The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-03-02

aSain.
At last the morning dawned clear
and they were sixty.fye miles on the
way. But again the horses were giving
out, and no inu appeared in view. So
they drove on, on, on. Joiph lessened
their pace, until they we're going but
little faster than walk, for to have
kept the horses on at the former rate
would have been to kill them.
When Renee had given up to despair,
little wayside tavern came 10 sight,
they soou drove up before the "Wild
Boar" But to her hurried inquiries
the landlord shook his head mo he
had not foir horses, nor even two for
that matter"
A group Of workmen on their way to
the fields we're congregated before the
house, and to them the heart broke en-
woman appealed.
"Oh my friends" she cried, "can
none of you aid me Hear my story.
My husband is to be beheaded 10 Pesth
at six o'clock this evening. / am on
my way to save him, have the EN-
press pardon here. Wi1l you not; .
will you rot help me p
For moment they were all silent,
but as new conner, rather better drcs.
sed than themselves, joined them, they
cried.
80, here is Fritz. Fritz, let the
poor lady take the horses"
~ Not l." said Fritz, gruflly, "Pve
other use for my horses"
The stricken woman heard the words
and flew to him.
Aid me-" she cried wildly, 20, aid
me. Here is gold. Here are jewels, -
aud she tore the pearls from her hair, her
arms, her bosom. Take them | give
them willingly Only pity my distress, -
aud her eyes, bedewed with tears, look
ed appealing to him.
The man eyed greedily the priceless
gifts held out to him, and avarice con-
quered every other feeling.
WE'LL" he said, sweeping them into
his pocket, "1'll get the horses for you,
and walked away.
So after another half hour they start
cd once again, and were whirled onward
till four in the afternoon, and then saw
by the signs aud toll gates that Pesth
was still twenty miles distant,
A change OF horses at the "Twenty
Mile Iun,' aud then began u Gerc,
struggle between time and death, aud
death seemed about to win for at hall
past five there were still eight miles tC
be gone over.
Renee's tortured brain seemed ready
to burst, and her heart almost ceas
ed to beat, as, the nearer they drew to
their goal, the nearer came the dreadful
hour.
40, that may be ia time" was her
constant prayer,
And now they were in the suburbs
" Fas er, Joseph, faster" she shrek
ed in agony, as the hands Of her watch
pointed to five minutes Of six.
The man lashed the horses fcrcely
aud they bounded on with tightening
speed clearing all obstacles, disregardinq
every hindrance.
The Countess looked breathlessly
from the window up the long vista OF
streets, aud saw where it ran into the
Public Square. She saw, too-oh, her
rible sight-the scaffold and the surg
ing masses of people around, and as
they came near she dis:erned his noble
form.
She drew the precious paper from
her bosom and waved it wildly, scream
ing, Pardon, Pardon"
Alas they heard her not.
80, Joseph, Joseph. Faster. Lash
them. must not be too late" and the
man eoaded the quivering animals to 0
still quicker pace.
And now she sees the giitering ak
raised on high, aud the wondering
crowd divides to make passage for the
frantic s,eeds. Again sh, waves the
paper, and again she shouts, "Pardon. -
Then the executioner's hand is stayed
and she clasps her husband to her
breast murmuring, "Not too late :"
while all the people madly checred and
tossed their hats high in the air.
o, what a rejoicing was there. and
what enthusiastic shouts went up fol-
the woman who had so bravely saved
her husbands life, aud for her lord
snached from the jaws of death.
! She had striyen nobly, and she had
won.
| After vigorous examination, It was
proven beyond doubt that the Count
Leopold Van Autcnrieth was entirely
gultless of the crime with which he had
been charged, aud tho whole affair was
the well.laid scheme of two other noble
men, high in position at court, aud jeal.
Gus of the rising fame of the count.
They were punished as they deserved
l