with an expression that seem
ed to announce an early and positive
declaration2 Already the neiohbors
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.
Ona 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 III
white, sitting under tree by the side
of the pond, a book upon her lap, like
a heroine of romance. The usual salu
tations over, Wurmin who was strange
~ agitated, told her how he had long
yearncd to pour out his heart before
her, and begged that she would listen
to him a few moments. She closed her
book, and nodded in token Of assent.
q love you," said Wurmin, Il love
Won passionately.
IIarie cast down her eyes.
Il have been imprudent enough to
see you, to hear you-dally. 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 anguish of my existence. But /
have a duty to preform towards you:
| must reveal to you secret, winch
has placed an irsurmountable barrier
between us.
THAT barrier" murmured Marie,
"existed always could never have
become YOURS"
Il 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 de-
priye me of my last comfort of the