The Red Cloud chief., 1885-05-15

a~ncholy-he no longer made the slight
est eAor. TO conceal the passion which
held him in thralL The neighbors spoke
of the approaching marriage as Of q cer-
tain thing. and the good Pascowia Pc
trowna was overioyed al the seeming
realization of her dearest wish.
One day she was alone in the par!or
when Bourmine entered and inquired
for Maria
"'Yoa will find her ia the garden"
said the old lady: Ego; I will await you
here" Bourmine stepped out and the
good mother PRAYED as she crossed her
self: MAY the good God settle il al
to-day" Maria, just like the heroine
in q novel, was seated on a rustic bench
under q willow tree. lisilessly turning
over the leaves Of a book. Her white
dress con,ras,ed prettily with the dark
rustic background. Bourmine APP
preached and stood over her.
Maria, the time has come whe0 /
must lay bare my heart before you. |
love you'll love you passionately."
Maria blushed and lowered her eyes;
..but l have acted wickedly-madly. in
allowing myself to remain in your sweet
presence day after day II is now too
late TO strive against fate; the memory
of your dear face will be for evermore
nv Joy and my torment. l have still .
duty to perform; l must draw aside the
veil that still ~cOnceals the barrier which
separates us forever"
There is also an insurmountable OBJ
stacle on my side" said Maria; do not
revie fate. never could have been
your WIFE"
.'Yes." sighed Bourmine. Il know
you have loved; but death has Cancelled
your VOWS: You would have been mine.
| know it feel tin spite Of youl
former love. if a cruel fate has not con
demned me to misery. Maria, l am
married."
..Married!" She had never thought
of Ma,!
Yes" continued Bourmine. ''mar-
riei three years ago. and stranger still.
married without knowing to whom. o
having the vagucst idea where my wife
is. nor whether l shall ever see her
again"
..Whatr.' exclaimed Maria Gabriel.
owna, lis it possible' But 60 on.
too-for PHYS sake. go on. besecch
you" Trembling with suppressed
emotion. BOurmine went On:
AT the beginning OF the year 1872 ]
was hurrying to join my regiment al
Wilma. While getting u change Of
horses a heavy snowfall came on, and l
was earnestly advised not to proceed on
my journey until it hsd abated. / would
not listen. however. AID in spite Of all
prO~testatiOns started a soon as the
horses were hitched; it seemed rs ii a
mysterious and irresistibl. force were
impelling ME forward. We took the
short cut to Wilma, and started ut a
brisk pace. In some unaccOuntable
manner. perhaps owing to the roads be-
ing almost wholly Obliteratcd under a
heavy mantle of snow. we soon found
ourselves astray, and my coachman was
obliged to confess himself completely
at a loss how to continue. We drove
on. then. at haphazard. and You ear well
imagine how welcome was the sight of
lights ahead. These lights brought us
to a small village. and we saw that the
largest proceeded from the open door
of a church. As We approached l
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 arc!'
IL suspected it vas not l they wanted,
but drew up nevertheless.
"a young man sprang forward:
.your bride has tainted he said. and
the priest is at q loss what to dor
"A wicked thought flashed through
my mind. What an adventure to tell
my fellow-ofiicers! 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 come" OK
claimed the woman; your delay has
almost killed my poor mistress!
1.-The priest then drew near: Sir.
there is no time to lose; we may be sur
prised at any moment: make haste!'
"'But the young lady can hardly
stand I objected.
80 1t will be sufficient if she can say
Yes!' he answered.
1T was not too late. I might still
turn back. but the idea Of such a won
dcrful adventure got the better Of me;
moreover l mi ht imagine such a ere
mony would be valid.
"'Well theh,' l said. since you al.
wish it
1.-The bride was already Mt the altar.
supported BY her maid. l advanced
and placed myself beside her. wrapped
in my large tIr cloak. The priest did
not keep us waiting. and in a few mo-
mentsa all vas over.
"'1Ou are now one. embrace each
other and n.y. cried the irreprcssible
young man.
Nothing 10th. l turned to my bride.
and gently drawing her toward me.
bent 10 kiss the poor pale face, barely
discernible in the dim light One
glance, and then with q cry Of horror
that will ring in my ears forever: oh.
it is not he!' the poor girl fell backward
in 3 dead faint. The priest and wit
nesses rushed TO assist her, and in the
confusion that followed / made my e.
cape unnoticed."
Great heayens!' exclaimed Maria,
trembling violently. land you know
not what became Of your unfortunate
bride:'
Maria. what Is the natter In HeAv-
ems name tell me-"
Il asked you." imperiously demand
ed Maria. disregarding Bourmine's ap-
peal Il you know what became of your
unfortunate wife"
mo-" answered he subdued By her
manner; Il do not know the name Of
the village where | was married. nor do