The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-06-29

hoffman Of high rank. There are reas
sons of state which make me expressly
desire this marriage. And, Natalie" ht
added, his harsh tone and manner soft
ening yisibly, ''gricf should not be eter
nal. Life is not given us to waste IL
idle sorrow for what is irremediable
and new ties will bring you solace, and
i'll time, happiness"
As she pressed her hands to her bo-
som, in momentary spasm OF pain, hc
observed the glittering emerald that en-,
circled her finger.
$50 splended jewel is hardly beft-
ting mourning garb, mademoisclie.-
May see the ringt
Poor Natalie murmured family, "You,
Majesty will not take it from me?"
Il will return it, replied the Emper.
or, as he examined the inscription
death, the consolerr' he murmured to
himself. eyes, death is the great heal
er and comforter"
His rigid features relaxed into an ex.
preston of deep pity as he remarked
her wasted appearance and pallid fea-
lures; but nothing Of this was percept-
ible in his tone as he said, at is my will
mademoiselle, that you should be mar
ried a month from this day The time
will come when you will thank me for
this decision. You can now retire"
AS soon as Natalie had left, the En-
peror rang his bell for DR.. Seckendorf
his favorite physician
"Seckendorf," said the Gar, ego and
see Mademoiselle Radetski. Find out
if she has any organic disease. Return
here and report; but say nothing Of what
you observe to any one else"
In few hours DR.. Seckendorf was
again admitted to the presence of the
Gar
How is your patient 2" inquired Mich
olas.
Il fear very i'll, your Majesty" She
has aneurism of the heart"
''1s there any immediate danger?"
"There may not be, if she is not ex-
cited. But violent agitation or grief
may prove fatal"
''What has caused the disease" ?"
"Her copstitution has always been
frail; but l think" here he hesitated
"Say out what you Think" said the
Car, impatiently
"Then, with your Majesty's permiss-
ion, l think that the sentence Of Count
Potcmkin was her death blow"
The Gar paced his cabinet impatient
ly. "She will get over it, Seclendorf. A
happy marriage will make her forget all
that. There is nothing like happiness
for woman's health"
II do not presume to contradict your
Majesty; but doubt whether Madem-
oiselle Radetski is able to bear either
happiness 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
trosseau was provided for the bride, and
all the beauty and rank Of the capital
invited. The Emperor himself was to
grace the ceremony with his presence.
But still Dr. Seckendorf visited his
patient, and his face grew grave as he
looked at her.
One morning he reached her mansion
at later hour than usual. Her attend
ants informed him that their mistress
had not yet rang her bell, and they hesi-
tated to disturb her. He went at once
to her apartment 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 gor-
geous salons of the capital-but far
more lovely.
Death, the consoler, had 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, ,aud
she had passed away while reading its
Gently Seckendorf replaced it upon
the marble finger, from which it was nev-
er more to be taken.
"Truly," he murmured, "for her,death
Is the consoler."