The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-10-12

spiritual; almost mystical, contemplation o, the
When Serge got we'll she was the prey Of an
implacdble, unconscious, immortal love.
Heuoeforth shc belonged to her id,l Present
or absent, he was her ad0rsd master; for him
Alone she bresthed. She would have almopt
was taking him from her had
not tho young. mans weakness obliged
him frequently to seek her aid.
supporting himself with stick In one hand
and resting the other on Msvra's shoulder be
and proud the day. when, to give the oountesHs
surprise, she lei him thus into the little
salon whore the countess, thinking he Was
asleep, was reading devotional book. The
aeltated Joy Of the mother and the nervous
eye. Of the young peasant girl; but stoicsi like
heart
Serge walked alone with . stick, then with
out stick, limping little. By-and-by his
a.nsd elastic a. aoos tread d.. w;s heard again on the
time to time the seignorial mansion,
then melting under the breath Of !
warmer wind, till the great winter blockade
finally set in; Ono day sledge lined with
bells that studded the harness, drew up before
tho DOR. Serge and his mother stepped into
1t, waving a friendly farewell to the household
that tn crowded around with noisy benedic,ions.
Inc countess was to pass the winter at st.
Petersburg, where her son was to resume his
service in the husssrs Of Grodno When they
were gone, when the heavy gate which Mavra
had opened one beautiful August iay was shut
and the snow fell slowly in large fakes, reflect
ing the colors of the prism, it shut out all tho
n tnr NtIl TNNv, =
mansion
Mav'a returned to her embroidery frame, no
longer under the orders of the goo Dacka, but
under the caprcious. titful superintendence of
housekeeper charged IN tho interval with the
workroom department Life was not so easy,
be moro harshness or less kindness. She did
not live i'll the present Hor waking hours were
passed III an innocent ccstasy that wore her
| away without suffering. She did not know this
was love. Had she known it no amount OF
prayers or tears would have been enough to
| expiate her unpard ,uable sin. She loved
just as flowers blossom: her ideal was exalted,
her dream pure, and she lived upon them. One
less chasto would have died. And as regards
| the young count lie had no idea of all this.
Tho countess came back in spring, and the
house resumed its grand, hospi,aDlo ways.
hlavra was profoundly touched to find that her
mistress, far from having forgotten, inquired
kindly after hcr. She ro,urne / to hcr p rsonal
attendance upon the countess with moro de-
voted fervor than ever Later on the young
master was to como back. Dacka conveyed in
q mysterious manner that he had something
better to do than to bury himself in the coun-
try. In the evening sue coutded to the aun-
dress, in interminable whispers, secrets that
were no doubt interesting, but which Mavra
made no tempt to ovcrhcar, being by nature
and taste discreet and reserved
On the eve OF st. John. when young girls
plat crowns of flowers, which they throw into
the river 70 SEQ If they ore to be married
within The year, Mavra went, like the others,
| 10 consult after this graceful fashion.
She never dreamed of marriage; it was
closed world to her, into which she hasi no
d'sire to penetrate; but sho would ait a
crown and wa eli it through the eddiss of the
capr cious stream. The girls had thrown in
their garlands. Mavra's got entangled in
flung in. He was carpenter. Tho two
! crowns whirled around in company aud van
ished together from view ut the bend Of the
river.
Here We are engaged, Mavra." said the car
no" she replied calmly, without blushing.
why? Do you dis ike meg"
No, not more than other people. don't
wish to marry"
This was enough to make the carpenter per-
the length of begging the countess to intcrceds
for him. Marva, sont for by hor mistress,
gave the same exclamation.
"Well, if the child, does not wish to marry,
leave her Alone" said philosophically tho ex-
| ceiient lady, who would have scrupled to force
o fly to drink drop of milk.
And Mavra by her own desire was devoted to
celibacy.
III the month of September Serge returned,
but only for eight days. He brought no dogs
nor eqn,ptses with him this time. When he
raw MavrA he guve her q trvndy smile, and
than tbOu.hf Hhnuf WIon ba
vent away his mother accompanied him, aud
| the house WAS again plunged into solitude long
before The usual time. Six weeks later ths
new. arrived taat the young count was married.
ibis announcement Was tho signal for great
rejoicing. According to anciont usage barre.s
| of sweet beer AMI hydromol were brewed
white bread and meat We're distributed to the
Whole village Tue ponr had abundant aims,
and the whole retlnue OF servants hui now
dress, $. Mavra had handsome blue wooden
dress and silk handkerchief No one was
forgotten; debts i'll AREA were rcmitted. aud
til" young girl Was suddenly tod she might re-
turn for tho wiuter TO her family till her
father could make new arrangements for the
payment i'll kiad of what lie owned.
This was no joyful news for tho young meas
ant girl, but resignation Is an inherent Russian
virtue; she packed mp her clothes in u basker,
and one fine III ,rnins conrageously set OUT ON
| TO 1t for her native village. She WAS received
cuolly by her mother. One mouth more 10
feed! besides which, peasants are sparing OF
| their demonstrations Of affection. After few
days Mlvra rciap'el int, 'r old habits, bent
ali day over her embroidery frame by the mar
row window, i'll the evening standing leaning
against the door, gazing, u, was hor wO 1t, ut
the Stars. More tiIau ever she loved them; be-
hind these marvellous lights, that she likencd
to tcars-for she WIS often sad nOY-sllu saw
tho black eyes and han snms indifferent face
| that had taken possession of her soul. AS long
as she was staying in the grand seignorial
mansion; where tho image of her idol met her
at every step in familiar atii uLo, where sllu
| mad only to close her eyes 10 sec Serge before
her, Mivra was happy; she WAS of those for
| whom tho innocent and daily presence of tic
beloved makes the whole happiness Of life.
Here, where nothing spoke Of him, sho felt
for tho first time the pain OF separation
Cueasy, sho asked herself what it was that
was torluriug her to this degree, and the truth
nearly dawncd upon her. But sue stopped tho
thought. not daring to sound it further, saying
to herself that there must b, at tho root OF ali
this suffering some great sin she herself was
Ignorant Of. Morning and evening she knott
long before the sacred image, inploring God to
deliver her from her pain, and feeling herself
soothed by this efnst,u of mystic tender
uess, she kept her sadness to herself, still re-
fuSing to fathomit But sho was visibly vast.
lug away; the SIN ky u mosphere of her home
had now the same painful influence upon her
that tho want Of fresh air had formerly wlIull
she first left her village. She passed the
winter suffering, uncomolain;ng, unreiaxins
in her work. Gradually she gWs up looking
at the stars. Not only did they more than ever
look like tears, but ho SO ,ner did sac turn hor
eyes toward tho bright sky dian they Tiled with
tears, So that she hardly knew whetherl 1t was the
fires Of heaven or her own tears that spurklsd
beneath her eyelids
Spring came, though moro tardy than usua!.: