Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-11-01


past, swhen we are dead no monument must
be placed over Leipsic's or Maria's grave.
We charge you by your oath, remember
it. My lord, the peu.'
sHold--a word in connection with the
Princess Maria most gracious majesty,
said Count de Moner, advancing to the
bedside and kneeling.
what of her?' inquired the empress,
her brow darkening, and half rising from
the bed. What of our late daughter? !?
This replied the count. holding out
the certificate They were married, and
the proof is here
Let me see itp exclaimed the empress
fercely, and snatchiug the paper from his
hand. ''Fore Godv she cried. as her eyes
glanced hastily over it; married ! and to
the Duke de Leipsic the witnesses What!
ha what is this-these names-Charles OF
Leipsic, Casper Hoffman, uotary-Froncois
Gotschof nd--and- Paul !-ha you
you were present at the ceremony?
TIE grand duke started as he heard the
accusation. Heavy drops Of PRECIPITATION
covered his brow, and he turned deadly pale.
sYes-yes ? continued Catharine, gaz
ing 6ercely around her; 'they we're married,
and this-this son of mine was present.
Here is his name; and yet he always de-
MED any knowledge of it! Fool! liar =
she almost screamed, and tearing her grey
locks with her hands, while her eyes gleam-
ed with light uuearthly-the courter
starting back with horror at the fearful
sight. Ispit upou-I loathe you!
Madam mother! cried the Grand
Duke, falling on his knees.
My curse your mothers curse cling
to you till death, Paul! May the eternal
fire forever consume you! May your
nights be sleepless, your days
Hold, mother, do not curse me! ! ex-
claimed Paul in a voice of agony. Il am
your SON.
Son y shrieked Catharine. No, thou
art no longer son of mine! spit at
curse you! Ha! ha! Paul! dying and
feeble as am, l have still power and
strength euought to punish you. Ho there,
my lord,' she continued, turning to the
minister of state whom she knew to be no
friend of Paul, make out the warrant
I am empress still, and have the right to
name my successor. Make out the war;
rant
For his exile, your majesty?' inquired
the minister, as he seated himself and ca.
gerly proceeded to write.
sNo-for his instant execution was the
stern reply. But he must not die as a
grand, duke of the empire. No! We do
not deprive him of his nobility-tear from
him the designation we have given him,
and consider him never to have borne our
name. No longer heir-apparent to the
imperial throne, but reduced to the degra-
ded condition of a serf let him die Union
ored and unknown; and he who seeks to
plead for him, makes me his foe and shares
his doom Have you finished p
almost, your majesty replied the min
lister, his pen flying like lightning over the
paper.
Il will not yield thus " said Paul, rising
to his feet and laying his hand upon his
sword. Il do dispute the justice of your
sentence, and refuse to recognize the pow.
er that seeks to take from me my life and
inheritance. 1 am your eldest son; and
coward were indeed, and no son of Cath
arine, did I tamely submit to such indig
nifty. will not yield
Not yield !! thuudered the empress. -
What no, there! call in the guard. The
guard, say! the guardn
In moment the door was flung open
and the imperial guard marched into the
room, the gay colors of their uniform con
trasting strangely with the dark wall anc
hangings of the room.
1T is enough-I yield said Paul, as soon
as he beheld them and drawing his sworc
he broke it across his knee; and sinking
into chair, covered his face with hi.
hands.
Now, Count de Moner, said Catharine
turning to the nobleman, and resolved tina
other lips besides her own should pro
nounce Paul's sentence, in order that pos
terity might think that justice, not hatred
Influenced her conduct; 'we leave his fatt
to you, since you were the means of dis
covering his guilt. What shall it be?'
sDeath-instant death
'Ay, the sentence is a just one,' sale
Catharine. do you give the order for hi:
execution, while sign the warrant Bu
first this certifcate-take it, some of you
and burn it,
The paper was passed along the line to
ward the fire, and Henri, being the last
flung it into the CRATE.
Triumphant exclaimed de Moner-
'Ha ha! | shall be minister of state, a
the very least! Since you have left hi
doom to me- he said, turning to the EN-
press, I will proceed with it at once
Let file Of soldiers instantly proceed tt
the court yard, and prepare for the execu
tion. Come, my lord,' and he touched
Paul on the shoulder, who instantly rose
follow me-
'Where?' said Paul, his eyes glazed, ant
his face fearfully pale.
TO death y replied the count, with
smile of triumph. 'Ha! ha! have sue
ceeded !and he rubbed his hands gleeful
ly.
'Now-the pen,' said the empress, a
the minister laid the death warrant of tn
unhappy duke before her.