Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-06-04
AN ELOPEMENT FRUSTRATED.


AN ELOPEMENT FRUSTRATED.
In the last Quarterly Democratic Rerie,U, q
writer sketchng social society at Baden-Ba.
den, communicates the following interesting
incident:
ga noble Hungarian lord, Count Christian
W., had come to pass the season at Baden, ac-
companied by his daughter Helen. Young,
beautiful, charming, and heiress to an immense
fortune left by her mother, the young Coun-
Tess found herself surrounded by host
of admirers. Adorers of all kinds were not
wanting-rich and poor, noble and obscure,
grave and gay. 1t was q perpetual tournament,
of which she was queen, and where the aspi-
rants contended for her hand by exhibiting their
address, grace and seductive qualities. When
sho entered her carriage ten cavaliers were in
the saddle caracolng around her caieche. At
the ball the most elegant dancers were devoted
TO her. They had neither cares, attentions,
nor signs, but for her; whereat many beauti-
full women-French, English and Russian
were particularly mortified. Amongst those
pressing suitors, Helen selected the most worth
less. The Cheyalier Gaetan M was, it is
true, charming fellow, pale and delicate with
line blue eyes, and long, black, wavy hair. In
the place of true passion, he had the cloquence,
look and word, in short, he dressed with taste,
danced marvelously, and sang like Rubin.-
But unhapply, these advantages were contras-
ted by great vices.
\ dissipated gambler, and unprincipled rake,
the Chcvalier Gaetan had quilted Naples in
consequence Of some scandalous adventure
in which he had been implicated. The Count,
after having informed himself of these facts,
desired, but too late, to put his daughter on
her guard against dangerous affection. He
len listened neither to the advice, the prayers,
nor the orders of her father. The man to whom
lie had endcavorcd to destroy her esteem
already master of her heart, and she OBSTINATE
ly refused to believe in the disgraceful ante
cedent of the young Italian. If Gaetan had to
do with father who lacked energy, perhaps
lie would have become the happy husband Of
the young Countess, and the peaceful posses
sor of the imm .nse fortune with which he was
SO frantically in love. But the Count knew
how TO carry his point, either by management
or force. lie was an old lion. lie had pre-
served all the vigor of youth and all the rude
firmncss of an indomtable character, which
nothing but paternal tenderness had ever soft
ened. Self-willed in his resolutions, stern in
the execution Of them, he east about for means
TO put hors du combat this carpet knight, who
had undertaken to become his son-n-law in
spite of him, when accident threw into his
hands letter which Gaetan had written to
Helen.
The Chevalier, impatient to attain the goal
of his desires, proposed in direct terms to the
young Countess, an elopement, and proposed
Il clandestine meeting at the hour when the
Count was in the habit of going out to play
his favorite game of whist with some gentle
men of his acquaintance at the Conversation
House.
\ rose placed in Helen's belt was to be the
signal of consent.
The young lady had not read the adroitly in
tercepted note. ''Put this flower in your belt, p
said the Count to her, offering 4 rose, and
'come with me.''
Helen smilingly obeyed, and took her ia
theirs arm. In the course of their walk they
met Gaetan, who, seeing the rose, was over
joyed.
Then the Count conducted his daughter to
the residence of one of their acquaintance
and requested her to wait until he came for
her. This done, he returned to the little house
in which he lived, at the outskirts Of Baden on
the Lichenthal road. He had sent away his
servants, and was alone. At the appointed
hour Gaetan arrived at the rendezvous, lcaped
lightly over the wall of the garden, and find
ing the door shut he entered the house through
one OF the windows. Then mounting the
stairs, filled with pleasing emotions. he direct
ed his steps towards the apartment of Helen.
There, instead OF the daughter, he found the
father armed with brace of pistols. The
Count closed the door, and said to the wretch
ed Gaetan, trembling with terror:
81 could kill you; have the right TO do so.
You have entered my house at night. You
have broken into it. / could treat you as
felon; nothing could be more natuIal''
t'But, sir,'' replied Gaetan, inaudibly, sI
am no robber.''
''And what you then You have come
10 steal my daughter to steal an heiress-to
steal fortune. Here is your letter, which un-
yelled to me your criminal intentions l shall