The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-10

overjoyed at the seeming realization Of her
dearest wish.
One day she was alone in the parlor wher
Bourmine entered and inquired for Maria
you will find her Ia the garden" said
the old lady; go; ] will await you here
Bourmine stepped out, and the good mother
prayed as she cros ed herself: MAY the
good God settle it ali to-day" Maria, just
like the heroine in novel, was seated on
rustic bench under a willow tree hstlessly
turning over the leaves of a book HeI
white dress contrasted prettily with the
dark rustic background Bourmine ap
preached enI stood over her.
Maria, the time has come when must
lay bare m heart before you'll love you
Il love yoh passionately." Maria blushed
and lowered her eyes; "but 1 have
acted wickedly madly, in allow
ing myself to remain in yom
sweet presence day after day. 1t is now toe
late to strive against fate; the memory Of
your dear face will be forevermore my JOY
and my torment l have still duty to per
form; must draw aside the veil that still
concealS the barrier which separates US for.
ever"
There is also an insurmountable obstacle
on my side," said Maria; "do not revile fate
Il never could have been your wife"
Yes" sighed Bourmine, II know you have
loved; but death has Cancelled your vows
you would have been mine, know it, fee
tin spite of your former love, ii a crus
fate hal not condemned me to misery
Maria, | am marrielp
MARRIED." She had never thought OF
that
"Yes," continued B urm:ne, married
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.
"Whatl" exclaimed Maria Gabrielowns
'is it possiblel But 20 OFT, toJ-for pity.
sake go on, | beseech your Trembling
with suppressed emoti n, Bourmine went on
AT the beginning of the year 1912 was
hurrying to join my regiment at Wilma.
While getting a chaags CT horses az Novrod
a heavy snowfall came on, and l was
earnestly advised not TO proceed on my
journey until it had abated would moi
listen, however, ard in spite of all protesta-
tons started - soon as the horses were
hitched; it serned as if a mysterious and
irresistible force were impcling me
forward We took the short cut t. wilma,
and started at brisk pace In S, me unac-
countab.e manner, perhaps owing to the
roads being almost wholly obliterated under
a heavy mantle of snow, we soon found our
selves astray, and my coachman was obliged
to confess himself completely at loss how
to continue. We drove on then at haphaz-
ard, and you can well imagine how welcome
was the sight of lights ahead These lights
brought to small village. and we saw
that tue largest proceeded from the open
door of church As we approached per-
ceived there were several sleighs in the
yard, and two or three people grouped to-
gether on the porch, who, as We drove up.
CRIED
@'Herel herel good gracious, how late
you arer
Il suspected it was not they wanted, but
drew up nevertheless
"A young man sprang forward: Your
bride has tainted, he said, and the priest is
at a loss what to dor
"A wicked thought flashed through my
mind. What an adventure to tell my fell
low officer! Without answering, ran up
the steps and entered the chunch, dimly
lighted by one lamp A young girl reclined
on bench with her head leaning against
the wall, while maid bathed her forehead
and temples with a handkerchief stepped in
vinegar
Thank God, you have GOMEZ exclaimed
the woman; your delay has almost killed
my poor mistressp
The priest then drew near; Sir, there is
no time to lose: We may be surprised at any
moment; naste.f
but tue young lady can hardly stand, l
objected
1t will be sufficient if shc can say yesr
he answered
1T was not too late. / might still turn
back, but the idea of such a wonderful adj
venture got the better of ne; moreover l
never imagined such a ceremony would be
valid
well, them l said, since you all
wish it
"The bride was already at the altar, sup
ported by her maid. 1 advanced and placed
myself beside her, wrapped in my large fur
cloak. Tne priest did not keep Us waiting.
and in few moments all twas over.
you are now one, embrace each other
and fly cried the irrepressibls young man.
Nothing 10th, l 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 her the poor girl fell backward
in dead faint The priest and witnesses
rushed to assist her, and in the confusion
that followed / made my escape unnoticed."
"Great heavensp exclaimed Maria, trem-
bling violeRtly, "and you know not what be-
came Of your unfortunate brides"
maria, what is the matteri In heavens
name, tell me-"
Il asked you" impetuously demanded
Maria, disregarding Bourmine's appeal, IF
you know what became of your unfortunate
wife"
NO" answered he subdued by her man
ner; Il do not know the name Of the village
where / was married, nor do / remember
where l stopped to change horses. Mor-
over, / never believed that marriage bud
ing and used to speak of it as good joke,
until one day friend, less thoughtful than
i, frightened me by insisting that 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
darlingi-you tremblel-speak to me-"
"Merciful Fatherl' exclaimed the Young