Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-05-29


. killed at Moscow on the eve of tie en-.
trance OF the French troops His memory
seemed sacred to Maria, who tenderly treas
urei all the momentoes of her lost love-his
sketches, letters. POEMS and the books they
had read together: the neighbors commented
wonderingiy upon such unusual constancy,
ana awaited with much interest the coming
OF the hero who was to triumph over the
melancholy constancy of this new Artemisia
The war ended gloriously for Russia; Ter
legions returned victorious, and were re-
ceivei everywhere with vociferous and joy
Gus acciamations. Mothers and sis ers, with
tears Of JOY IN their eyes. pressed to their
hearts the youths who had left them, now
grown into manhood, bronzei by exposure,
hardened BY fatigue and privation-
now returned covere with glory. Perhaps
Maria and her mother, living so far out of
the way, were among the very few who
took no part in the general enthusiasm. The
monotony of their lives, though, was even
there disturbed by the advent Of the dashins
young Col Bourminc. before whom her
usual train Of adorers had to retreat. He
took all hearts by storm with his brilliant
hussar uniform, fascinating manner, and
the cross oi St George, which glistened on
his breast He was about u years Of
age, and had come to an al Joining
property on leave OF absence Maria soon
learned to look forward to his frequent Wis
it, and her habitual melancholy disap-
| pearei like snow under the genial rays Of
an April sun Indeed BDurmins might well
inspire infat'atIon. His outward appear
ance and manner were OF the kind to tax. a
woman's fancy. Toward Maria he was full
| Of all those tender Little attention; 50 cap
tivating to youn; girl Though 50 gentle
] and ntnfl,.St n mani ha h. h.,
tson of being very reckless but this, in Ma
! iia'5 eyes, as well as in many anothers, was
rnther an advantage than otherwise. One
/ thing however, puzzled her-undoubtedly
/ Bournine loved her, and in her Utmost soll
! she confe ssel to liking for him
( why, then, did he not speak. Why such
marked attentions, wistful looks and yet
no; Il word of loves Why did he not
throw himself at her feet and declare his
/ passion. Was it the natural shyness OF love,
or was lie seeking TO win her affections only
1 10 cast them asilei IL was an enigma she
/ could not solve. There must be q mystery
| somewhere, and this idea enough to fire
/ Maria's romantic imagination. She deter
minei, with a womans natural inclination
t. coquetry, TO bring him with the confession
OF his secret to her teet. Languishing looks,
pensve brow, a gentle sigh, soon had the
Z
and melancholy-he no longer made the
slightest effort To conceal the passion which !
held him in thrall The neighbors spoke OF
the approaching marriage Us of a certain |
thing, and the good Pascowia Petrowna was |
overJoyed az the seeming realization Of heI |
dearest wish.
One day She was alone in the parlor wher /
Bourmine entered and inquired for Maria
you will find her in the garden" said |
the old lady; go; will await you here.
Bourmine stepped cut, and the good mother
prayed as she Ell herself: May the
good Col settle IL all to-day" Mari, lust
like the heroine in novel, was seated on a
rustic telch under willow tree listlessly
turning over the leaves of a book Her
white dress contrastei pret;iiy with the
dark rustic background. Bourmine ap-
preached and stood over her
Mara, tn, time has come when | must
lay bare my heart before you'll love you
i love You passionately." Maria blushed
and lowered her eyes; but 1 have
acted wickedly - madly, in allow.
Ing myself TO remain in your
sweet presence day after day 1t is now to-
late to strive against fate; the memory O.
your dear face VIII be forevermore my joy
and my torment | have still a duty to per
form; | must draw aside the veil that still
conceals the barrier which separates lis for
ever
There Is also an insurmountable obstacle
On my side, said Maria; do not revile fate
i 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 i'll fee
it-in spite of your former love- if a cruel
fate hal not CONDEMNED me to misery
Maria. am marriei.'
Married. She had never thought OF
that,
Yes continued b urmine, married
three years ago, and stranger still, married
without knowing to whom, nor having the
vaguest idea Were my wife Is, nor whether
| shall ever see her again.
WHAT exclain,ed Maria Gabrielowna,
as it possibiei But go on, too-for PITY.
sake. go ON. / be>eech your Trembling
with suppres,e emoti H. Bourmine went on: |
AT the beginning OF the year 1872 was
hurrying 10 join my regiment at Wilma
While getting change of horses at Novroi .
q heavy snowfall came on, AMI | was .
earnestly advised not to proceed on my
journey until it had abatei would not ,
l,..en, however. and in spite OF al pro:esta- j
tinaS started as soon rs tie horses w,rs
irr Die force were imysliing ms
forward. We took the short cut t wilma.
ani started at brisk pace. In I'm, unac- '
coun;abe manner, perhaps owing t. the
roads being almost wholly oaliteratai under
n heavy mantle of snow. We soon found our.
selves astr..y, AMI my coachman WAS obliged |
10 confess himself completely at Il loss how
u continue. We drove on, then, n; hapLaz-
ard anI you can well imagine how welcome {
was the sight Of lights ahead. The-e lights
brought US 70 SINAI! village. and We saw t
that the largest pr,c,e lei from the open {
door of a church. A. We approached per- !
ce!vei there were several sleishs in the 4
yard. AMI two or three p,ope grouped to- {
eethcr on the porch who, Is We drove up 4
cried 4
Here! here! good gracious. how late Il
You areT t
drew up nevertheless 4
~ young man sprang forward: Your !,
bride has tainted he said. and the priest i II
At loss what TO dor /
a wicked thought flashed through NV
mind, What am adventure to tell NV fel. Y
ow otiicor>l Without answering. ran up :
he steps anl entered the chanch dimly =
gdtei by one lamp A young sirl reciinej i
III bench with her head leaning against 4
he wall, while mail bathei her forehead b
mn temples with tanlkerchief s:eepad in L
'ine-ar T.
Thank God, YOU have COME exclaimed !,
he woman; your delay has almost killed :
ny poor Mistress !,
The priest then drew near; SIR, there is b
10 time 20 lose; we may be surprised AZ any e
moment; MAKE haste =
But the young lady can hardly stand 4
ibjected Il
Ii Will be sufficient if she can say yesr ;.
le answered. \
1t was not too late. ! might still turn ;,
'ack, but the idea OF such wonderful ai- Il
'en;ure got the better Of M: moreover Il
lever imagined such q Ceremony would be Il
aid
Well thon,' l said, since you ali +
wish it, u
The bride was already 1t the altar sup 4
ortei b. her maid. / advanced and placed ii
myself beSids her. wrapped in nv large fur d.
soak. lac priest did not keep u waiting. III
nj m a few moments sl WAS over. u
on are now one, embrace each other "a
nj f'y. cried thu IrTepressibie young man =
Nothing 10th, | turned TO my bride, AMI n
entity drawing her toUari ne bent = kiss a.
be poor pale face. barely di,cernibis in the ~
i'm light One glance and then with cry a.
horror that viii ring IN my ears forever. az
Oh, II 1 no; be; the poor girl fell backward %
i dead faint The prizes: and witnesses - -
lshei to assist her. and in the confusion -
bat followed | made my escape unnotced"
Treat heavenS.T exclaimed Maria tren- h