The Van Buren press., 1869-05-11
MISCELLANY
THE EMERALD RING,

Alarm aud anxiety were depicted on hel
features, and she constantly clasped ant
unclasped her small hands, and nervous
" arose and looked out in the street anc
then reseated herself as if awaiting som'
painful intelligence. 1t was the fai
young Natalie Radetski, the beauty thu
Russian court, upon whom nature ant
fortune had showered every gift, and fol
whom even the stern features OF the Emp
ell or Nicholas would relax into something
like a smile as he looked upon her beaut,
and grace
Hastily the door opened and youn!
man advanced toward her.
. am to bid you faaewcll, Natalie.
he saip in voice broken emotion.
"Oh, Alexis, what is it?" cried thu
young girl.
IL have displcased the Emperor, ant
he has ordered my arrest" 5.
THE Emperor will pardon you-l
will 60 to him." said she. lie will moi
refuse me. lie has always been so kind
to me-" .H7 a... n
Alas my Natalie, he will refuse yor
this The Emperor believes me concern
cd in conspiracy, and he never forgives
am innocent, but he will not believe it
| know not what ia to bc done with me
but il am sent to Siberia"
f" To Siberia! Oh, Alexis it can no,
bet can not be-" H"v a. Z
For moment neither spoke. Al
length, with a powerful effect at selfcon'
troll, the young man said, " Natalie, LEI
me place this ring upon your finger and
promise me that you will wear it always
in memory of what my love has been to
you. The Emperor will force You to
marry, l do not wish the thought ofme
to make you always wre.chcd ri. ...
He placed upon her finger ring, in
which was single emerald ofgrcat bril-
liancy. '" ~ @ H4"
"Do not take it off, nor read the in
seription, till you hear certainly that !
nave been banishcd." a....
lie clasped her convulsively to his
breast, kissed her brow and lips, and lay
ing her gently upon the divan, passed
out. In the street the guards were await.
ing him.
The words Of her lover did not deter
Natalie from attempting TO save him
She sent petition to the Emperor, i'm,
ploring an interview but it was denied
her. She waylaii the Empress. 1l
my poor child,' said the Empress,
kindly, would gladly take you to the
Emperor, even at the risk OF ineurrine
BIZ. diissUllsaslMss let itjnt $40 'r,a,vAlrNa
lifo." .....n.. ...t lr'.Il ,,r. .u
Natalie heard her not. i.- ls..-.I o.
Lift her up said the Empress she
has tainted. flo . .F...
But Natalie had not tainted. Slowly
but resolutely she rose, snd, making
gesture OF respectful submission to the
Empress, begged leave to retire.
When Natalie reached her own apart
ment, she drew from her finger the ring
that Alexis had placed upon it. and read
the inscription carved upon the inside u
French" Death is the only consolcr,
it said. 1--WE shall meet in Heaven"
Among the condemned, in glare
quicksilver mine, in the very heart of th'
country. thousands Of versts from St
Petersburg, stopped at his daily toll 9
form whose tall and noble proportions
even his coarse habit scarcely shrouded
The same uncarthly pallor was on hi
countenancc, as upon that Of every toilel
in those fearful regions, but his eyes
shonc with extraordinary brilliancy
Every now and then he raised them To-
moment, as if in prayer, and his thin
hands were clasped tightly to his breas
while he murmured the name OF Natalie
lie had but one hope--death, the consel
er, would soon come. His dclicale frame
unused to labor and exposed to the rigo
Of an Arctic climate, soon yielded to tn
unhealthiness Of his occupation; and b.
was fast sinking under his trials. Yes
death would come, gentle death--and hi
heart lcaped with a momcntary jcy. Th
brutal overseer might curse, and his las
might cut deeply into the delicate flesh
but death would come at last, and with
consolation. ..' t
The struggle was not long A fe'
days Of confinement to q hard pallet,
few nights Of suffering, and the fat. whic
even an imperial decree would not stol
went forth. The victim was released,
Three months after this, the gran,
Chamberlain of Russia presented Limsel
before Madamoiselle Rudetski, and sum
moned her to the presence OF the I'm
peror. ...
When conducted to the palace, Hi
Majesty dismissed the gentleman In wait
ing, and signed her to approach. Hi
stern features were contracted by an ex
preston Of deep displeasure. .-
"Why does Madamoisello Radetsk
wear mourning ?" he said. "Does sh
mourn for conspirators who would sub
vert the Government and bring destruc
ton upon their country
NO, sire" she answered. ~ wea
mourning for one whom your Mcjest.
saw at to condemn, but to whom, b.
your express command, ! promised m.
hand"
1--WE will not discuss the past replied
the Car, coldly. ~ sent for you for
different purpose, have chosen hus
band for you" .......'......-Ly.
"Mcrcy, sirc:' cxclsimcd Natalie
clasped her hands imploringly. "D'
not force mo to marry. - .'----.--s
Force, madamoisclle, that Is an ugl,
word, !, your emperor, recommend you
acceptance oYthc suit OF a young noble
man Of high rank There are reasons o
state which makes me expressly desir
this marriage. And Natalie he added