The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1876-11-17

moved To another estate. SultOrS tnrOnged
around the wealthy and amiabe heiress
but none of them received the slightest
encouragement from her. Often did her
mother press her to choose a husband-she
would merely 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 mem
ory 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 70 keep alive
| the remem brance of the ill-fated youth.
! About this time Che war, fought with
such glory to the allies, of which Russia
was one, came to an end. The victorious
regiments returned home, and large crowds
of people fiocked together to greet them.
! Officers who had gone forth as beardlcss
youths came back with the grave faces of
warriors, and their gallant breasts covered
with badges.
A Lieutenant of hussars, Wurmin by
name, with an interestingly pale face, and
decorated with tie cross of st. George,
having obtained leave of absence for sew
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 resembled
each other in many respects bDth were
handsome, intelligent, taciturn and re-
| served. There was something mysterious
about Wurmin, which reused the curiosity
and interest of Marie. His affection Cor
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 pos
tive declaration? Already the neighbors
spoke of their marriage settled matter,
and Mother Petrowna was more than happy
at the thought of her daughter finding a
worthy husband at last.
One morning, when The latter was sitting
in the parlor, Wurmin entered aud 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
garden.
Petrowa crossed herself, muImuring
God. be praised To-day, trust, his visit
will have some result.''
Wurmin found his beloved, clad in
white, sitting undera tree by the side of the
pond, book upon her lap, like a heroine
of romance. Observation-Disclosures over
Wurmn who was strangely agitated, told
how he had long yearned 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 tokens of assent.
81 love you," said Wurmin--'I love you
passionately."
Marie cast down her eyes.
Il have been imprudent enough to SEQ
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 hence
+ forth constitute the joy and the anguish of
, my existenae. But l have duty to per-
form toward you l must reveal to yoa a
secret, which has placed an insurniountable
barrier between u.s."
THAT barrier,' murmured Marie, ''exists
always-I could never have become yours. u
81 KNOW replied Wurmin, in a sup
5 pressed Voice, ''that you have loved before
5 but death-thIee long years of mourning
dearest Marie, do not deprive me of my
last comfort, of the blissful thought that
r you might become mine if
"Cease, l conjure you You rend my
| heaitp'
D eyes, you will grant me the comfort oi
S knowing that you would have become
5 mine but, most etched of men that
/ AMI am already married -
Marie gased up at him with look of as
y tonshment.
+ eyes, married for four years." continued
, the Lieutenant, "and | do not know either
| who my wife is, where she is, or whether
] shall ever meet her.
explain yourself more clearly" said
, the girl.
, s'I love you, Marie, and will confide in
you. You shall know all, and you will not
Judge too severely an act of youthful levity.
, 1t was in the year 1912. 1 happened to be
> on my way to wilma, with the intention oi
joining my regiment Late in .he evening
reached station, and had already orGereG
t that the horses should be Instantly put to
/ again, when a fierce snow-stortii suddenly
9 arose. My landlord and the position ur-
gently advised me to postpone my depart
l ure, but was determined to &c i'll spite OF
the rough weather. The postillon had got
t it into his head that, by crossing a small
river, the banks of which were perfectly
] well known to him, he should find shorteI
3 route. He missed the right cruising, how
= ever, and got into region to which he was
an entire stranger. The storm continued
: to rage; at length we deserted a light in
the distance. We made for it and stopped
1 before a church, from the brightly-illumi
Y mated windows of which the light shone
: The door was open, three sleighs were j,