The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-04-05

"I have come hither by command of
the Empress continued the stranger
ato reveal this secret, that the maiden
may be safely removed out of your
way-by this token you may trust me-"
and drawing from her bosom some
thing suspended on ribbon, she dis
played small agate seal, on which
was cut the letter B. and the we'll
known crest of Barba, the wife of the
Emperor SigiSmund.
Drawing nearer TO the sick lady, the
old woman spoke, in a low tone, of
spells and potions, by which she would
destroy the rival who had dared to rob
her of her lords heart. Only her
sanction was wanted. For this pur-
pose had she been sent to-her, that the
business might be privately despatched.
"Swear to me-" cried the Countess,
intensely asitated, when she, had heard
the plan proposed TO the end" swear
that thou will lift no hand against her !!
She is young and fair thou sayest, |
feared it-but now rejoice that it is
so! May Friedrich be happy with her
when | am no morem
There was a sudden movement in
the ante-room.
"Swear thisM exclaimed Elizabeth,
as she grasped the hands of the strange
messenger; and the oath given which
secured Veromca's safety, she snatched
massive chain of gold that lay on the
table beside the bed, and thrust it into
her hands. The next moment she was
hurried away through a private door
by the nurse; the door of the outer
room was thrown open, and the Count,
followed by the physicians, entered the
chamber.
When the examination was again
ended, the Countess requested to be
left alone with her husband, and de-
sired him to draw near her bedside
1t was the first time in her life she had
ever spoken freely of her own feelings,
and the confidence was unbounded.-
She told the hidden grief that preyed
on her health so long-the sad know
| ledge that she had no longer any hold
on his affections-that the bonds which
united them had become grieVous TO
him; that she was held an obstacle 10
his happiness. II speak not reproach-
fully, my Fredrich," she said, as she
| laid her cold hand on his. Il had not
spoken at all, knew not for certainty
that this sickness is unto death! But
the shadows of the grave are fast
closing round me, and the veil that has
hid my heart must be once lifted, ere
all is cold foreVerw
Who can tell the feelings stirred in
the bosom of that proud noble, as he
| tenderness so long concealed N the
heart he had wounded and br,ken !!
as he heard such words from the lips
of her whom he and all the world ad
deemed so cold, and naughty, al d
unsympathizing! Who can tell hl>
amazement, when he heard her speak
of the secret he had thought SO i'm
penetrably guarded-his unlawful love
and name her, whose name he
deemed unknown to all save himself!
"Start not,n she said, while her voice
grew fainter and her cheek paler-tor
sharper than the death pang was the
agony Of resigning him TO her We
ronica shall be your welded
and beloved wife! My spirit shall be
present at your nuptials, and bless
them: for she whom you love thus
must be worthy of your love! Bend
over me now, my dear lord-and be-
stow on me forgiveness for the jealous
pride that has made me sullen and un-
kind-as with my dying BREATH pray
for youw
"Thou shalt live-Elizabethm m mur-
INJURED the Count.
II would not belovedr was the re-
ply, II have prayed that I might die,
since | knew that was loved no long
err: and death comes now like a pity
ing angel, for ] feel that thou will
mourn for mel Fix thine eyes on
mine-and let me feel the clasp OF thy
hand-thus! Now give command thai
no one comes to disturb us-~that, gazing
upon thee, may pass awayW
Before the dawn OF morning the
Countess Elizabeth was dead. A sa
Bile flag floating from the battlement'
announced the melancholy news to tht
inhabitants of the surrounding coun
try, and preparations were made to
conveying her remains with funera
pomp and ceremonies, to the ances
, trial burial-place at Cilly. The guest
who had assembled TO partake IN thu
, festivities of the castle attended thu
funeral train; and the ceremony o
depositing the corpse in the minors
convent was graced by the presence
of the Emperor and Empress. Th'
latter, as the reader of history will re
member, was the daughter OF Coun
f Hermann, and sister TO Friedrich.
Ito be conttnned.)
L. Il,