Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-01-28

tirement, and neither OF them saw how, :
in both capitals, the returning troops /
were welcornod. But in the districts aal .
villages the general enthusiasm was per- !
haps eTen s-ea5er.
In these places the appearance of an 4!
officer becalne for him IL veritablo tri- !
umpl. The accepted lover N PLAN
clothes Jared badly by his side.
We have already said that, in spite OF
her coldness, Maria w;w still, as before,
surrounded by suitors. But all had 70
fall in the rear when there arrived at his
castle the wounded young captain of
Hussars-Boarmin by name-with the
Order of St. George i'll his buttonhoie
and an interesting pallor on his face. He
was about twanty-six. He had come on
leave to his estates, which were close to
Maria's villa. Maria paid him such at
tention as none of the others received.
In his presence her habitual gloom dis
appeared. 1t could not be said that she
fiirted with him. But Il poet, observing
her behavior, might have a.ked, IS
amor non e, che dunque?"
Bourmin was really il 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 affqctation, and was carelessly satir-
ical. His manner toward Maria was
simple and easy. He seemed to be OF a
quiet and modest disposition; but rumor
said that he had at one time been ter
ribly wild. This, however. did not harm
him in the opinion of Maria, who Qike
all other young ladiesl excused with
pleasure vagaries which were the result
of impulsiveness and daring.
But above all-more than his love-
making, more than his pleasant talk,
more than his interesting pallor, more
even than his bandaged arm--the silence
of the young Hussar excited her curios-
ity and her imagination. She could not
help confessing to 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 to this moment she had
not seen him at her feet-had not re-
ceived from him any declaration what
ever? And wherefore did she not Ell.
courage him with more attention, and
according to circumstances, even with
! tenderness? Had she secret of her owI
| which would account for her behavior?
At last Bourmin fell into such deeI
| meditation, and his black eyes rested
with such fire upon Maria, that the de
cisive moment seemed very near. The
| neighbors spoke of the marriage as al
| accomplished fact, and kind Praskovi;
| reioiced that her daughter had ut las
found for herself worthy mate.
| The lady was sitting alone once in thu
| drawing room, laying out grande pa
| thence, when Bourmin entered the room
| and at once inquired for Maria.
"She is in the garden" replied the ol(
lady; '.go to her and | will wait for yo'
here" Bourmin went and the old lad.
made the sign of the cross and thought
"Perhaps the affair will be settled TO
day!'
Bourmin found Maria in the ivy bowe
beside the pond, with book in he
hands and wearing u white dress-a yer
liable heroine OF romance. After tin
first inquiries Maria purposely let th'
conversation drop, increasing by thes'
means the mutual embarrassment from
which it was only possible to escape b.
means of sudden and positive declara
ton.
1t happened thus: Bcurmin, feelin;
the awkwardness of his position, in
formed Maria that ne had long sough
an opportunity of opening his heart +
! her, and that he begged for moment
attention. Maria closed the book an
lowered her eyes, as a sign that sh
was listening.
s"I love you," said Bourmin; Il lov
| you passionatelyy' Maria blushed AM
bent her head still lower.
81 have behaved imprudently, yield
ing, as | have done, to the seductiv
pleasure of seeing and hearing yo
daily" Maria recollected the first lei
ter of st. Preux in LA Nouvelle He
loise. cit is too late now to resist N
fate. The remembrance of you, you
dear, incompatible image, must fror
today be ut ones the torment and th
consolation of my existence. Ihave noN
agrave duty to perform, a terrible secrt
to disclose, which will place between I
an insurmountable barrier"
sit has always existed!' interrupte
Maria; 81 could never have been yor
wife"
~ know" he replied quickly; 81 kno
that you once loved. But death an
three years of mourning may ha,
worked some change. Dear, kind Mari
do not try to deprive me of my last Co
? solation--the idea that you might ha'
consented to make me happy if Dor
speak, for Gods sake don't speak-yo
| torture me. Yes, know, l feel that yc
could have been mine, butt am tt
: most miserable of beings-I am alreat
; marriedp'
Maria looked at him in astonishmen
II am married" continued Bourmil
81 have been married more than thr'
years, and do not know who my wi
!, is, or where she is, or whether l sha
: ever see her again"
! ! "What are you saying" exclairn
! Maria; ''how strange! Pray continue
:, "In the beginning Of eighteen hu
!. dred and twelve" said Bourmin,
: was hurrying on to Wilma, where n
regiment was stationed. Arriving o
evening late at station, | order
the horses to be got ready quick
when suddenly o fearful snowstor
: broke out. Both station master a
! ! drivers advised me to wait till it W
= ? over. listened to their advice, butan /
: accountable restlessness took possessi
Of me, just as though some one was ous