Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-10-09

goes udllu III manu- Win true love or the
mere policy of a cunning dangler2 She
reflected upon the matter and came to
the conclusion that timidIty could be
the only cause Her impatience grew
| stronger and stronger Suspense, of
whatever nature it might be, and espe-
| cially when love is at stake, is always
burdensome to women. One evening
| Brunln appeared in her room-his face
psler than usual and his beautiful eyes
! expressing that tenderness which is
| both bewitching and powerful. She
thought the lOng-wished-for moment
had come at last. But the 'declara-
ton" was not made.
Her neighbors and friends in the
meantime discussed her wedding as a
matter of fact, while her mother was
simply delighted with her prospective
son-in-law. Thus time passed on.
One morning, while Paraskovia
! Petrovna was busily engaged in look
| ing over an old almanac, Brunin en-
tered her room. ''Can Masha be seen?''
he asked. You will see her in the
garden" replied the old woman. Il
will expect you to have dinner with
us. " AS Brun'n went out Paraskovia
PetrOvna crossed herself, supplicating
the Almighty that the proposal of mar
rage might take place.
Brunln found Masha by the pond
under a willow, all dressed in white and
with book in her hands. "a real
heroine of novel," he thought to him
| self. After the first few words Masha
cut the conversation short, thus effect
ing that mutual embarrassment from
which there was but one way of rid
ding themselves and that was for Bru-
min to open his heart. And so he did.
He fell on his knees, declaring in a
most solemn and impassioned voice that
he loved her most dearly, that his life
| without her was not worth living.
But" he added, Il have acted care
! lessly, most carelessly, by seeing and
hearing you every day. l had no right
to seek your acquaintance and friend
ship. d, wretched man that L am. 1t
is too late, too late nowl Your memory
will always haunt me, your charming
| image will give me no peace. q, th I
| | could be spared this tortured Try to
forget and forgive me, dear Masha. l
am unworthy of you! That obstacle
THAT obstacle always existed" said
Masha, In suppressed voice. 81 could
never he your wife"
81 know" he replied, quietly, Il
| know that you have once loved. But
| he is dead, and time effaces the sweet
est of memories. The thought that |
might have been happy with you if
Not another word, for COPS SAX ;
not another word; you torment me-
Yes, 1 know. l feel that might
have been happy, that you might have
been mine, but, oh miserable man that
| am, l am married."
Masha looked at him aglast for a
moment, hardly realizing her where
| abouts
Yes" / am a married man." re-
sumed Brunin, more firmly, ''but l
have not the slightest idea who my
wife is, where she is, whether 1 will
ever see her again"
SIS it possibleP" exclaimed Masha,
scarcely being able 10 control her ex-
citement, sis it possible? Tell me all
about It'll l wlll-later-'
''In the beginning OF 1872" said
! Brunin, Il was on my way to Vino,
where our regiment was then stationed.
! 1t was cold night, a storm was rag
! ing, we lost our way and my driver was
in despair. But as l was in great haste
TO reach Vilno l ordered him TO proceed
regardless of the weather. We crossed
hills and vallies and rlvers, and after
being frozen almost to death, entered a
| village. As we drove along the street
[ suddenly beheld light; a few min
utes later we found ourselves in front
| of a church. 1t was dimly Illuminated;
| some people were inside. This way,
| this wayp l heard several voices shout
ing. 1 ordered the driver to stop the
horses. What have you been doing all
this whileP' remarked someone; why,
| your girl is in despair, the minister was
| at loss 10 know what to do, and we
were just ready to drive home.' With.
| out considering the situation 1 entered
| the church and was soon directed to a
| dark corner, where upon bench lay
the bride, while a girl, evidently her
maid, busted herself about her.
| Thanked be the Lord, you are he:e al
last, cried the girl to me. why, the
baruishn1a (mIssl IS overcome with
grief I hal no sooner directed my
attention from the bride when the half
blind old minister approached asking
me If was ready for the altar.
Certainly, certainly said /, hardly
! knowing what | was about The bride
was helped to the altar; she impressed
me as good looking girl-O, wretched
man that L ami
81 took the place beside her at the
!
! three witnesses and the maid supported
! the bride, and it seemed that their en-
tire attention was given to her. We
were married. Kiss each Other,' CON-
manded the minister, after the ceTe.
mony was over. My wife removed the
veil from her face and as l was ready
| TO kiss her she drew back shrieklng,
Away away! 1t is not hel' All
turned their frightened eyes on me. I
retreated quietly, threw myself into the
sleigh and was soon out of the village,
! leaving a scene of horror behind me. -
MY GodI' exclaimed Masha, land
you have no idea what has become of
/ your poor wife?"
''Not the slightest; nor do 1 know
! the name of that village or where it is
situated. l thought 50 little at the
time of such tricks that it soon escaped
my memory. My driver, who was with
me at the time, hal long since died in
! the war-and here / am, with not the
slightest prospects of ever finding the
woman on whom l played such a cruel
! joke"
strange, indeed" cried Masha,
| clasping her hands. "And do you DO
/ longer recognize the girl whom you
married on that stormy Right?"
Brunln grew pale and fell at her feet
Not What II Used to Be-