The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1892-03-17

Who Of the officers Of that period does
not own that to the Russian women he
was indebted for his best and most val
ued reward? During this brilliant period
Maria was living with her mother In re-
In both capitals, the returning troops
were welcomed. But In the districts and
villages the general enthusiasm was per
haps even greater.
In these places the appearance Of an
officer became for him . Veritable tri-
umph. The accepted lover in plain
clothes Jared badly by his side.
We have already said that. In spite Of
her GOODNESS, Maria was still, IS before,
surrounded by suitors. But all had to
fall in the rear when there arrived at his
castle the wounded yonng captain Of
Hussars-BOurmin by name-with the
Order Of St. George in his buttonhoie
and an interesting pAllor on his face. He
was about tweuty-six. He had come on
leave to his estates, which were close TO
Mdria,s villa. Maria paid him such at
tentiOn rs none of the others received.
In his presence her habitual gloom dis
appeared It could not be said that she
hifted with him. But poet, observing
her behavior, might have n ked, ''S
amor non e, che dnnqusF'
BOhrmin was really q very agreeable
young man. lie possessed just the kind
Of sense that pleased women--a sense Of
what is suitable and becoming. He bad
no aifsetatiOn, and was carelessly satiFS
to,a u;. ,n.sv,,S. knS,o.d Mai. ..,ta
implsHRd easy. He seemed to be Of .
quiet and modest disposition; but rumOF
Eliii that, he had at one time been ter
Tibly wild. This, however, did not harm
him in the opinion Of Maria, who (liks
all other young ladies) excused with
pleasure Vagaries which were the result
Of impalsiVeness aud daring.
| But above all--nOre than his love
making, more than his pleasant talk,
more than his interesting pallor, more
even than his bandaged Rrm-the silence
ofthe yonng Hussar excited her curios-
fly and her imagination. She could not
help cOnfessing 10 herself that he pleased
her very much. Probably he, too, with
his acuteness and his experience, had
seen that he interested her. How was
It, then, that up 10 this moment she had
not seen him at her .feet--had not re-
cefved from him -ahy declaration what
ever Aud wherefore did she not en-
courage him with more attention, and,
o according to circumstances, even with
tenderness? Had she sscFetOf her own
which would account for her behavior?
= At last Bourlnin fell into such deep
meditation, and his black eyes rested
with such hre, upon Marias that the de-
, eiSivs moment seemed very near. The
d neighbds spoke Of the marriage as an
accomplished fact, and kind PIIskOEia
rejoioed that her daughter had at last
foundffor herself worthy mate.
= The lAdywas sitting alone once In the
drawing room, laying out grAnde pa
tience, when Bourmln entered the room
and at once inquired for Maria.
p "She is in the garden replied the old
= lady; Ego to her and 1 will wait for you
here.N Bourmin went and the old lady
made the sign Of the cross and thought,
Perhaps the affair will be settled To-
dayP'
BOurmin found Maria In the ivy bower
beside the pond, with . book In heI
. hands and, wearing q white dress--a yer
1TaDle heroine or Romance. ATter the
first inquiries Maria purposely let the
conversation drop. increasing BY these
means the mutual embarrassment from
which It was only possible 10 escape BY
. meansOf q sudden and positive declare
"a ton.
It happened thus: Bourmin, feeling
the awkwardness Of his position, IN.
formed Maria that he had long sought
an opportunity Of opening his heart to
her, ami that be begged for q moments
attention Maria closed the book and
lowered her eyes, as . sign that she
was listening.
II love yoa," said Bournin, Il love
you passionatelyI" Maria blushed aud
bent her head still lower.
"Ihave behaved imprudently, yield.
ing, as ! have done. to the seductive
pleasure Of seeing and hearing you
daily" Maria recollected the first let
ter Of st. Preux in LA Nouvelle He
loise." at Is too late now TO resist my
fate. The remembrance Of you. your
dear, incompatible image, must from
today beat ouce the torment and the
consolation Of my existence. Ihave now
aRtape duty TO perform, terrible secret
to disclose, which will place between Us
an insurmountable barrier"
ut has always existedr' interrupted
Maria; II could never have been your
afknow," he replied quickly, Il know