The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-09-02


dressed to the king in his behalf D'Au-
bant, however, had taken out no lease OF
ilte no patent of uninterrupted health, with
his marriage certifcate and notlong after
setting his residence. he fell into a state of
prolonged and painful sickness. which too
surely was the premoniton of his dsath
Ienderly and sincerely attached to her
husband, the princess gave up all the al,
fractions of the court, and devoted herself
to his sick couch, from which no entreaty
could detach her. From her hand alone,
he received his food and medicine; and if
she fell into a brief slumber at night, it was
within reach his hand and voice to awaken
her.
Such devotion was very sweet to its OBJ
ject, and drew her the admiration of all
around her. She bore so patiently with
the whims and fancies of the sick man.
and mlnlstered.to them with SO much
sweetness, that many of the courtiers,
| whose privilege it was to enter the sick
room, professed to envy the invalid.
One day, while attending to his wants,
she was suddenly called out of the ROOM
| In the ante-room, she met courier in
Russian costume, whose face. she thought,
was familiar. The second look told her
she was right The stranger was recollect-
ed as a young man who had filed the
post of private secretary to tie Czarowitz
Alexis
The room swan before her sight, and,
for a moment, she almost lost her con.
| sclou8ness; but her natnra! courare re-
covered its ascendancy.
Olof"' she exclaimed; "what has
brought you here!"
" Nothing but your charms, sweet Ar
ria.' answered the young man, in half
earnest, half bantering tone, that seemed
partly to throw her from her guard
" Fie. that is your old story-repeated
so many times that you begin to have faith
in it, although such a transparent pretence
to others!'
"True-upon my honor"
| Her lip quivered and her breath seem.
ed to come like strong, quick gasps, as
she looked eagerly into his face.
May | trust you, Olof." she saiI, al.
most tenderlv.
lie looked at her, earnestly returning
her searching glance,
1.-The Princess Alexina has already trust
| ~ iiiS1 4Ail itt~ COlIlt Dtl Ilti INSluCNS,
solely. You know well, why | am here
"And the friendship YOU profess for me
is not enough TO shield me?" she asked in
dignantly.
Listen, ARIA. When You disappeared
I alone suspected that you were guilty Of
taking the jewels of the princess. You
planned it well. Your escane wore the
semblance Of being carried off by some
one who met YOU in the forest; and it was
attributed to one Of the wandering oip-
seys, who had troubled us so rauch the
year before a week you had been abb
sent, when the valuabes of the princess
her rich clothing and ornaments-were all
taken in a single night. Z knew your
tootstep-saw you when you stole softly
into the wardrobe-watched you as YOU
turned away from the palace-saw the
bright gems flash from brow and arm and
neck, and the rich robes, the costly fitrs.
and the superb dresses trailing from vour
person. | followed, afraid TO call after
you, lest some one should detect vou [
wished, not to screen you entirely, but to
induce you to replace what YOU ha! taken.
| knew that there was twelve rouIeaux of
gold. | knew not how much more, but
these had deposited myself at the princes
command, that very day. How YOU were
to bear such weights knew not felt
sure that YOU could not long sustain them.
burdened as You were with garments. I
dressed myself quickly, and went out |
looked round eagerly. Not a sound was
to be heard. Foolish Olofn said to
myself, to he misled bv dreamr
r.1 Il
Der, quite noiselessly. The light shore
from the apartment of the princess, and
looked through TIE key hole. The ward
robe door was shut tight, and nothing
seemed disturbed. went to bed and to
sleep.
did betray you, Aria, when heard
the hue and cry that prevailed next morn
ing2 Believe memo. | could not, for
my life Weary years went by, Whitening
my locks, as you sec, with the burden Of
my untold secret. | left the. princes ser
vice and travelled, seeking You even in
your G ilt; for, spite oft, loved YOU still.
| learned your whole story in America
marriage and ali. Sung with jealousy. T
took measures, in the height Of my mad
ness, to denounce you to the princess.
Nay, start not, ARIA. Let me confess all
my folly Last night, arrived here, in
obedience to the message Of the princess.
then Ie1rned that your husband was dy-
ing There is but one alternative. Prom
ise me, Aria, that when all is over, YOU
will reward my lifelong love, or run the
risk Of open detection and Imprisonment"
While he spoke, the color had been
gradually deserving her check. She had
drawn to the fartherest end Of the apart
ment. into the shelter of a deeply curtain
ell widow, whhre no one could hear or Sc.
them. 1t was a trying moment. 10 be
denounced before her diving husband-to
have him depart from life, with the sense
of her unworthiness--Was more thsn size
could endure; yet she shrunk painfully
from pledging herself to ole who knew her
one great sin. She was not now the vain
aspiring waiting woman, but had grown
earnest and thoughtful, under the burden
other crime.
"spare me, Oof"" she said wildly.
sSpara fill tbau iii I