The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-06-14
A BLINDFOLD MARRIAGE.

to witness the nuptlalS OF Louis, Count OF
Fanche COmpte--a natural son Of the
King-with Lydonie, Duchess de Bali
verne, a wealthy hviress.
The singular feature Of the ceremony
was, that the bridegroom's eyes were
bandaged with white handkerchief.
This circumstance excited the wonder
Of ALL Had the bride been old and ugly,
they would not have been surprised On
the contrary, she was young and quite
pretty. f...-......
The King alone understood this strange
freak Of the bridegroom, and though much
cnraged, he prudcntly held his peace and
I suffered the ceremony to proceed. .-
When Louis NV, came back from his
| campR'gu IN the FOtatV1>SNs, SS>-ly~, nnmr,i
to unite his son, whose valor and daring
in the war had greatly pleased him, to
one of the wealthy wards Of the crown.
lie proposed the union to the young
Duchess of BaIiyernr, and found her ia.
Vorahly inclined
She had just come to court, havingjnst
emerged from the convent where she had
completed her education.
She had seen the young Count often,
though he had never deigned to cast
glance upon her She knew he was brave
and noble, and, she thought handsome.
The barsihiStcr in his cScutchcon was no
objection. She accepted him.
Unfortunately, Louis Of Franchc
Comptr, who, Ike his father, was some
thing of a rcproba;c, would not accept
! her
My son. sail the great King, Il have
resolved that YOU shall marry.
Ny wEyNay ~ G;;d ,nost sexSv''v>t
father, returned the Count, | have re-
solved to do no such thing!
ir The King irowncd. lie was not in the
habit Of being contradicted.
| have made formal proposition, in
| your name, for the hand of the Duchess of
Baliycrnc, and she has accepted you, said
/ he, gravely.
! Doubtless snecred the young scape-
grace, her taste is excellent, and how
could she refuse me? Perhaps it would
have been well to have consulted my in
clinations in this matter. do not wish
to marry
Are yoa in love with any one?'
no.
Then love my Duchess. She is noble,
wealthy
lam your son-that Snobility enough
he bowed low as he spoke, and the King
smiled at the compliment; and the Jews
trust me-what could do with more
gold 2
She is the prettiest woman in my
court
I'm tired Of pretty women; they are
always fools
Could you but see her, you would be
sure to fail in love with her.
| never will see her. answered the
Count dcterminc'ily.
See her or not, you shall marry her,
cried the King in "A rage
If do, I'll marry her with my eyes
-shus, resm.ned the Count.
The King grew purple with passion.
llaIk y'c, boy You owe me obcdi-
ence as subject and a son. 1t is my
will that you bcStow your hand upon the
Duchess dc Balivcrne, the wedding shall
take place this day fortnight. Submit
to my will with good grace, and | will
create you Duke on your wedding day.
Dare to disobcy me, and will strip you
Of your title, aud the lands you hold from
Inc, and cast you into the Bastilc.'
This was what had brought the Count
Of Franche Compile biudlolded to be mar.
Sied
The King smiled grimly but said moth
ing.
The Count placed the ring upon the
finger of his bride but he did not salute
her, and when the ceremony was over he
turned his back upon her, took the hand-
kerchif from his eyes, and walked delib-
erately out Of the chapel.
Lydonie pouted her pretty lips, and
was almost ready to cry with veXation.
The King took her in charge, escorted
her TO the carriage, and they were con-
veyed to the hotel her husband occupied
Here you are, my dear, said the King,
conducting her through the apartments
he had expressly. furnished for her recrp-
tion; here you are, at home
But where's my husband?' asked Ly-
donie
Silly boy muttered the King, look
ing very much annoyed. Never mind,
my dear, he is your husband ; the rest
| W III COlne III llllfc.
what is the use of having husband
if he will not look at you?' pouted Ly-
donc.
lle Shall look at you, or III send him
to the BaStic
'Oh no, cried Lydonie, do not force
him to look at me. If he has not curios-
lty enough to see what kind of wife he
has got, I'm sure do not wish to oblige
him to look at me. see how it is, she
continued, a sad expression stealing over
| her countcnance, Sire, you nave forced
the Count into this union!'
The King coughed aud looked guilty.
'Ohn cried Lydonie, with anguish, he
never loved me, thcn-he will never love
met
Why should you care?'
Because love him, answered Lydonie,
innocently.
Love him?'
Oh, so dearly; that is why, married
him. had loved him from the moment
first behcld him. And now l am his
wife, he will not look at me-
Lydonie burst into flood of tears, and
sank upon sofa.
- The King pitied her sincerely, but what
could he do? He had forced his son to
marry her, but he could not force him to
love her.
lie thought of the Bastile. 1t would
not make him love his wife to send him
there.
We'll, well, he said, you are his wife,
will make him a Duke, and dare say,
you'll find him at home before morning.
With these words the King withdrew.
Lydonie was left alone with her sorrow.
Bat she was not one to droop long. She
soon dried her tears, and looked all the
better for them, like a rose after shower.
Her old nurse came in, and together
they inspected her new home, which Ly-
donie found entirely to her satisfaction.
The Count did not come home that
nipht