Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-07-05

Overwhelmed tnem. lne young count Dad
been brought 10 Vienna with gang of Ges-
perate banditti-he was said TO be the cap
tain of men who were outlaws, robbers, and
murderers. las alas I" exclaimed the
old Countess, and she gazed with look OF
heart broken sorrow on magnificent por-
trait OF her late husband, I" this is to be the
end OF the house of Albert. Your only
son, my beloved Conrad. the child of our
hopes, will he prove shame 10 his fathers
Nance 1t is well you are not here il is
enough that | survive to witness our dis.
grace" Ernest will never disgrace YOU"
cried Blanca, eagerly 1--WE know him
much better" she added, clasping the trem-
bling hands oftbe Countess, with tender al.
lection there is much to be explained in
this story. Dear rash Ernest" she faltered,
leaning her head on her mothers shoulder,
and burst into tears. 1--WE know him better
he may be wild & faulty. but he will never
disgrace any one" "He never will, you are
right, repliedthe Countess;"I spoke hastily.
| ought to hope l ought TO believe better
things ofmy beloved son. Daughter Of my
love was very wrong to doubt him for q
moment; you judge him rightly. Bless you,
bless you my, sweet Blanca"
Alberti had been indeed brought TO Wen.
ma among the handful of Isila; every proof
was strong against him He was condemn
ed to be broken on the wheel, and there
seemed no hope that the sentence would be
mitigated Ernest himself told animproba-
bic story about his not being connected with
the handful but nobody listened TO il, and
he mentioned il no more. Blanca and his
mother did believe him. The account was
perfectly true.
The Countess Albert, with her young
and lovely friend, used every exertion 10 pre-
vent his execution; but the verdict appeared
irrevocable. The day, the dreadful day of
death was fixed, and they implored an audi.
ence OF the Empress-ihe aged mother, the
betrothed wife lay al her feet in speechlessag-
ony they entrea;ed, they chung to her in
the delirium of their grief Their gentle
sovereign wept with them; she endeavored
to console them but although her whole
frame trembled, and her voice fatered with
agitation as she replied to their entreates,
hel answer left them quite hopeless. They
obtained. however, permission to see the
prisoner before his execution, and even this
had hitherto been denied to every one.
An unforeseen circumstance saved the life
of Albert. The captain of the banditt, who
had not been taken with his companions,
heard that Ernest was condemned to die
He had been once n man of honor himself;
and he gave himself up to justice.and proved,
clearly that the count had not Joined bie band
and had always Indignantly refused when
asked to join it, The sentence was therefore
changed, and the noble and gallant Count
Ernest was condemned, in the prime of
youthful manhood. TO become a workman
for life in the quicksilver mines Of ldria.
The first surprise. which made known TO
the aged Countess other sons safety was
thought upon the dreadful termination
which awaited all her hopes for him. But
Blanca was young and ardent, and the worst
that would happen was a Joy TO her. She
devoted her whole heart. & every energy of
her mind, to plan which she instantly re-
solved TO execute, which was TO accompany
her betrothed and share his Imprisonment -
Not only the mother OF Count Albert, but
even the Empress herself endeavored to dis
suade the lovely Blanca from such a rash
resolution. They pictured to her that she
would by such an act deprive herself of her
own title and fortune-that the moment she
married Albert. her estates and title would
bel forfeited to the crown, and she be the
simple wife OF an Adrian miner; and that
she would be obliged 10 perform even the du
ties of mental servant to her husband
Countess Blanca, of Florenheim,' conlin-
ued Empress "can you dare TO undertake
such a sacrifice? Are you aware that your
mind may be upheld by certain enthusi-
asm2 Have you thought upon the drear,
dull calm Of poverty, and decaying health
Do you feel assured, that when the first tu-
multuous feelings have worn themselves out,
when there are none around TO wonder at
your extraordinary devotion to Albert, when
your few friends whom you will never be.
hold again, do you think that you will then
rejoice at.the decision you have made p
When perhaps your husband may be dying
in the morning of age with no attendant but a
weak helpless wife, who may then be too i'll
to even stand beside him then what would
your feelings be % The Empress repeated
her question, Tor the words which perceded it
had absorbed Bianca's thoughts. She pic.
tured to herself the young and vigorous
Ernest wasting away; dying in her presence;
she forgot herself and all but his snfferings.
Slowly she raised her head as the Empress
again addressed her. "What will my feel
ings be? ALL can scarcely imagine what
they will be. Sorrow, certainly sorrow, but
only for him, that must be the pervading
feeling at such a moment. Happiness"
her whole face Frightened as she spoke,
'real JOY on my own account, to know that
! am with him then, TO hope, to believe. that
| I shall soon he with him for euey;' Rianca