The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-01

though small, were of painted glass The ew-
ers and bowls, in fact all the toilet service, was
of silver and half dozen metal mirrors. a.
foot in diameter, hung around The walls
were covered with rosecolored satin, rare
| luxury at that time. --st.t f-sf+
Tie countess wore robe of blue silk with
long train, which was a mark of noble birth,
and was not allowed to the common people
Above this was tunic of pale gold color
1t was fastened at tie throat by a large pin,
set with gems, ind at the waist by gridle
twisted with gold threads. The sleeves were
so wide that they almost reached the floor as
she sat, and bracelets of pearls encircled her
arms
| One or two of her ladies were embroidering
at frame in the middle of the room, while
her favorite waiting maid sat at her feet ar
ranging jewel case.
"Ah. if 1 were only lady, and could wear
such beautiful dresses, and could have such
superb iewels" exclaimed the girl with lit
| tie sigh
"They do not give me pleasure; would they
then make you so very happy, Annette Z" ask
ed the countess, smiling affectionately.
"That they would, my lady. 1 should care
for them SO much, so very much more than you
do But hark Yes, that is in the hall.
| Now we shall see what Genoa and Venice send
US. May he come in, my lady?"
The countess nodded assent, ands oon the
attention of all parties was absorbed in the con-
tents of the peddler's pack.
| Meantime, the jewel cas- stood on dress
ing table by an open window The countess's s
wedding ring flashed in the sunshine, and looked
so bright, that Pito, the tame raven, could not
withstand the temptation of taking it to adorn
| his nest So he quietly seized it, and was car
rying it away in triumph, when he happened
to cspy dainty bit of meat, which the cook
! h,J &lr fba r-or1 FOR tha
wolfhound. He dropped the ring, caught up
the meat, and flew away with 1t, while .Argo
after remaining silent a minute from pure
amazement, gruwled and barked in useless
rage.
The ring fell into bed of mgnonette, and
but short time elapsed before it was found
by Francois, a young nun who had charge OF
the countess's flower garlen.
'sPretty toy" said he, forcing it upon his lit
tie finger-''pretty toy, if you have been drop
ped by some guest who will never miss you, as
1 dare say you have been, l will certainly give
you to Annette. She loves such gauds. and
you would sparkle right bravely on her white
hand"
Pleased with the thought Francois worked
on until bugle note, impatiently blown, rang
! a hasty summons to the gates. 1t was the
count, and he WAS in very I'll humor, for he
had been unsuccessful in the chase, and had
famed one OF his best horses. His eye no
sooner fell on the ring, than he seized the un-
fortunate Franc' is, and threw him to the
ground. "The ring, the ring" he shouted.
Francois drew it from his finger. 81 founl
it my lord, in the countees's flower garden. /
know not whose it is"
"You lie, base varlet! 1t is the countess's
wedding ring. Tie him to the tail of AIenjour.
the wild horse. Let him die as he deserves v
The poor fellow tried to speak, but the count
turned away, and strobe up the stairs to his
wife's apartments. The ladies and waiting
women were still busy, examining the contents
of Pierron's pack, and discussing colors and
trimmings. GA pea-green would look lovely
over this -colored satin," Annette was just
saying, when the count entered the ROOM
The countess rose to receive him with pleas.
ant smile but his looks checked her, and she
stood still, wondering what had happe:;ed.-
He trampled upon the beautiful silks and sat
ins spread on the foot clothes, and seizing her
arm. pulled rather than led her to the battle
meuts.
"Where is your wedding ring, Ida?" he ask
ed tauntingly.
"In my casket, my lord. I saw it there not
three hours since, when Annette arranged the
Jewels"
The count laughed, mockingly, and his brow
grew even darker than before. At that mo-
ment, the bell of the chapel toiled solemny,
called all to pray for the dying.
"IIook down." said the count sternly, and
he held his wife on the very verge of the broad
stores. .-.
She did leok, just as Menjour sprang out of
the courtyard Francois was fastened to his
tail by ropes. He was very pale and looked up
at her as if to implore mercy. 1t was but an
instant. The horse sprang forward in terror.
and vent with his burden quito over the prec-
pice.
The countess shuddered. "What does this,
what can this mean ?" she asked.
at means, Ida of Toggenburg, that the base
servant has received his punishment. That of
his still baser mistress shall not be long delay
ed My vengeance shall be as speedy as sure F"
"She shall have time for confession" said
stern voice, and Father Martin stepped to the
side of the countess.
at will be short said the count. "ITast-
eui I give you but ten minutes to make your
shrift.''
The countess knelt, and the priest, drawing
crucifix from his bosom lifted it before her.
Il know not of what I am accused, father"
she said. 81 am innocent of crime; yet my
spirit is not pure enough to go thus une1pect-
edly to its God without fear"
"Do you repent, daughter?"
81 do," answered the CO intess. "In this
awful moment, l hope only that some merit
greater than mine may purchase the foregivness
which SO mnch need"
The priest knelt in prayer; but the servants
of the counts passions appeared, and rising,
the countess said firmly, Il am ready for what
ever awaits me. o God into thy hands 1 COM
mend my spirit!
The count made signal The men lifted
his wife in their arms, and hurled her over the
battlement. For few minutes not sound
was heard but the tolling of the bell and the
nlurmured prayer Of the priest. Suddenly two
or three of the men-at-arms rushed through
the gate and looked down into the abyss below.
The waving garments of their mistress had
caught, as she fell on some trees which grew
| from a crevice in the rock. "She livesp they
shouted The glad tones were thundered from
the courtyard. They echoed in the halls
They rang out from the countess's apartments.
/ M - <ha