The Van Buren press., 1869-05-11
:.51. 5:5ss5 VAN BUREN, ARK, MAY II, 1869.

served the glittering emerald that encir'
clcd her finger, .ev la u.ftt..ss
!" So splendid jewel 10 hardly beat
ting a mourning garb, mademoisells'
May ] see the ring" s,......I lid l..
Poor Natalie marmured family "Your
Majesty will not take it from me =
Il will return it," replied the Emperor.
as he examined the inscription. Death,
the consolerr' he murmured to himself
" Yes. death is the great healer and com
| fortcr."
His rigid features relaxed into an ex'
preston OF deep pity as he remarked her
wasted appearance and pallid features,
but nothing Of this was perceptible in his
tone ofvoice as he said :, 1T is my will,
MAIDEN oisells, that you should be mar
ried month from this day. The time
will come when you will thank me Tor
| this decision. You may now retire.
As soon as Natalie had left. the En-.
peror rang his bell for DR.. Seckendorf,
his favorite physician. ,s.t,
Seekendorf," said the Char, go and
see Madcmoisellc Rudetski, Find out il
she has any organic disease. Return
here and report, but say nothing OF what
you observe to any one clso."
In few hours Dr. Seckeudorf was
again admitted to the presence OF the
Gar. ft
"How lie your patient ?" inquired Mich
olas. .' ''I f.
~ fear very i'll. your Majesty. She
has aucurism Of the heart" .-
lis there any immediate danger !"
"There may not be If she is not excit-
ed. But violent agitation or grief may
prove fatal" ''a 7 ."''
"What has caused the disease ?"
"Her constitution has always been
frail. but think" hero he hesitated.
"Say out what you think" said the
Gar, impatiently. ia'H t'a " E
"Then, With your Majesty's permis.
sion, think that the sentence OF Count
Pctemkin was her dcath-blow." 3#l -
The Gar paced his cabinet impatient.
ly. She will get over over II, Secken
dorf. A happy marriage will make her
forget all that. There 10 nothing like
happiness for q womans health" .gI
I" do not presume to contradict yonr
Majesty. but doubt whether Mademoi.
selle Radetski is able to bear either hap.
pines or sorrow very long"
The Emperor dismissed his physician
after enjoining him to visit his patient
daily. In the meantime the preparations
for the marriage went on. A costly
housseau was provided for the bride. aud
all the beauty and rank OF the capital in
vited. The Emperor himself was TO grace
the ceremony with his presence.
But still DR.. Seckendorf visited his pa
tisnt, and his face grew grave as he look
ell at her. staE 'l 84.a ri E.U
One morning he reached her mansion
at later hour than usual. Her attend-
not yet rang hdr -ue,t, anti tncy' -trntated
to disturb her The attendants drew
aside the curtains Of the bed With one
hand supporting her head, which rested
upon the pillow, lay the pale sleeper, less
brilliantly beautiful than when, with
proud step and careless grace, she trod
the gorgeous salons OF the capital--but
far more lovely.
Death, the consoler, hal stopped TO
kiss his victim, and had not disturbed the
peaceful smile that rested on her lips.
In her hand she held the ring which she
had taken from her finger, and she had
passed away while reading its inscription.
Gently, Seckendorf replaced it upon
the marble finger, from which 1t was nev-
er more to be taken.
"Truly," he murmurod, for her,
death Is tho CONSIDER"