The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-07-11

Lno matter what happens to me- | canno
NC more 10, wretched than l am now
men Will do it," exclaimed the old man
Ii is tlme,-full time that the whole trutl
was known u "'-
II lie struck his harp; the dancing ceased ,and
al gathered around the minstrel for his ac
customed song and tale. But when their at
'eniion was secured, he commenced abrupt,
Win the recital of his story, addressing him
sen particularly TO Count Rudolin.
here once lived baron whose life was
eneered by good and beautiful lady. She
died and left him but one pledge of their hap
Piness-a newly born child. Years passed
by, and the young Countess arrived lust up
on the verge Of womanhood, lovely as he1
mother before her and blessed by all. But
unfortunately she loved a peasant. and this a.
wakened the baron's wrath. The Count Ru.
dolln, discovering that she was not his child
Stop" shouted loud voice. The Count
placed himself in 'front.' of the old minstrel and
eyed HIM sternly. "Melchior, it was of Count
kudolin that you spoke. Speak on now what
you have to say
1" l spoke" said Melchior calmly, "of the
noble Count Rudolin and my daughter Lilien.
The nurse, who attended upon the Countess
at her death, was my wife. She had been
angered by her lady, and had vowed a deep
revenge, which should strike into the very
House of Rudolin. This was done by palm
ing oil another child as the daughter Of the
Countess. Her mistress soon died. and who
was there to suspect or know more than the
confidential nurse 2"
What proof is there that YOU do not lie 81
SAID the Count coolly without manifesting be-
liefor disbelief in the story.
My own oath and the attested confessions
of my wife, just before her own death. are sui.
flclent. But there is another kind of testimo-
ny to which yOu would give greater credence
The silver arrow of the House of Rudolin was
gwen to your ancestor just before the birth of
an heir. The child brought with him into
the world an arrow distinctly marked upon
his arm, and this has distinguished all his de-
scendants. You bear such mark upon your
own person, and you have heard that your
child also carried this seal ofits descent Look
herr" lie barct r.nely swelling arm Of
Lilien up to her S IVY shoulder, but there
was no trace upon that soft, fresh skin.
" his should suffice for you. l demand
my daughter, Lilien.7
at is enough take her. By heavens,
false man, might have known that no blood
Of mine could have sought to mingle itself
with peasants race. Aye, bring forward
young Albert He shall have the very boon
he asked this morning. Stop he is not your
son;-I have been told that you adopted
him."
"He is notmy son. l adopted him many
years SINCE" Melchior replied.
Then, in the fends name, let them we'd.
Summon the chaplain hither'
And IN few moments they were duly mar
ried.
Melchior,I have interrupted your story
| will finish it for you. Count Rudolin found
that she was not his daughter, and married her
TO chance-born. who felt it no dishonor tc
mingle his poor blood with that of a traitor
daughter. And the betrayed man soon worth
lily punished the traitor. Mark that part Of
the story, false Melchior. Now, letthis merry.
making cease. Away all of you"
"My Lord Count has not quite finished
the story. When the nurse gave her own
daughter TO the lady, she took child in ex-
change. And that child is Albert, whom you
noble Count, unthinking of Providence, IL
your haste have married 10 my daughter
See upon his arm is the arrow which belong:
to the House of Rudolin." There was indeed
faint straight mark upon the flesh which bore
some similitude TO an arrow
The whole frame of Count Rudolin seemed
torn with silent yet terrible emotion. There
was no joy at recovering his lost son manifest
cd in his working features, but shame at til,
degradation to his race in that marriage, ant
rage against him who had causedit. He tot
tered up to Melcbior and raised his arm, while
his white lips whispered, " my blood is joined
with yours, traitor" The blood suddenl,
rushed to his face in apopectic fulness: h
dropped his arm and wavered moment, ther
fell heavily to the ground The shaft which
he had held loosely in his hand, was pointe,
upwards and transfxed his body as its who'll
weight pressed suddenly upon it. He STREE
once and died
Alelchior solemnly waved back the peasant
as they crowded around the body. " 1t is tru
then, that this fatal arrow, when it had misse'
the target should find its mark in the archer
heart. Let the body be removed Yet VIII,
do | command in this hail. Albert of Rudolf
thou art Lord here, and you, Lilien, are mis-
tress as before"