West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-05-29

and Bourminc grew morose and mel.
ancholy--he nc longer made the slight
est effort TO conceal the passion which
held him in thrall The neighbors spoke
of the approaching marriage as of a Ger.
tain thing, and the good Pascowia Pc.
trowna was Overjoyed at the seeming
realization Of her dearest wish.
| One day she was alone i'm the parlor
when Bourmlne entered and inquired
| for Maria
You will find her in the garden"
said the old lady; ego; / will await YOU
here. Bourmine stepped out and thC
good mother prayed as she crossed her
self; May the good God settle il all
to-day" Maria, just like the heroine
in novel, was seated ON "A rustic bench
under "a willow tree, listlessly turning
over the leaves of n book. Her white
dress contrasted prettily with the dark
rustic background. Bourmine APP
preached and stood over her.
Maria, the time has come when
must lay bare my heart before you.
love you-I love you passionatelv. "
Maria blushed and lowered her eyes:
"but / have acted wickedly-ma dly, i'm
allowing myself TO remain i'm your sweet
presence day after day. 1t is now too
late to strive against fate; the memory
of your dear face will be for evermore
my Joy and my torment. / have still a
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
revile fate | never could have been
your wife.
Eyes" sighed Bourmine. IL know
you have loved; but death has Cancelled
your vows; you would have been mine,
L know it feel tin spite of youI
former love, if n cruel fate has not con
demned me to misery. Maria, | am
married."
Married. She had never thought
of mat!
yes" continued Bourmine. 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, lis it possible? But go on,
too-rfor PHYS sake, go on, beseech
your Trembling with suppressed
emotion. Bourmine Went on:
Eat the beginning of the year 1872 |
was hurTying to join my regiment 1T
Wilma While getting change OF
horses heavy snowfall came on, and |
was earnestly advised not to proceed on
my journey until il had abated / would
not listen, however, and i'm spite of all
protestations started as soon as the
horses were hitched; it seemed as if n
mysterious and irresistible force were
impelling me forward. We took the
| 81 out 20,
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, ut haphazard, and YOU can well
imagine how welcome was 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!'
81 suspected it was not they wanted.
but drew up nevertheless.
IA young man sprang forward:
your bride has tainted, he said and
the priest is at loss what TO don
"A wicked thought flashed through
my mind What an adventure to tell
my fellow-officers, Without answering
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
maid bathed her forehead and temples
with handkerchief stepped i'm vinegar.
Thank God, you have come" ex-
claimed the woman; your delay has
almost killed my poor mistressn
The priest then drew near: Sir.
there Is no time to lose; we may be sur
prised at any moment; make haster
But the young lady can hardly
stand, l objected
60 1t will be sufficient if she can saw
Yes he answered.
ut was not too late / might still
turn back, but the idea of such a won
derful adventure got the better of me:
moreover | might imagine such a cere-
mOny would be valid
wish it. '' Oh
Inc DIIue was already AT the altar
supported by her maid / 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
on are now one, embrace each
other and fly, cried the irrepressible
young man.
Nothing 10th, turned to nv bride
and gently drawing her toward me.
bent to Kiss the poor pale face. barely
discernible i'm the dim light One
glance, and then with cry OF horror
th2t will ring i'm my ears forever: Oh
IT Is not he!' the poor girl fell backward
IN dead faint The priest and wit
nesses rushed 10 assist her. and i'm the
confusion that followed made INV es-
cape unnOticed.
Great heavens exclaimed Maria
trembling violently. land YOU know
not what became Of your unfortunate
brde?'
Maria, what is the matfer2 I'm Heav.
en- name tell me
II asked you. imprriOu-iv demand
ed Maria, disrcgarding Bourminc., an.
peal II you know what became of voir
unfortunate wife
Ono. answered hc subduei by her
manner. j dO not know the name of
the village whore ! was married. nor do
4 remember where ! -iOpped To- chance