Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-04-07

but treason-never!"
ale has been misguided is
some awful mistake. For the love OF
heaven-for the love you bear your dead
husband, give him his life. He has been
faithful-oh, how faithful-to you, and l
know, l feel in my heart that he is inno-
cent. Pardon him. Pardon. Pardonl"
Breathless, the countess groveled in
the most abiect misery at the feet of the
empress.
ut is true he has been very loyal to
me hitherto. Are you sure that the proof
is perfect? would destroy no mans life
without just cause" turning to her
counsellors, who, with the exception of
Kauniiz, were looking in astonishment at
this outpouring of the woman's heart.
The case has been thoroughly exam
ined as was possible in so short time,
your majesty, and it is scarcely probable
there is anything wrong" replied Kaunltz
as grave and as calm as though nothing
unusual had happened.
yet there might be-" murmured
Maria Theresa, beginning to relent, "and
/ have never had suspicion, even,
against him before"
"Oh, your majesty cried the countess,
the spark of hope, almost extinguished,
beginning to revive within her tortured
bosom, "at least reprieye him until he
can be found guilty. All this may be
the malice of some enemy. The good
have always enemies, And if he has
erred, your majesty will see that he can
appreciate mercy
Enough" said the empress, with
determined wave Of the hand. "Kaunitz,
make out full pardon for the Count
Leopold Won Autenrieth, and will sign
it. Countess Rcene, / have decided to
give your husband free pardon, such is
the confidence begin now TO feel in his
innocence. | trust that he will appreciate
the act, and show that he does so, by
keeping, in the future, from everything
which can sully his name, or cast any
shadow upon his integrity. have always
had the greatest faith in him. He has
been n wise counsellor and a sagacious
adviser TO me. | signed the warrant in
haste, or should have looked more search
ingly for the truth Of the matter
Reene Won Autenrieth could but stoop
and kiss the hem of the empress robe, so
overcome by the sudden revulsion OF feel
ing, rs, for moment, to be speechless
But, countess, fear you will not he
able to save your husband. The courier,
with the death sentence, must have reach
ed Pcsth 10y this time, for the execution
is Tomorrow
"Y oi,r majesty, "y carriage stands at
the entrance TO the palace. | shall not
waste a moment, and hope, by the Provi-
dencc of God, to reach the city before to-
morrow at six.
pray heaven you may" iervcntly re-
sponded Maria Theresa.
The pardon was handed TO her, and
when the royai signature had been afliX-
ed, the countess received the precious
document, and clasping il closely 10 her
bosom fled out of the palace and re-en-
tered her carriage which still waited at
the gate.
"To Pesthl" she commanded the coach
man; "do not spare the horses, and strive
to reach the city before six tomorrow
evening
The man stared in surprise, as though
She were lunatic, and began:
But, my lady. it is"
She interrupted him:
Joseph, your master is to die at that
hour, unless am there TO save him.
have the royal pardon with me, Need !
say m6re?"
No, it was enough; for the count was
dearly loved nay, worshipped byallhi SER
wants. He piled his whip with vigor, and
the horses started OIL with the speed of
the wind, while the countess leaned back
upon the seat and prayed that she might
reach Pesth before the awful deed was
done. But, oh, she doubted There were
many things to delay her The horses
could not hold out nj the rate they were
going-she might be unable to obtain
more-the carriage might brcak-she
thought of numberless events 10 prevent
her. The fact, however, that the road
was an excellent one, hard and level al
most as a floor, was in her favor.
She took out her jeweled watch and
opened it. Half past six. Heavens she
had but twentyrthree and half hours,
and Pesth was at least one hundred and
thirty-eight miles distant. That would
be nearly six miles an hour.
"Surely, we can do rs much as that"
she thought, and little comfortcd, was
carried past farm houses, fields, orchards
and towers, until Joseph told her that the
horses could hold out but few miles
more.
''Then we will stop at the next inn and
try to obtain fresh relay" replied the
countess, and in short time, with great
flourish, they drew up in front of little
building brilliant with lights, with a
swinging sign which proclaimed to all
men that it was the Kings Golden
Crown"
The bustling landlord hearing the clat'
ter of the horses hoofs and seeing the
splendor of the equipage drawn up be-