Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-11-10

| Inc uay pasSeu as usual, DuJ instead
of the looked.for improvement a serious
change for the worSe took place in Ma
rie's condition. The family physician
was summoned from the nearest town,
who found her in state of most violent
fever. For fourteen days she lay at the
point of death.
Nothing transpired Of the nocturnal
flight, for the maid took good care to
keep silence on her own account, and
the others who knew of it never be-
trayed themselves with a syllable, so
greatly did they dread Gabrilovitch's
anger.
Marie, however, spoke so necessarily
of Vladimir, when delirious, that her
mother could not remain in doubt as to
the cause of her illness. Having advised
with few friends, her parents resolved
to let Marie marry the young soldier, see
ing that one cannot escape ones fate,
and, besides that, riches do not always
lead to happiness.
The patient recovered During her
illness Vladimir had not once shown his
face in the house, and It was resolved to
apprise him of his unexpected good-fort-
une But, to the astonishment of the
det declared that he should never again
cross the threshold of his house, begging
them at the same time to forget utterly
30 wretched a 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 1912. No one
uttered his name in Marie's presence,
and she herself 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 themselves at the
battle of Borodino and been mortally
wounded. She tainted away and had a
relapse, from which she recovered but
slowly.
Not long after her father died, be-
queathing the 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 Nemara-
dof and removed to another estate.
SuitOrs thronged around the wealthy and
amiable heiress; but none of them re-
ceived the slightest encouragement from
her. Often did her mother press her to
choose a husband-shc 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 men,
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 to keep alive the remembrance of
the Inflated youth.
About this time the war, fought with
such glory to the allies, of which Russia
was one, came to an end. The victo
rious regiments returned home, and
large crowds of people flocked together
to greet them. Officers who had gone
forth as beardless 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 the cross of st.
George, having obtained leave of alb
sence for several months, took up his
residence upon his estate, which ad-
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 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 declarations Already the
neighbors spoke of their marriage as
settled matter, and Mother Petrowna
was more than happy at the thought of
her daughter finding worthy husband
at last.
One morning, when the latter was sit
ting 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:
I" God be praisedl To-day, trust, his
Nlsll VIII nave some result.
Wllrmin found his beloved, clad in
white, sitting under tree by the side of
the pond, book upon her lap, like a
heroine Of romance. The usual saluta-
tions over, Wurmin, 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 token of assent.
81 love you," said Wurmin-"I love
you passionately."
Marie cast down her eyes.
" have been imprudent enough to see
you, to hear you-daily. 1t is now too
ate to escape my fate, The thought of
FOUR lovely face, of your sweet voice,
will henceforth constitute the Joy and
Ihe anguish of my existence. But have
A duty to perform toward you; must re-
veal to you a secret, which has placed
IN insurmountable barrier between u.s."
THAT barrier" murmured Marie,
. exists always could never have be-
come yours"
81 KNOW" replied Wurmin, in sup
pressed voice, THAT you have loved be-
Iorei but death-three long years of
nourning-dearest Marie, do not de-
priye me of my last comfort, of the bliss
iul thought that you might become mine
f."
Cease, ] coniure youI You rend my
leartp
Yes, you will grant me the comfort
'f knowing that you would have become
nine; but, most wretched OF men that l
lm--l am already maTriedp
Marie gazed up at him with look Of