The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-11-08

be seen in Gavrilo Gavrilovitche's
house. The rude reception offered hi m
during his last visit kept him aloo1
from their house. One more council
was held and it was decided to write
and ask him to pay visit But their
surprise may be imagined when in
answer to their invitation he wrote a
very indignant letter, declaring his de-
termination never to cross their thresh-
old. A few days later they heard that
Vladimir had entered the army. This
occurred in 1912.
Weeks and months passed by and
none dared to speak of Vladimir in
Masha's presence. At the end of four
months, while glancing over a daily
paper, she happened to see his name
mentioned among the MORALLY wound
ed in the battle at Borodino. Five
weeks later Gavrilo Gavrilovitch
died, leaving to Masha all his possess
sions. But her fortune never cheered
her. Masha's attention was now wholly
devoted to her mother. Nenaradova,
with its sorrowful recollections, was no
longer attractive to them, and they de-
cided to leave it and make their h ONE
in the city of N. There, amid the new
surroundings, they thought they would
enjoy peace and quietude of life. Her
mother would occasionally speak to
her on the subject of marriage, but
Masha would always avoid discussing
this matter. Although Vladimer was
no longer among the iving-he died
in Moscow at the time when the French
entered that city-yet the memory of
the man she had loved was sacred to
her.
In the meantime the Franco Russian
war drew to its close. Our regiments
were returning from the battlefield.
The great event OF the return of the
army and the close of the war seemed
to be even more appreciated in the
little towns and villages than in the
large cities. The appearance of an
officer in small town was looked up-
on by its inhabitants as great event.
Although still surrounded by a host
OF admirers Masha was as cold and in
different to them as at the time when
she first came..to the city. She Oh anged,
however, her opinion when one fine
afternoon a wounded colonel, Brunin.
with medal and a Georgian cross in
his buttonhole, and a very handsome
and attractive face, which seemed the
more interesting because of it's pale
ness, was introduced to her. Masha,
made an exception in his case.
AS to Brunir, he was certainly a fine,
amiable young fellow. He possessed
that sense of humor and self-respect
which seldom fails to please women.
He appeared to be quite settled and
reserved, although rumor had it that
once upon time he was the greatest
mischief-maker living. This, however,
did not lower him in Masha's est ina
ton.
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 Pc
rovna was busily engaged in looking
over an old almanac, Brunin entered
her room. ''Can Masha be seen?' he
asked. "You will see her in the gar
den," replied the old woman. II will
expect you to have dinner with u.s."
Brunin found Masha by the pond un-
der a willow, with a book in her
hands. IA real heroine of a novel;"
he thought to himself. After the first
few words Masha cut the conversation
short, thus affecting that mutual en-
barrassment from which there was but
one way of Kidding Themselves
that was for Brunin to open his heart
and so he did. He fell on his knees,
declaring in a most solemn and impas-
stoned voice that he loved her most
dearly, that his life without her was
not worth living. .'But," he added,
II have acted carelessly, most care
lessly, by seeing and hearing you every
day. I had no right to seek your
acquaintance and friendship. o,
wretched man that am It is too late,
too late now! Your memory will al
ways haunt me, your charming image
will give me no peace. o, that could
be spared this torture! Try to forget
and to forgive me, dear Masha. I am
unworthy of you! That obstacle-''
''T'hat obstacle always existed" said
Masha, in a suppressed voice. Il could
never be your wife,
II 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 1