Sauk Rapids frontierman. [volume] (Sauk Rapids, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1860, 1856-10-16
EDITOR AND PR0PRl Fl / on ii
WHOLE NITMBER64<


v. iIIII illl - y. W lIsy IVA ~ If
with reserve and respect. But who.
Ieh4II describe her confusion when Alex
ander took HE place opposite her 10 thu
dance! \ II was too lateto retreat--alf
| eyes were fired upon fissr and above
I'LL predominant, she knew the ernperorsa
ga1e was concentfate6 On them alone~
ia thu figure. when their hands met
ior j moment, 10 The astonishment Of
everybody, The grand duke retained Ma.
|taIie hand 70 long ii hia grasp, thar
she ioss III selfposssssion |; the room
ssemed 10 swim round her, The fnusic to-
Ebecoma ~ indisiinct murmur; the cold,
ness " de.sh crept over hsr limbs, and,
she was On the point Of falling. when the
emperor stepped forward, drew her arm
within his, and carried rather than led
her out Of The room; and while some
hastene6 70 order round her carriage, to,
facilitxte her departure, he wrapped her
n her furred mantle, aud after seeing
her safe in her sisters care, returned
10 the ballroom without. changing a.
muscle u his face..
What world of emotion and struggle
there may ~ ia the heart at the very
time when we seem most Plaeidly Occur
pied with simply external things ID
The q'ladrilfe was NOT o1er when the
emperor returned 10 the room but'
those who knew what grave interests.
were concerned ia the little scene that
took mol half the time 70 enact il has.
taken . describe. were not perceiveh
blythe expressieB- o. his face.
Early NEXT morning, u the surprise
Of the whole household. !. Natalie's
home, the emperor WIS announced, de-
string 70 speak with her alone. With
beating heart she descended 10 the in.
terview, and awaited the FIRST word. COM
ceiye, then, Her feelings, when he adj
dressed her az follows -
Natalie Polensky, you know 7 have
always taken the greatest possible inter-
ess ID your welfare tell me, now, what
are yonr prospects for tlis future u
Sire. " she replied. ~ can answer
you without 4 moment , hesitation, since
tomorrow ] Leave ST. Petersburgh for
YeraDge, where I enter the convent,
never 70 leave i again. She stopped,
exhausted. leaning for support against
the edge Of ! table.
Sit down, Natalie, and listen 10 me, r.
returned her interrogation ii j kindlier
tone This mnst not bel have il store
for You plessanter prospects. You
danced last night with Count MaurenD-
soff il ! mistake not, be loves you,
and i anxious % renew his proposals.
for your hand 1f such Ne, the case, 4
shall give you away nayseN. and your
wedding shall be sslsHsate4 4 sha Win
Ter Palace !"
Natalie knew ton well what this
meant !; the kind. calm tone, and the
expression of those sted-
Est, determined eyes ]; and yet she felt
Il the moment she could dare anything
-ather than consent to 4 union which,
lnder other circumst ances might have
,ratifed many womanly weakness. In
Ter desperatioD, however, she took
courage. and sanA = ~ feet Of tho
yzar---t s l,sss 81 .s..
- Sire, she mcrmured ,lsiss' hear ma
nj once more, and yoa win fslent. Il
ove and was beloved ~ ono 10 whomI
wore more than ones never 10 be an
Tiers. Let me-oh lets me remain,
aithfult U that oath 4 ask no mors..A
/ The stern, impeaetrabIe Nicholas
eemed touched ~ her appeal. but, TAX
~ her ny the hand, he said
Ny child, listen b ! father. The
18th you tell me- of was \ childish one
doubt not he also bound himself By tho
k, Remember, Natalie remember
I i heir u my throne, and therefore
,ust not and cannot follow biz Wishes
N.
nd impulses. \ sacri6cs mine Aun-
I'd times dry for ny country's vel
~. All rests with you, md I cannot
oubt what your decision VIII ~. While
o. hold Y your word think yo1 he win
onsent % break his4 4 81 forthe sake 81