Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-08-14

bly,, and returned TO her own apartments.
Here she tore the rich atlas robe, which
had been the means of her self-love
being so deeply wounded, Into pieces,
and then threw herself, weeping, on an
ottoman. After while she dried her
eyes and began to mutter maledictions,
and then 20 reflect. Suddenly she became
perfectly calm and then absolutely radi-
ant. She had evidently come to some de-
termination, or formed some plan with
which she was greatly pleased. She inn
mediately ordered her saddle-horse,
dressed herself and rode out.
The following day Nadeschda reap
peared at the Empress leUee, and seemed
as cheerful as usual, except that she
seemed to be somewhat preoccupied and
TO be looking for some one. Nor did she
appear to.find the object of her search
until Count Strogonoff entered; from this
moment the offended beauty had no eyes
bus for him, This his vanity was not
SLOW to observe, and he was weak enough
to be attracted by her coquetry. Thus
encouraged, Nadeschda lost no opportu-
nifty to draw the tidnce of her rival toward
her, and so unmindful of appearances did
she soon become in evincing n partiality
for t1e Counts society that 1t was but a
few lays before her apparent infatuation
was the subject of frequent remark. The
part played by the Count flattered him
not little. He did not suspect that he
was simply allowing himself to be caught
in tie net of q revengeful woman, AT
firsthe felt something akin to pity for
her, then his pity became interest, and
finally his interest became infatuation /;
he vas overioyed, therefore, when he re-
ceiyed the assurance that his love was re-
turned.
Whittier this double relation to the
lovely rivals would lead, Strogonof had
scarcely paused to ask himself. The
Princess, not suspecting the faithlessness
of her betrothed, was desirOus-although
her parents were dead-of celebrating
her nuptials on her estate, and to have
the ceremony performed in the little
church of the neighboring village. To
this end she repaired thither accompa-
nied by the best wishes of the Empress
and her court, leaving the Count in the
capital, where his official duties and GER
tain private matters detained him.
The wedding-day came, and the Prin-
cess stood before her dressing bureau in
her bridal robe, while her old nurse en-
circled her handsome brow with the usual
myrtle wreath, when, instead of the
bridegroom, one of his servants arrived
with letter, which the Princess glanced
at hastily and then fell lifeless to the
ground.
Two weeks later the Princess received
news of Strogonoff's marriage with Mad
emoiselle dOlsufierd, and at the same
time a letter from her victorious rival
containing the simple words, :" La re-
ranche dune femme" (The revenge of a
woman)
Five years had passed since this sad
day for the Princess. The unfortunate
girl had passed them far from the court
and the gay world at her chateau near
Perusow. She lived in strict seclusion,
so occupied in perfecting her knowledge
of the popular studies of her generation
that she acquired the soubriquet of the
" Philosopher" While thus employed,
the death of Count sffsoSgaohh5ft h fths Soon at al
terward she reappeared at the capital,
where she was heartily welcomed by her
imperial mistress and her court.
She seemed to have buried her melan-
choly and misanthropy in the grave of
the man she had once loved, for she ap-
peared as gay, as sunny and as amiable
as formerly, and the Empress found it
easy to retain her at court. Nadeschda,
the widow of Count Strogonoff spent the
first year of her widowhood in travelling
through Germany, France and Italy, af.
ter which she also returned to the capi-
tai. Everyone was naturally very Curl
Gus to see how the former rivals would
meet, but all were destined to be disap-
pointed.
The Princess seemed to have fully for.
given the perfidy of which she had been
the victim-yes, even to have forgotten
it, for when she met the widowed Count
ess she fastened TO clasp her in her arms,
as she would dear old friend, and
kissed her affectionately. The Countess,
although surprised at the Princess man
ner, strove to be not less cordial than
she; the consequence was that within a
few weeks the two women, who had
been supposed to be the bitterest enc
mics, became intimate friends. Indeed,
their love for each others society went
so far that they decided to spend the hot
summer months together at the Princess
chateau. The big travelling coach of the
Princess, therefore, brought the two Ia
dies to Perusow.
1t was late in the evening when they
arrived The two friends took their tea
together and then each retired to her re-
spective apartments, which were in op'
posite wings of the chateau. When the
Princess felt certain that the Countess
had retired, she sent for a young man tC
come to her, and with him had a long in
terview. Upon leaving her they tarrieo
moment at the door
"Be sure, now, that you remember
all my iniunctions," said the Princess
"and do not forget, Sergius, that
! il is to me you owe everything
your education and the enviable posi-
tion you occupy; and, further, do moi
| forget that | can richly reward you il
you are obedient, severely punish you
tramplc on you as l would on IA worm, il
you dare to act contrary to my instruc
! lions"
He bowed low and left her.
The following morning, after the ladies
had finished their breakfast, Sergius mod
estly entered the room.
"AllOw me to present to you distant
relation" said the Princess to Nadeschdi
-" Sergius lwanowitsCh Pauloff, "A young
man whose amiability is only equaled by
his modesty."
| Sergius would have attracted the Count
ess' attention had the Princess not takeI
the trouble to give recommendation
| He was so handsome, his manners were
so polished and his accomplishments 81
varied, that there were few cavaliers o.
his time to whom he would not have
proved formidable rival
The proposition of the Princess to ride
out was readily seconded by Nadeschda
When the horses were brought, Sergiu
hastened to assist the Countess into thu
saddle; and, as she placed her foot in hi
hand, close observer would have no
ticed that momentary blush suifuseC
her cheeks.
When the ladies returned to the cha
teau the susceptible heart of the Counties
had warmed sensibly toward their gallan
cavalier, circumstance which she mad
no effort to conceal from the Princess
Indeed, she used every means, resorte'
to all the arts of coquetry, to captivat
the young man, and she succeeded. Tha
very night Sergius stood under her win
dow with his guitar, and sang, after tn
fashion of the Spanish knights of old,
song full of love and rapture; and th