The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1860-03-02


put together In various patterns, and loot.
cloths, frinrod and tasseled. worked viii,
I Faily tinted silks, iav about upon Il. The
windows though small, were Of painted
glass. The cwera and bowls. In fnct All
the toilet service, was Of silver, and half
9 donen mental mirrors, a f1ot in diane
ter, hung around. The wells were COW
cred with rose-ooiored satin, rare iuxu.
~ az that time,
The countess wore \ robe Of Blue silk
with long train, which was marx oi
noble birth, and was not allowed 10 The
common people. Above this was a lnnis
of pale gold color. II was fsstcnsa !.
the throat BY a large pin, aei ritn gems
and AZ the waist oy girdle twisted
with gold threads The sieeyca were %
wide that they almost reached the door
ss she sat, and bracelets Of pearls enoir-
cled her arms.
One or two Of her ladies we're cmbroid-
oTing al Franc IN the middle Of the room
while her favoFito waiting maid sat at
her feet arranging jewel case.
"Ahl II were only a lady, and could
wear such beautiful dresses, and could
have such superb jewels :" exclaimed the
girl with a littlc sigh.
"They do not give me pleasurei wonld
they then make you 50 very happv. An
uettein asked the countess, smiling nfISo-
tionately.
"That they would, my lady. I should
care Tor them 30 much, 20 very much
more than you do. But hark Yes, that
is Pierron In the hall Now we shall sec
what Genoa and Venice send ua. May
he come in, my LADY,"
The countess nodded ascent, and soon
the attention Of oil parties was absorbed
IN the contents Of the peddler's pack.
Meantime, the jewel case stood on a
dressing table BY an open window. The
countess wedding ring flushed in tho sun
shine, and looked 50 bright, that Pto, the
tame raven, could not withstand the
temptation Of taking Il 10 adorn his most.
So no quietly seized il. and Avns carrying
Il away in triumph, when he happened to
espy a dainty bit Of meat, which the cook
had thrown into the courtyard for the
great wolf-hoend. He dropped the ring,
caught up the mest, and flew away with
IL; while Argo, after remaining silent a
minute from pure amazement, prowled
and barked in useless rage.
The ring fell into a bed Of mignonetto,
and but a short time elapsed before it was
found by Francois, young man who
bad charge Of the countess flower gar
den.
pretty toy," said he, forcing Il upon
his little finger, "pretty toy, ifyou have
been dropped by some guest who will
never miss you, as l dare say you have
been, will certainly give you to An
nette. She loves such gauds, and you
would sparkle right bravely on her white
hand"
Pleased with the thought, Francois
worked on until bugle note, inpatient
ly blown, rang hRsty summons TO the
gates. II was the count, and he was in
very i'll humor, for he had been uusuccess-
tul in the chase, and had lamcd one his
best horses. His eye no sooner fell on
the nng, than he seized the unfortunate
Francois, end threw him TO the ground
"The ring, the ring!" he shouted.
Francois drew It from his finger. al
found It, my lord, in tho countess flower
garden. know not whose il is"
"You lie, base varletl II is the coun-
tess wedding ring. Tie him to the tail
Of Menjour, the wild horse. Let him die
as he deserves"
The poor fellow tried T. speak, but the
count turned away, and strode up the
stairs to his wife's apartments. The Ia.
dies and waiting woman were still busy,
examining the contents of Pierron's mack,
aud discussing colors and trimmings.-
"a poa-green would look lovely over this
rose-colored satin" Annette was lust
saying, when the count entered the room.
The countess rose to receive him with a
plc asunt smile; but his looks checked her,
and she stood still, wondering what had
happened. He trampled upon the beau
tiiul silks and satins spread on the foot
clothes, and seizing her arm, pulled rath-
or than led her to the battlements.
"Where is your wedding ring, Idal" he
asked tauntingly.
'ln my casket, my lord. / saw it there
not three hours since, when Annette ar
ranged the jewels"
The count laughed mockingly, and his
brow grew even darker than before. At
that moment, the bell Of the chapel toll
ed solemnly, called all to pray for the
dying.
"Look down." said the count stearnly,
and he held her on the very verge Of the
broad stones.
She did look, 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 il TO
implore mercy. IL was but an instant.
The horse sprang forward in terror, and
went with his burden quite over the preei-
1 pice.
The countess shuddered. "What does
this, what can this meant" she asked.
ut means, Ida Of Toggenburg, that the
base servant has received his punishment.
That his still baser mistress shall not be
be long delayed. My vengeance shall be
as speedy as sure"
She shall have time for ooniession,'
said a stern voice, and Father Martin
stepped to the side of the countess.
1T will be short" said the count
"Hasten give you but ten minutes 20
make your shrift."
The countess knelt, and the priest
drawing q cucihx from his bosom, lifted
Il before her Il know not Of what am
accused, father" she said. 81 am iuno-
cent OF cflmej YET my spirit ls not pure
enough to 60 thus unexpectedly to its
J God without fear"
"Do you repent, daughterl"
i az do" answered the countess. SIN
this awful moment, ! hope only that some
merit greater than mine may purchase the
forgiveness which 81 maeh need,
The priest knelt in prayer sll the scr
wants Of the counts passions appe9ree
and rising, the countess said firmly, u
am ready for whatever awalts me. q
God, into thy hands l commend my
spiritm
IL The count made a signal. The meT