True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-07-09

sleep would not take her. She thought
of the stranger and Of her situation, and
she decided 10 follow his advice, for al
ready the flame OF q soft emotion had kE-
died IN her bosom,
On the morrow, she departed for Man.
lua, but while directing the position to
take the by-road, party OF horsemen
rapidly approached on The main road,
which he no sooner perceived than she
suspected their design. She was alarm
ed for moment. but the appearance of
another party plunging through wood.
the gallant stranger foremost, alayed her
fears, aud while a short but animated
skirmish was taking place, the result of
which she could not ascertain, the car
rage 70. led safely along until it arrived
al The court yard Of her uncles abiding
place.
She had not seen The Duke Vincenzo
foI many years, and, very naturally, she
had enormously imagined his person as
IIl-favoIed as she knew his character to
be dvsplcable. The interview gave to
The married and aged duke more hope
than he had anticipated, aud he now
thought his divorce from his wife only
procured, and dispensalion obtained,
that his brothers. child would become his
bride, and thus for ever set at rest all the
cnnlrndng claims on Mantua and Mont
fcrrat. Having been informed Of the at
lack upon the carriage, the duke ordered
an extra guard TO attend Mary back to
her Uncle Ferdinand, having Informed
her thai as soon as the divorce should be
granted, the new nupials should take
plare, Mary's gentle manner had deceiv-
Ell him. She at heart preferred death to
such wedlock.
A day after her return home. when she
stood again at the tomb of her mother, al
The evening hour, came The stranger.
Long and lendar was the communion OF
hose Two souls, and when he departed,
not again 10 sre Mary for three months,
then for the first time, did the girl know
that she deeply loved, and meanchoIy y
stole upon her spirit, from which, in vain
she endeavored to be free He had
promised, nay, he had sworn, In three
months, 10 a oay, 10 the hour, 10 make
Mary his BRIDE or die.
Three months passed away, and al
fears Of the nupiials with the old duk,
were at an end, (nr Vincenzo was on hls
death bed, and Mary at his castle, by The
dukes orders, was to be given in mar
riage IN the Young Duke of RheleI, sou o
The Duke OF Nevero, the next heir to III,
curonet oil Manua. f r It was the hes po y
tia guide ol governments that ali claims
hat duchy aud Mon,lerrat. should uni,
in one race. The young duke was airea
dy in Manlua, to add 10 the pangs of the
unhappy Mary, and she resolved rather tt
die than to yield herself to one whom sh'
had never seen, and was bound not Il
love.
On a cloth of gold. upon an immens
couch, lay The dying Duke Vmcenzo
who now gave orders that if Mary woult
not willingly, she must by force be uni e'
to the Duke Of Rheel. In The adj Acen
hail, Mary heard the directions, and sht
now only hoped to save herself from tn
sacrifice, by an appeal to the homo
Of the knight. If that failed. sh
had more desperate safeguard. Whi
the door Of the great hall stood ajar, sh
heard gentle voice. saying, 'let m
speak to her, and presently came forth
man arrayed in splendid garments. Mar,
but looked in his face.
Why came you not before 2 she erie
and fell upon his breast.
Listen, Mary he said, 'even no,
the turret clock tells the hour! Th
} cousin, Charles Of Gonzaga-is here
Thou art his bride. or he dies. Tho
shalt love him-the Duke of Rhetel.'
The confding Mary of Mantua leane
upon his arm, and, followed by the a
| tendants. entered the hall, at the end Q
: which an altar had been placed for III
nuptial ceremony, aud the happy pa
were united. There was death and
> bridal in that hour. AS.