The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1872-09-29

sion 10 make her his wife, was some.
thing indescribable. He raved for an
hour, like madinan and then dis
patched furious letter to his son, en-
closed in one to Dimitry, in which he
commanded his brother to bring Alex
ander home without delay.
Dimitry at once obeyed. Without
losing an hour he fastened back TO Lib
ensteiu, and Immediately sought his
nephews lodgings. Alexander was
away but there was trusty old Peter,
who had tended him as child and al
ways accompanied him on his travels.
Still undecided what course to pur-
sue, in order to break the news Of his
fathers anger to the weak minded boy,
for such he thought him, Dimitry al
lowed old Peter to guide him to the
field where his nephew, Maria and her
father were at work. Alexander was
the first to perceive his approach.
With sad foreboding at his heart, the
young man greeted his uncle in man
ner that attracted the others attention.
Marie's loving heart also OWNED some
thing wrong, and she came instantly to
his side. "Follow me to your mothers, "
he said gently "this is my uncle
Dimitry He brings news from my
father" Deeply moved, Marie spoke
to her father, who Immediately left his
work, and, hand in hand with his
daughter, followed the other two to-
wards the little cottage. Not word
was spoken.
The good mother met them at the
door. Dimitry greeted her with the
utmost courtesy her fine intelligent
features, and the worth expressed in
her kindly eyes, made deep impress
ion on him. 81 am heartily sorry
he said, after the usual greeting. that
must enter this house as the messen-
ger of bad news. My nephew, whose
love for your daughter | begin to I'M
derstand, has entreated his parents to
consent TO his marriage with her. But
his father has other views for him, and
withholds his permission"
II expected this replied the
mother, simply, but with true sorrow
in her voice, land have often told your
nephew that it must be SO. 1t is not
possible that rich Prince should let
his son marry poor peasant girl. If
| have let him be with my daughter
every day, and to use our house as his
own, it was because l could trust them
both, and they were SO happy together
that | could not bear to part them.
Yonr nephew has right noble heart,
and am sure that ! could not choose
a better husband for my child. But
the difference is too great, as | have
often told them. Alas l am afraid |
have done wrong, for they love each
other too we'll, and it will be hard for
them to part"
Alexander and Marie sat near to-
gether; but neither spoke word nor
looked at the other.
Dimitry looked with true astonish-
ment at the simple hearted woman, and
sentiment of respect and admiration
stirred his heart as he listened to her
words. He felt that every word was
true that she was entirely free from
intrigue and ambition and had not in
any way sought to entrap his nephew
into marrying her daughter. "You
are the best woman l ever saw" he
said, warmly pressing her hand land
what you have sand makes my errand
harder than ever. III thought my
brother could be persuaded to relent
but it is useless to speak Of that.
Alexander, here is your fathers letter,
read it for yourself"
An icy shudder ran through the
young mans heart as his eye glanced
rapidly over the contents of the letter.
80 God | have not deserved this !"
he cried out springing to his feet.
my fathers curse if | marry your
He fell unconscious at Marie's feet.
Very tenderly, very sorrowfully, the
two women raised him from the floor
and laid him on the bed. Marie bathed
his temples with cool water, and old
Peter went off on the run for a physi-
clan. A long fever succeeded, during
which Marie and her mother never left
his bedside except to catch short inter
walls of needed rest. Weeks past be-
fore he came to himself. The first face
he saw was his mothers then he saw
that she was sitting hand in hand with
Marie, and deep peace and contentment
filled his heart. BY degrees he learned
that his father curse had been re-
moved, and that his full consent to the
marriage had been given.
at comes too late" he whispered,
pressing his mothers hand, and turn
ing loving look on Marie "but l
shall die happy with you here, and
knowing that you love her, too. You
will bury me here; will you not?'
The promise was given and kept !;
and every year, on the anniversary of
her sons death, the Princess visits Lib
enstein, to strew flowers upon his grave,
She is never alone on these sad visits ;
for Maria is always at her side. Many
times she has asked the young girl
to go, as her dearly beloved daughter,
to her Russian home but Marie will
not consent to leave her parents and
her lovers grave. Nor will she accept
any of the rich presents which Alex