The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-11-07
nor and self-respect which seldom

fails to please women.
He appeared to be quite settled
and reserved, although runlOr had 1T
that once upon a time he was the
greatest nlischief-maker living. This
did not lower him in Masha's
estimation. On the contrary, she re-
garded his past tricks as something
quite natural to youth and activity
What had interested her most, more
than his tenderness, more than lis
pleasant conversation, more than his
#bandaged arm, was his silence, often
accompanied by hevy signs. Indeed,
her curiosity and imagination upon
such occasions were almost beyond her
control. She could not help acknowl-
edging that he took more than an or
binary interest in her, while, on the
other hand. he, too, must have OBJ
served that of all her admirers he was
the only one who received her atten-
ton. T.. s..# -&
II " X
One morning while Paraskovia Pc
trovna was busily engaged in looking
over an old almanac. Brunin entered
her room. Kites. ~
"Can Masha be seen?" he asked.
''You will see her in the garden
replied the old woman. 81 will expect
you to have dinner with u.s."
AS Brunin went out ParaskOvia Pc
trovna crossed herself, supplicating
the Almighty that the proposal of mar
rage might take place. ~.
Brunin found Masha by the pond,
under willow, all dressed in white,
and with a book in her hands. "A
real" he thought to himself. After
the first few words Mahsa cut the con
versation short, thus effecting that
mutual embarrassment from, which
there was but one way OF Kidding
themSelves-and that was for Brunin
to open his heart And so he did.
"But L have acted carelessly, most
carelessly, by seeing and hearing you
every day. l have no right to seek
your acquaintance and friendship.
Oh, wretched man that I am. 1t is
too late, too late, now! Your memory
will always haunt me, your charming
image will give me no peace. Oh.
that could be spared this torture!
Try to forget and forgive me, dear
Masha. 1 am unworthy of you. That
obstacle
'"That obstacle always existed" said
Masha, in suppressed voice." could
never be your wife,"
II know" he replied, quietly; Il
know that you once have loved. But
he is dead, and time effaces the sweet
est of memories. The tn ought that L
might have been happy with you if"
''Not another word, for Gods sake!
Not another word; you torment me-"
eyes, l know. I feel that I might
have been happy; that you might have
been mine. but, oh, miserable man that
l am, l am married."
Masha looked at him aghast for a
moment, hardly realizing her wherea-
bouts.
Eyes, am a married man." resumed
Brunin, more firmly, ''but 1 have not
the slightest idea who my wife is,
where she is, whether I shall ever see
her again."
''Is it possible?' exclaimed Masha,
scarcely being able to control her ex-
element; ''is it possible? Tell me all
about it! I will-later!"'
"In the beginning of 1922 said Bru-
min, II was on my way to Vino, where
our regiment was ;he1 stationed. 1t
was cold night. /. storm was raging,
we lost our way, and my driver was III
l.
to reach Vino, I ordered him to pro-
coed regardless of the weather. We
crossed hills and valleys and rivers,
and, after being frozen almost to
death, entered a village. AS we drove
along the street I suddenly beheld a
light: a few minutes later we found
ourselves in front of a church. 1t was
dimly Illuminated; some people were
inside. This way, this way I heard
several voices shouting. I ordered the
driver to stop the horses. what have
you been doing all this while?' re.
marked some one; why, your girl is in
despair; the minister was at loss to
know what to do, and we We're just
| ready to drive home Without con
sidering the situation I entered the
church and was soon directed to a
| dark corner, where, upon a bench, lay
the bride, while a girl. evidently hel
| maid busted herself about her
Thanked be the lord. you are here al
last" cried the girl to me. Why, the
baruishnia (maid) is overcome with
grief I had no sooner directed my
attention from the bride when the
half-blind old minister approached
asking me if I was ready for the
altar.
Certainly, certainly said I, hardly
knowing what was about. The bride
was helped to the altar; she impressed
me as a good-looking girl-oh, wretch
| ed man that l am!
II took the place beside her at the
altar. The minister was impatient
the three witnesses and the maid sup
ported the bride, and it seemed tina
their entire attention was given tt
her. We were married. Kiss eacl
other commanded the minister, afte
the ceremony was over. My wife re
moved the veil from her face and
was ready to kiss her, She drew back
shrek: Away! away! it is not he
"All turned their frightened eyes OF
me. I retreatcd quietly, threw my
self into the sleigh, and was soon on
of the. village, leaving scene O.
horror behind me. e.
"My God" exclaimed Masha, "an(
you have no idea what has becom,
of your poor wife?"
"Not the slightest, nor do know til,
name Of that village or where it il
situated. I thought so little at tn
time of such tricks that it soon escaped
my memory. My driver, who wa
with me at that time, has long sine,