The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-03-02
Seleet Staru.
WILL SHE Be TOO LATE /?


again | shall behold him." murmured
the Countess Won Autenrieth. as she
paced up and down her elegant boudoir,
listl,ssly, dispiriledly, rs though it were
a heavy task to live aud breathe. but
two more days and he will return to me.
Yet, oh l.! the hours pass so slowly, so
slowly"
She paused in her walk before the
marble mantle, aud leaning her fair
white arms upon it, watched the little
bronze clock ticking SO monotouously.
neither hurrying nor retarding its face,
caring naaght for human veal or woe.
But four more revolutions of this
pointer, yet even that seems aa eternity
1t is as II the nearer the time approach
ed, the slower dragged the moments.
All !! It's absence proves the hearts af.
fections. My love has increased ten
yes hundred fold since we parted
And he has been but mouth away.
Heavens! it has been year-a long
aud weary year to me. Then, it seemed
as though removed from him | could
not live, yet here | am. But what a
dull and empty farce is life--my life at
least. Balls, dinners, receptions, the
opera, and court. | envy the very
peasant girl as see her in the streets,
looking SO cheerful and happy, free to
roam about where it pleases her, while
| am tied down to one routine / 90
through with it all but there is such
a void, a feeling of something wanting
in my heart"
AS she stood there, her jeweled hands
clasped impatieutly, her gaze turned
wistfully upon the little timcpiecc, the
Countess Renee looked fair, very fair
Her hair, black and glossy, rippled away
in heavy shining waves IRON her white
forehead, and was bound in one massive
knot behind, while soft pearls, inter.
mingling here and there, relieved its
sombre gloom. llsr dark eyes, dull and
languid now, yet revealed within their
slumberous depths that which told that
excitement could bring the needed
sparkle. Her robe was of rustliug rose.
tinted silk, while long traiu OF dark
crimson velvet, bordercd with silver lace,
fell from her iaultless waist in heavy,
graceful folds, according well with her
tall, stately figure, and royal air.
20, Leopold, my Leopold, return to
me--your loving Renee" she continued
then sinking iuto chair covered her
face with her hands, and for moment
wept bitterly, as though her heart were
breaking. But soon rising, she impa.
tiently dashed away the tears, cxchim.
ing Shall IL whom men call The
icy countess'-appear before my guests
with red eyes, and tear.stained face
No; | will not weep"
At this moment low knock sounded
upon the door, and servant ia gor-
geous livery of velvet and gold, entered
With low bow, he extended to her
letter.
From court, my lady," he said, as
she took it, and then withdrew.
The countess glanced at it carelcssly.
From Courty Some order concern.
ing the next reception, ! suppose" aud
tearing off the envelope, she read the
first few lines,
As she did so, her whole demeanor
changed. She clutchcd the paper firmly,
with hands as cold us death. A corpse.
like pallor came upon her anguished
face wild look of horror filled her
staring eyes; and shudder after shud.
der shook her frame.
Aud well might she tremble, for the
cruel letter told her that her idolized
husband, Count Leopold Won Auten.
rieth, would, on the twenty seventh day
of October, at six o'clock in the evening,
be beheaded Tor the crime Of high treason,
in the public square Of the city OF Pesih.
When she bad finished, the lovely
Renee stood for moment gazing bapk-
ly at the letter---the terrible lelter-as
though its meaning was not quite plain
to her.
1t was such shock had come so
suddenly Five minutes before she had
been joyously expecting his return to
her aud now--this
Death T.
She trembled as the fearful word fell
from her pallid lips dizziness stole
over her making her faint and sick
But the wretched woman shook off the
feeling.
a. ms