The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1866-02-22

never relinquished the idea of be-
coming Queen, and had fondly i'm
agined that, ION account of Philips
youth, his brother would obtain
such a strong ascendency over his
mind, as would make him King in
reality, if not in name. sHmI .,en
This disappointment was felt
with increased bitterness when she
became the mother Of a'son in whom
she centered all her, ambitious
hopes, and all the love she was ca
pable offeeling for any one. p,
Unlike our modern fine ladies,
the danes ofhigh degree of that re-
mote period, were early risers; and
the Countess de Neville often took
long rides on horseback before the
dew was off the grass, unattended,
except by her groom, who kept at
a respectful distance, just near
enough to be within call, should
his lady require assistance. 40
One morning, she paused in front
of a little cottage, situated in a
perfect wilderness Of bloom. As
an involuntary ejaculation of sur
prise and admiration escaped her
lips, pretty intelligent looking
girl raised her bright eyes from the
rosebush she was pruning. ~" r
81 have some handsomer within,
arranged in bouquets" she said
smiling, "if madam would like to
examine them"
Throwing the reins of her horse
to her attendant, the Countess
alighted, much to the surprise of
the servitor, who had never known
his naughty mistress to be guilty
of so much condescension before.
" AS the Countess entered the lit
tie, low room, the prettyfower girl
displayed her beautiful collection
Of bouquets with pardonable pride.
g. "All or any of them are at your
service, with the exception of this
she said, pointing to one composed
of golden lilies and white roses, and
relieved by few leaves of green /;
"it is for the King"
$50 King Philip buys thy flowers,
pretty maldenY
Yes, madame Il have orders to
bring them to the palace daily.
The golden lily is his favorite
flowers and there are only those in
bloom to-day? Ci'''-' Al T.
4 will take this said the Count
ess, selecting one of the bouquets,
and taking from her purse a gold
piece of more than double the
value, but first bring me a cool
draught of water from the spring
yonder.' ' o'...' ..a .' /. .o.'
With a light step the young girl
took a pitcher and passed out to
the spring that was but a short dis
tance from the door. AS she glided
by the window on returning, she
glanced in and saw, much to her
her visitor bending over
the stand ofhowers, and apparently
sprinklihg something from her hand
upon those she had laid aside for
the King. When she took it away,
her eye caught gleam of a small
golden flask, such as the ladies of
that period used for their cosmetics
and perfumery. But when she en-
tered the room, she found her in
the same position in which she had
left her. .. .,..' co.," . v5oi |
She could not forbear an excla-
nation of surprise as she observed.
how deadly pale was her counten-
ance' .r........
''Tis but the odor of the flowers
said the Countess, as drawing her
robes around her she turned to the
door.
Take my advice, my good girl
place the stand nearer the window,
and be not much over them; their
perfume is quite too strong for so
small q ROOM -'..".' .0
There was something about these
words .carelessly., spoken though
they were, that deepened the un-
defined suspicious, in, the young
girls heart and, following her sug-
gestion, she placed the stand Of
flowers directly in front of the open
Then by a close examin-
alton of the bouquet destined for
The King, she detected the presence
Of a fine white powder, so impalpa-
bic to the eye upon the white petals
Of the rose, but clearly visible upon
the lilies, whose peculiar shape, by
the leaves to the full rays
5f the sun as well as their vivid
,oloring, threw it into strong relief;
and as she bent over them, the faint |