The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-05-08

veil that still conceals the barrier which
separates us forever
There is also an insurmountable OBJ
stacle on my side,' said Maria; ..do not
revile fate. ! never could have been
your wife.
Yes sighed Bourmine, 81 know
you have loved; but death has cancelled
your vows; you would have been mine,
[ know i'll feel tin spite of your
| former love, if cruel fate has not con-
demned me to misery. Maria, I am
married.
"Marriedr She had never thought
of that!
"Yes," continued Bourmine, s'mar-
ried three years ago, and stranger still,
married without knowing to whom, nor
having the vaguest idea where my wife
is, nor whether / shall ever see her
again.
"What!' exclaimed Maria Gabriel
owna, sis it possiblep But go on.
too-for PHYS sake, go on, [ beseech
you!" Trembling with suppressed
emotion, Bourmine went on:
SAT the beginning of the year 1912 /
was hurrying to join my regiment at
Wilma. While getting change of
horses heavy snowfall came on, and l
was earnestly advised not to proceed on
my journey until it had abated. | would
not listen, however, and in spite of all
protestasions started as soon as the
horses were hitched; it seemed as if a
mysterious and irresistible force were
| impelling me forward. We took the
short cut to Wilma, and started at a
brisk pace. In some unaccountable
manner, perhaps owing to the roads be-
ing almost wholly obliterated under a
heavy mantle of snow, we soon found
ourselves astraY, and my coachman was
obliged to confess himself completely
at loss how to continue. We drove
on, then, at haphazard, and you can well
imagine how welcome $as the sight of
lights ahead. These lights brought us
to small village, and we saw that the
largest proceeded from the open door
of church. AS we approached ]
perceived there were several sleighs
in the yard, and two or three people
grouped together ON the porch, who, as
we drove up, cried:
"'Here! here! good gracious, how late
you are!'
Il suspected it was not they wanted,
but drew up nevertheless.
"a young man sprang forward:
your bride has fainted,' he said, and
the priest is at a loss what to do'
"a wicked thought flashed through
my mind. What an adventure to tell
my fellow-oficers! Without answering
l ran up the steps and entered the
church, dimly lighted by one lamp.
A young girl reclining on bench with
her head leaning against the wall, while
a maid bathed her forehead and temples
with a handkerchief stepped in vinegar.
Thank God, you have comet ex-
claimed the woman; your delay has
almost killed my poor mistressr
''The priest then drew near: Sir,
there is no time to lose; we may be sur
prised at any moment; make haste!
SO But the young lady can hardly
stand, l objected.
go 1t will be sufficient if she can say
Yesn he answered.
ut was not too late. I might still
turn back, but the idea of such won
derful adventure got the better of me;
moreover might imagine such cere-
mony would be valid.
as Well then, I said, since you all
wish it.
''The bride was already at the altar,
supported by her maid. 1 advanced
and placed myself beside her, wrapped
in my large fur cloak. The priest did
not keep us waiting, and in few mo-
ments all was over.
"'You are now one, embrace each
other and fly cried the irrepressible
young man.
Nothing loth I turned to my bride,
and gently drawing her toward me,
bent to kiss the poor pale face, barely
discernible in the dim light One
glance, and then with cry of horror
that Will ring in my ears forever: oh,
it is not he!' the poor girl fell backward
in dead faint. The priest and wit
nesses rushed to assist her. and in the
confusion that followed I made my es-
cape unnoticed."
"Great heavens!' exclaimed Maria,
trembling violently, land you know
not what became of your unfortunate
bride?"
Maria, what is the matterp In Heav.
ems name tell me"
Il asked you," imperiously demand
ed Maria, disregarding Bourmine's APP
peal, if you know what became of your
unfortunate wife,"
'No," answered he subdued by her
manner; Il do not know the name OF
the village where was married, nor do
! remember where I stopped to change
horses. Moreover, l never believed
that marriage binding, and used to
speak of it as a good joke, until one
day friend, less thoug htless than l,
frightened me by insisting 1 was really
married-bound forever, in this world
and the next. Ever since [ have sought
my wife in vain. But, Maria, you are
pale, my darling!-you tremble!-speak
to me-"
"Merciful Fatherr' exclaimed the
young girl, clasping her hands, Il
thank Thee. 1t was then you, Bour-
mine? Oh, how wretched would have
been our lot had we never met; or hav-
ing met, had we not loyed!'
Bourmine shuddered, and then, over
come with joy, fell on his knees before
his wife. - Translated from the Russian
of PoWScItkiaae for the San Francisco dr.