The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-23

afhiction of her mother, and vowed she
would never leave her.
Suitors clustered round the charming
h%eiress; but she gave no one the slightest
hope. Her mother sometimes tried to per-
suade her to choose a companion in life;
but Maria shook her head and grew pen
sive.
Vladimir no longer existed. He had died
at Moscow on the eve of the arrival of the
French. His memory was held sacred by
Maria, and she treasured up everything
that would remind her of him; books he had
read, drawings which he had made; songs
he had sung, and the pieces of poetry which
he had copied out for her.
The neighbors, hearing all this, wondered
at her fidelity, and awaited with curiosity
the arrival of the hero who must in the end
/! triumph over the melancholy oonstancv of
this virgin Artemis.
Meanwhile, the war had been brought to
a glorious conclusion, and our armies we're
returning from abroad. The people ran to
meet them: The music played by the
regimental bands consisted of war ongs,
give Henri Quatre," Tyrolese waltzes and
airs from Joconde. Nourished on the
atmosphere of winter, officers who had
started on the campaign mere striplings re-
turned grown men and covered with deco
rations. The soldiers conversed gayly
among themselves, mingling German and
French words every moment in their speech.
A time never to be forgotten-a time of
glory and delight! How quickly beat the
Russian hearts at the words, "Native land!''
what unanimity did we combine feelings Of
national pride with love for the 'Tsar! And
for him, what a moment!
The women-our Russian women-wer re
splendid then. Their usual GOODNESS dis
appeared. Their delight was really intoxi-
cried "Hurrahn' And they threw up their
caps in the air.
Who of the officers of that period does
not own that to the Russian women he was
indebted for his best and most valued re-
ward2 During this brilliant period Maria
was living with her mother in retirement.
and neither of them saw how, in both CAPT
tails, the returning troops were welcomed.
But in the districts and villages the general
enthusiasm was, perhaps, even greater.
In these places the appearance of an Off
Ger became for him a veritable triumph.
The accepted lover in plain clothes Jared
badly by his side.
We have already said that. in spite of her
coldness, Maria was still, as before, sur
rounded by suitors. But all had to fall in
the rear when there arrived at his castle the
wounded young captain of hussars, Bour-
min by name. with the order of st. George
in his buttonhole and an interesting pallor
on his face. He was about rs. He had
come on cave to his estates. which were
close to Maria's villa. Maria paid him such
attention as none OF the others received. In
his presence her habitual gloom disap-
peared. 1t could not be said that she flirted
with him, but n poet. observing her be-
hsvior, might have asked, -"S' amor non g.
che dunquer"
Bourmin was really a very agreeable
young man. He possessed just the kind of
sense that pleased women; a sense of what
is suitable and becoming. He had no atfec-
tation, and was carelessly satirical. His
manner toward Maria was simple and easy.
Ho seemed to be of q quiet and modest dis
position; but rumor said that he had at one
time been terribly wild. This, however,
did not harm him in the opinion of Maria,
who like all other young ladies) excused
with pleasure vagaries which were tho re-
suit of impulsiveness and daring,
But above all-more han his love max
ing, more than his pleasant talk, more than
his interesting pallor, more even than his
bandaged arm-the silence of the young
Hussar excited her curiosity ant her imagi-
nation. She could not help confessing to
herself that he pleased her very much.
Probably he too, with his acuteness and ex-
perience, had seen that he Interested her.
How WAS it, then, that up to this moment
she had not seen him Mt her feet; hGd not
received from him any declaration what
ever? And wherefore did she not encour-
age him with more attention., and, accord
ing to circumstances, even with tenderness?
Had she n secret of her own which would
account for her behavior?
At last, Bourmin fell into such deep medi-
tation. and his black eyes rested with such
fro upon Maria that the decisive moment
seemed very near. The neighbors spoke of
kind Praskovia reioiced that her daughter