Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-10-05

sports in which his sire delighted. Pre-
tending to believe that the boy would
never pluck up heart to marry of his own
accord, Prince Michael had already picked
out a wife for him, the daughter Of a rich,
intriguing old countessi and the two pa
rents arranged that the marriage should
be celebrated as soon as Alexander should
return from the baths of Liebenstein.
Neither son nor daughter was consulted
In the natter they were not supposed to
have either will or heart.
The wrath of Prince Michael, when his,
wife, timidly and with many misgiyings-
gave into his hands the letter in which
Alexander declared his love for Marie,
and begged permission, to make her his
wife, was something indescribable. He
raved for an hour, like a madman; and
then dispatched furious letter to his son,
enclosed in one to Dmitry, in which he
commanded his brother to bring Alexan-
der home without delay.
Dimitry at once obeyed. Without losing
an hour he hastened back to I.iebenstein,
and Immediately he sought his nephew's
lodgings. Alexander was away, but there
was trusty old Peter, who had tended him
rs a child and always accompanied him
on his travels.
"What, in heavens name, has come
over your masterl" exclaimed Dimitry,
taking the old man roughly by the shoul-
der, for he was thoroughly excited and
alarmed.
" "Ileavcn only knowsl Pm sure Pm
not to blame. How could help his fall
ing over head and ears in love with this
peasant girl can't keep him away from
her. lie even goes intothe field aud helps
her plant potatoes and cabbagesl !"
''lIelps her plant potatoes and cabbagesl
Good God, Peter, do you think he has lost
his senscsl''
don't know. lie is always g)od and
kind to me; hut he has no eyes for any one
hut that girl"
Still undecided what course to pursue, in
order to break the news of his fathers
anger to the weak-minded hoy, for such
he thought him, Dimitry allowed old Peter
to guide him to the field where his nephew,
Marie and her father were at work. Alex
ander was the first to perceive his approach
With sad foreboding at his heart, the
young man greeted his uncle in n manner
that attracted the others attention. Ma
rc's loving heart also divined something
81. 81.
"Follow me to your mother's," he said
gently; this is my uncle Dimitry. He
brings news from my father" Deeply
moved, Marie spoke TO her father, who
imncdiaily left his work, and, hand in
hand with his daughter, followed the two
towards the little cottage. Not word
was spoken.
The good mother met them at the door.
Dlmitry greeted Der with the utmost court
csyi her fine Intelligent features, and the
worth expressed in her kindly eyes made
deep impression on him. 81 am hearth
ly sorry," he said after the usual greeting,
'that ! must enter this house as the mes
senger of bad news. My nephew, whose
love for your daughter begin to under
stand, has entreated his parents to consent
to his marriage with her. But his fathci
has other views for him, and withhold'
his permission"
81 expected this" replied the mother
simply, but with true sorrow in her voice
"and have often told your nephew that il
must be SO. 1t is not possible that rich
Prince should let his son marry poor
peasant girl. If have LOT him he with my
daughter every day, and TO use our hCusl
as his own, it was because | could trus
them both, and they were so happy to
gether that could not bear to part them
Your nephew has n right noble heart, aud
. am sure that could not choose better
husband for my child But the diilerenc,
is too great, as I have often told them
Alasl ] am afraid have done wrong, fol
they love each other so well, and it will b'
hard for them to part"
Alexander and Marie sat near together
but neither spoke a word nor looked a
the other.
. bAiAtNA t'NhNN WIN AAut AoANlAoNAAAAA
at the Supplemented woman, and senti
ment Of respect and admiration strret
his heart As he listened to her words. II,
felt that every word was true; that sh,
was entirely free from intrigue and ambi
e tlon, and had not In any way sought q
= enirap his nephew into marrying he
1 daughter. "You are the best woman
i ever saw" he said, warmly pressing he
c hand; "and what You have said make
r my errand harder than ever. III though
{ my brother could be persuaded to relent-
it hut it is useless to speak of that. Alex
r ander, here is your fathers letter, read
e for yourself"
An ley shuddcr ran through the youn
e mans heart us his eye glanced rapidl
d over the contents of the letter. so God
d ! have not deserved thisl" he cried out
10 springing to his feet. "My fathers ours
ID if marry youl''
W lie fell unconscious at Maric's feet.
IL Very lcnderly, very sorrowfully, the tw
rs women raised him from the floor an
laid him on the he'd. Marie bathed HI
temples with cool water, and old Pet,
rs went oil on run for "a physician. A Ion
at fever succeeded, during which Marie an
Id her mother never left his bedside excel
ry to catch short intervals of needed res
r. Weeks passed before he came to himsol
he The first face he saw was his mother
IL then he saw that she was sitting hand
.rs hand with Marie, and deep peace and co
bt tentmcnt filled kis heart By degrees
or learned that his fathers curse had be,
to- removed, aud that his full consent to Il
nj marriage had been given.
ed at comes too late" he whispere
as pressing his mothers hand, and tunh
We loving look on Mariei "hut shall d
.ile happy with you here, and knowing ia
-ch you love her, too. You will bury me hel
,, will you noli'
-. The promise was given and kept Al
he every year, ON the anniversary of her sol
.,,. death, the Princess visits liebenstein,
ro strew lowers upon his grave. She is neN
n alone on these sad visits, for Marie is
,is- ways at her side. Many times she h
ion asked the young girl to go, as her deal
beloved daughter, to her Russian hon