The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-10-25

]
her; for, having waltzed at bah given
in honor of the Princes mariSege, she
came very near dying.
Once more it was st. Sylvesters eve.
Major d'Ebersdorf and his wife, who
had returned from st. Petersburg
within the last three days, attended
the court ball. Ottalie, who was suf-
fering more than usual, had retired,
and the Grand Duchess, wishing be-
fore she descended to the saloon to
embrace and say good night to the in
valid, entered her room; but she found
Ottalie sleeping SO profoundly that
she went away without awakening
her.
A lively waltz struck up. Major d.
Ebersdorf was waiting till the Grand
Duke, who was entertaining him with
the account of an immense hunt he
wished to get up, had finished speak
ing, before he went to claim n partner
for the dance. Suddenly general
movement was observed the walters
stopped, the music was hushed. A
female clothed in white was crossing
the saloon, and, dispensing with ges-
ture all who were in her path, she went
straight towards Eberedorf
Frederic, come and waltz" said
she.
"Ottalie !" This was all that he
could say.
"For the love of God, Monsieur, -
interrupted the physician of the Grand
Duchess, edo not contradict her; do all
that she wishes, and above all, do not
awaken her. She is in a somnambuhc
state"
Come repeated Ottalie; "why dc
you wait ?"
Ebersdorf followed her mechanical
ly, and the waltz commenced.
The waltz ended.
st is too warm here; let us go and
breathe the fresh air" said she, draw
ing the Count toward the principal
window in the gallery. She opened il
and went out on a balcony, whence
they could see the gardens of the pal.
ace.
How calm is all around us" said
Ottalie, seating herself on stone
bench, and drawing Ebersdorf down
beside her Oh, Frederic, have suf-
fered much, but it is neces 5ary to suf
fer to buy the happiness which l enjoy
at this moment. In my grief | blasp-
hemed against God, | did not believe
Ill Him-now that | am happy He has
entered my soul like flood of light
and heat Holy religion of love,
PROSTATE myself before thee.
Miserable fool that | was !" ex-
claimed Ebersdorf, forgetting in the
violence of his grief the warning of the
doctor. "All is over now. Oh my hap
! piness, my future, my life-lost, lost
without return Oh, pride pride y
pride :" slowly repeated Ottalie
at is for that which | have suffered SC
much-pride, and then jealousy. Why
did you dance with the Frankenthal
why wait upon her with such devotioni
jealousy devoured me. Answer me,
Frederic, have You ever loved her ?"
"Never !" said the Count in a hol-
low voice, stiAed by emotion.
"And have you always loved me %
"More than my life, replied he
"Nyhat a future of happiness and
love opens for us, continued Ottalie,
softly resting her head on the Counts
shoulder. I'VE will go through life
leaning upon each other"
She ceased to speak; her lips vel
moved. but no sound came from them.
Suddenly the first notes of waltz
were heard. Ottalie sprang up
do you hear, Frederic, the mid
night waltz; it is the same as last year,
la Gabrielle, my fayorite waltz. You
will dance it with me henceforth--al-
ways with me p
She re-entered the saloon, leaning
on the arm of the Count
She traversed with bound the
double row of walters, and commence
ed to dance with kind of furore, with
out stopping an instant She turned,
as though borne by whirldwind.
''Faster - she called out every mo-
ment; easter faster" And the mu-
sic quickened so much that Frederic
could hardly follow her in her fe arful
waltz Midnight sounded.
Breathless, exhausted, she almost
fell into his arms.
"That kiss-which / refused thee
take it !" said she in a voice by short,
quick respirations.
"Ottalie, my life, my only love =
cried Frederic, Forgetting himself and
straining her passionately to his heart
as he pressed his lips to hers.
A piercing cry arose. Ottalie es
capped from the arms of the Count, and
fell at his feet in frightful commissions
"Gracious heavens !" Count. you
have awakened her, exclaimed the
Grand Duke.
"The danger is passed" said the
physician, "only God will awaken hel
now"
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