Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-09-16
CHAPTER ".

My life Is a succession of deep and
tranquil sleeps and blissful awakenings
to the discovery Of Maruscha's pres
encc.
And she is my willing slave in all
things save one. l may not even hold
her hand for long, or carry it to my
lips. If I venture on the latter, she
gently but firmly withdraws it, casting
on me such look of fond reproach that
| am fain to blush like school girl at
my temerity.
Maruscha avoids all mention Of that
awful chapter in my life, the subject
seems so hateful to her that I have
abstained from questioning her, though
[ am consumed with curiosity to know
how my sudden appearance out Of the
grave, as it were, had affected her.
She evidently fears, too, that the dis
cussion Of SO painful q theme would in
jure me in my still weak state, for I can
see that she has enjoined Ivan-the
only member Of our section besides her
SELF who knows Of my existence-not to
let me talk of it to him.
When / would speak of it, he has
different ways Of eluding me. He will
rise hastily, as though something had
just occurred to him about which he
must consult Maruscha; or he will pre-
tend not to hear me, and put a sudden
question, as:
HAS Maruscha read thee Pushkin's
latest poem? No? Then l must bring
it to thee; it is gloriousv' 49,
-
l feel inexpressibly sad to-day, and
Maruscha shares my feeling. AS she
sits beside me, her sweet, fair face,
dow ncast, over her work, 1 guess that it
is only my presence that keeps her from
weeping. Her swift needle glances in
and out Of the linen she has on her lap.
She is finishing n shirt for me to take
with me, and there is not much time
left now Ivan comes for me this even
ing, and we leave together when the
darkness falls.
It has been heaven to me, this calm,
blissful period of convalescence-all too
short, and here is the end Of it, and the
beginning Of fresh struggles with the
world.
This move has been talked of for some
days past Ivan has been urgent, and
my soul responds to his wishes. What
ever Maruscha may say, there is danger
in my sojourn with her. Though The
situation was forced on us by necessity,
and accepted joyfully by my pure-mind-
ed love, we feel that it is one that must
be put an end to as soon as possible. A
sob escaped her, and in my desire to
comfort her | assume an air Of cheerful
ness l am far from experimenting.
This is no parting, Maruscha. I go
but to Ivan, and whilst l am there we
shall see each other daily. Let us not
meet trouble half way. And when the
parting comes there will still be the pros
pect of our reunion. The world is wide,
and surely l shall find some spot under
4 free sky on which to build a modest
little nest for thee and me. Think of
that time, dear heart. Hope for the
best"
"Ah, if thou vast but safely out of
this terrible land, then l might hoper'
Maruscha sighed.
L have great faith in the future:' l
cry. "A man is not snatched from The
very waters of death only to be cast
back again like a worthless weed There
is some special end in these sudden acts
of Providence Thou wilt see this, my
second life will not be wrested from me-"
sit down again and draw Maruscha
to my side.
"Maruscha," 1 continued. 81 have been
thinking much of our future whilst | lay
there, and OF how thou wouldst helm
me to make it worthy. That other life
was all wrong l made nothing of it."
Vladimir! interrupts Maruscha, and
her eyes shine like stars. Thou gayest
thy life for the great causer'
And what has it availed? Is tha
fhQ hoff fon
tyrant still Expresses. Liberty still turks
in secret places. and will continue to do
SO. And why? Because as a nation