Worcester daily spy., 1861-12-02

dc - therefore could bring her husband
40 portion.
Napoleon de -- is the grandson of the
noble Duchess of -, who has distin-
guished name and title, but no wealth. How
ever, the Duchess and the General, long united
by warm friendship, had engaged 10 unite
their children They soon repenied their en-
gagement.
While Matilda and Napoleon were both re-
igning.thenselves TO the happiness OF love,
the General and Ducbess, alarmed for the
interests Of their children, and little Tor the
own, were play ing different game.
"lf my daughter" says the General, '1mar
ries this poor devil Napoleon. farewell wealth
and happiness"
at my son" said the Duchess, "gets wife
and no fortune, how shall ! restore the noble
house of -"
The General therefore endcavored to detach
Matilda from her lover, and the Duchess to
ALLEVIATE her son from Matilda But neither
sncct eded. Though young and inexperienced
their love was too strong for all the wes OF
the older heads.
The parents failing to secure voluntary
separation, were at last able to compel the de
parture OF Napoleon and secure his absence
for some time. "Pecunary eXigences de-
mandrd it, Napoleon must obtain situation.
The minister had made him first secretary to
closed against himself brilliant career The
sacrifice he owed to Matilda herself, tor whose
happiness he was soon to become respons ble."
Napoleon yielded.
lie sees Matilda for the last time, and an
nounced his d, parture A cry Of grief bursts
from the heart OF the young girl. In vaic he
sets forth his projects--in vain he forces him
self to console hel, by pointing her to bis re-
turn full OF wealth, happiness, and love. Ma
tilda was tnconsoabe; sad presentiment
foI bade her TO believe the treacherOus prom
ises Of the future. What more could she gain
in exchange for the present happiness, about
to be sacrificed to duty? She saw that her
dream Of happiness was ended that the beau
tiIul vision had taken wings
Napoleon took her hand and covering it
with kisses and tears, eXclaimed-"Remcm-
ber. Matilda, remember you are my atiianced
and this hand, remember, is mine!
Wth these words he put upon her finger a
small ruby ring at was my mothers, said
lie.
Matilda could only reply by pressing the
ring to her lips, when she sank into char
utterly overcome
Napoleon left. His absence facilitated the
object OF the parents. The general soon made
an appeal TO the tilial love OF his daughter. He
exaggerated his poverty -nventel Il long list
OF debt and Obligations which lie could not
meet, and drew a frghtful picture of his
wretChed and dshon0rrd old age he even
suggested suicide as preferable to such fate.
She alone could save him, and TO do that she
must forget Napoleon, and marry the wealthy
Count de, whose masculine face and
commanding form she well knew.
A little seltishness had saved Matilda but
it is the weakness OF human nature to antic-
ipaie instead Of avoiding sacrifices Matilda
threw herself into her lather's arms, pIomis.
ing everything, and he gave her his blessing,
and thanked her tOr her filial devotion. lie
was Still speaking, when Matilda, unable 10
command herself longer, escaped from his
arms. Pale and exhausted she fastened to
her room, and abandoned herself to a flood of
silent tears Weep, noble creature, tor this
phantom glimpse OF happiness Happiness,
aias there is no happiness for souls like
thine
However the banns were published, and
the 10Th o last January, at the church of St.
Thomas d'AguIn, Matild married the Count
dc -. The general was completely happy.
NJ the moment OF The nuptlal benediutIUn,
when the husband was about To put upon her
finger the symbol OF their union, instead If
presenting, as is usual, her left hand, Matilda
passed suddenly to the otEer side, aud offered
her right
The count. with slight remark, would
have taken her left, but size Withdrew it, and
again presented the right with an air of quiet
decision that is indispuablr; the count un-
dersluod ii, and, to avoid notice, placed the
ring upon the hand she offered him
JealOus as OthellO, dark suspicion imme-
dIately seized his breast. Pretending that
the ring was not to his taste, he begged Ma
tiida to lay ii asiCe. She replied with mild
ness, but with the same decision she had be-
fore shown, that she should never part with L.
The count 5 suspicious were, from that time,
facts; but lie dissimulated To secure his re-
venge n system OF espionage was organized
around Matilda. A letter soon arrived from
Napoleon. Ignorant OF his misfortune, he
spoke of his love- his future plans, and their
approaching marriage. lie reminded Matilda
that her hand ,cus his and entreated her to let
his mothers ruby remind her often Of him lie
closed with the joyful intelligence that lie was
entrusted with important communications ior
Paris, and that in less than month lie should
see her.
The Count received the letter, and immdi,
ately understood all. Entering the chamber
OF his wife and giving her the open letter, 81
understand" said he coolly, "your scruples
Why did you not explain yourself before
You have sworn that your hand belonged to
none but him. Very well" said he, with Il
threatening smile, "when he comes, | will see
that you keep your oath y
Matilda rembled not. There was nothing
more for her 10 fear on earth.
a month afterwards, Napoleon arrived at
Paris--but how changed? He knew his mis-
fortune The morning after lis arrival, they
handed him a small ebony box, which a SER
want in livery had just brought He opened
it. Judge his terror-his grief? The box
contained Il bloody banda lady's hand-Ma-
tilda's Upon a paper stained with blood,
were these words: "See how the Countess
of - keeps her oaths -
Burning with Indignation, lie seizes his pis-
tolls and flies to the Counts. The Count aud
Matilda had left on the terrible event, but 10
one knew where they had gone.
The Doctor and Napoleon fought in the
wood of Vmcennes. The De welded the
bistoury better than the small sword, and re-
ceived a wound under the arm, though it is
thought not TO be dangerous.
Before leaving his adversary, the Doctor
recounted to him the events of the cruel night
when he was forced by humanity to commit
crime. However" he added, "she did not
suffer much a sublime enthusiasm seemed to
sustain her courage, and | am confident that
she rejoiced at her suffering, thinking that
her hand at least, would be restored to you.
AS finished, l heard in a low voice behind
the curtain BE sure and tell him my heart
qoes tcith ma hand!" Without the ruby
should have been unable to fulfil her request"
Forced from Paris, to escape arrest Tor the
duel, Napoleon de - is at Brussels. Poor
fellow his grief must be heart rending Will
lie ever return 10 Paris :!
Huherti was only borrowed name. The
Doctor was no other than the distinguished
surgeon LIsFRAYC.
Wincbpster's Rnrwplps and Ma